Allan nodded, his grin diminishing.
“Yep, every brushstroke. I wanted to give you something special that captured our family's essence."
I understood how he was feeling. It was several years back, but the death of our parents still left a considerable hole in our lives and hearts.
I was struck by his thoughtfulness and the fact that he'd poured his talent into creating something incredibly meaningful.
“You certainly have a gift, Allan. This is beyond impressive.”
He smiled, clearly hiding his reaction.
"Well, you know, if you didn't make it big in real estate, I'd have still made us rich with my art.”
I was older than Allan, so I’d taken up the job of standing in as a father figure, but he never failed to remind me that he could have helped care for us both, especially financially.
I laughed, shaking my head.
"Oh, I don't doubt that. You've got all the artistic talent in the family.”
“Well, I got that from mom.”
I sighed. "Indeed. You keep painting the masterpieces, and I'll keep selling the properties. Together, we'd conquer the world." I was eager to change the mood.
He clapped me on the back, his expression genuine.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, Alex.”
We stood there momentarily, taking in the artwork and its memories.
The air was filled with a comfortable silence that only exists between those who share a deep bond.
Allan and his ability to infuse laughter and creativity into every corner of our lives was a gift, and I was grateful to have him as my brother.
As the morning continued, we left the study, the canvas propped up against the chair like a silent guardian of our family’s legacy. I made a mental note to hang it up later.
Allan returned to his storytelling, and I couldn't help but join in, sharing tales of our childhood antics and the journey that brought us to this point.
Amid the ongoing laughter and camaraderie, I found a seat with my cup of coffee, watching as Allan spun yet another engaging tale for my maids.
The warmth of the morning sun streamed through the windows, creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Despite the casual surroundings, my thoughts have been on a particular subject lately.
Elizabeth…
Taking a deep breath, I turned to Allan, his attention momentarily diverted from his storytelling. I dismissed my maids and Hilda.
"Hey, Allan, can I talk to you about something?”
Allan looked at me curiously, his eyebrows raised.
"Of course, Alex. What’s on your mind?”
I took a sip of my coffee, gathering my thoughts.
"Well, you don’t know, but I’ve been seeing someone recently. It's not serious, but I can't help but feel if we continue seeing each other, things might progress and eventually become serious.”
Allan leaned back, his expression shifting from intrigue to curiosity.
"Ah, the romantic adventures of a big brother. I'm all ears. What's the problem?"