Julius Caesar

The guy holding the pistol to Sam's head opened the door allowing us in. I tried keeping my hands to myself as I watched Sam hyperventilate with her eyes screwed shut. I clenched my jaws, remembering how I promised her that with me was the safest she could be. I walked in and Augustus followed, his eyes glued on Sam.

The huge man led us into the living room as I worked on a strategy to overpower him and free Sam. But I got completely disarmed of any ideas because-

Because there was my father, sitting on the couch, with his legs crossed, in his white suit and royal-blue tie that contrasted sharply with the velvet couch he sat on. Smoke twitling lazily from the cigar he held between his middle and index fingers covered his face before he blew it away, exposing his faltering smile.

"Fathe-?

"Dad?"

"August-?"

We all seemed to talk at once and the utter horror of the situation made me snap my head towards Augustus' direction, who was staring at me with wide eyes.

"Wait. What?" Augustus started with confusion.

"He's your father?" was what I said with a lump in my throat while I stared in disbelief in his electric-blue eyes that only seemed to darken under the room's pulsating lights. "You were spying on me?" I spat as my heart pounded through my ribcage and in my ears, feeling the betrayal in my bones. Hot, consuming betrayal. Augustus' face fell and I almost slapped myself at my inability to have noticed the resemblance. How- I looked down at his fingers to find a ring with an azure stone- the colour of his eyes.

I clenched my fists.

I stared at Augustus waiting for an answer but none came. So I lost it. I lost it because, wow, I thought that he was a person I could actually lean on a bit. Because I thought he had nothing to do with who I am or my father. Because I thought that I could get lucky. But, oh well, look where that ended me.

"Why aren't you saying something?!" I exploded, losing it and leaping at him, but someone caught my arms.

"Don't you dare!" Father's icy voice was a hard slap to reality. I fidgeted in my captor's huge arms, my heart an overworking, overheated machine, making its way out of my chest. My betrayal-charred chest. It physically pained me.

"Let me go," I said dangerously but Father smiled. I kicked Augustus weakly as I fought against whoever was holding me.

"JULIUS CAESAR!" Father thundered and I stopped, too shocked to even think straight. He then glanced at Augustus who was standing next to me. Augustus, my half-brother? My brother, who spied on me and lied to me?

I felt my eyes water from the intensity of the betrayal. I really, idiotically thought I had company, and I despicably managed to get attached to him. I was impossibly hurt and offended.

Did I just witness Father being pleasant? I was confused. Why was he being so nice? Bless me, I was so, so perplexed.

"I won't-" Augustus replied solidly and I dared look at his traitorous face. He looked confused and shocked, and it took me all my power not to spit at him. Maybe he was the one who sold us out-

"You will, Augustus, this isn't your scene-" Father persisted calmly and I felt bile creep up my oesophagus. I felt some incomprehensible tightness in my breath. I felt my heart expand in pure rage. Because this was so sick. It was very disgusting and surreal.

"You cheated on my mother-" I enunciated, my voice laced with venom and my eyes full of unfallen tears, but Father never looked at me. "YOU BLOODY CHEATED ON HER, DIDN'T YOU?!" I roared, fidgeting more in my captor's arms as I felt my heart shatter to pieces. My mum was cheated on. My mum. My love. I felt like crying all her unshed tears. Her unshed tears for a traitor of a husband and a lost cause of a child.

I found it miraculous that the tears that filled my eyes to the brim hadn't managed to fall and defied gravity for so long. I was too shocked to even say anything anymore. So I stared at the floor. The blurry floor. As my tears found a way to escape from raining in this harsh world.

I glanced at Augustus who stood, gaping at his father in horror. My father. His 'dad'.

"He's my brother?" Augustus then asked in a small voice.

Father got up, glaring at Augustus. "What in heaven's name brought you here anyway?" he said impatiently. "He's lying! And you need to leave, goddammit!"

"I won't leave, Dad," he pressed, shaking his head and frowning. "Not until I understand what the hell is happening! And who the hell is Julius?!" He asked exasperatedly and I smirked.

Son of a bitch, indeed.

"You will leave, August, because I said so." My father said sharply, uncrossing his legs and I actually laughed.

"You're giving him a nickname?" I said scornfully and bitterly, glancing at my father who acted like he didn't hear. I licked my lips. "Didn't know that side of you existed, Fathe-" I breathed and he turned to me, face hard and dark-brown eyes icy.

"I also didn't know that you were a bloody pussy. Didn't know you'd run away crying like a baby when I shot your whore in front of you," he said laughing and my anger levels were high enough to break free from my captor's grasp with a groan, take my gun out, and whip it in my captor's face.

He landed on the ground with a busted nose. I pressed my foot to his face to stop him from moving while pointing my gun at Augustus. My heart was beating loudly in my chest and my brain was a bleeding, sleepy chaos. Really sleepy, yes.

Sam squealed in horror.

Augustus gaped at me, his lips parted as his hands rose on top of his head slowly. My father shut up. Seeing Augustus' azure ring sparkle in the room's light made me tighten my hold around my gun in anger. He betrayed me. He used me. He belittled my feelings and weaknesses. He tricked me. And I was an emotionally-consumed idiot. That was unforgivable.

After a few more moments of studying Augustus' transparent-blue eyes, Father erupted in laughter. "Another proof for why you're a bloody coward, Julius. Why don't you kill me instead, huh? Why don't you point that bloody gun at my head and shoot me instead, Julius? Do it!" He roared and I smirked at Augustus who looked too shocked to my surprise.

"I'm not a coward. Father," I said, fake-smiling at Augustus who clenched his jaws in fear. "I'm just smart. I mean, maybe, just maybe, I'll let you suffer the pain I went through, eh? The pain of losing a loved one." I glanced at Father who didn't even flinch. "Might as well shoot your 'August′ in front of your eyes. In his chest," I drawled, lowering my gun to coincide with his chest. "Just like you killed Audrey. Just like you made me cry and hurt for them. What do you say? Or-" I said, tilting my head to the side to examine Augustus' face as if for the first time.

Sharp, fierce features. Angular jaws. Focused eyes. Handsome. Dangerous. The resemblance with Father was rather striking.

"Or you can lose him forever," I continued. "-by telling him the bitter truth. The truth of how much of a good father you are," I studied the questioning look Augustus was giving me. "Tell him about how you cheated on my mum with his saint of a mum," I mocked. "Tell him that you were shagging his mum when my mum was dying of cancer. Tell him about the burns you gave me on my birthdays. Tell him about burdens and give him lessons in your delightful business. But, oh, wait-" I turned to Augustus and grimaced. "You should already know all about that, don't you? I mean you were spying on me for him, weren't you?"

Augustus shook his head vigorously and I ignored.

"Tell him how you killed Audrey. Tell him how it pleasured you to hear her scream. Maybe you should tell him his half-brother's story. Tell him about Julius Caesar. Tell him everything. Tell him, Father!" I then sharply glanced at Father who was stifling his laughter and I bit my tongue in anger.

"Are you done ranting, Julius?" He mocked, clapping his hands slowly. "Done with your show?" He added, fixing his royal-blue tie. "Now, I think it's high time we turned the tables."

He snapped his fingers twice and I immediately felt a hard thing at the back of my head. My breath hitched and I lowered my gun, cursing under my breath. I was sweating despite the cold, cold touch of betrayal, freezing my bones. It was a hot kind of cold that one can't explain.

Of course, there were many more of his men.

I glanced at Augustus who looked relieved and who was trying to catch my eyes.

Son of a bitch.

"Secondly, I hate that squealing bitch." Father tilted his head with a displeased smirk. "Sounds like a useless pig to me." Father then whipped out his gun and shot Sam in the chest taking as all by surprise.

My eyes widened in shock as I stood there speechless while Augustus inhaled sharply, looking between me and Sam's faltering figure.

He must know. He must know that this wasn't the Sam we were supposed to be looking for.

She fell to the ground with a sickening thud that reverberated in the back of my mind. I felt like throwing up.

Augustus then stared at me, eyes frantic, then back at my father with a wild look on his face. "Are you out of your damn mind?!" He thundered, causing Father to flinch.

Augustus then rushed to Sam and knelt next to her. His black coat was dipped in the blood pool on the floor. He looked wildly everywhere, hyperventilating in shock, as his eyes widened at Sam's irresponsiveness and blood that stained her grey pyjama. "Someone call an ambulance!" He was gasping, slapping Sam's face, removing her hair from her eyes, and whispering incoherent things, grief stealing any light in his eyes away.

I watched hypnotically.

Augustus then scooped her up in his arms with a grunt before rushing outside. I clenched my fists, then glanced at Father who was looking after Augustus in evident surprise.

I hoped Sam would be fine. She was strong, I thought. She'd hold on, I was sure.

"Well done." I broke the silence bitterly, feeling a lump in my throat. "You've officially broken his heart," I continued, my gaze falling over the little pool of blood that stained the floor.

Redwine sunshine.

I felt sick.

Father's amused expression turned hard before he looked at me with a scowl. "How do you know him?" He asked angrily, ignoring my remark.

I raised my eyebrows, trying to shake away Sam's crippled body's image from my mind.

"Why do you care? It's nothing that should concern you-" I said disgustedly.

Father inhaled deeply before sitting on the couch. "Okay. Can you please sit? Julius, we have important things to discuss," he said placidly, waving a hand at the person behind me to back off.

I looked at him incredulously. Was he seriously going to pretend like nothing happened? Like I'd go back to be what I was? His doormat?

I sat on the chair opposite to him, curious as to where this conversation would go. And particularly curious as to why he came all the way to London.

"Now. Julius." He crossed his legs composedly. "Tell me. How did you get to know Augustus?"

I glared at him but decided that going against him wouldn't make it any easier to me. And I wanted things done. "You sent him to spy on me. To become friends-" I muttered, feeling my words snap away any remaining hope that this was all a joke. Some really sick joke.

"You're friends?!" Father's eyes almost popped out and I frowned.

"Brothers, apparently. Half-brothers," I 'corrected' him, eyeing him challengingly. I was beyond furious at Augustus' disloyalty. How dare he? How dare he, dammit? "But why act so surprised?" I continued flatly. "Weren't you the 'mastermind' behind this skilfully orchestrated cascade of events? To bring us together. To know my whereabouts?"

"I didn't plan that. I wouldn't want him to know you," he said frustratedly, his eyes glistening dangerously.

"Why? Too ashamed of me? Too ashamed of what I've become? Or wait, you're scared of me? Scared of what I'd inflict on your pet of a son?" I drawled sarcastically and miserably, laughing humorlessly.

Oh Mother, come and see what's become of your son. An empty plastic bag tossed harshly everywhere by everyone, I thought to myself.

"Scared for him," he said, clenching his teeth and closing his eyes as I lifted my brows.

"I see," I said unamusedly. "That's because he didn't live my 'hard' life. Our life. Not complaining or anything...but that's what his mother would've wanted, yes? His mother who died of birth complications. When I was five. Did I get that right?" I said, looking into the dark pits of his soul- his eyes.

Father gaped at me and I continued.

"You stayed with him. Augustus, instead of me when Mum was dying. You lied to Mum. You claimed your love to her when you were fucking another bitch," I said venomously, no longer able to contain my anger. No longer able to pretend that that was acceptable. "My mother gave you her company thinking you loved her. Thinking that your loyalty lied with her and her only son! You betrayed her. You never loved her-"

"What do you know about love?" My father snapped sharply and I laughed bitterly, feeling grief break me. I made no effort to fight it off this time. It was more than welcome. It was, at last, back home.

"Not much maybe." I shrugged casually. "But more than you do definitely." My voice broke pathetically and Father smirked, rolling his eyes.

"When did you learn to become so articulate and sentimental, Julius? You were nothing but a robot that I controlled. They were just five months. Blimey, you sound like a whining baby." He then actually laughed, tipping back his head as his hair followed.

"Maybe it's for the greater good. Maybe, you should really forget about me. Live your life with your son and let me go. I could forget you too," I said bitterly and Father made a face.

"But you seem to have forgotten something. Julius," he said, suddenly furious. "You carry my name. If time will make us forget, blood won't, son. But let's leave that topic for another day, another time," he said dismissively, flicking his cigar on the ashtray and leaving it there. "I have a job for you."

"You came all the way for me to do some 'job' for you?" I raised my eyebrows. "I've already called it quits for the day. Go get someone else to do what you want. You should try Augustus-"

"You don't have a choice, Julius. Or need I remind you of what would happen if you don't oblige?" He said, smirking wickedly and tilting his head.

I was about to object when he beat me for it.

"However," he smiled. "-you can choose how you want to get it done. You can do it in your way- I don't get involved with your business but I'd expect results ASAP. Or-" he said, leaning across the table between us. "-my way."

"But you're not dumb, Father. You know what enjailing your son would do to your and Gorj's reputations. I know you well." I smirked and he laughed, stopped laughing, and shook his head sympathetically.

"Yet you insist on treating me like I'm dumb, Julius." He smiled a twisted sort of smile. "If you truly knew me, you'd know that I have relationships that can suppress the press with a finger snap. You insist on disappointing me." He shook his head and grinned, showing his pearly-white teeth.

"Then I'd rather be enjailed," I said solidly, grimacing as anger pulsated in my veins.

"Not the answer I wanted." He sighed, licked his lip once, and threw a punch at the side of my face, catching me off guard.

I held his gaze in anger before he started speaking, his cool wearing off.

"You think I've forgotten what you've done? You think I've forgotten that you've had me think that that bitch- was Ricardo's daughter? You think I've forgotten that you started to work against me- your father?" He smiled coldly. "I, out of fatherly mercy, decided to forgive you. So don't you dare take that for granted."

I sat back, staring at him in raw shock. "I'm not scared of you."

"But you should, Julius. You really should. I know all your moves. For instance, reserving as 'Romeo Rendz' at all hotels you've been to, brought me here. An awfully reckless move, I think. Awfully stupid." He added with a smirk and my heart dropped in defeat. "Besides, I must say that I'm proud of my introverted son. You've been socializing very well nowadays."

I looked at him dreadfully, knowing where this was going.

"Especially that blonde one. Cassie? Caroli-" He continued to tease but I cut off the chase.

"What do you want?" I clenched my jaws.

"I want you to keep your ears open and your mind clear, for I'm going to tell you a story." He sighed leisurely, relaxing back on the couch and clasping his hands.