One Wild Night

"That went better than I expected," Bryan said as Tom drove them to his apartment.

"Yeah. Alicia did a really good job. And you all handled your parts really well," Tom said in agreement as he kept his focus on the road.

"So what's your plan?" Tom asked curiously.

"I suppose you're asking in reference to me ending my contract with Paul?" Bryan asked and Tom gave him a nod.

Bryan sighed, "I will just be a freelance actor until I find a suitable agency that I would love to work with. One that would care about my wellbeing and not just about the money I'm bringing," Bryan said with a shrug.

"What if I sign you?" Tom asked, and Bryan turned to look at him.

"Sign me as what? You are not into entertainment..."

"But you are. You're a major star and I care about your well-being. You could be the first star in my entertainment agency," Tom said, and Bryan's brows pulled together.

"What are you talking about, Tom? You're going to establish an entertainment agency just so that you can sign me?"

"It's not necessarily just for your sake. I've been thinking about expanding and creating other subsidiaries for some time now. I already asked Harry to become my Co-CEO since there's going to be so much work for us to do and I want him to have as much authority as I have. He earned it."

When Bryan didn't say anything, Tom sighed, "Because of this interview I-Global's shares are going to go up, and more people are going to want you to endorse their brands too. Although the scandal was terrible for us, we were all able to take advantage of it. If you agree I could have my legal team take care of the cancellation of your contract with Paul and we could work out something," Tom offered.

"You're such a businessman," Bryan said with a shake of his head and Tom smiled.

"If by a businessman you mean I'm someone that takes advantage of a bad situation to make it favorable for my business, then yes I am. You have no idea how much publicity this interview has given Sonia and Lucy too. It worked out for everyone," Tom said with a shrug.

"Is that why you let her do it? She shared really personal and sensitive details of her life. That's the woman you just said you love. I don't think..." 

"You're mistaken, Bryan. I supported her to do it because FIRST, it was what she wanted. And I also figured that doing it would help her heal faster and also boost her self-confidence. With this, she has gotten a lot of attention and fame. People will know her now. Not just because she is Thomas Hank's woman, but as someone who survived a terrible experience. She is now a symbol of hope to many people out there. I could easily have asked that Alicia introduce me as my boyfriend before she gets to share her experience, but I wanted that to be the last thing they know about her. They already loved her before knowing about her involvement with me. Now she won't be with me and feel less than who she is. The business benefits of the interview come last. Lucy's wellbeing, as well as that of the rest of you, came first!" Tom explained, feeling slightly offended that Bryan would think that he had used the interview solely for business purposes.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to doubt your intentions. I was just worried..."

"It's fine," Tom said dismissively.

"So about Anita..."

"Let's not talk about her now. I don't want to ruin my mood," Tom said, feeling his blood boil at the mere mention of her name. 

"Sure. I can only imagine how you feel. You must really love Lucy a lot," Bryan said, and Tom scoffed.

"You have no idea. Even I have no idea," Tom said, and Bryan chuckled.

"Good. Cause I was gonna say, you better not hurt her else you'll have me to contend with," Bryan warned, making Tom raise a brow.

"And when did you become her protector?" 

"When I realized how much Sonia loves her, and even more so after hearing her story. She deserves all the happiness she can get," Bryan said, and Tom turned to glance at him. 

"Who would have thought that you were such a softie?" He asked with a teasing smile, feeling glad that his brother was looking out for the lady he was in love with. Although he had noticed that Lucy seemed to naturally make people feel protective towards her. Maybe it was because of how innocent and naive she looked. 

"You do know that it's a two-way thing right? You'll have me to contend with if you hurt Sonia in any way. You're more likely to hurt Sonia than I am to hurt Lucy," Tom pointed out. 

"Don't be so sure. You do realize that everything is going to change for you now that you've made your identity known to the world, right?" Bryan asked, trying not to sound too worried about it. 

"By everything you mean that I'm going to be getting lots of attention, especially from the press and women?" Tom asked, knowing what Bryan was driving at.

"Yes. It's not that I don't trust you, I'm just saying this because I know how easy it is to get lost in all the fame and..."

"Bryan, you don't have to worry about me. I chose to keep my identity hidden from the public because I know how these things work. Lucy is the reason I chose to do this now... But I was going to have to do it eventually anyway. I'll be fine," Tom said confidently, and Bryan nodded. They both lapsed into silence until Tom turned to spare him a glance.

"So have you given my offer a thought?" Tom asked, making Bryan chuckle. 

"You're a businessman indeed," Bryan said as the gates opened and Tom drove into his compound.

"Wow! It's been a while since I last came here. I almost forgot how wealthy you are," Bryan said as he looked at the magnificent building ahead of them with different cars arranged there. 

"Well, this is a good reminder. At least now you'll know that I'll be a good boss to you," Tom said as he parked the car, and Bryan rolled his eyes.

"Cut it out already. I will sleep on it and get back to you on my decision by morning," Bryan promised as he got out of the car without waiting for Tom.

The door opened before he got to it, and he was surprised to see their mother standing there, "Mom?"

"Oh, my baby!" Evelyn exclaimed excitedly as she embraced him, while Tom who was coming from behind looked in confusion.

"Mom? What are you doing here?" He asked, wondering when she got here and how he did not know about it.

"Is that important right now? I missed you so I came to see you," she said as she let go of Bryan to embrace Tom.

Tom embraced her before pulling away, "What about dad?"

"We came together. He is inside playing with the kid," Evelyn said, reminding Tom that Candace was still in his house with her little boy. He had completely forgotten about that. 

Bryan looked from his mother to Tom in confusion, "Kid? What kid, Tom? Don't tell me you..."

"Shut up!" Tom said knowing that Bryan was going to say something stupid.

"What about Lucy and Sonia? I thought you were bringing them along for dinner?" She asked, looking towards the car.

"They're not ready yet. Adolf will be going to bring them over," Tom said as he walked into the house, and then stopped to look at his mother, "Lucy's family is coming over, and they will all be staying for some time, please do not say or do anything..."

"I already apologized for what I said yesterday," she said defensively.

"No, you didn't," Tom corrected.

"Fine, I'm sorry. Besides, after watching that interview I'd be a monster to judge her or say anything mean when I have a daughter of my own. I'm sorry for allowing my judgment to be swayed by public opinion. I should have trusted you and your judgment," she said apologetically, and Tom sighed.

"Yes, you should have trusted us. Now if you are going to scold me for deceiving you about my engagement, do so now or forever remain silent. You can't bring it up in front of Sonia," Bryan said with a sheepish smile and Evelyn hit his arm. 

"You're one to talk about trust! You deceived me!" She said, remembering how excited she had been about his engagement and how she had been talking to them about picking a date for their wedding.

Bryan briefly considered telling her about what the housekeeper she had brought him had done, but he decided against it. He didn't want her to be upset, "I'm sorry I lied to you. No excuses," he said as he kissed her cheeks, and Tom shook his head as he walked away from there to find his father. 

As he walked into the house, his phone started ringing, and he immediately received the call when he saw that it was from Harry, "Hey!"

"Sorry to rain on your parade, but I need you to tighten security around the house. And make sure Jade's witness doesn't leave the house. We are taking the jet to Sogal," Harry said just in case Brandy told the Legion the truth about her sister's whereabouts. He did not want to give Tom more information than was necessary. He didn't want him to be worried. 

"Is everything alright?" Tom asked in concern.

"We are hoping so. If things go well, then Jade might be wrapping up the case soon. Just make sure your house is secure is always," Harry repeated hurriedly since the jet was already on the roof of the hotel waiting to pick them up. 

"You both should be e careful," Tom said before the call was disconnected.

As he returned the phone into his pocket he looked around the living room. He needed to first check in on Candace and her son, and then he would go to the security room to make sure all the cameras and locks were in place. 

"They're in the den," Evelyn said as she and Bryan joined Tom, and she led them to where her husband was playing mortal Kombat with Jamal.

"Hey, Dad!" Bryan and Tom greeted as they walked into the room, and their father only spared them a glance before returning his attention to the game only to see that Jamal had won the game in the little while he was distracted.

"You little cheat," he said accusingly, and Jamal laughed happily.

He turned to his sons, "I saw the interview. Both girls are pretty. I'm proud of you," he said making Bryan chuckle as he sat down beside Jamal who was now staring at him curiously.

"Are you proud of them because the girls are pretty or because of how they handled the situation?" Evelyn asked her husband.

"Both reasons."

"How have you been, dad?" Bryan asked as he took the pad from Jamal, while Tom remained where he was.

"Fine," their father said flatly as he returned his attention to the screen and reset the game. Both brothers knew that the fastest way to make him cheerful was to bring Jade to him. 

"You're the actor," Jamal said when he finally figured out who Bryan was.

"Yes, I am. And you're the kid," Bryan said, wriggling his brows playfully while he concentrated on the game which had just started.

"Hey, kid! Where is your mom?" Tom asked Jamal just as Candace walked into the room.

"I'm here. Sorry. I was just about to take him," she said apologetically, and Bryan paused the game to look at her.

Bryan's brows shot up in surprise when he recognized her, "It's you again?" he asked as he looked her over, and then glanced at Jamal curiously.

"You know her?" Tom and Evelyn asked simultaneously.

"Yes. What about you? What's she doing here?" Bryan asked curiously.

"Jade brought her here," Tom explained, and Bryan smiled in amazement.

"Jade? I guess Matt is involved in this?" he asked Candace recalling how Matt had asked for Jade's contact number the other time.

"Yes," Candace said with a nod, feeling slightly nervous that he might tell his family about her being a stripper.

"Wow! I've never been a believer in fate, but everything that has happened lately has taught me otherwise. Don't worry, whatever it is, you're safe here," Bryan assured her with a grin, and ruffled Jamal's hair fondly as the kid rose to meet his mom. Bryan had a feeling that the kid was going to be his best friend's stepson. 

"This would have been perfect if Jade was here..." Evelyn said with a wistful sigh, "You can both catch up with your father while I make sure everything is set for our guests," Evelyn said as she left the room.

"I'll be back," Tom said as he glanced at his wristwatch.. It was time for Adolf to go pick up the guests, and he needed to stop by the security room.