Third Person POV
"Still nothing."
Will's voice cut through the room as his phone hit the table with a soft thud. He leaned back into the couch like the weight of five years had just dropped on him, scrubbing his hands down his tired face.
Derick stood across from him, fists clenching. "Where the hell could she be? It's been five damn years! Dad won't say a thing. No answers. Just vanished."
"You guys are pathetic," Rich chimed in as he walked out of the kitchen with a bottle of water, taking a long sip. "We got home, she wasn't here, and none of you raised an eyebrow. Now you're crying like little girls. Bit late, isn't it?"
"Don't give me that crap," Derick growled, shooting a glare across the room. "You think I haven't been asking Dad every damn week where she is?"
David jumped in, pointing straight at Rich. "Yeah, and you're the tech genius. How come the best you've found is a blurry blog post?"
Mike sat in the corner, phone in hand, scrolling furiously. "She never picks up. Doesn't answer texts. Dad keeps saying, 'She's fine, don't worry.' What the hell does that mean?"
"I tried," Rich said, raising a brow. "I even hacked into three national databases. Nothing. Just one profile popped up… but the girl looks nothing like Candy."
David's curiosity was piqued. "What did she look like?"
But before Rich could answer, the front door creaked open.
All heads snapped toward the hallway.
Samuel walked in. The eldest. Suit pristine. Face stone-cold. Not a single glance at anyone.
"Sam," Theo called lazily from where he lounged, "you should rest. You look dead."
Sam waved him off. "Forgot something," he muttered, disappearing upstairs.
Exactly fifteen seconds later, he returned, snatched a folder off the counter, and was already out the door again.
No one even blinked. It was just… Sam.
A brief silence lingered.
Then—
"She probably just got tired of living with six guys," Mike blurted.
Every head whipped in his direction.
"The fuck did you just say?" Derick snapped.
Will stood halfway. "You serious, man?"
"Don't make me break this bottle on your head," Rich warned.
"Okay, okay! Chill!" Mike held his hands up. "It was just a question! Jesus!"
"You're a walking brain fart," Josh said, rolling his eyes as he climbed the stairs. "Going to my room before I strangle someone."
Michael sat back down, muttering to himself, "Where is she? Why'd she leave without saying anything? Why didn't she tell me?"
The ding of a text message lit up his phone.
Michael checked it, then stood. "Okay, my mom just called. Gotta go."
As he reached the door, Will muttered dryly, "We all know that wasn't his mom."
The others just nodded.
London – Present Day
Candy stretched with a yawn as the car pulled up to the towering glass building. She sat up straighter, brushing a stray curl behind her ear.
"Can't believe I'm actually back," she whispered, the nerves fluttering just beneath her excitement.
The driver nodded. "Where to?"
"Take me to Sammy's office."
She rolled down the window slightly, letting in the cool, fresh air of London. Everything felt familiar and different at the same time.
The moment the car stopped, she stepped out, tugging her crop top down instinctively and smoothing her suspender shorts. Confidence. That's what she was going for. And anxiety. Lots of it.
The lobby was polished and grand, but her eyes locked on the receptionist desk immediately.
There she was.
"Lily!" Candy called brightly, approaching.
The red-haired woman looked up, brows knitting together. "Uh… how do you know my name?"
Candy faked a dramatic gasp, placing both hands on her chest. "You wound me, Lily."
She pulled out her phone and held up an old photo. "Candy. CEO's sister. Your favorite person five years ago?"
Lily's eyes grew wide in recognition. "Oh my god… Candy?!" She jumped to her feet, nearly knocking over her coffee. "Where the hell have you been?! You disappeared on everyone!"
Candy laughed. "You didn't even recognize me."
"To be fair, you look completely different." Lily circled her once, eyes wide. "You glow now. Girl, your body's insane! If I were a guy—whew."
Candy struck a pose. "It's the Texas sun. And a whole lot of emotional damage."
Lily giggled, just as the office phone rang. "Hold up."
She answered. "Yes, sir? Okay. I'll bring it right up."
Candy perked up. "Was that… Sam?"
Lily grinned slyly. "Sure was. He wants coffee."
There was a pause—then she grabbed the mug and handed it to Candy.
"Why don't you take it?"
Candy took the cup. "You sure?"
"Go blow his mind."
9th floor.
Candy's heart thudded as she rode the elevator alone, watching the numbers climb. She looked at her reflection in the polished steel.
"You got this," she whispered. "Don't faint. He's just your brother. Your CEO brother."
Ding.
The doors opened.
Her breath caught.
She stepped out into the cold, sterile hallway. Marble floors. Giant art pieces. All luxury. All Sam.
She reached his door, heart racing now, and knocked lightly.
"Come in," came the deep, commanding voice.
She pushed the door open.
There he was. Tall, powerful, back facing the door, hands tucked in his pockets as he stared out the floor-to-ceiling window.
The city stretched behind him, majestic and bright.
Candy walked in silently, set the coffee down on the desk, and perched casually on the edge.
"Your coffee, CEO," she said coolly, trying not to giggle.
His entire body stilled.
Then he turned.
Those sharp grey eyes locked onto hers—and widened.
"…Who are you?" he said, his voice husky with disbelief. His eyes still cold.
She smiled, crossing one leg over the other. "You mean you don't recognize your baby sister?"
For a full five seconds, he didn't move. Didn't blink. The expression on his face flickered from confusion to disbelief, and then—slowly—to something dangerously close to rage.
"Candy?" he said, stepping closer, voice low, disbelieving.
"In the flesh," she replied, tilting her head playfully. "You've aged well, CEO."
His mouth opened, then closed again. "Where the hell have you been?"
Her smile faltered, just for a second. "I'll tell you everything. Eventually."
He wasn't satisfied with that.
"You left. No calls. No notes. No anything," he snapped. "Do you have any idea what you put us through?"
"I know," she said quietly. "I'm sorry."
Sam exhaled hard, fists clenched. He ran a hand through his hair, pacing. "They've been tearing themselves apart trying to find you."
"I didn't want to be found."
"Why?"
Her expression darkened. "Because if I stayed, something worse would've happened."
He stopped pacing.
"What do you mean—worse?"
She stood, stepping closer, eyes serious now.