Sebastian stepped out of his car and walked towards the entrance of the Blackwell mansion which stood like a piece e of sculpted steel against the evening with sharp lines,towering windows and a silence that almost felt too heavy.
Inside,the housekeeper bowed. "Welcome home, Mr. Blackwell."
He gave a curt nod and asked"Where is everyone?"
"They're in the main lounge."
Sebastian took the long hallway,passing the framed awards of generations of Blackwells—men and women who built companies,led industries and never once took a day off because the Blackwell blood didn't believe in rest.
As he entered the living room, his mother looked up immediately.
"Seb,is that you, really decided to visit?" Marianne Blackwell asked while rising from her armchair with a warm smile and hugged her son.
"Mother." Sebastian called out as he kissed her cheeks lightly.
His father, Richard Blackwell, closed a thick financial document and nodded. "Son, you are here."
"Father." Sebastian replied while taking a seat.
A moment later, loud footsteps echoed through the hallway and then Lucas burst into the room dramatically as ever. Lucas Blackwell, the second son of the family and 25 years of age.
"Look who finally decided to visit. A rare Sebastian."
Sebastian ignored him. "Lucas, I'm here every week."
"That's a big fat lie." Lucas said while dropping into his couch.
Before Sebastian could retort, a quieter presence slipped into the room. Emily Blackwell who was 19 years old with soft green eyes ran to him as she leaned up to hug him softly.
"Hi… Seb." she greeted while hugging him for briefly. Emily was the only one who could make him do that without thinking.
Marianne sighed dramatically. "Finally, my children in one room without needing a board meeting to schedule."
Just then, a rocking chair turned and a firm small voice spoke.
"Well, the CEO arrives."
Sebastian froze and turned. Sitting in her favourite, high-back chair was Grandma Eleanor Blackwell with her sharp eyes and silver hair in perfect curls. She lifted a brow.
"Are you not free to hug your grandmother?" She said while opening her arms.
Sebastian's face lit up. "Ohhh, Grandmama?" He said while moving quickly to her, leaned down and hugged her tightly.
"Good boy." She said smiling, patting his back.
Lucas snorted loudly. "Behold,The mighty Sebastian turns into a toddler."
Sebastian shot him a glare over his grandmother's shoulders.
Elena smirked."Leave him alone Lucas. He's always the most serious child and only take this soft moments when I can get them."
Sebastian narrowed his eyes at her."Grandmama—"
She dropped his chest with her cane."Oh hush, sit down, you look down."
Sebastian sat down without arguing and then marinne began
"Seb,tell us how work is going!"
"Normal and busy," Sebastian said while leaning back at his chair,
"I will translate that,he's stressed." Lucas said:
"Lucas,"Richard hissed while shoting him a glare.
"Sorry but it's true,Dad?" Lucas said
"And everyone knows that."his father shot back."
Eleanor turned the gaze to Sebastian. "Are you eating properly?"
"Yes,"Sebastian answered while blinking.
"Do you sleep well?"
"Yes."
"Are you taking breaks?"
".....Occasionally," Sebastian said while nodding.
"Liar", Eleanor said as she narrowed her eyes at him
"Grand mama—"Sebastian said while sighing heavily.
"No, don't 'Grandmama' me. I can see the bags under your eyes."
Sebastian rubbed his forehead with his expression softening.He doesn't feel this—this lightness anywhere else except from home.
"Seb…is something going on at work?You seem more ….tense,"
Emily asked while leaning over and just then a pair of stormy eyes flashed through his mind.
"....Just a complicated ptoject," He said simply:
"Complicated often means annoying,"Emily said while nodding knowingly.
Sebastian couldn't hide the small smile that tugged at his lips and then Lucas gasped dramatically."HE SMILED!! call the media please."
Eleanor reached over and pinched Sebastian's cheeks"your face needs softening honey."
"Grandmama."Sebastian said while leaning over for her to pinch him more and just then that maid announced dinner and they all stood up, Sebastian offered Eleanor his arm immediately out of habit—something he always did since he was ten.
Behind them, Lucas whispered loudly to Emily.
"Watch. If she asks him to sit on her lap, he would."
Emily giggled while looking at him. Sebastian just lifted one hand behind him and without turning and flicked Lucas off.
"That's my boy." Eleanor said while grinning proudly
As they sat, talked and teased each other. Sebastian felt a calm, warmth and the feel of home. At home, he wasn't the
cold CEO but simply Sebastian—an adored grandson, a brother teased and a son loved.
After the dinner ended, the family slowly moved back to their own spaces. Sebastian walked down the hallway and loosened the cuffs of his shirt and the moment he closed his bedroom door, he exhaled. Without the weight of work, he looked younger and almost human again.
He stripped off his shirt and showered under the steaming water, letting the heat drain off all that happened that day. After drying off, he changed into comfortable clothes and headed down the hallway toward the room that always made him feel like a child.
As he reached the door,he knocked twice before he heard her voice.
"Come in, boy." Grandma called.
He pushed the door open to find her sitting upright in her oversized velvet chair with her hair pinned perfectly and her reading glasses hanging low on her nose as she flipped through a heavy novel.
"You're late." She said without looking up.
"I wasn't aware you scheduled my entire evening." Sebastian replied while stepping inside.
"Oh please." She huffed.
He rolled his eyes and walked over to kiss her forehead.
"There,happy now?"
"Yeah sit."
He sat down on the chair across from her as she glanced up at him. "You look bothered, dear."
"I'm not."
"Hmmm,then why does your jaw look like you've been chewing rocks?"
Sebastian groaned"Grandmama."
"Is it work? She asked.
"Yes."
"People annoying you again?"
"Yeah,always."
"And is one of those people….a woman? "
Sebastian's head snapped up."What? NO."
"I just asked a question son, you look irritated and that usually takes a woman."She said while laughing.
Sebastian sulked deeper into his chair like a twelve-year-old.
"So? tell me about her."
"She's stubborn and defensive and thinks she's right about everything."
"So exactly like you?" His grandma said.
"Mamaaa,I'm nothing like --"
"Oh hush,ofcourse you are and that's why she gets under your skin."She said as she waved a hand. 'Is she from your company?"
"She's someone I'm collaborating with on a project."Sebastian said as he exhaled sharply.
"Mhmm, which means you're stuck with her,"she said while smiling."Listen Seb,power,work and money are easy but people…people are the hard part.You push too much and you expect
perfection but you're still human,boy. Let yourself breathe and let others breathe too."She said as Sebastian looked at her.
"Come here,honey?" She said.Sebastian went to her as she pulled him into a hug.
"You're doing well even if you're think you're doing everything wrong?"She said while patting his back.
"Thank mama!"He whispered.
"Good,now go sleep, you look tired and stop scowling or you will get wrinkles when you are not even
my age."She said as
Sebastian snorted.
"Goodnight Grandmama."
"Goodnight,my boy."
Sebastian left her room with a softer expression than the one he came with and by the time he reached his own room, he felt strangely lighter. He climbed into the bed, pulled the blankets up and let exhaustion finally drag under.