Lucille rushed over to her grandmother's home. She walked right into the house needing to know what was going on.

She finally found her grandma in the kitchen with a white male. They both stood up from the dining table.

"Hello Lucille", Nanna Sarah greeted with a smile on her face. "This is Jared. Your brother."

Her heart dropped. Her palms were sweaty, knees weak. She felt like she would collapse at any moment. This was surreal.

"I didn't think I'd meet you this soon", Lucille uttered.

"I've wanted to meet you for so long, Lucille. You have no idea."

Lucille's body went limp when her brother wrapped his arms around her. That still sounded weird. Her brother. She slowly brought her arms up to return the gesture.

"I'm sorry I'm here so early. I got a call last night and I got right on the road. I couldn't wait any longer", his voice started to crack. "You're the only family

I've got left."

"It's no problem", Lucille answered. "But who called you?"

"This man by the name of Shane", he responded in an unsure tone. "He said you knew I was coming", he went on.

"Of course, I knew", Lucille lied. "Like I said I just wasn't expecting us to meet so soon."

She took in her brother's appearance for the first time. He had a tall, lean figure, dark brown hair, and the same dark brown eyes that she had.

"I have so many questions", she mumbled.

"And I want to answer them", he said. "How about we have breakfast somewhere?"

Lucille glanced at Nanna Sarah. She nodded, encouraging her to answer.

"Okay, let me just make a phone call to my boss and we can go", she said.

She walked slowly up the narrow staircase in Nanna Sarah's home to get some privacy. She entered the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

She dialed Oliver's phone number. He picked up immediately.

"Is everything okay?", he asked upon answering. "You left really early."

"He's here", she said plainly.

"Who's there?", Oliver asked.

"My brother", a sigh of relief escaped her lips. "He's here."

"Lucille are you alright", there was noise coming from Oliver's end as if he had gotten out of bed.

"Oliver I'm fine", she answered. "I'm just a little shaken up I wasn't expecting this. Not today at least."

She sighed. "I'll be in a little later to work."

"Take the day off", he said. "We've got this thing in the bag."

------------------------

"So you don't talk to your mom much?", he asked.

"Wait I'm sorry", he said immediately when he saw the sour look that had made its way to Lucille's face. "I shouldn't have asked that."

"No it's fine", she assured. "But no, I haven't spoken to my mother in over a decade."

He nodded.

"And you? What about your mother?", she asked.

"My mother and I are very close in fact she wanted us to meet ever since she found out about you."

"So she knew about my mother and your dad?", Lucille asked.

"Our", Jared corrected. "Our dad."

"This is still very new for me."

"Yeah I apologize for that", he said. "It's just I've known about you for so long and you're just finding out about me and it's jarring."

He paused.

"But yes my mom knew. I was fairly young when this all happened but she said she found out a few years after you were born."

"What was our dad like?"

"He was great. He was funny, nice, smart as hell, just like you seem to be", he added.

"That must be where I get it from because I know it didn't come from my mother", Lucille mumbled bitterly.

Jared shook his head. "I don't know what happened between you and your mom but if I know one thing losing a parent is hard. I can't imagine losing two."

"It's not that hard if she was never a parent to begin with", Lucille said.

The rest of their breakfast went on. They talked about things they had in common and things they saw differently, like politics. Jared was in no way interested in politics while Lucille ate, breathed, and slept politics. Instead his career path landed him in the corporate world.

"I'll be in town for a few more days. I'd love to come by the campaign headquarters and see you in action", Jared said. "If it's not too much of course."

Lucille was happy to finally have family to share her life with. Of course he had Nanna Sarah but she wasn't into this portion of Lucille's life. She only cared about whether Lucille would be in church and how long it would be before she got married and started popping out babies.

"How about you come the night of the election?", Lucille offered. "I can introduce you to Oliv-- I mean Mr. Reed."

Jared nodded and flashed a tight smile.

——————————————

"You don't understand the meaning of 'day off' do you, Ms. Johnson?", Oliver posed as he approached Lucille on the balcony that was over the ballroom.

The ballroom was full of people getting everything set up for the election watch party and celebration.

"I guess not Mr. Reed", she leaned in closer to him. "Or should I say Governor Reed?"

He leaned down to whisper in her hear. "You make that sound so damn sexy I could take you up to my office right now and--"

"Oliver", Lucille warned as she could feel her cheeks, no her entire body, heating up. She wanted him badly and he knew that too. But this wasn't the time or place.

"I guess we'll finish this later then", he posed.

"No such luck, Mr. Reed. No such luck."

"We'll see", he said in a lingering tone.

"Oliver I'm better at this game than you are. I can hold out much longer."

They stepped out into the hallway laughing together before Lucille saw Lex walking with Jared.

"Um, hi", Lucille greeted unsure of what was going on.

"He says he's your brother", Lex spoke in a questioning tone.

Oliver looked from Lucille to Jared. Then back again. Lucille didn't see it but the look on his face was like he had seen a ghost from the past. Or rather a demon.

"Yes, I'll take it from here, Lex, thank you."

Lex walked away and Jared spoke immediately.

"I know you said Election Day but I just couldn't wait. I had to see you in action doing what you do."

"It's totally fine", Lucille said. "You can meet Mr. Reed."

Jared turned to Oliver. "Mr. Reed, such a pleasure to finally meet the man with the plan."

"Mr. Reed this is my brother."

The men shook hands.

"It's a pleasure", Oliver said.

-----------------------

Oliver couldn't wait to get a moment alone to contact Shane. He called him and let him know it was urgent that he get to the headquarters as soon as possible.

Oliver waited for about a half an hour in his office before Shane entered.

"Why the hell is Drew Marcotte here acting like he's Lucille's brother?", Oliver grilled.

"This is an insurance policy to make sure you keep your priorities in check from the moment the election results are announced to the rest of your political career."

"You know what this man is capable of and you would put Lucille in harm's way like that?"

"I'm doing what needs to be done as your senior adviser", Shane responded coldly.

"Senior adviser? You've lost your god damn mind if you think you're still working for me after this", Oliver yelled. "I'm calling my father to let him know you've been dismissed if your duties. Effective immediately."

Shane laughed heartily.

"Who do you think made me hire Drew Marcotte?", Shane asked.

Oliver's eyes widened. "I will not let this happen."

"As long as you play the good son and take on the role as governor, Lucille will be safe", Shane turned to exit. But not before saying one last thing.

"If you try to warn her, I can't make any promises of what will happen."

As soon as the door shut, Oliver broke down. Tears streamed down his face like never before. He picked up his chair and threw it at the door.

"Fuck", he yelled.

He sat down in front of his desk with his face in his palms.

"This is all on me."

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