It was Andrew's last night in the hospital. The past three days had been wonderful and surprising. The Lopez family had visited every day after office hours, but Allen... Allen stayed with Andrew for the whole three days. Who knew an emotionless tyrant had a mother hen streak? But tonight, he had finally convinced Allen to go home and sleep in a bed—after much debate.

Andrew's new focus was on the shadow of the younger brother visible through the bottom of the door. He was pacing outside Andrew's hospital room like a creep. And just as Andrew thought Luiz would never find the courage to come in, the door slid open. Luiz stepped inside the room with a weak greeting and a nervous smile. He walked around the room, gauging where it was best to sit. Andrew simply watched him skitter around the room, amused.

People might say that the two brothers were similar. And by people, he means himself and the rest of the world. But now that he's become closer to both brothers, he's figured out that their similarities only stop by their outward demeanor and their appearances.

Allen, when nervous, would always scowl and be still as a statue. His refusal to show any form of weakness was a double-edged sword that drove him to success. No seeds of doubt were ever planted on his ability to perform even though he would secretly vomit due to stress. While Luiz liked to keep moving around to use up the nervous energy inside him. Luiz believes in the human element of a business while Allen believes—no, relies on the systems and numbers. Luiz who had concealed his identity in another company had the leisure of a career unburdened by the expectation of the whole company. While Allen was built under pressure.

Andrew bent down and grabbed a bottle of wine hidden under his bed. He flashed Luiz a toothed grin. "A shot for your thoughts? They say alcohol is the lubricant for a good conversation. Though I'm pretty sure you've never touched a lubricant in your whole life." Andrew mumbled the last part. No virgin shaming here.

That stopped Luiz's skittering. He blew out air from his nose as he went to Andrew in big and determined strides with his chest puffed up like a soldier walking to war. He snatched the bottle and took a huge gulp of the wine. Andrew hated to admit it, but it was hot... Is it because he looked like Allen? Luiz was like a younger, more eager Allen. Woah—bad thought.

Luiz finally brought down the bottle and was about to wipe his lips with the back of his hand but thought otherwise, instead, he used a neat handkerchief he pulled out from his trousers. He sat down at the end of the bed.

"I know you've been lying to my family this whole time."

The room was quiet. They watched each other, cautious of the other's reaction. Andrew narrowed his eyes. Shit.

"You're the secretary behind the perfect Allen Lopez, Secretary Andrew Garcia. Infamous for being at big brother's beck and call, but the longest secretary he's ever had. That's why I didn't doubt for a second you would play along with my older brother's antics."

Andrew nodded as embarrassment tainted his cheeks. He sighed. "So, you knew all along, huh. That is so weird. I thought I was selling it y'know. For a moment, I was like Maybe I have a career path in showbiz you get me, Luiz?"

Luiz was quiet.

"Luiz?" Andrew poked the other man's arm. He was watching Andrew with a keen eye.

Luiz sighed and his body finally relaxed. "Can you please stop this Alfonso façade?"

"What d'you mean?"

"Your speech," Luiz exclaimed. "You can drop this whole dumb, alcoholic, rebellious boy act."

Andrew blinked once. Then blinked again. And again. They were silent for a whole minute. Until Andrew finally said, "This is how I normally talk and act."

It was Luiz's turn to blink. He scrambled in his seat and launched into a stuttering apology. Once Andrew got him to calm down using two chugs of wine. Luiz finally settled down.

"Only now do I realize that we have never had a conversation before our meeting at brother's house," he said, trying to conceal a chuckle. "Do forgive me. It's just that the image I had of Secretary Andrew in my mind was... different. More formal, I suppose. Rigid just like my brother or more android-like. Or the epitome of a saint with the way you were able to put up with my brother."

Andrew quirked his eyebrow and flashed a sly grin. "Disappointed?"

"No, no, no," Luiz hurried to say. "Not disappointed...surprised, rather. I have grown fond of Alfonso. You're also a stellar secretary and based on recent events, you are a good person. I just want to ask why? What's your goal? Why pretend to be this person? Are you guys actually dating?"

"Woah, slow down," replied Andrew. "That sad boy you call a brother hired me to be his fake alcoholic boyfriend so that he wouldn't be forced by his parents to become the CEO and let you inherit the position."

"So, he has to do this completely exaggerated act instead of just telling our parents that he just doesn't want the position and that I might be a great alternative as CEO." Luiz scoffs. But his voice got weaker as he went on. "As if they have no other choice than Allen when I'm just as competent as him." He looks down on his feet with his hands balled.

As competent as Allen? Andrew doesn't think so. Luiz had the potential to become much better. But the poor boy misunderstood. "Do you know why Allen was assured that the company would be in good hands if the plan goes according to plan?"

Luiz looked up.

"Because he was confident that someone capable was replacing him. Someone happy to do it. Someone the family trusted, but honestly. Your family hasn't been the most conversational, hasn't it? And I apologize if I made you feel this way."

"Really?" Luiz mumbled. He looked like a kicked puppy.

"Yes," exclaimed Andrew, rolling his eyes. "You've had a great career so far. And Allen knows you've been making waves in the corporate world. So, stop sulking. Geez, look at you brothers. Silently caring for each other. Kind of sweet in a forbidden love kind of way."

Andrew scooched closer to Luiz and roughly ruffled his neat hairstyle. Surprisingly, Luiz didn't resist. He glanced up at Andrew instead with glittering eyes.

"How about you, Secretary Andrew? Do you think I could be CEO? I need your honest opinion." There was hope in his voice, as a sort of inquisitiveness to re-affirm his opinion from someone he held in high regards. Though he tried schooling his expression back to his usual indifferent gaze.

"CEO? No, not yet. You're still too young, too green for the most powerful position in the company. You don't even know the people that power Lopez Co. That goes for your brother too. Honestly, if he becomes CEO, do you know the workload I'll have to put up with? I'll also have to fend off resentful old people who think they deserve the position more."

Confusion was written all over Luiz's face. "You think we are both unqualified?"

"Yes! My gosh, you're both not even in your thirties yet. At least Allen knows how pressuring it is to be CEO. Besides, you don't have to prove yourself to me. You still have so much to learn. Why do you think I gave you those notes?"

Andrew took out a glass of his own and filled it with wine. While Luiz finally slumped back on his seat and relaxed. He avoided eye contact with Andrew.

"Then I am going to need a tutor... Maybe someone who knows the company, have anyone in mind?"

Andrew sipped his wine and rolled his eyes. "Gosh. You and your brother have some genetic coding that makes you so awkward in asking for favors. Yes, yes, I'll teach you some things I know."

Luiz hid a grin behind his hands, but Andrew could tell from the subtle dimple on the young man's cheek.

"Well, um. If you need someone to talk to—I do have a master's in psychology. That is—about your nightmare."

Andrew cackled. "Don't worry—nothing a glass of wine can't fix."

"That is also another problem we have to address," Luiz mumbled, shooting a worried look. "Some people find alcohol as relief from stress, while some use other means. I, for example, am fond of spacing out at the rooftop of Lopez Co. when I am particularly stressed out."

Andrew ignored him and invited him for another bottle of wine. They eased into idle conversation. Andrew found out that Luiz was extremely sociable when relaxed. Both men had mental images of the other that didn't quite match when they got to know each other.

At some point in the night, Andrew had noticed the shadow of someone against the light slipping underneath the door. Andrew had wondered how long the demon was going to stay there, but instead, he received a text from Allen.

Hope you have a good night.

Still cant get ovr dat ur using 'proper punctuation' in txt. lol.