what’s up with you?” Kellen inquired in a low voice after everyone settled down in the large family room after dinner. “I couldn’t help but notice that you didn’t eat much at dinner. To be honest, you don’t look like you’re feeling well.”
“I’ve just been really tired lately,” his brother responded with a slight shrug. “We just finished tax season, so I won’t be working late as much.”
“Why don’t you take a vacation?” Kellen suggested. “Go somewhere exotic.”
Dreyden smiled. “I’ve been thinking about that myself. Maybe I’ll see a travel agent next week and plan a trip.”
“Do it,” he encouraged. “You need a break away from work.” Kellen was worried about his brother. He had never seen him look so pale or exhausted.
He rose to his feet.
“Where are you going?” Dreyden asked.
“I need to talk to Dad about the Special Projects Director position at the Alexander-DePaul Design Group. I applied as soon as it became open, but I haven’t heard anything from human resources.”
“Why don’t you just enjoy being with the family, Kellen?” his brother suggested. “Think about work tomorrow.”
“I’m excited, Dreyden... I really want this job. I’ve been waiting on something like this since before I graduated.”
“I can see that, but just give it a couple of days. It’s better to get the job based on your own merits and not because of your last name.”
“I’ve spent all of this time in school so that I can prepare myself for this position,” Kellen stated. “I’ve earned it.”
“Hello, everybody.”
Kellen turned around to find Harold DePaul standing in the doorway with a young woman he assumed was his fiancée, Amy. He knew that the couple had met at Blaze and Livi’s wedding. Amy and Livi were close friends. “Harold, it’s good to see you.”
Harold and Amy were getting married in a couple of weeks. Kellen was initially surprised that he was engaged to an African American woman—especially after the way he reacted when his uncle left everything to his biological son—Malcolm Alexander. Kellen thought him a racist because of his initial reaction concerning his uncle’s relationship with an African American woman. However, he and many of the DePaul relatives had come to look past skin color. “Congratulations on your surviving grad school. I bought you a gift.”
“Thank you.”
He and Amy moved on to talk with Barbara and Malcolm.
“Harold looks very happy,” Zaire whispered.
Kellen agreed. “I never expected those two to hook up, but I can tell that they are crazy over one another. Talk about irony.”
“I’m glad he’s found someone,” Zaire responded. “William’s illness has been very hard on him.”
“I can’t imagine losing a brother...or a sister.”
“I know.”
Just then Livi walked into the room and made her way over to Harold and Amy. “Hey, you two...I’m glad you made it.”
Kellen walked over to his father and said, “Dad, I applied for the Special Projects Director position a couple of weeks ago. I think the job is perfect for me, but I didn’t get an interview for it. I did have a telephone interview with talent acquisitions, but it was for another position. Do you know what happened? I think they made a mistake.”
“Son, there was no mistake,” Malcolm said. “The director position has already been filled. Someone in-house was promoted. However, the architectural engineer position is yours. You’ll start in a couple of weeks.”
A shred of disappointment snaked down Kellen’s spine. “I really wanted the special projects position. I feel I’m qualified for management.”
“The person selected was more qualified for the position. You don’t have seven-plus years in experience.”
“I’m your son. Surely, you can override the decision to hire someone else.”
Malcolm met his son’s gaze. “What would you have me do, Kellen?”
“I have all of this education and you want me to work in a position that—”
“Let me stop you right there, son,” Malcolm quickly interjected as he held up his hand. “Kellen, you do have the education, but you are lacking when it comes to hands-on experience. There is nothing wrong with starting in an entry-level position and working your way up.”
Exasperated, Kellen argued, “Ari, Blaze and Sage didn’t have to do anything like that. As for experience, I’ve interned and worked with the largest architectural firm in Atlanta.”
“They didn’t just come to their positions with education—they also came with years of work experience.”
“I can’t believe this,” Kellen uttered in frustration.
“Honey, you can’t expect your father to just give you a position,” Barbara remarked blandly. “You have to earn it in the same manner as everyone else.”
“Dad can do whatever he wants,” Kellen responded. “The Alexander-DePaul Design Group is his company.”
“You are not ready, son.” His father gave him a reassuring smile. “Starting in an entry-level position is what you can expect from any company. It’s not a bad place to be—the salary is competitive and you will be able to work on some exciting projects.”
Kellen did not respond. He had come to Los Angeles fully expecting to be awarded the position. It had never occurred to him that his father would not give him the job.
“Dad’s right, little brother,” Dreyden interjected.
“You have your own firm and Zaire started her own company. Maybe I should do my own thing.”
“You can do that, Kellen, but what real experience do you have?” Dreyden questioned. “What can you really offer a client coming to you?”
There was tightening around his mouth, but he didn’t speak.
“I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but it’s what you need to hear. Learn your craft and then move up.”
“Why does everyone think I’m so incompetent?”
Dreyden released a small sigh. “I don’t think of you as incompetent, Kellen. You’re impulsive and you want things to happen immediately.”
“I can’t deny that,” Kellen stated.
“No point. I know you, little brother.”
“I’m ambitious.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious,” Dreyden said. “You
