AN: Hi! This is finally updated! I'm so sorry for the delay. I have a tedious schedule for the week since I'm having driving lessons. I hope you guys won't mind. There's only one thing you should know about me, as much as possible, I would never abandon a story and keep my readers hanging. So, don't fret, my beloved! I am working on the fifth chapter of Puzzles as I speak and well, I hope by tomorrow I can already update the story! Here you go, guys!

Disclaimer: SPN isn't mine /3 But can Winchester Brothers be? I wonder...


Marionette

Chapter 2: Love is Timeless


Castiel's eyes roamed the many envelopes piled on his desk, silently asking himself if he even wanted them open—not that he had a choice. Most of them were from business partners. Of course he had to read every single one of them and answer. He knew what they contained even if he hadn't opened them yet. Based on last night's turn of events, these were congratulatory letters for his engagement. Business could be courteous, especially if you are from a powerful clan.

His hand grazed the very top of the pile, tracing the smooth surface of the fancy envelope. He didn't know what to feel about it, to be honest. Balthazar was…a friend. He had never considered him that way. In fact, he has never considered anyone romantically, not after him. His hand twitched.

He sighed, realizing that his thoughts led him astray, and that what he should be doing right now was figuring out how to reply to these letters in a small amount of time. He carefully took the envelope on top of the pile and turned it around to get the name of the sender.

Gabriel Novak

Chief Executive Officer

Novak Foods Corporation

Castiel stared at the envelope with caution. It was from his trickster of a brother. Anything could be inside, and it was no secret that he was the favorite target of his brother's pranks. Getting the small knife from the drawer, he held the letter opener carefully and gently opened the envelope. But his effort to keep the letter at arm's length was wasted because fortunately, there was nothing to be alarmed about. The letter was harmless. Castiel felt that this was actually more disturbing. He had an inkling feeling that this was his brother's way of telling him of his disapproval.

The door of his study opened and Balthazar strode in. Castiel stared at him blankly. He didn't know how to regard his friend now that they were engaged. After the victory party, Castiel went straight home without the help of the Brit so they really didn't have much time to talk about their situation.

"You're not mad." Was the first thing Balthazar said to him, his eyebrow arched.

Castiel shook his head. "Should I be?"

Balthazar's mouth drew into a thin line as he reached the desk where Castiel was seated behind. "I gave you extra work, for starters." He carelessly took an envelope from the heap and opened it. "Why didn't you ask me for help?"

"You're busy enough." Balthazar searched his face. He knew Castiel was dodging the topic. He knew him well enough to know that the doctor didn't want to talk about their engagement. "Is that from Anna?"

"Huh?" Balthazar furrowed his brows in confusion and then turned to the envelope he was holding. Turning it around, he read the inside address. "Oh, yes. This is from your sister."

"I see. The word travels fast." Castiel commented nonchalantly.

An awkward silence claimed the room. Only the occasional paper tearing and pressing of keys could be heard as Castiel worked on the letters. Balthazar, however, was having none of it.

"You know, Cassie, you should be at least angry. At least." Balthazar stressed.

"I thought it was evident enough that I didn't want to talk about it." Castiel replied with a hushed voice. He grabbed another envelope from the pile and opened it, neglecting to be careful. His hands started shaking and he didn't know why.

Robert Singer

Singers Auto

"What, and ignore it like a bunch immature school boys?" Balthazar countered. He enclosed Castiel's shaking hands with his own. Castiel closed his eyes and sighed, relaxing his body by leaning back on the chair. He gently pulled away his hands on the process.

"Fine. Tell me why I'm supposed to be mad." He crossed his legs and arms.

"I took advantage of you." Balthazar said simply.

"You were under Michael's orders."

"I could have said no." Balthazar insisted. He looked at Castiel with sad eyes. "I knew you only thought of me as a friend, and yet I let myself be selfish." He reasoned. He knew why he wanted to make himself bare to the man in front of him: Castiel was precious. He didn't deserve deceit from him, not when all his life the man lived by it. He was supposed to be his friend—not another man who would use him.

"Michael would've chosen another person then. You saying no won't stop him." Castiel shrugged with disturbing lack of interest. "Aren't you glad it was you and not some random guy I barely know?" He leaned forward and took another envelope. "Or worst… a woman."

Balthazar begrudgingly smiled at his friend's—no, his fiancée's last remark. "I am, Cassie, you don't know how happy I am to have you but..." He paused, his eyes briefly staring at the envelope Castiel was clutching. "…are you?"

And just as Balthazar asked that question, Castiel happened to glance at the back of the envelope he was holding. He froze.

Dean Winchester

Chief Executive Officer

Winchester Brothers Corporation


"Dean, have you sent the letter?" Sam slipped in through his brother's office. He was wearing a plain but expensive suit and was carrying a briefcase with his right hand. Samuel Winchester was a lawyer. He studied Law in Stanford and graduated with flying colors. He is, at the moment, a director at Winchester Brothers Corporation—and brother to the CEO, of course.

Dean glared at him, pushing himself back from the newspaper he was reading. It had a headline that read "Senator Novak supports union between brother and Roche." Sam had a dark look on his face after reading it that easily disappeared when Dean started to talk.

"`Course Sammy. It's not like I could just ignore an ogress bugging me that I should send a congratulatory letter to one of our board members."

Sam rolled his eyes. "You have to act professional, Dean. That was plain business, no personal feelings included."

"Right. Tell me who let him into our company, again?" Dean's eyes narrowed at his younger brother. Surely, it wasn't him. The last thing he wanted was to have ties with the youngest Novak. He could still remember ignoring Sam for a week after finding out that he had secretly let the representative of Novak Medical Group sign on the company's articles of Incorporation as one of the incorporators.

"We need him—his company. We are just starting." Sam explained, sitting down on one of the leather seats in front of his brother's desk. It was true. Without the big sum the group has invested on their company, WB would be out of the business before it even started. It wasn't easy to gain the trust of different business entities and make them let you handle their contracts. Having the Novak Medical Group was like having "legit" stamped permanently under your company's name.

Dean scoffed. "We don't need him. We could've gotten other shareholders."

"Keep telling yourself that. It's not like we can use "we-had-a-misunderstanding-when-we-were-young" as a reason to reject his interest in our company, either. That would be discrimination." Sam told Dean, irritated by his older brother's childish behavior.

"He's the reason our mother's dead!" Dean snapped.

"Oh come on, Dean!" Sam stood abruptly. "You actually believe that? After all this time, you never grew up did you?" He took something from his briefcase and placed it rather harshly on the desk. "He was used—manipulated and is still is, by the looks of his engagement. The newspaper you're reading would prove that much." Dean swallowed hard, refusing to meet his younger brother's gaze. "And he didn't know, at that time. You didn't tell him."

Dean opened his mouth only to close it. He bit back his impetuous retort that he didn't care, and that in the end the man still betrayed him. He arched his brow at the paper on his desk that was now facing him instead. "What's this?"

"This," Sam pushed the paper towards his brother. "…is an invitation for a Charity Gala the Novak Family Group is hosting. Tonight. And before you tell me you don't have time for it—" Sam glared at his brother as Dean snorted. "—I cleared your evening. I can't attend since I have a big case to work on for the week."

"Well, since it's clear that I don't have a say in this, might as well surrender to you my position." Dean spat angrily. He had nearly forgotten that how a bitch Sam could be.

Sam sighed and sat down once more on the leather seat. "Dean, let's not even touch that. Just go, okay? Count is as me asking you a very big favor. We could meet a lot of potential clients there. And you're the one who can convince them best."

Dean didn't like it when Sam played that card matched with his puppy eyes. He sighed heavily, knowing that he would have to go. What were the chances that he'll bump into the Novak, anyways? It was a big event after all, right?


Castiel froze as he came face to face with Dean. Balthazar kept introducing him to different people he haven't met yet, even if he was in the business for a long time. People go out of their way to meet him, not otherwise. The Brit knew this but he was excited to show Castiel off to everyone he knew. That was how they accidentally bumped into Dean Winchester who was talking amiably to Inias McMorran, the latter excusing himself after Castiel was introduced to him.

Balthazar didn't need to look at Dean's face to know that the man was rigid too. So this was Dean Winchester—the only person his fiancee had eyes for. He scrutinized the CEO of Winchester Brothers for five seconds, giving him a brief full-body glance. Somewhat tall. Nice build. Not sure if blond or brown. Oh, and definitely handsome. He was glad the two weren't in the best of terms or else he wouldn't have Castiel in his arms right now. Unconsciously, he tightened his hold on Castiel's waist.

"Dean." Castiel said as if he had breathed for the first time. His eyes hungrily scanned the taller man's face, hastily memorizing every detail. Of course, he had seen him on magazines, newspapers…on television even, but it wasn't as breathtaking as seeing him personally. Dean had changed. That much was noticeable. His thin frame gained a nice width—somewhere in the middle of lean and bulky. His stubble-covered jaw was more defined—all in all his features got sharper, and it was in a good way. The only thing that didn't change was the vividness of his eyes.

Dean must have been doing the same because it took him a moment to greet the youngest Novak back. "Mr. Novak." He said in a stiff tone, glaring at the hand that was nestled comfortably on Castiel's waist. "It's good to finally meet you." He slowly held out his hand and looked at the hauntingly blue eyes of the man.

The doctor titled his head in confusion and something inside Dean ached. He fought back the wave of nostalgia that was threatening to drown him because of a simple gesture. His eyes moved lower to look at his outstretched hand. Castiel caught on with his farce, his face turning blank as he completed the handshake. "Ah, yes. It's so nice to see the face behind the Winchester Brothers Corporation. Your company is already making some good noise."

He pulled his hand gently, feeling it burn. "There wouldn't be any good before the noise if it weren't for your continued support." He said as he kept his rage intact. He wasn't so sure if the rage he was feeling was for Castiel or the man who had his arms all over him. At the back of his mind, he could see Sam smirking at his situation.

Balthazar raised his eyebrow at the eldest Winchester. It was clear that Castiel still loved the man, no doubt about that. But it was surprising to know that Dean loved him back. All this time he thought it was one-sided. And Dean's reputation didn't exactly include engaging with men. It must be the pride talking then, if this Dean didn't want to reconcile with Castiel. And to think he could endure it for ten years, even allowing the man he loved to be engaged to another—a big wall of pride, Balthazar corrected, justified, in Dean's point of view, with a big reason. Studying the other man's disposition, he wondered if he could taunt him further.

"Oh, yes, before I forgot," He started, his lips curling upward to feign an innocent smile. "I would like to thank you for your letter of congratulations. It means a lot to Cassie here if his business partners support our marriage." He smirked inwardly at the glimmer of anger that crossed Dean's face, ignoring Castiel's glare at him.

"It was our pleasure." Dean said in a low voice as he held his hand out again, but this time, it was towards Balthazar. "Dean Winchester."

Balthazar took his hand and shook it. The Winchester was gripping his hand so tightly that he winced a little. "Balthazar Roche."

To Be Continued


AN: They finally meet! Hurrah! So, the past of Dean and Castiel is still vague but of course, will be enlightened soon. What do you think? :) Please let me know!