Chapter 4:

"Ryan, dad is concerned about your condition. He can't let you work like that. I'm sure you understand." Sharpay replied haughtily, making a sharp turn with her new red Ferrari. From the corner of her eyes, she observed him. She could tell that his ego was badly injured after their father told him off for coming to work, advising him to rest till his eyes are fully recovered. She could recall the sudden anger that erupted from Ryan after hearing those words from father.

She knew that he was mad at their father but at the same time, he was equally disappointed in that elderly man. "Ryan, did I ever tell you how dull you look like in those monotonous clothes of yours? They seemed so lacking in colours and vibrance."

Ryan glanced at Sharpay, brows furrowed. "No they don't."

"Yes they do." Sharpay answered back. "I'm not saying those clothes look bad on you. You look great in them, but the colours… You need more colours. Like pink. You look lovely in pink."

"You want me to turn up today in pink jeans, t-shirt and jacket? Including my socks, shoes and shades?" he queried her as he adjusted his shades.

"NO!" Sharpay snapped and shuddered. Sharpay cringed as she pictured Ryan in pink outfit and gears. "I mean something like a pink tie or shirt. I noticed you have a wonderful arctic gray suit in your wardrobe. It looks great with a pale pink tie. Red looks nice too, poppies.

"You want me to wear poppies? On my head like Julius' laurel?"

She shook her head. "I just want some colours. You're so difficult. Wanting to look all slick and cool. I mean, this is so not you Ryan."

"People change." That was his answer. A short simple answer. An answer that Sharpay felt that she should not query at all cost.

Damn straight, she thought. People change to adapt to their surroundings. Changes that might be either physical or spiritual. It could also be a combination of both. She accepted his answer. She did not want to be called a hypocrite. She had changed too over the years, but in subtle ways that was only noticeable to people close to her.

She kept quiet and focused all her attention on the road. Making a turn at the junction, she decelerated slowly as she looked for a parking place.

"How did you find it Ryan?" Zeke asked, smiling widely as he seated himself next to Sharpay.

Lifting his head and attention away from the simple summer dessert – small lemon tarts drizzled with fresh raspberry sauce mixed with an ample amount of vodka for a light kick.

"Brilliant."

Zeke's face lit up and glanced at with his beautiful wife, Sharpay, who nodded encouragingly to him. "Really?" He prompted.

"Absolutely my friend." Ryan nodded as he wiped his mouth with the champagne coloured napkin. "Your desserts are always brilliant. Your customers would completely agree with me."

"I won't deny that." Sharpay agreed, lifting her glass to her lips. Brushing strands of blond hair away from her beautiful face, she smiled and held Zeke's hand tightly. "Well, Zeke darling is worried how our parents will react to it. You know those old folks."

Ryan brows furrowed, curious. "Our parents?"

Zeke and Sharpay exchanged glances, excitement shining brightly on their eyes. He pulled Sharpay close to him, supporting her as she breathed in deeply.

"I'm pregnant!" she squealed delightfully.

"What? How long?" Ryan asked, totally caught off balance.

"Entering the third month." Sharpay replied.

"Wow. That's great. So I guess you're planning to tell them about it."

"Yes. In fact we're planning to tell everyone about it!" Zeke beamed brightly. Finally, he would be the father to the world's most adorable baby! His baby!

"So who exactly is 'everyone'?"

"Troy, Chad, Kelsi and the rest of them! Well including some of my chefs and family friends. Oh but Gabriella can't make it. She has to visit her mother." Zeke clarified.

"We're doing it here, in our restaurant! This coming Sunday! Isn't it wonderful?"

"Isn't that a bit short noticed?" Ryan questioned as he watched the two bubbly parents-to-be.

"Oh we have informed everyone since last week!"

"So I guess I'm the last on your list huh?"

"No! Don't be foolish Ryan. You know we love you! So how did you find the entire menu?"

"Great." Ryan replied, a bit tight-lipped.

"Wonderful! Oh, I have a little favour to ask from you. As my brother, will you sing at least sing one song for the night? Some entertainment to lighten the mood."

"Ok…"Ryan mumbled, which sounded more like 'why me?'.

"Oh Troy is performing too." Zeke added, pulling a small folded paper. "Well there is Jason too…with his jokes…"

Ryan's eyes widened in horror. "Hey, at least it isn't his sock puppets." Sharpay humoured dryly.

"Well, I hate to say this, but I no longer sing. I don't love music anymore. Me and music…it's history."

"Really? Then why did you buy a piano? Decoration purposes?"

Ryan's eyes narrowed, "How…"

"Network." Sharpay answered wisely, eyes glowing with mischief. "Zeke darling can I have some of those lovely croquembouche?"

"Sure love." Zeke smiled, kissed her cheek and left the table, heading to the kitchen.

"So I guess this is what you call urgent. Menu and entertainment. I feel used. Meanly manipulated."

Sharpay laughed lightly, crossing her legs. "Well that's not all. I'm giving you my share."

"I beg your pardon?" Ryan frowned.

"You heard me. I'm giving you the 15% share I'm holding in the company. I don't want it. I have no need for it."

"Are you feeling well? Fever? Migraine?"

"I'm fine!" Sharpay snapped. "I know what is in your head. You're my twin. You can't hide anything from me without arousing my suspicion. You wanted it don't you? Have a little say over the company. Prove your worth to the company and to father."

"What's in it for you?" Ryan asked cautiously.

"Nothing." Sharpay smiled. "I already have this restaurant. All I want is a happy life with Zeke and I want you, Ryan, to be equally happy as well."

"I'm not sure what father has in mind. Everything is in static motion. All he did was golfing. Terrible I tell you. And there's Markov."

"Markov? They are doing very well I can say."

"Certainly. Too well if you ask me." Sharpay frowned, fingers tapping the table.

"Please enlighten me."

"I'm not sure how true this is, but it was rumoured that the managing director was a close friend of someone influential. A political figure. Well I did a background check on Markov. Results – squeaky clean. So bloody clean that it annoys the hell out of me."

"I sense this has something to do with bribery."

"That's my assumption."

"It proves a lot…so that is why you send me all those newspaper clippings. Yes, it makes perfect sense. Our company's loss of the three billion dollars contract to Markov was particularly odd."

Sharpay nodded. "We offered the best terms that I am absolutely certain it is unachievable by other companies. How Markov did it, I have no idea. What and how do they gain out of such terms? And that wasn't the first time. That's partly why I hand over my share to you. You are better at this than I am. This is your zone."

"But Shar…I still need your help. I just returned for about a month or more."

"You will know where to start. I am of little use when it comes to such matters."

"I'm not even allowed to step inside – "

"You can ask Troy to help you. Aren't you two inseparable in high school?" Sharpay cut Ryan short. "Never mind. Let's change topic. It's beginning to tire me."

"Ah, Troy asked me to give you this." Sharpay said as she produced a card from her handbag.

"A name card? How professional of him." Ryan commented darkly as he flipped the card to the back to see words scribbled by Troy in blue ink.

Call me when you're free.

Author: Edited. For mistakes made.