Another cold one (Jordan)

[Aaron Pryce]

Some hours ago, Aaron waved goodbye to Lauren and his daughter at the airport, his destination, Washington, his reason for travel, recreation…he was going to see his brother, see how he was doing, and not necessarily to check up on him, just to know that his brother was ok, that J was alright, and happy with his new life miles away. Couple of hours ago, the plane had landed, he took a taxi to the hotel he was staying at and right now, he sat on the bed, his laptop on his lap, his web cam and every set up, chatting with his wife and his darling daughter.
“…alright babes, put Hannah, tell her daddy wants to see her baby face.”
Minutes later, the patient face of a father lit up when his wife set his daughter in front of the screen and his eyes lit up even more when he saw her eyes light up and especially when he saw her cute little smile and that cute little sound she made just before she smiled or laughed.
“Hey baby…hey Hannah…it’s daddy…how’s daddy’s princess? Are you being good to mommy? I hope so. I’ll be back soon honey, just visiting uncle J, I’ll bring you back something ok…some clothes, and toys just for you…and for mommy to.” Aaron said, sending a wink at Lauren before he returned his attention to his daughter. “Alright Hannah-bear…bye-bye.” Aaron said, then he watched Lauren blow him a kiss before she disconnected, and he just sat there, looking at the screen thinking that this was the first time he was so far away from his daughter, he knew it was only temporarily but still, he was so far away from her and he just couldn’t help but wonder what he was missing out on…her first word? Her first step? Gawd he felt like crap, but in his defence, he wasn’t a bad father at all, but he wanted to see his brother right now, like he told his wife and child, he’d be back home soon.

Half an hour later, still dressed in the same jeans and t-shirt and sneakers as when he had boarded the plane hour before, he left his hotel with a wallet filled with his cards and serious cash, his cell phone and his room key, basically that was all he had on him, he didn’t want to go walking about this place with excess crap on his person, plus, it made it easier for him to run for a cab which wasn’t easy to come by….seriously…it took 10 minutes for a vacant cab to come by and judging by the many others waiting for one, he literally had to race ahead of the madness, hop in and pray that this guy wasn’t waiting for another. “I hate this place.” Aaron said more under his breath. “Tell muh ‘bout it.” The driver said, catching his eye in the rear view before he said his eyes back on the road. “Really hate it here.” He muttered even more under his breath.
30 minutes of bumper to bumper traffic, a speeding ticket and three accidents later, he was outside DC Law Firm, and thankfully in one piece but unfortunately, his wallet was $50 lighter. He watched as his cab tore off down the street, most likely on its way to another ticket or an accident of its own, then he turned and looked at the place which didn’t really impress him to much, but to those who were probably involved in the proceedings that go on in this place, it was probably…something…something that he was failing to see but he wasn’t here to talk about architecture, he was here to see his older brother so he dragged himself up the steps of the building but as he headed through the door, as his hands touched the door handle, he caught a premonition…a man, no…two men, storm in and start shooting up everyone in sight, making their way up floor after floor until they reach a single door…

“Eh! Buddy, mind moving your ass out of my way?” Came a guy behind him. Aaron snapped out of it and looked around slowly, setting his eyes on this guy who looked like he spent the night on the street. “You speak English ***hole?” He went on and Aaron smirked and turned his body fully to stare at this guy who looked all curious at the unexpected confrontation. “Yeah I speak English, and I guess you could to if you took you ass out your mouth…f***ing asswipe.” Aaron said before he turned and headed in to the place which didn’t look at all like how he pictured a Law Firm would look like…no prostitutes in the hall, no cops, no lawyers badgering judges walking across the hall way, it was just a lobby with some guy behind a desk reading a Times and in the small waiting room, those who were waiting for something. With a last look behind him at the guy who was suddenly silent, he made his way over to the dude.
“Hey…I’m here to see Jordan Pryce.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“An appoint? No, I’m his brother I came to see him.”
“I’m sorry sir but you need an appointment to see Mr. Pryce, he is a very busy man.”
“Yeah, and before he was a “very busy man” he was my brother, still is…so call him down here…sir.” Aaron said with a bit of an attitude but it yielded results as the guy started too dial…Washington was seriously pissing him off.

[jp]

The sounds of Green Day echoed softly through his office. Jordan was now more fond of music as it helped him to relax and get his mind off things as he worked. With piles of work continually falling on his desk, he needed to stay focus. As he was just about finish reviewing an appraisal he heard his phone ring which indicated that either there was someone showing up ahead of their appointment or yet another person trying to book a meeting with him when he clearly told his secretary that he had to take a vacation this month. He sighed a bit afraid to answer the phone. But he did.

"Yes?" He replied rather annoyed, muting the music in the room, "My brother?" He sighed, shook his head and rolled his eyes knowing all too well that it could've only been one brother to arrive at his job unannounced....Aaron Pryce! "Send him up!" He said quickly throwing down the phone on the desk.

[Aaron Pryce]

The guy placed the phone back down gently then he looked up at Aaron with an annoyed look on his face then he smiled curtly. “Mr. Pryce will see you now…Mr. Pryce. Just go on up.” He said before he sat back in his chair, taking up his novel and Aaron suddenly got the notion that he had disturbed this guy from his steamy romantic scene just minutes ago. “Yeah, thanks.” Aaron replied, happily turning away to head to the elevator. He reached forward and pressed the Ground floor button and there he stood, but thankfully he didn’t have to stand wait too long because in three minutes there was a ding, the doors slid open and he stepped in all on his lonesome. Then he pressed for Jordan’s floor and the lifted made his ascent up the shaft and with those few minutes, he took some time to think about why the hell he was going up to his brother’s office and why the hell he was in Washington D.C….this was all just stupid on his part, a big mistake because he wasn’t going to get the warm welcome he deserved, not like he would ever get a welcoming hug from his older brother, he’d sooner see hell freeze over, pigs speak and dogs mate with horses…to summarize, there wasn’t a stones throw of a chance…and it wasn’t like he was hoping for it, embracing Jordan was the last thing on his mind, right now, he was just checking up on a brother who didn’t care to do the same for him or his sister-in-law or his niece…didn’t even leave a number to reach him, most likely Landon had the number.

Ding!

Aaron lifted his head which drifted down as he went on thinking about Jordan and how much he hated this idea, this place and how much he missed his daughter and Lauren, and as soon as the doors opened, he made to step out but he walked right into someone who seemed to be in a hurry, most likely Jordan scared them off. He took a step back and took behold of the woman before him. She was cute, younger than him, well…obviously younger than him, but she was younger than how he appeared, and she was beautiful but some of that was hidden away by her corporate exterior, an unfortunate occurrence that traps quite a few of people. “I’m so, so sorry.” She said as she knelt down to pick up her papers. Aaron smirked as a bit of sympathy douched him and he knelt and helped her out, it was the least he could do…well, actually, it was all he could do. “Don’t worry about it…it’s nothing.” He said, giving her a smile. “Oh ok, thanks, thank you. Bye.” She said as she stepped by him,, giving him a look…and a smile, just as she passed him and even when she got into the elevator and as the doors were closing he was standing there, thumbs pushed into his pockets, looking back at this woman who really seem to catch his eye…so now he was convinced, D.C. is Sin City.
After watching the elevator doors close, he turned and headed down the hall, his hands pushed partially into his pockets, looking from door to door as he passed, reading the name plates, admiring the cheap knock-off pieces of art that hung on the walls but that was just so he could pass the time until he found Jordan’s office, and from what he made out, Jordan was indeed living the life here, his office was well away from the others he had passed. Standing in front of the door, he took a breath, then he raised his hand and he knocked.

[jp]

Jordan sat in his chair with his hand beneath his chin awaiting the arrival of his beloved brother that so conviently at this time decided to pay him a visit. He sighed, knowing all too well that for one of his brothers through go through all the hell of being able to see him without an appointment was probably enough punishment for them showing up unannounced. He crossed his legs and laid his head back to the leather chair back and waited for the...the knock.

As soon as he thought it, he heard the small knock on the door that made him say almost robotically, "Come in." Jordan knew already who was on the other side of the door and so he was not surprised to know that it was Aaron Pryce, his beloved brother whom he had left in San Francisco. The good thing is, Jordan could ask him to leave without much fuss.

[Aaron Pryce]

The thing about thoughts is that they're supposed to be private, kinda like a for-your-eyes-only kinda thing, but with a brother as a telepath, you should be more careful of what you think...never know what could "accidentally" pick up, and right now, he just want to tell his brother to "Piss off." and leave this God-forsaken city and his brother to burn but he came all this way...he came all this way...why the hell did he come all this way. A sigh escaped his lips...he raised his shaky hand and placed it on the door knob. He firmed his grip then he turned and pushed it in, stepping into his brother's office. Aaron lifted his head and cast a look over to his brother who sat calmly behind his desk as if waiting for some important official to step in, must have been a let down to find out it's just your brother. After closing the door behind him, he stood there for a few seconds, waiting to see what would happen...what would he say...

Unfortunately, Aaron wasn't about waiting to be offered a seat so he made his way over to one that sat in front of his desk and he settled himself comfortably, crossing his ankles and all. "Hi Jordan." Aaron said, and after that he honestly just waited to see what J's response would be, what sarcastic piece of shit he was going to spew forth from his trap. He smirked, then he looked away, his eyes catching the modern look of this...this vast office, because big just wasn't a big enough word for it. He turned his body and glanced around the room then he returned to glare back at his brother, still smirking and all. "Nice place you have here." He though. Honestly, Aaron couldn't remember the last time he used his telepathy to speak...the only gift of his that he used was his ability to See, and that wasn't voluntary, so when he did things like orbing and stuff, it surprised him. "Bet you're more comfortable here than at home."