Cabi - five years ago

"What are you doing here?"

"Seriously Caleb... I haven't seen you in a month and that's the first thing you say to me?"

Arriving for work at 9pm, no one else should have been in the office. That was the deal. Did Fraser expect him to be polite given that he'd broken it?

"Whatever you're here for, make it quick."

Fraser had long been concerned about his brother's increasingly self-isolating behavior. He'd accepted Caleb's singular request, and come to front the finance company he started straight out of college. Even then, Caleb wasn't a big fan of people.

No one had thought he'd be successful in business. While incredibly intelligent and adept with data analysis, his anti-social personality had proven to be a serious drawback. In childhood he only wanted to be alone. As he got older and started noticing boys, he was lucky that his gloomy demeanor marked him out as the desirable 'brooding type'. But once he'd satisfied his curiosity, he was as angered by their continued presence, as they were by his miserable attitude.

'You're a fucking prick, Caleb' a boy in college had told him, 'It gets pretty tiring you know? Being around someone who doesn't know how to smile.'

It was fortunate that Fraser was so well-liked. If it hadn't been for his brother's help, Caleb's business acumen would have gone to waste. His excellent grades should have earmarked him for a glittering career; but as soon as he started to interview, the rejections flooded in. Starting Caffray had been the only option, and it proved to be the most lucrative decision he could have made.

In light of their success, his hours lessened, employees were recruited, and offices were opened all across Cabi. Fraser was left to manage things during the day, while Caleb would come in to check everything over at night. It had started with a few hours of overtime, but he found the empty office suited him. Soon, Caleb would only agree to come when everyone else had left.

With Caffray turning its largest profit, Caleb exercised his power as President; limiting the human interaction he had to endure. Even Fraser barely saw him. It was only the messages he received about work that signaled his brother was still alive.

"You ought to at least be fine with seeing me..." said Fraser "It's not like I'm not used to you by now."

"Then you should know to hurry" said Caleb, sliding his backpack from his shoulder and switching on his computer.

There was little sense in having a separate office when he worked alternate hours from his brother, but now Fraser was impeding on his space.

"One of the candidates couldn't make the earlier interviews" Fraser explained, "What with the time difference, and Daniel breaking up with me, I offered to come in late and speak with them. Or would you rather hold the interview yourself?"

Of course, Caleb would rather not.

"Daniel broke up with you..?" he asked.

"Two weeks ago" Fraser explained, "He's already gone back home."

"Oh" said Caleb, barely acknowledging the end of his brother's five-year relationship.

The advertised position was for a low-level analyst. Fraser was only conducting the interview as a favor to HR. No one else wanted to be at work after nine on a Friday... aside from Caleb.

"You're not doing it in here, are you?"

Fraser ignored him, adjusting the camera and testing his microphone. It had been a while since he'd vetted a candidate himself.

Before the call could go through, Caleb walked over and switched off the camera.

"You can see my desk in the back" he said, "If I have to listen to you talk then it's probably better for the company's image that they don't see me rolling my eyes."

Fraser took a breath.

Flickering onto the screen was a handsome young man in a button-down and sweater vest. His dark wavy hair was quiffed on top, and his expressive eyes were searching for sight of his potential employer.

"Hello?" he said, "Can you hear me?"

"Ah... there's a problem with my camera" lied Fraser, "But I can hear you just fine."

Tristan smiled in relief, and Caleb found himself walking a little closer to the screen.

"Before we get into the specifics of the job, why not tell me a little about yourself?"

Caleb saw him swallow.

"Well um... my name is Tristan Scott. I graduated two years ago with a Bachelor's degree in statistics... Since then I've been gradually building my portfolio locally... and um..."

All of Tristan's carefully prepared statements turned to ash beneath the scrutiny of the faceless interviewer. He couldn't gauge their impression of him, and it was seriously throwing him off.

"I have your resume already" said Fraser, "Why not tell me something that isn't written here?"

Tristan bit his lip as he tried to think.

"I've never left the country" he confessed, "not even for vacation."

"But you're interested in moving to Cabi?" asked Fraser.

"More than interested" Tristan told him, "And I know it's probably less than ideal; but just because I haven't been to a place doesn't mean it isn't where I'm supposed to be. It's only that I won't know until I get there."

Caleb had been watching him speak. There was something soothing in his voice, in the movements of his lips. Reaching over, he muted the microphone and motioned for Fraser to leave.

"We're not done yet!" Fraser protested, "I've barely spoken to the man."

"It's fine" said Caleb, "I'll do it. It's not like it'll take long anyway."

Shouldering Fraser out of the way, Caleb took his seat and assertively nodded towards the door.

"Hello?" Tristan asked, unsure if he was supposed to fill the pause with something more, or if the connection was bad.

"I um... hello" said Caleb into the microphone, demanding with his eyes that Fraser leave immediately, "My colleague had to step out."

Fraser had run out of patience. 'Fine!' he mouthed, grabbing his phone and leaving his difficult brother to be difficult with someone else.

"Oh um... I see" said Tristan, "Should I introduce myself again..?"

Caleb nodded, then realized his mistake. "Your name again..?" he asked.

"Tristan Scott." 

Caleb looked down at Fraser's discarded list of interview questions. He was panicking. He didn't know what to say.

He hit the mute button and ran to the door, "Fraser!" he called, catching him before the elevator doors opened. Fraser had never seen his brother at such a loss.

"You... you talk to him" he said. His eyes were pleading.

As annoyed as he was, Fraser acquiesced.

"Sorry about that" he told Tristan, "I'm back now. Can you tell me about some of the challenges you've faced while building your portfolio..?"

By the time Tristan was done answering his interviewer's questions, he was even more convinced that he'd done badly. More than once he'd been left to babble on about his experience, his hobbies, and his non-existent thoughts on Cabi.

Caleb had been watching, silently urging Fraser on with more and more questions. What should have been a fifteen minute interview, had dragged on for nearly an hour.

"Well, I appreciate your time, Mr Scott" said Fraser.

A handwritten note was slid across the desk, and Fraser stared at his brother in disbelief. He tried to find a way to rephrase it.

"Just out of interest, if you were offered the postition at Caffray, would your partner require any assistance in relocating with you..?"

Fraser shook his head at his brother's lack of professionalism.

"Um... no" said Tristan, "I would be relocating on my own. If I was offered the position, that is."

"Thanks again for your time Mr Scott, we'll be in touch."

The call was disconnected and the softness in Caleb's eyes replaced by his usual hostility.

"Why didn't you offer him the job?!" he demanded.

Fraser took a breath. "Because that's not how we do things here. Besides, I'm worried he might be a little under-qualified for the role at the harbor office. A year or two more in the field and he'd probably be a better fit."

"I'm overriding your decision" said Caleb, "He's hired immediately; have HR draft the contract."

Fraser was ready to oppose him.

"Please..." 

It was rare that Caleb would ask anything of him besides space.

"I'll have them draft it on Monday then... And I'll put him in touch with someone at the company."

This caught Caleb's attention. 

"What? Why?"

"It's procedure" Fraser explained with a sigh, "New recruits have a lot of questions, and it's better if they can talk to someone who's gone through the process of relocating themselves. We usually drop a request in the group chat for willing mentors. Ahh... I forgot, you left the group chat as soon as I added you..." 

"Then I'll do it" Caleb volunteered.

"The president of Caffray is going to answer an employee's questions about finding an apartment and overtime incentives..? Even if you have no problem with it, I'm sure the rest of the company will."

"He doesn't need to know I'm the president, he doesn't even need to know my name. Just let me be the one to do this. Please."

That unfamiliar word again.

"I'll have them forward your email address from college..." suggested Fraser, "Do you even still use that account?"

Caleb nodded.

"Fine" said Fraser, "With any luck he won't bother needing to use it anyway."

Before Tristan arrived to start his job in Cabi, he sent exactly two messages to the contact he'd been given at Caffray. After psyching himself up to send the first, there had been a flurry of excitement at the other end.

Fraser had been sleeping when he was woken by someone at his door. With all the banging and incessant ringing of his doorbell, he thought Daniel had come back to make amends. When he saw that it was Caleb, he was even more alarmed.

"What?! What is it? Is it mom? Is she okay..?!"

"You weren't answering my calls" said Caleb, his eyes shaking wildly.

Fraser feared the worst.

Caleb raised his phone screen for Fraser to see.

'Hello!

This is Tristan Scott, I'm due to start working at Caffray in a couple of weeks and I was given your email address if I had any questions.

I hope you don't mind my bothering you, I was just wondering if you had any gym recommendations? I usually go running outside, but I'm not sure I'll be able to handle the heat!

Kindest regards,

Tristan'

Fraser wasn't sure his brother's intense reaction was fully justified.

He closed his eyes and took a breath.

"So tell him if you know of any, and if not, tell him you don't know of any."

"But he's not sure if he can handle the heat!" Caleb despaired, "What if I tell him I don't know any and he decides not to come? What if the gyms I find for him are too expensive? He said in his interview that the only luxuries he has are occasional trips to the cinema and an overpriced meal on his birthday. Are you sure we're paying him enough?"

Caleb had quoted him word for word.

"He's on the standard starting wage. You're overthinking things" warned Fraser, fastening his robe around his waist while Caleb followed him into the house. His behavior was starting to scare him.

"We should offer gym membership... as a perk."

"To just one man?" asked Fraser, "I'm not sure we could get away with that as a legitimate incentive."

"Then to everyone" Caleb announced, "Company wide. Include spouses for all I care."

Things were getting out of hand, but Fraser knew better than to try and deter him. At least in this instance, their employees would all benefit.

"I'll discuss it with Bruce at the Monday meeting" he conceded.

"There's no need for discussion" Caleb told him, "If there isn't the budget for it then take it from my bonus."

"Caleb..."

"Just do it. He's waiting for my reply."

By the following day, the scheme was already being set in motion. The gym was selected, and a deal was struck.

'Sorry for getting back to you so late.' 

Caleb had messaged,

'There's a gym available to all employees at no cost.

Kindest Regards'

He'd written and deleted so much more before he pressed send. A cursory thank you for letting him know was all he'd received back from Tristan. Caleb didn't care. Soon, he would be there in person.

The details of Tristan's start date were all handled through HR, and a reasonable studio apartment was found online. The last of his money from Dad would cover the costs he needed for the move, but then that would be it; he'd be out on his own in the big wide world.

Caleb started visiting the gym every day; scoping out every angle for the best vantage point of the treadmills. A corner of the weights room was designated for his exclusive use. Fraser didn't realize what it was he was doing, he was just happy his brother had found a hobby that got him out of the house.

When Tristan arrived in Cabi with his two large suitcases, no one was there to greet him at the airport. He picked up his sim card and got lost looking for the taxi stand. As Tristan finally waited in line, Caleb sat in his car hyperventilating. He'd had it all worked out. A casual meeting, a mention of the company he worked for, and then he'd offer him a ride. But once he saw him he couldn't bring himself to speak. Instead, he tailed the taxi back to Tristan's hotel.

"Adam left his wallet in the office" Fraser told him on the phone, "Do you mind if he impinges on your solitude by coming by to pick it up?"

"I'm not there" Caleb confessed.

"Well, where are you..?"

Caleb was waiting outside the convenience store in the evening heat, watching Tristan through the window as he searched the shelves, looking for something recognizable to eat. He'd sat outside his hotel for two hours before Tristan came out to walk around, and had been following him since. Even Caleb was starting to realize this wasn't normal.

"I... Fraser... I don't know what I'm doing..."