Royce Miller's POV

I was a little tense as I get inside the conference hall. It was like I'm having a special entrance where everyone was seated, at a rectangular table. And then I stepped inside, heading my way to the CEO's seat at the center. I noticed it was still vacant, but a few hours from now a new CEO would be sitting there after the board has elected Reid's replacement. But now that I came in, things would surely turn the other way around. I could clearly see their eyes widen in great shock because they don't really have an idea that Reid will be coming back today.

"Good morning everyone. I think I just arrived in time", I responded and gave them my soft smile as I seated on my couch.

My eyes landed on Uncle Sam's and Charles' furrowing brows as they were intently looking at me in confusion. I'm sure they are not doubting me because I know, I played my role very well. Suddenly, their gazes were changed in a natural way, showing happiness and excitement of my unexpected return. Uncle Sam grinned as he stood up and approached me with his arms wide open for an embrace.

"Reid? You're back!", Uncle Sam uttered while giving me a chortle and a hug.

"Welcome back Reid!", Charles followed and did the same.

'Did I surprise you?", I asked while looking at their facial expression. I know most of them feel delighted of Reid's return, but I could also sense that there are a few from the board, who feel bad about the situation. 

All of them asked me why I did not inform them that I'll be coming and that they would have prepared for a Welcome Back Party. I just responded casually and told them I want them to be surprised, and they all chuckled. They were asking me some questions about my health, and I just replied, that I'm still in the process of recovery.

After some formal talks with the board of directors, they all left the conference room except Walter. I looked at him and he smiled at me, giving me two thumbs up. Then, he approached me with a light hug and a tap on my shoulder.

"Welcome back Reid!", he exclaimed and grinned as if he wanted to say, I did a good job.

"Or shall I say, dude, welcome back!"

We chuckled as we stepped out of the conference room.

"Would you like to drop by at your office on the fifth floor?', Walter asked, when we had gotten inside the elevator. I told him to just press the button down to the first floor because I need to take some rest at home.

I feel like I wanted to get out of META right now. It's been six hours already that I've been wearing this business attire and I want to change it with the kind of clothes I used to wear.

As soon as we stepped out of the entrance door, the media reporters were already there waiting outside. Cameras were flashing, capturing videos and pictures of me at different angles.

All of them wanted to approach me but they were stopped by the company guards. Still, media reporters were throwing a lot of questions and I don't have any other choice but to answer all of them. Anyway, I was already expecting this to happen because my brother is a famous businessman and his return to the company after one month, would be the most paramount issue in the whole city.

"Mr. Miller, how do you feel now after having gone from a one-month comatose?", one reporter asked. 

"Sir, what can you say now that you're back in META?"

"Sir, what do you think was the cause of your accident?"

The last question was quite intriguing to me. What was really the cause of Reid's accident?

I was silent for a while, but then I was thinking I need to answer all those questions in order to act my role perfectly or else everyone will become suspicious of me. Reid is known to be a witty and intelligent CEO. So there are no questions he could not answer or he would have left unanswered.  Anyway, I already prepared for this so I know for sure that I could make it.

And if everyone would think there's something wrong, maybe they would just think, it's due to my accident. But the question is, how long would it take? What if someone would find out that I am not Reid? 

I shook my head as I went inside the car. Sitting beside me in the passenger seat, was Walter, who stayed with me the whole time. He gave me a tap on my shoulder as we pulled off the driveway going to my residential house. 

"Are you okay dude?", Walter asked showing much concern.
"Yes, thank you", I responded. But I was thinking, acting like Reid is really not easy. I rehearsed it many times. And living in the business world is way too far from my expectations. However, as a true Miller, I need to sacrifice it for my family and for the future of META.

When we reached our residential house, everybody greeted me with utmost respect. I'm sure dad and mom told them already that Reid is back.

"Good noon sir Reid, Welcome back! We are happy to see you", everyone chorused.

I smiled and nod at them because this is what Reid usually do whenever people greet him in the company or in the house. Walter was still with me because my parents invited him for a lunch. As soon as I entered the sala, dad approached me with a tight hug. Mom followed him and did the same.

"Welcome back home, son!", dad said happily. He pulled himself closer and whispered to me.
"Congratulations for a job well done!" dad's said with a teary eye.
"We are very proud of you son!", my mom's voice quavered.

My heart was filled with gladness because for the first time in my life, I make my parents proud of me. I never expected this to happen not even in my wildest dreams, but now I gradually see my worth as a person, a son, and a brother.

I am a little bit emotional and I'm afraid to give in, so I excused myself for a while. I also need to change my clothes because I feel like my inner shirt is already wet with sweat. And this time, I have to wear Reid's clothes so, instead of going to my bedroom, I went to his room and look for something to wear. I opened his cabinet and put on his denim shorts and checkered shirt. Eventhough I don't like to wear checkered but because I am now Reid, I have to set aside my own likes and dislikes.

All of them in the house believed that I am Reid and only the four of us; dad, mom, Walter and I know the truth. We decided to keep it secret from everyone else to make sure not to compromise our plan. Dad just told everyone that Royce wants to live independently and now planning to take an apartment in Beverly Hills. 

I need to be very careful because I don't know who is with us and who is not. On the other hand, I need to continue what I had started when I was still young.

Without the knowledge of everyone around the house, Reid and I were enrolled by our parents at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Beverly Hills when we were still 5 years old. We continued the training until we grew up and even acquired a black belt at the age of 20. This is the reason why Reid and I have the same bodybuilding.

I think this is the only thing that I am good at. Since I love to learn martial arts, I worked hard for it and even had my self-training in a private place. And even though Reid started working as the CEO of META still, he continued his training in Beverly Hills.

And now, I think I need to work on it again for self-defense and protection. Bad people are just around the corner and anytime soon they will attack my family. I won't let that happen, for as long as I live.

I went out of my brother's room and one of our housemaids told me to proceed to the dining table. Plenty of delicious foods are served; all of them are Reid's and my favorites. I'm glad we would be eating together now because we seldom are doing this since my parents are so busy with their business.

We had a few casual talks while taking our food because our housemaids are just around the house and it's not safe to talk about private matters.

After we're done eating, my parents went to the sala to watch television. I don't know why they are staying at home when most of the time they don't. Walter on the other hand, said goodbye because he needs to go home to take some rest. I understand that he feels so tired since the time we were in Canada, rehearsing everything for this comeback.

I also need to take some rest for my work tomorrow at META. I need to change my lifestyle from a usual wake up at 9:00 0'clock to much earlier than 6:00 am. This is really difficult for me, but I need to do it for my family. I am just hoping and praying that Reid will get better very soon, and so I can go back to what really I am.