Max POV
“This is a family affair, what the heck has it gotten to do with the company? Why did they have to do that?” I rant at my dad even if I know this isn’t any of his faults.
“Why are you taking it out on me? Didn’t you think about this when you were busy going around and doing that nonsense? How is this any of my fault?” He snaps at me, and I gulp down nothing. Yes, he’s right anyway, it’s not his fault, so I should find a solution and not take it out on him.
“Dad… What should we do? I’ve lost about 60 billion already. Please help me,” For the first time in recent years, I need this man’s help so badly. For the first time, I fall to my knees and beg him for mercy, because at this point, I can’t take the pain anymore. I might just commit suicide if things get worse.
“What should we do? ‘We’? You started this yourself, shouldn’t you clear the mess, huh?” He snaps at me, and I slowly clench my fingers as a drop of tears slides down my cheeks. My heart is broken, but I’m more worried about Ariel. I don’t want her to find out about this. She’s going to be broken and blames herself for everything if she finds out. I’m scared something will happen to her and our baby.
“Dad, can you please help me? I’m asking for this for the first time. Please have mercy on me,” I crawl on my knees and hold his leg, begging him like this man holds the key to my life, but he kicks me off and steps away from me. Slowly, I raise my gaze to find him staring at me with a smirk dancing at the corner of his lips. Does he hate me this much? Did he ever love me as his child? Those are the questions I ask myself and never came up with answers.
“You betrayed me by carrying out this act in the first place. Don’t you think needing my help now will make it seem like we planned it together all along? Don’t you think well?” He utters sarcastically, and I gulp down nothing.
“Forgive me, dad. Please help me. Just this once,” I plead with him. I would’ve fallen to my face and begged him if that is what it’ll take me to change his mind, but I can’t afford to do that for any human. Only God deserves to be prostrated to, and I would never do that for any human.
“There are only two solutions, Max…” He pauses, and I quickly jerk up to look at him. I would do anything to make things right again.
“What is it, dad? I’m ready to do anything, please,” I stutter, and he sighs as he turns his face away from me.
“You have to undo what you’ve done. Take Alicia back as your wife, take out that thing’s baby, and throw her out of your house. That is the first option, and it doesn’t guarantee that you will get everything back. I will try to talk to the companies and the shareholders about what should be done about this,” He explains, and I gulp down nothing. To start with, Alicia won’t ever forgive me when she knows that I was the reason she lost her baby. And Ariel? I won’t ever let her go even if something worse happens to me. I can’t let her go.
“I can’t do any of the first ones, dad. I will wait for the second option,” I reply to him honestly, and he nods his head slowly.
“Alright then. I will get back to you on that within the week,” He utters and with that, he turns and starts heading toward the staircase.
With my heavy heart, I drag myself up to my feet and hobble out of the house like the whole world is placed on my shoulders. Will all these be over one day? Will I eventually be fine? I don’t think it’s anytime soon, anyway.
I drive back home to pick Ariel up for our date this morning. I can’t cancel it because she would suspect something is wrong. Turns out that it’s more difficult putting on a smile when everything is not well with you than the pain itself. It hurts.
I try not to get distracted as I drive us down the road minutes later.
“Can we go see my mom instead?” She suddenly asks out of the blue, and I glance at her to find her resting her head on the headrest while staring outside the window.
“Your mom?” I inquire, and she nods her head. Now that I remember, we were going to go there that day before the incident and since then we haven’t been able to.
“Alright,” I nod my head and without asking any further questions, I turn the car and head toward the direction she gave me. I have never been to her house before, so I don’t really know there.
We finally arrive after driving for about an hour, and I park in front of the house. We head toward the entrance door afterward, and she knocks on the door as soon as we stop in front of the door.
“Who is ther…” The feminine voice trails off when the door opens and the person sights us. With the slight resemblance between her and Ariel, I need not be told that she must be her mom, although she looks a bit young.
“Ar… iel?” The woman blinks her eyes rapidly and gulps down nothing as she stared at her before she turns her gaze to look at me with a questioning expression on her face. She must be shocked to see us, or see her daughter, maybe.
“Wh… why are you here?” She stutters.
“Are you going to let us in, or do you plan to keep us here and interrogate us like a cop?” Ariel scoffs, obviously angry. She wasn’t like this before we got here, I guess the woman’s presence makes her a bit angry. I understand her anyway. Even I will be extremely angry when I see the person that sold me for her selfish desires.
“Uhm… Please come in,” She finally leaves the door wide open for us to go inside.
“Uhm… Please have your seat,” The woman offers as she points toward the two of the chairs in what looks like a living room.
“Uhm… What should I offer you? I just made…”
“I’m not here to dine with you, I’m here to talk with you. So, please sit,” Ariel cuts her off, and she slowly nods her head as she sits on the chair, and turns her gaze away.
“You don’t look relaxed. Calm down,” Ariel says, and she slowly nods her head as she fondles with her fingers. Guilt is written all over her face, and I guess she must be regretting her actions now…