Yhlei looked outside the car window and recalled what happened last night.
Last night, Slyvester came home drunk. His face was red, and he could not look straight. The drunken man, who almost stumbled, greeted his mother with a smile.
“Hello, Mom. Where’s Dad?”
Right at that time, his dad walked down the stairway. Far away, he could already smell the pungent smell of the alcohol.
"You're drunk? You came home late at night and drunk?" Yhlei's face was full of disappointment. The first thing that came to his mind was his son's reputation. Slyvester can be the new successor of Ixumi Corporation. But he walked down the road swaying and unstable? What if he did some embarrassing things on the way home?
"Dad," Slyvester called him. Suddenly, Slyvester knelt in front of his father.
His dad, his mom, and Ran, who was unexpectedly present at that time, had their eyes wide open.
"I did everything you wanted," said the Slyvester. "What to wear, what to behave, the people I should be friends with, the things I should say, and also the course to take in college." Slyvester pressed his chest. Then he smiled bitterly. "I am a good son, right?" He looked at his mother as if waiting for her approval.
Her mom covered her mouth with teary eyes. She knew Slyvester’s dreams were delayed because of her husband’s wishes. So, she's waiting for this. That Slyvester stood for himself and said what was on his mind.
"If I am a good son, why can't you give me a good reason?"
Yhlei stayed quiet. He didn't want to hit the drunk son; that's what he thought. But he found himself listening to Slyvester with a trembling heart. He could not stand seeing his son kneeling in front of him. It broke Yhlei’s heart.
"Is it difficult to say you will accept Ryan because I love her? Is it difficult to accept her without thinking of any benefits?"
"..."
Tears fell on the good son's cheek. "Well, you're selfish. I did my best for you, but you can’t give me that little thing I am asking from you.”
"What the hell..." Yheli's sentence cracked in the middle. "...what is that little thing you're asking for?"
"Just be a simple father."
"..."
Slyvester sobbed. "Not the owner of Ixumic Corporation. I want to talk to you as my father."
"..."
"Other fathers asked their sons what they love. Not once have you asked me what my dream was."
Slyvester’s mother, on the side, broke down in tears.
"Do you know what I like?"
Yhlei doesn't know anything. He thought Slyvester also wanted to be a businessman. Because this is the best future Slyvester has.
"Since then, you've made me feel like I have to hide my true dream. Dad, I'm not happy with the path you want me to take."
As Slyvester cried, Yhlei looked away. Tears are building in the corner of his eyes too.
"I love you, Dad", Slyvester sobbed hard. "B-But... I want to be happy too."
"..."
"Ryan makes me happy now; I'm afraid I'll lose her because of the reputation you're seeking in me. Do I need to be a bad son? Do I need to hate you? Dad?"
Yhlei didn't show it, but when he entered the room that night, he shed pitiful tears for his son. He had no idea that his son was feeling this way.
Then he remembered his promise before. When Nikki died, and Slyvester was depressed, he promised to give it his all. He promises that he will do everything to make Slyvester happy again. But now he hurt him. He deeply hurt his child.
"Tell me, have I been a bad father?" Yhlei asked the question, to Driver Ran.
Ran first took a deep breath. "Can I speak not as a driver but as a friend?"
Yhlei nodded in agreement.
"You were too strict with Slyvester."
Yhlei stopped and then looked at Ran.
"You were strict in forcing him to take the path you think is right. You did not consider his feelings when you made decisions."
"So...I'm really a bad father?"
"No. You are still a good father, sir. You want him to be happy; that makes you a good father. Maybe you have a wrong understanding of how to be a good father for Slyvester, Sir."
"..."
"Did you know that Slyvester wants to be a chef one day?" Ran added.
Yhlei's eyes widened! Not even once did this matter cross his mind!
" Slyvester told me that when he was still in high school. He often cooks whenever you're not around."
"T-Then why didn't he tell me?"
"Because he knows that you want something different for him. He is trying to be a good son as much as you were trying to be a good father."
"..."
"Eventually, you two have lost touch. You're both acting in ways you expect each other to do."
Yhlei looked down with a sigh.
"And about Miss Ryan, what is the real reason why you don't like her?"
"Because she was adopted," Yhlei said. "This will affect my son's future."
"Do you see from Slyvester that he will repent with Ryan?"
Yhlei shook his head.
"Then you judged the matters, Sir."
"I see," Yhlei said with a chuckle. "I was really wrong."
"What if you talk to Miss Ryan?"
Yhlei stared at the Driver.
"Young master hasn't come out of the room for a few days. He also eats poorly. If you talk to Miss Ryan, that will help fix everything."
"It's embarrassing to come near her right now. I-I need some time."
"I heard they have exam day this week," Ran said with a cough.
"Exam?! Exam days, but my son doesn't go to school?!" Yhlei yelled.
-------------------
Ryan’s POV
Slyvester and I need to work together to fix the problem, but if he refuses to come home, we won't be able to make any progress.
"What? Is he tired of everything?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did he want to break up with me? It felt like we had only just started dating. If I saw him again, I would be so angry that I would want to hit him and call him an idiot.
However, despite my anger, I couldn't deny that I missed Slyvester. No matter how upset I was, I still loved him. I worried about him and longed for him to come home so we could work things out.
My phone rang as I tried to distract myself with a pile of books on my bed. I answered it quickly, hoping it was Slyvester calling. But it was an unknown number, and I usually avoid answering spam calls because of scams. However, I felt that the call might be related to Slyvester, so I responded hesitantly, saying, "Hello?"
[This is Slyvester’s father]
"..."
I was frozen in the spot while thinking about why Slyvester’s father called me.
[Can we see each other?]
"I-I'm at the boarding house," I said slowly.
[Then let's meet at the nearest coffee shop there. I'll text you the location.]
"O-Okay."
As the call ended, I was left stunned, wondering how Slyvester's father had gotten a hold of my number. Nonetheless, I prepared myself for what I knew would happen soon.
As I descended the stairs, the silence inside the boarding house was noticeable. The place was empty.
"Where did the four men go?" I thought to myself.
Then, it hit me that we had an upcoming exam week, and even if they were concerned about me, they were probably busy preparing for their tests. I let out a sigh and left the boarding house.
After a few minutes, I bumped into Slyvester's father at a surprisingly empty coffee shop. The surroundings were peaceful, and the background music was soothing. Despite the calming scent of coffee, I couldn't relax, especially with Slyvester's father sitting across from me.
There was a brown envelope on the table. He's drinking a coffee while I only asked for a glass of water.
‘Will it be the scene when he pours me water and offers me money in exchange for staying away from his son?’
"Miss Ryan," he called me.
"Wait a moment!" I babbled, moving his coffee away from him. "Just a reminder that your coffee is hot, and my shirt is new. It would be difficult to remove any stains, Sir. So, if you plan on pouring something on me, please use water instead."
He remained silent, and I continued.
"Also, if you are offering me money," I gestured towards the envelope, "I won't accept it. Even if I regret it later when I come across a lost dollar bill, I still won't take the money you're using to bribe me to stay away from your son. Please don't tell me the amount either, so I don't have to think about it every night."
Slyvester's father stared at me but suddenly burst into laughter after a few seconds.
"Pfff...!"
I couldn't see Slyvester’s resemblance to his father's behaviour back then. But now, I could tell they had the same laugh. Their eyes crinkled and narrowed like a pair of crescent moons. And watching this old man, I missed Slyvester even more.
“Why would I pour you a drink?” he asked. “And who said I am going to give you money? I don’t waste money on things like this. Every penny is important.”
He forged a cough, leaving me speechless, and then he spoke again.
“I have another reason for meeting you, Miss Ryan.”
Slowly, I detached my lips and asked him, “And that reason is…?”
“I want to… aplhjskpze.”
I didn’t hear what his last word was because his voice weakened.
“Pardon? I didn’t hear it,” I said.
He heaved a sigh, scratched his nape and looked away as if some shy teenager. And then, he said, “I want to apologise.”
‘Even the way he fidgeted resembles Slyvester!’
The resemblance between them became so evident.
"I said some things that probably hurt you. So, I'm sorry. I admit that I judged your character. That's very rude. Sorry, dear."
He apologized many times, and I could tell he was sincere about it.
"I am also thankful," he continued. "That you didn't break up with my son despite what I said."
I am not inclined to forgive all of his apologies. I still feel hurt by what I heard earlier, and I need to tell him that I require some time to heal. However, I chose to remain silent as it was my most effective response.
"When my son lost Nikki, I promised to do everything possible to keep him happy. Perhaps I misunderstood the ways to make him happy," he said.
Finally, I spoke up. "Does that mean you will accept me as his girlfriend?"
"To be honest, it's difficult to accept you, my child," he replied. "Given his current situation, I would be lying if I say I accept you."
"Then you still hate my origin?"
"I'm just clarifying something, Ryan. I didn't intend to belittle your origin. The only thing I was thinking of was how it would affect my son, as he will be the next successor of the Ixumi group. And that was my mistake. I'm sorry."
'He just did his job as Slyvester’s father. Because he was worried.'
Although I can't guarantee complete acceptance, I'm willing to make an effort to change my perspective. Starting now, please feel free to date my son without worrying about my opinion. I'll do my best to avoid interfering in your relationship.
Our discussion didn't necessarily lead to a reconciliation but was a positive conversation overall.
"Is Slyvester at your house?" I asked.
"Yes," he sighed.
"Can I come and visit him?"
Slyvester’s father, for the first time, smiled sweetly at me. "You can, my dear."
I stood up quickly, getting ready to rush to the destination. However, I remembered that I didn’t know where he lived. And so, I looked back and asked him, “By the way, where is your house, Sir?”
“You told me you’re going when you don’t know the address?” Slyvester’s Father asked in strict voice.
I felt intimidated when he took a deep breath and raised his eyebrows.
Now, he’s starting to behave like my grumpy childhood friend, Terban.
“Just go and leave with Driver Ran. He will take you t…”
My phone inside my pocket rang, causing to interrupted his words.
“I’m sorry, what is it?”
“No. Pick the call first.”
“Y-Yeah. Wait a minute.”
I took my phone quickly and saw a contact I could not decline. Quickly, I answered the call.
"Hello?"
When I heard the information from the other line, I was worried that my meeting with Slyvester would be delayed today.