Never Love Again

82. I Am Sorry

"I am dissatisfied with your excuses young man. Is this how you were raised? To be irresponsible after marking your fated? You've hardly spent time with him leaving the rest of us to take responsibility for your own actions? Perhaps you thought the scar would go on it's own and yet again you show up briefly and abandon him just like before. What is your excuse this time?"

"I apologize madam. We had a little argument..."

"What misunderstanding will lead you to leave my son in such a state of turmoil? He was spending sleepless nights in search for you for six weeks and what- you show up out of the blue only to be with him for two weeks? I hardly thought I'd have seen the sights of you if it weren't for the fire incident."

"That was not the case. I did intend to stay with him until his mark healed completely."

Elric's mother sneered. "So that was your time frame? What happens after it heals? Do you olan to disappear once more?"

"No, I didn't mean it like that."

"Then please, explain it to me however you meant."

Niel took a deep breath, forcing his mind to come up with better words to defend himself but figured whatever words came out of his mouth would only sound as an excuse which judging by Elric's mother's mood, it was the wrong time, wrong place to the wrong person.

Sighing, his mother spoke seeing that Niel had nothing to say. "I understand my son can be a handful however, you marked him therefore you must meet up to his imprint. If this responsibility seems too much for you, I assure you, the mark will continue to pull you towards him, a result of your shared spiritual essence. Isn't that why you came here today?"

"I wanted to make sure he was okay..."

"I've heard enough excuses from you. Do as you please but keep in mind, you'll account to me each and every of your actions, including going physical on my son." Seeing the surprised look on Niel's face, she added. "I'm in a cheerful mood since you helped my son with the paperwork however, to catch you just about to leave while Elric was asleep, I fear I'll regret having you as a member of my family. We do not run away from our problems here. We take them head on. I presume Elric has briefed you of your duty to produce an heir for me."

"He did but..."

"But...?" Elric's mother turned sinister. "Are you aiming to change the flow of atmosphere by uttering such a pointless word? Was marking my son a joke to you or perhaps you go by doing the same to others?"

"I'm sorry."

"Apologize when you understand the situation otherwise keep your mouth shut." Standing up, Elric's mother gestured for Niel to sit down. She reached down for her drawer under her desk and pulled out a package, which looked like a phone, judging from the picture on it." My son told me to give you this incase you came visiting when he wasn't here. It appears he was right about you passing by. If he can sense you already, I fear he'll be the only one loosing in this relationship."

"I'm saving money to buy a new phone, hence no need..."

"This is not a request. He took time to charge it and save his number saying you'll be coming in today. How dare you make a mockery of his efforts...?"

"I'm sorry." Niel nervously took the package from her and began unboxing it and just like Yeon's, it had been the same cellphone, except a different colour. "I'll make sure to use it well."

"You had better. Now, in other matters regarding your habitation, you must relocate here immediately before you two proceed to stay at my son's apartment. I want to monitor you upclose if you are truly fit for my son." Seeing that Niel was about to object, she raised her hand to stop him and continued. "I will not have you abandon Elric again considering how nonchalant you are of his welfare. Aren't you ashamed his mark has not yet healed two months down the line? It's embarrassing. Therefore, this is not up for discussion. Elric knows his duties as the heir of this family and will follow them to the latter. I admit I wasn't expecting him to meet his fated this soon, in fact I was against him being fated, wishing he'd pair but what's done is done. Once the current state of events simmer down with the case we are both working on, you two may leave but only when I'm satisfied. Understood?"