Broken Souls Don't Cry

Chapter 3

Kai

"Kai, look at me while I'm speaking to you" his father said. Kai rolled his eyes and turned to face him in his chair. He was in his father's corporate office getting a lecture, once again, about his lack of progress at Stanford towards his business degree. He'd been there for three years, and he had made significant progress on his degree, the one they didn't know about, and only had a year left. His parents disapproved of his lack of progress towards the degree they thought he was getting.

Kai wanted to start his own IT company. His parents, John and Donna, wanted him to get a business degree and come work at their company. Jenson Industries. He hadn't told them he was working towards his degree in IT. They currently thought he was just taking fluff classes, as his mother called them, and partying every night. They had no idea he was so close to having his bachelor's already.

"You need to stop playing around and get that business degree" his father said in a stern voice. "This company needs you" he glared at his son, eyes dark and unreadable.

Kai scoffed, "No, it doesn't... Father" he said with spite, "This company would be just fine without me"

His father stared at him, and Kai tried hard not to shift in his seat. "Very well" his father's voice went cold, and Kai knew that was a bad sign, "If you really think that playing around for yet another year will benefit you, then you will need to pay your own way this school year" John's face showed no emotion and Kai took a breath.

Perfect. "I can't afford Stanford."

"You do what normal people do and get a job or find a different school to attend" He stood up and walked around to the window that overlooked the city. "The only men who get their education paid for by me" he pointed at himself, "are those who will work for the company. Seeing as your brother will start this fall at the university of his choosing, maybe he will fill in the slack his older brother" He looked back outside, "is seemingly unfit to yield". His father's towering 6'3" frame intimated most people; Kai wasn't really afraid of his father, but he knew not to cross him as much as possible.

Kai bit his tongue. This was typical of his parents. Guilt trips, gas lighting, blatant lies. That's all they ever did, and Kai wanted out of their control. If losing his parents funding for school meant he could get out of their grip, then he would play along with his own conditions, for now. Or....

"Okay," Kai responded carefully, "I have my own conditions if you want me here at the company. I go to the school of my choice and get whatever degree I choose. Then I will intern here for a year after graduation." He took a deep breath, "If I end up liking it, I will get serious about my business degree and will return to Stanford. However, I need you to be willing to pay for whatever school I choose" He looked down at the floor, "That is the only way you can get me in these doors as an employee".

He could feel the glare from his father. It was silent for several minutes and he could hear the bustling going on outside the office. He knew his father was thinking it over, trying to decide if this offer would be of any worth to the company. Not Kai. The company is the only thing his parents really cared about.

Growing up his parents were absent most of the time. His mother was always at some gala or fundraiser and his father was always traveling or would work late at the office. He didn't even believe his parents loved each other. He doubted it. They would put on a show for everyone around them, but he knew that their marriage had been one of convenience. He also knew if they could marry him off to Chelsea, the daughter of a family friend, they would do it without a second thought. It's what they do in this world, marry for advancement, not love.

Chelsea. She was a right piece of work. He knew she would never be faithful. Would never love him. He could never love her nor be able to express his feelings or opinions without some underlying angle of hers. To be fair, she was a product of their social status, but she was a piranha.

The company, Jenson Industries, made computer chips for government satellites. They were well connected and well off. His grandfather had started the company and his father inherited it when he retired. His mother was the daughter of a senator and they married so Jenson Industries could get all the government contracts.

Several more minutes went by before his father said anything. Kai knew he had to hold out and stay firm, he hoped his father would agree with his terms.

"Fine," his father said, relaxing his stance before walking back to his desk to sit down. "You finish out these two semesters at whatever school you choose. Then you will intern here before getting your business degree and coming to work here full time."

"Thank you, father" Kai said as he stood up. "I will let your secretary know the school of my choice" He walked towards the door. "It's a pleasure, as always."

"Kai," his father said before he opened the door to leave, "You will take over this company for me one day. There's no way around it. The sooner you get that through your head, the easier it will be for everyone."

He just looked at him and then walked out.