Broken Hearts by Phiya

Chapter Fifteen

Tan was in his office the next morning. He had his chair turned to face the huge floor to ceiling windows in his office while basking in the warm sunlight enjoying the what-should-not-be-considered-soothing-but-is noise from the city. He had a lot of thing to do but he couldn't help but indulge in musing over the night he had with Gabby. Waking up with her in his arms, he felt like he had just discovered a new kind of heaven. The way their bodies molded against each other creating the illusion that what they were feeling for each other was set in stone. Their relationship wasn't defined yet, he wasn't even sure if he could call it one, but Tan knew there was something that they shared and he wanted to enjoy this experience with her as long as he could have it because knowing his luck in life, their current situation might just end when he least expects it and shock them both. It wasn't that he was trying to jinx himself; lord knows he already has enough share of bad luck, but it was safer to expect the worst and be grateful for the gift.
The intercom on his desk beeped forcing him to snap out of his dilly dallying. He pressed the button to receive the messages from his secretary.
"Mr. Lee, your father is here to see you," Tom announced on the other end of the line.
A powerful surge of annoyance flared up in him at his father's intrusion, a direct contradiction to his earlier mood. It was not something that surprised him at this point. It was typical for Yo-Han Lee to suck the joy out of everything after all. Tan couldn't help thinking that maybe he did jinx himself. Even though he honestly couldn't stand his father and would rather pass up on meeting with him this morning, no one could keep his father waiting. At the end of the day, it was still his company and therefore his rules. He leaned back into his chair, the action doing nothing to relieve the tension climbing its way up in his body. What does his father want with him anyway? With all his father's talk about retirement and leaving his company to his golden son, one would think that Yo-Han Lee would finally get out of Tan's hair but the results was far from what was expected. Miles away in fact. Tan was supposed to be CEO but he was beginning to feel like his father might just be working from home while he was just a figurehead on the CEO seat.
"You can send him in Tom," he replied even as he knew the comment was unnecessary, his father must have already found his way to the office. Since his secretary's office was just a floor below his, Tan did the math in his head and deduced that his father was almost at his door. He closed his laptop and straightened his suit as if mentally preparing himself for the battle that was about to ensue. His otherwise large office already felt too small and Tan wondered if he could get someone to call a fake meeting and save him from whatever his father wanted to tell him. In many ways Tan was still just a child intimidated by his father's unforgiving presence.
Just like he predicted, the door to his office opened and Yo-Han walked through in like he owned the place -he did but it was not the point- no, no knocking for someone as high and mighty as Yo-Han Lee. It was like he needed everyone to know how powerful and important he was, like he needed it as much as he needed breathing. Maybe he did need it that bad . Tan could not remember a time where his father had not tried, and always succeeded, to intimidate him. It came with the territory of being a business tycoon and Yo-Han Lee was a damn good one. Tan had inherited the business but His father being who he was would cut his arm before commending any of his children on a job well done.
He was afraid that he would spend the rest of his life living up to his father's expectations. He'd hurt himself and Gabby in the past because he just wanted the older man's approval. He realized too late that it would always be about what Yo-Han Lee wanted, what He wanted for himself must come secondary. It must never interrupt his father's almighty design . Hell he felt so pathetic for whining like this.
Years he searched for his Father's approval. A pat on the back, a smile , a nod, anything to show that he wasn't the unfeeling monster he appeared to be.  He didn't find it though. He accepted now that his father was going stay the way he was. Preaching over and over about his duty to his family and his company. He could bet his father would not bat an eyes at anything as long as it was for family.
Tan wondered what his father was doing here though. He would usually just call him and order him home. Maybe they heard of his rebellious trip to Boston. Knowing the kind of parents he had, nothing could get past them. If anything it was surprising that they didn't call on him sooner for information about what he was doing out of New York for a week; afteralll as a responsible son, he should know he had a company to run and shouldn't go cruising about the country. Tan rolled his eyes at himself internally.
"Good morning, Dad. This is so sudden." His father arched a still dark eyebrow. The gesture appearing more condescending than playful.
"What's sudden about visiting my son and checking how he is fitting into his new position?"
Tan waited for his father to say his piece giving him an equal eyebrow lift. Yo-Han wouldn't waste his precious time visiting anyone when he could be making money with it. Except of course if it involves making someone miserable.
"This won't take your time," pull a making himself comfortable on one of the armchairs in his office. The respectable thing to do was to get up and go and sit with his father. Tan was unfortunately not feeling respectful that morning.
"I am listening," Tan said with a casual tip of his hand, his father face tightened and Tan smiled to himself. It was so much fun irritating his father. Serves him right for coming to his office unannounced. What was the old man up to anyway? This was the first time his father ever visited him, at work or home.
A steely peer of eyes studied him, waiting for him to squirm, but as much as his Dad was intimidating, two could also play the game. The apple never falls far and Tan had developed an intimidating aura in his adulthood too. His father would have to wait the whole day before that could happen, If it would even happen.
"I feel like you have a clue of why I'm here," Yo-Han began, placing his glasses on a stool beside the armchair
"No, Dad...No clue whatsoever."
"I heard about your trip to Boston." His father stared at him. Tan stared right back. "We've warned you about that girl. Do not dishonor your family Tan."
Dishonor? In what way?
"I am afraid you are going to explain how I brought dishonor to your family, Dad, because I went to visit a friend whose mother was dying. I don't know how it brought dishonor to the glorious name." he leaned back on the chair and crossed his arms. "If anything it showed we are kind people." He gave a shrug.
Yo-Han scoffed, irritation glowing in his eyes.
"You have to chose a side. That woman or your family. Doting after her like some pup makes me  and your mother look like a joke to our friends."
Tan hands clenched at his sister sides but he forced his face to remain impassive. It would have given his father much joy to see him upset.
"A joke?"  He scoffed "You make it sound like I had pictures of myself put on tabloids with a common tramp on my arm. Going to visit Gabrielle is not something that should dishonor you. She's an exceptional woman and is someone I care deeply for." He shook his head.
"I would apologize for leaving work and not informing you even though it's no concern of yours as to how I run the company, I won't feel guilty about seeing Gabby, if you feel insulted by my innocent actions, it's says more about you than it says for me."
His father didn't care about what he had said, dismissing his statement with a wave of his hand.
"We have invited Eliyah and her parents over for dinner next weekend. You do well to show up. I wouldn't want us to be rude to them."
Tan ran a hand across his face. "Dad, would you please way lay any match making attempt. I am not interested in marrying Eliyah or anyone you or mum chooses for me."
"You would, if you want to keep earning a living under my company." The spiteful words from his father pierced him. But Tan refused to let him have the benefit of getting to him.
Although he wanted to tell his father to do his worst in very colorful language, Tan felt like he would be nothing without the company. He had worked hard to be where he was today, even if his father would not acknowledge it and he wasn't ready to let go of all of his hard work and though his and Gabby's relationship wasn't defined he was not going to expose her to his father harsh words. He would protect her from his parents if he had to. He would do anything for Gabby.
"Is that supposed to be a threat Dad?" he asked, looking at his father directly without blinking.
"I might also put an end to that deal with GALA; they are not the only company to do what I want. Trust me Tan I can spend any amount of money to get my way."
His parent saw Gabrielle as a gold digger, someone who came to drain their son of all his money. No, that was wrong, his father doesn't see her period. He was so stuck up in his big plans for his children and have refused to see that they had a life of their own and were wishing to live it.
"You can't do that because you signed a contract and I'll get her to sue you for a shitload of money. It might not affect you but your pristine business reputation will take a hit," Tan said, his voice flat. "I would come for dinner but let Gabrielle be. She is innocent, stop using her as a pawn in your dirty game."
His father stared at him and them hit up slowly. He didn't think Tan would stand up to him at all. Tan didn't think so either. "We all make sacrifices Tan. This is for the good of family. Your family." he cleared his throat, gazing briefly at the new décor in his former office, looking at it with disgust.
"What's you problem with Gabby? Why are you so against our relationship?" Tan questioned.
"I couldn't care less about the girl and your relationship with her. Eliyah is the perfect choice. She is from a wealthy family and has been educated at the best schools. Marriage to her family would help expand the Lee brand."
"You want me to marry someone to expand your company?"
"I want you to do what's best for the family" Yo-Han snapped. "You are both compatible. You are from the same circle"
"I am also compatible with Gabby, she understands me."
Glancing at his wrist watch Yo-Han stood up to leave, ignoring Tans last statement.
"I have made my decision. You had better start courting Eliyah, so that you can get to know her." He narrowed his eyes on him, "I expect you to come for dinner next weekend. Do not embarrass me."
With that order, his father turned and strode out of the office leaving Tan alone.
Angry. Defenseless.