Inside Umbra's Ruins ✓ [Umbra's Fate #2]

ᴛᴡᴇʟᴠᴇ: ɴᴏᴀʜ

The place he considered his home became an empty space. Everything around Noah was shaking and he couldn't find a way to put his footing on without falling.

He crossed the door of his family's gym like a stranger, the usual excitement vanished a month ago. In the bottom of his heart he always knew that he didn't wish to follow the path of his parents, yet he never considered the family business as a burden. He came to convince himself that perhaps it wasn't so bad to be the owner of a gym, he would have financial stability and the relationship with his parents would remain intact. At least that's what he thought until he met death.

Stability became an illusion. No one can be certain of a single prediction of their future when they could be dead the next morning. Why would he throw away his happiness for a future that might not come? If his life could end at any moment, at least he'll die knowing that he enjoyed it. So, for the first time, he chose the hard way, he chose to be authentic with himself.

"Put on a smile, will you?" His father told him once he reached the reception desk. "You'll scare the customers with that face."

The frown on Noah's face became more pronounced. He tilted his head and fixed his gaze on the man in front of him. Even behind the high reception desk his father looked tall, which added to his big muscles made him intimidating to anyone. He normally maintains a relaxed posture and a big smile on his face to address the customers, but at his son's attitude he stood up straight and turned serious.

"I'm taking some days off," said the young man, ignoring the other's words.

"That's all you have to say? No explanation?" The oldest raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you on summer break? You don't have to study for College so I don't see a reason for you to take days off."

Noah took a deep breath. He turned around and leaned back against the reception desk. For a moment he dedicated himself to observing the few people exercising on the many machines, then he directed his gaze to the black ceiling.

"You're forgetting my responsibilities with the Protectors," he fired back, crossing his arms against his chest. "Besides, I never take time off, I'm sure you can manage without me, there are enough employers to take over. Pete didn't come to work for two weeks, ask him."

"Pete isn't going to inherit the business," Mr. Green rested his hand on his son's shoulder. "As my only son you can't expect me to treat you like the other employees. It's time for you to stop spending so much time with your head in the stars and start to focus on your responsibilities with the family."

The young man slapped his father's hand away, he turned his head and observed the man. Noah loathed how much he looked like his father, same red hair, same green eyes, even their upturned nose looked alike. It made it easier for strangers to recognize him as Jonah's Green son.

"I don't give a shit about inheriting the gym," Noah whispered loud enough for his father to hear. He might be mad at the man but he didn't want to create a scene in front of the customers. "I told you that before, don't act surprised. Look, there's plenty of employees who have been working with you for years, some of them have been here from the beginning, you can pass the gym to them. I'm making you a favor, you don't want me in charge, as you said my head is in the stars. I'm taking a week off, I'm not asking, I'm letting you know. If you have a problem, you can fire me."

After his speech he took two steps forward, away from his father's angry glare. Anyone else would have recanted before it, but the young man already considered himself immune. Although at that moment there was something more hidden than the usual anger: disappointment.

"Tell mum I said hi," commented Noah before turning his back on the man and walking towards the door.

He heard his father scream his name, still he didn't stop. He didn't have anything else to say, he didn't want to listen to his father's complaints either.