ARROWS OF THE FOREST [ON-GOING]

KABANATA 43: Shackled by Legacy

Kendrick's POV

When I stepped outside JMC Hospital, a limousine was already parked in front of me.

My dad still left his guards behind him. He's really making sure I get home tonight.

The limo door opened.

"Young Master Kendrick." The other hired bodyguards of my dad immediately stepped out.

"You don't have to drag me in. I'm coming with you to the mansion," I told them as I got inside.

It only took a few minutes to reach the mansion. I already saw my dad's luxury cars in the main garage.

Good thing I didn't see my grandpa's ride or his personal guards. Maybe dad didn't tell him yet about what happened. I can still talk it out with him.

As I entered the mansion, I headed straight to my dad's office on the 4th floor.

I've always hated the vibe of this house. Growing up, I wondered who would build such a massive mansion for so few people.

This house doesn't feel like home. My parents are always too busy with work and business to spend time with me.

And when we are together, they don't even act like normal married couples. Honestly, I don't see any love between them.

They're like business partners no intimacy, no sweetness, not even friendship or affection. They're just co-existing, nothing more.

And I can't help thinking: If they don't really love each other that much, why get married and start a family?

But I never had the chance to ask them. We never got to sit down and talk like a family. They're always in a rush to their duties.

I've even spent more time with my butler's parents than with my own. They say I'm their only child, but I've never felt truly loved by my parents.

Yes, I get all this luxury, but it's not about material things. As a child, I just wanted a mother to read me bedtime stories and a father who would be proud of my achievements at school.

It never happened. Instead, they spoiled me with so much stuff I couldn't even use. Some things, I guess, will just stay a dream.

By the time I reached my dad's office, my mind wandered to my childhood in this mansion. I still knocked manners are important, after all.

"Come in!"

I entered to find my dad reading some papers.

"We need to talk, Dad."

"You're done with your crazy antics, son?"

"If having great friends is crazy to you, then so be it," I muttered.

"Great friends, huh? Is this what you call great friends?" He pulled out a maroon envelope from his drawer. Inside were photos of Aden, Keelan, Alia, and Bella.

"Did you just background-check my friends? Dad, are you really that inhumane?"

I couldn't believe this man was my father. This was way too much.

"Hindi ka ba nag-iisip, Kendrick? You're the future of the Razon business empire. Of course, I'll background-check everyone associated with you. That's why I know those friends of yours are not good for you."

"What do you even know about good friends anyway? You don't even have one, Dad," I snapped.

"I don't need friends that can't give me profit, son. Life is a business. If you don't handle it properly, you'll stay on the ground like your friends."