FLAMES

EPISODE TWENTY ONE 2I:UNTOLD

**CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - MICHAEL'S POV**

"This doesn't look like the meeting room," I muttered as I stepped out of the car.

Dad was already waiting outside, leaning against the hood. I joined him, feeling the tension between us thick in the air.

"I sense a lecture coming on," I said. "We haven't exactly been close lately."

"That's because you've shut everyone out," he replied, his tone a mix of concern and frustration.

"I think I'd rather just go home," I said, starting to turn away. "I'm not in the mood for this."

"If it's to lecture me about my sister's death then I'm not interested, I might as well walk back to the streets of Scotland," I said.

"Hmmmm and I'd like to see you try," he said.

I gently sat back on the car bonnet.

Dad sighed deeply, his expression softening. "Can I tell you something, Michael?" he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.

"If it's about coping with my sister's death, I'm really not up for it," I said bitterly. "I might as well walk back to Scotland for all I care."

He regarded me quietly for a moment before speaking again. "In life, sometimes God takes away things from us, but He also gives us something better, something worth fighting for," he said gently.

His words struck a chord, and I felt a lump form in my throat. "Yeah, like He took my sister from me and left me with emptiness. That's really worth fighting for," I muttered sarcastically.

"Michael, don't be like that. Only God knows what you're going through," Dad said softly, shaking his head.

"Nothing, Dad. Just teenage things, I guess," I replied dismissively.

"Do you want to hear how I met your mother?" he asked suddenly.

"No thank you, It's probably some cliché story-books falling, eyes meeting, love at first sight, and boom, happily ever after," I said with a touch of bitterness.

"Actually, it's not quite like that," Dad chuckled. "But it's a story about taking chances and finding love unexpectedly."

I settled back against the car, suddenly curious despite myself.

"You know, I didn't come from money," Dad began. "I was a bit of a troublemaker, raised by my older siblings after our parents passed away."

"You mean Uncle Douglas and we don't talk about him?" I asked, recalling the stories.

"Yeah, him and it is just us you can say his name" Dad nodded. "But despite our rough start, I managed to get into university."

"Bruno," I managed to say.

"When you are older we'll tell you his story," he said.

He sure knew how to keep up with my mum's rules even if he wanted to break them.

"I understand," I said.

"I was rogue known as one of the baddest boys in town," he said.

"Baddest," I repeated and I snorted.

"Seriously," he said.

"I'm sorry," I immediately said.

Douglas might not be responsible at that time but he made sure that I had a university education.

"And that's where Mom comes in?" I prompted.

"Immediately I got into the university I decided to put everything behind me all my bad behaviors, I thought I needed a fresh start," he said.