Bloodline (The Golden Boy )

Chapter:2

                                   •Kristian:

"Smile," my mom nudged me with her elbow as we stood in the center of the hotel lobby, greeting the endless flow of guests.

"It's hard to smile when I feel disgusted."

She didn't respond, just shot me a warning glance that said enough.

Did I mention I hate these rich people in their overpriced ties and fake smiles? And Their shallow celebrations?

If there's anything worse than small talk, it's shallow talk. And events like this are headquarters of shallow. A spectacle where everyone pretends they're on top of the world, bragging about the best vacations, the most expensive jewelry, designer clothes, luxury cars...

But in reality, they're broke.

Broke in values.
Broke in friendships.
Broke in morals.
Broke in life.

"Graice!" ?Michael, some businessman, strode towards us. His wife, draped in blue, clung to his arm like a trophy. "What can I say? Everything here is stunning, one hundred percent your signature touch."

"Thank you,"  my mom replied with a gracious smile.

"This your son?"  he asked, eyeing me.

"Yes," my mom grabbed my arm. "Kristian, meet Michael, owner of the Vintage Villa Hotels."

I shook his hand, my mind replaying last year's scandal:
Michael Davils, owner of Vintage Villa Hotels, caught cheating on his wife with a 22-year-old model...

"So, a bar, huh?" he continued, looking impressed. "That's a clever idea, I must admit."

"Thank you," my mom answered smoothly.

My mom is the owner and CEO of the Encorey Boston Hotel. Everything we have today is because she never gave up—she built a life most people only dream of.

Graice got pregnant with me when she was just 16. Every Thanksgiving, she and my grandparents retell the story of how she almost didn't have me.

She and my dad—well, the douchebag—had been in love since they were kids. But when he found out about the pregnancy, he vanished without a word. I never met him.

My mom's family, prefered her to get rid of me. She was so young, with a bright future ahead of her, and, of course, there was the whole 'child-out-of-wedlock' thing.

Mom always says she went to the clinic that day as planned. She wasn't sure what she wanted, just that she was terrified. Ten minutes before the surgery, as they prepared her, she caught sight of the sharp, cold instruments they would use. She told herself: I won't let those cold instruments harm my child.

So, When the doctor stepped out of the room, she ran away. Right then, she knew she wanted to be a mother. Ten minutes could've changed everything—not for Graice, she would still have become this successful, beautiful woman. But for me. I wouldn't have had the best mother anyone could ask for.

She didn't give up on me. And she didn't give up on her dreams either. With the support of my grandparents and uncles, she raised me, studied hard, and worked tirelessly to build the life we have today.

Eighteen years later, here we are, standing in the hotel she owns, celebrating the grand opening of the luxury bar she envisioned and brought to life.