Consider Me

Chapter Fifty One: Lucas

My mood is somber after every meeting with my parents. We're in Cal's office right now. Dad is standing near the window like a sergeant on a training ground. His back is rigid, his shoulders taut. And he looks taller. 

Why does he always look taller than me. Did I stop growing or did his never stop?

My mum is sitting on the couch and drinking tea, I have no doubt she bought for herself. Her golden hair is in a slick bun. Black sheath dress and glasses so big, half her face is hidden behind it. 

"We don't want to take much of your time," She says, putting the cup down. "I know you both are busy,"

"Only one is busy," Dad comments. 

I clench my fist inside my pocket. "Right. The other is damaging your name, isn't it?"

Mum sighs. "This again,"

"We should head to the auditorium," Cal speaks. Always the intermediator. 

It irritates me how he is standing beside me not as a big brother but as a businessman, making sure I complete my end of the deal. 

"Not yet," says Dad. He turns slowly and looks at me. Even in his fifties, Matthew Hawthorne is a standard. A status. He doesn't look a bit younger than thirty. Sharp nose. Blue eyes. French beard. And thick dark hair. 

 I don't need a magnifying glass to know what his uninterrupted gaze on me means. A question. Start talking now or he will glorify you with his decision, "We're here to talk to you about something,"

"You sure you're speaking to me and not Cal,"

Dad's eye twitches. "You're my son, are you not?"

"I question somedays,"

"Lucas!" Dad warns. 

"Honey, just stay with us," Mum interrupts having sense the stiffness in air, "It's important,"

"He won't understand important without context," Dad says. "Read the room boy. There's a subtext that says not everything is about you,"

Did he just call me boy? 

Cal sighs, "What is this about again, Dad?"

"It's about your mother and me," he says looking at Cal. "Initially it was about Lucas but I did my background check and I didn't find any faults,"

Wait- "What?" I don't show it my eyes have gotten huge with utter disbelief. Cal seems shocked too because he doesn't usually go still. 

"I am talking about the girl you like. What was her name-" Dad says, clicking his fingers in a gesture to remember. 

Mum helps him out by filling the answer, "Liliana,"

"Yes. Liliana Goldberg,"

"Arison, Love," 

"Right, the Arison Airlines,"

Ah, now it made sense. "Is this why you said she was good for me? Because her father magically appeared in her life after twenty years and he happens to be rich?"

"Is that what you think of us?" Dad asks, looking offended. Mum looks at Cal, clearly hurt. "Cal, tell us," Dad insists. 

I don't have to look at Cal to know he is as confused as me and uncomfortable. But he has been in situations like this before where things didn't made sense and his response was mandatory so he regroups himself just as quickly he lost his standing and shrugs, "I mean it shouldn't be a surprise if we all thought that. You did favored the wealth more than individuals,"

"I donate," Dad says, defensively. 

"Surprise. So does everyone for a few pictures in the newspaper,"