Flames of the Past

Chapter 3: New Identity

Reyes Corporation,

New York City.

12:37

"Enough is enough! I want to speak to Mr. Reyes right away." The secretary tried to reason with the angry headmistress of Whiteleaf School.

"But he's in the middle of an important meeting, Mrs. Moray!"

The headmistress shot her a spiky glare, "He is always in a meeting!"

She was determined to have a serious conversation with this man this time. He was never present at the parents-teacher association.

He never came when his notorious son would damage the school property. He would just send a cheque to pay for the damage and forget the matter right away.

~~~~~~

Seated at the end of a large marble table, Tyler Reyes was engaged in a complicated discussion about the restoration of one of his hotels when the door banged open and a well-known woman walked in.

His managers instantly stood and greeted her. She was the mayor's wife as well as the headmistress of a reputed elementary school.

"Good evening gentlemen. Mr. Reyes, I want to speak to you about your son!"

His serious face expression subtly changed at the unexpected disturbance, "Gentlemen, we'll resume in five minutes."

He waited for the last of his managers to exit the room and grunted as he observed the woman, not hiding his displeasure, "You have four minutes, Sarah Moray. Talk."

A cold welcome as always. No, it was not even a welcome.

"Your son has damaged the walls of the school once again with blue paint."

He stood but remained on the spot, his fists pressed against the marble table, "Again this matter? I've already sent a cheque for the damage through my secretary. What's the problem?" She was moved at his indifferent attitude. Did he think that money was the solution to all problems?

"The problem is that Adrian is...too troublesome. He is very intelligent for a 6 year old but I think you don't take care of him enough. You are not paying much attention to your son's mistakes if I can permit myself to say. If this continues, he will become a delinquent!"

He held her eyes for a moment and remarked, "As far as I know, your only concern should be his education...nothing more."

She approached him, sounding more serious now, "His teacher has revealed that he has some dark thoughts about you. Your son hates you. Today, while every children were sharing their wishes, Adrian said that he wished you were dead. This is very serious."

Much to her surprise, a slow smirk formed on his face and then he chuckled, "Is it? If that's the trouble, you can leave Mrs. Moray. I don't have time to waste on petty issues like that!"

"How can you...behave like this?"

He was unmoved by her visible anxiety, "Adrian does and says what he wants. This doesn't concern me."

"You are his father."

"This is only a title."

"I think...you're abusing the child. He's only six years old. As a headmistress and as a mother myself, I cannot tolerate this. I'll call the Child Protection Unit and tell them how unresponsive you are towards your son."

"If you've finished, I would like to resume my meeting. I have real problems here."

"This is not a slight threat, Mr. Reyes."