Vice

61: Disowned

Natara's skin feels electrified with adrenaline as she steps out of the Vicecorp building.

She throws her hands up into the air and spins around a few paces in front of the door, enjoying the embrace of the warm sun above as it cradles every feature of her smiling face.

It's over. Everything is over.

And her heart soars. It really is what her mother said - when she moves closer to living her adult life in a way she loves, in a way she's happy about, she feels whole. She's out of high school and free to do whatever she wants. 

She won't work for any mean businesses full of rude people, regardless of pay or stature. She won't suffer through grueling long work hours or slave away filling out paperwork she has absolutely no interest in. She won't choose something she thinks she should do over something she would want to do. 

Natara lowers her arms, takes a deep breath, and turns the corner to grab her bike.

But familiar voices are on the other side of the building. She steps closer, staying hidden behind the edge of the wall, and her heartbeat stutters within her chest when she recognizes the sound of one of the voices. 

Cameron.

"-my father," he says. 

Natara scoots closer to the conversation. She hides herself as close to the edge of the corner as she can without being seen and keeps quiet. She hopes she hasn't missed all the talk that has been going on. 

Seconds pass - and she thinks that she's too late for sure - but then another voice speaks up. The second voice is less familiar, but still recognizable. It's his car driver, Franklin.

"If you wish to start your own life, Mr. Vice, I will remain by your side," Franklin says and Natara's breath hitches in her throat. 

Does Cameron really want to start his own life? He can't actually be considering giving up everything he has right now just to be with her, can he? What about the company? His whole relationship with his father? His reputation and inheritance? Is she the reason he might be giving it all up?

Natara feels stricken with guilt. Even though Mr. Vice Senior is a terrible person, she can't imagine ever separating from her family. Family is different; it is special. Cameron shouldn't end it all just because of her. She bites her lip, furrowing her brow as she stares straight ahead, still listening.

"You don't need to do that, Franklin. I can't pay you like my father," Cameron's voice sounds strained. Natara wonders, just from how Cameron sounds, if Franklin is more like family to Cameron than Mr. Vice Senior. "I have almost nothing to my name if I do this."

"Mr Vice...I was hired to tend to you," Franklin's voice softens. "It's all I've done for over two decades. If you choose to leave your family, I will leave also. I have watched you grow and I believe in you. I do not need the money, either. I will be here, so do what you must."