The Price of being Pretentious

Chapter Twenty-one: Code Red

The day that I have to meet Scot's parents came. Mom was in my room preparing my clothes to wear and some other things. I was sitting in front of the mirror at the vanity, while mom was fixing my hair. I didn't waste time and asked her about my real dad. We were not talking verbally. We wrote what we spoke about on a piece of paper.

'Who's my real father?' I wrote.

She quickly took the pen and started writing. 'I don't know where he is right now.' She paused for a while, looking at my reflection in the mirror. 'I told you many times that he didn't want a child from me.'

'I don't care. Just tell me his name, Mom. If he doesn't want me or not that is for him to say. I have the right to know.' I wrote, then I handed her the pen and paper back to her.

Mom took the pen and paper. She sighed before moving her hand. She carefully placed the paper on the dresser. My mouth gaped open and my eyes at their widest as I read his name silently. It was a name that was very familiar to me.

I rushed to the bathroom as my tears were dripping on the tiled floor. I took out the lighter and burned the paper where we wrote our conversation. I watched my writings disappear. I stared at it and carefully memorized the sentence that was written.

'A man called Anthony Roberts.'

Mr. Tony? He was my real father? We just had a conversation yesterday. And he said he misses his daughter. Me. How did they meet? I had many questions to ask, but I had to be ready to meet Scot's parents.

We drove to a first-class restaurant, then headed to the reserved VIP room. I saw that Scot and his parents were already there waiting. Scot smiled as I entered the room, but I could only nod my head. The adults were talking like they've known each other for a long time. But I didn't care to listen. I just roamed my eyes around the room. I was grateful when the food arrived. After they consumed the meal, Scot's mom spoke.

'Scot, why don't you tour London around? I heard there was a nice garden here at the rooftop.'

I turned to Scot he was looking at me like saying if it was okay with me. I silently nodded at him, then I stood first. I headed to the elevator. Scot followed inside, then he pressed the button on the top.

'London, I spoke to my parents about this. I don't know if they will break off this engagement, because they were having a deal with your dad.'

I shook my head in disgust. 'They made a deal with a demon. No matter how good that deal is, tell them to break off on that deal. Our stocks were having fluctuations. Scot, I think he will just charge all the expenses on your parents to save his own money. He will use your parent's money and make them buy some stocks to secure his position as president. Worse, if he will take over the company that your family built for years.'

'I trust your wits in business, London. Believe me. But right now, we are just powerless teenagers sharing the same doom.'

'I trust your wits in business too, Scot. I know better than anyone that you can look after your business on your own. You can make it bigger than ours. You're a hard worker and a walking brilliant mind. Please, don't let this sugar-coated arrangement fool you.'

I heard a ding that signaled me that we have reached the rooftop. I walked towards the railings, leaned on them using my elbows.

'I'm already out of moves, London. My parents were so into this marriage arrangement.'

'Scot, your parents were good folks. I don't want them to suffer in the end because they were fooled by that monster. Please, convince them to back out as soon as possible. Persuade them, Scot. You are their son and they will believe in you.'