Temptation

27

2 weeks later

Narrator's POV

Today was to be the day when Mr. Davis was supposed to come back to the United States. But no one's coming now. He left forever, leaving his one and only son behind, who locked himself up, cutting off contact with everyone. Far relatives came to see him, but he sent them back even without letting them in.

His heart was filled with pain and guilt. The pain of becoming an orphan. The pain of losing the people he loved. His, mother, his father. And her. He felt incapable of everything that came around, but he handled it all. The entire mansion, his dad's business, property. Even though he cut off contact with the world outside the house, he regularly instructs employees and keepers to look after everything his dad left behind.

At times he felt guilty of his behaviour and actions he'd done when things were different. He felt guilty of not being able to follow and obey his dad's commands and advice. He thought, he'd have been a better person only if he had helped his dad manage everything, slowly starting to take over things in his hands. Neither would all the business issues appear, nor would he have to go around visiting countries, nor would all of this happen. His deepest guilt was his inability to make his dad proud.

...

1 year later

"Why aren't you eating, Vernon?"

"Where? I am"

"You don't seem happy. Is it because you don't wanna have this date?"

"Ahh. No, I never said that. I enjoy having dates with you"

"Then what?"

"I just don't feel well at the moment"

"Why?"

"Can you stop asking so many questions?" Vernon banged the table hard, getting up from chair. He placed the cash for the bill and walked out of the restaurant, leaving Bella behind.

...

Vernon rushed into his house, heading upstairs to the rooftop. Tears took all over his eyes as he stood at the edge of the roof, letting the moments replay in front of his eyes. He thumped on the wall with his fist as he cried out loud at the top of his voice. His misdeeds haunted him. Hanging out with any other women after the incident with Abella was more like a sin to him. He couldn't tolerate women flirting with him anymore. The business felt like moving out of control. Things got mixed up.

"I ruined my life," Vernon mumbled under his breath as his head got in contact with the edge wall, leaning forward, covering his head with his arms.

He slowly raised his head, looking above the skyscrapers around. He zoomed into the glass buildings, watching the people inside. He saw a man, patting his son's back, as they celebrated the boy's debut as the new CEO of the very old, yet famous company. The room was full of proud, smiling faces.

"This wasn't built in a day. Was it?"