Brute

Part 32

Joong

A month had already passed. It was a new kind of bliss; having kisses and warm hugs when you start your day, and before you closed your eyes. Some of the days when Nine slept at his family home, he made sure to call me at the end of the day to bid goodnight. Whereas, on weekends, his parents invited me to stay over. It was an agreeable arrangement for everyone.

I was smiling thinking about this, when my mother barged in to my office, as she always did, looking a bit tan after spending a month of her time in Hawaii. It seemed my month of peace had ended too.

"Dear Son! You didn't even come home to see your mother! Is this how my life should be? Is it not enough that you ignored my calls?", my mother said, so dramatically.

"How much did you spend, mother? I guess, if not for the card limit that almost burst, you wouldn't even remember you had a son", I said, lacing my fingers together, waiting for more of her drama.

"Say whatever you want. You couldn't keep ignoring me to the end. Alright, since you already know my purpose, there's no need for me to pretend concern then. Let just settled this easy. Choose son, would you rather that I come here everyday, or would you pay what I owe to the banks? You sure know which would make your life, ah, better... ", my mother said while smiling in triumph.

"Really, mother? Do visit me here then, I also want to see how long you could live without your regular spa and derm sessions. Your skin might wrinkle faster. Ah! The sunburn did make your skin aged twice faster too, tsk, tsk, you shouldn't have chosen such place for a vacation", I said and shook my head, looking at her, fidgeting on her seat. She must be thinking of all the fake youth that was aided by tons of procedures, that would leave her, without money.

"What do you want me to do? I didn't know how to run a business, or work a single day of my life. You wanted me to ruin the company?", her voice was quivering, she said the truth, but the difference was, she got no dirt on me, not liked how she blackmailed her husband.

"Hmm, I would offer you a deal, one that would only be offered once. It's up to you to consider", I smoothly wanted to make her feel that she got no other way out.

"Anything is alright, as long as it benefited me", she looked a bit cheerful than before.

"The transaction list, mother. You had been holding onto that thing while dad was alive, wasn't it? Well, that list now, bear no fruit for you, you know, except helping you to escape from a few minor misconducts over the year. Don't you know, mother, if you keep holding on to it, the lawyers and investigators, might accuse you of purposely hiding a huge evidence, since, well, how many years already that you'd gotten them from dad's hand? Only you do know it, right?"

"You...you. You won't dare to blow off your own family's secret!", my mother was trying to keep hold onto a thin lifeline.

"Oh, try me, mother. Even if all the inheritance from dad would be gone, I am a rich man on my own; the inheritance from grandpa is enough for me to live comfortably in three generations, or more", I smiled without feeling any guilt, "and, you wouldn't be able to claim anything, since it is all definitely, solely mine. Hmm, I don't intend to share, too, anyway...". I could see my mother's eyes darting in nervous thoughts.

"Half of your inheritance which is not tied to the trust fund, and a full living support for me, out of this country. That's my condition, son".

"Tsk, tsk, beggars can't be choosers, mother. Well, enjoy the few thousands left on your card, and then be a genteel housewife. If you feel alone, then choose any retirement house, I would cover all the living cost there for you".

"No, wait...alright! Just release the rest of my portion of the inheritance, plus a full living support out of the country. I don't want to be hunted if the list would be made known...".

"Deal! Just abide by your side of the offer. You'll get all your wealth, and your freedom too, as soon as you wish".

"Whether you wanted to believe or not, it was not easy being married to your father. Do you think only you had scars? But, I admit, the money paid enough for all the pain. Sometimes, I wonder how was it, that a disaster of a household liked us, couldn't corrupt you too, except for that one brief time, and that's just childish tantrums, at worst. Somehow, you must have found your own light?", my mother looked at me trying to find answer. I kept my face calm, but that answer was readily said in my heart, except she didn't need to know. A few knocks on the door cut through the brief silence. And, in come Jay, with a few documents in hand.

"Now if you don't mind", I signaled her towards the open door. She stood up and almost walk out when she turned and said, "You don't know what you're dealing with, Joong. Whatever, it's your choice...just don't forget to release my money".

Jay closed the door after she went out, and understood her words too. "So, no need to go for a date?", Jay said with a teasing smirk. I nodded. "Damn, what a mischance. I am actually waiting to see you get smack by Nine...".

"You should find someone, Jay. You're too nosy with my relationship", I said, took and browsed the documents that he gave me for the meeting.

"Well, well, look who's talking as if I am a bother. Boss, don't let me count alllll the time you almost messed it up if I was not in the picture", Jay said, shaking his head in disbelieve.

"Ehem, well, about that...you're right. But still, you're not cleared from that time you told Nine that I wanted to kiss him senseless, out in the open! He must had misunderstood that I consulted you...err...even for that thing".

"Hah! And yet I still could tell that you have not made any progress...ah, so innocent", Jay was so confident with his guess, which, although true, was a bit embarassing till I could feel some heat on my ears.

"Jay! One of this day, I would shove your mouth with my shoe!", I said, gritting my teeth.

"I am just guessing, but, now you have just confirmed it by your reaction. Joong, you really are a fool in this!", Jay was laughing and wiped his tearing eyes.

"Now, cut it off, Jay! Let's proceed, or else, the meeting will start late".

Jay continued giving me the details till finished. We had about ten minutes more before we need to go.

"Joong, I want to take leave for a day, tomorrow. I've checked the schedule, and there's nothing urgent that needed my attention, would that be okay?", Jay rarely took a leave, not out of force, but he really was a workaholic.

"You could take more days, Jay. Take a rest for a bit, it's alright. The other officer could be of help. Anyway, where are you going?".

"There, there, said I am nosy, and now you are doing the same. Tomorrow is my Por birthday, so I would go with my Mae to spend time by his side. Ermm, Joong...about the hospice care, the fee, I think you should sto..".

"Ah, we should go in early right? Must  not let the board of directors waiting too much, they might sleep halfway through the meeting if it takes too long...", I said and hurriedly cut his words before he finished.

"Joong...you can't avoid talking to me about whatever related to my Por, forever...it's been a month, now...".

Jay had tried to ease into the talk a few times, but somehow, my heart shrank, thinking about what would happen after.

"I know. I am not running away from telling the truth, Jay. Maybe, I just wanted to keep us, as comfortable as now, a bit longer...". Jay nodded, though his expression looked a bit somber, maybe he did have the same thinking as mine, but also the gnawing need to know the truth too.

We came to a silent understanding, and forgot for a moment the issue at hand, because all the old men in the meeting room, would be grouchy by now.