Chapter 10: Upbringing

LATTON's FATHER and stepmother are having brunch in the garden.

"Are you really going to let your only daughter marry Thomas"

Catherine asked with a worried look while stirring her coffee.

"She’s not your child, the way I deal with her is none of your business." He paused, then caressed her leg.

"Your only business here is me." He added.

"She won’t be your child either after this." She stated with disappointment in her tone, she then stood up and walked away.

While staring at her back, he recollects when he started being strict with his daughter.

It happened 10 years ago. A few years after her mother left them for another man and took almost half of the family fortune.

The way she left broke him so much that he couldn’t sleep or even think clearly. He was also left to tend to his daughter who was 10 years old at that time.

He gave his daughter everything, spoiled her, and treated her like a princess for years after her mother left but with one phone call from her mother, she switched sides and acted just like her– An ungrateful spoiled bitch.

From then he stopped spoiling her and let her work her way, making sure she knew the value of hard work, loyalty, and respect.

He always finds wrong things about her, in reality, she’s perfect in every single way. He sees her efforts and sacrifices through the years but as she progresses he can see that he has become irrelevant to her, she’s no longer the child who always needs her daddy.

That’s why he made a deal with Thomas, he wanted to scare her and run back to him like she used to but up until now, she hasn’t done it.

He made her so tough that not even him could bend her.

—-

At Caldwell’s home

George and Alicia Caldwell are having lunch with Lucian.

"Eat more, you look thin. You’re not married yet, why not stay here? So I can still take care of you." Alicia says while putting more food on Lucian’s plate.

"The saying is true no matter how old you are in front of your parents you’re still a child," he thought to himself.

"Stop treating him like a child, you should scold him for not focusing at work." George says while staring at him.

"You should be serious with work, soon I’ll be retiring or worse, dead. What will you do then?" He added.

"George, stop saying that!" She says while throwing the tissue on the table, she soon lost her appetite.

"Can’t we just eat without talking about work?" She added.

For the second time, Lucian opened up bringing Malena into the company under his group. Upon hearing this George hit the table with his hand which startled Alicia.

He says no and points out that he’s already out of focus and he wants to bring a girl into the company that doesn’t even qualify for the position.

"You are aware that we don’t like her, we might not give our blessing but we never ask you to break up. We are already compromising here, please don’t mix your personal life with work." Alicia says while frowning.

"Listen to your mother!" George added.

"We want the best for you Lucian." She says while patting his son's hand.

"Is there something we can do to make you like her?" He asks his parents.

George sighs deeply and says, "Show us that she can be something for herself aside from being your girl."

He nods in agreement and his mind; "my parent's demand is simple and fair; this should be easy."

They finished their lunch then he immediately left for an afternoon meeting with a client.

"He’s away for almost two weeks on a business trip and when he returns he’s at another meeting." Alicia says while staring at her husband. "And you still think he doesn't work enough." She added.

He can sense her worry for their son, and he then says with an assuring tone, "When we are younger we are the worst. We work 15 hours a day 7 days a week to get where we are right now. Our son is intelligent, and strong, but not responsible enough so I worry about him."

Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell then sat on the sofa and opened the albums that were displayed in the living room. Staring at their son's baby photos and reminiscing about those days when they were starting the company.

George (55) and Alicia (52) got married young and worked tirelessly to give the best life to their future child.

While working hard for the big companies they noticed that their efforts and talent were put to waste since they are only employees and can be replaced anytime. That’s why they risked their savings and started their own company.

3 years after successfully launching Caldwell Incorporated Lucian was born and their family became complete.

At first, it's hard for George and Alicia to have a work-life balance but after putting things into consideration Alicia decided to be a full-time stay-at-home wife to take care of their son and watch his growth.

They gave all their love, and care to him. They know they raise a good man, and they want the best for him.

Malena is not that person, they can sense her façade and insincerity when they meet her. That’s why they didn’t give their blessings when Lucian mentioned he plans on marrying her.

But what came as a bigger surprise to them was when his photographs with various women appeared online. At first, they thought they were edited but he told them that it was his way of releasing his stress.

They even ask if he broke up with Malena and if she knew about it. He explains that they are still together and she knew nothing about it.

Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell then point out that if he can’t stay with one woman then he should not get married.

It’s a hard thing to accept but he agreed since it makes sense.

He believes he can stop once he has Malena all to himself that’s why he pushes for them to accept her and get married.