CHAPTER 11
ALEXA'S POV
Startled by the sudden appearance of Nolan's father and the drama ready to play out in the mansion, I hid myself behind the door to witness what was going on. The atmosphere in there was hot, I could feel it. Nolan set aside his work for floor plan of a home which he was working on, ready to give his dad the floor.
"We need to talk", Anthony said.
Without second guesses, Nolan knew his father has come to have the usual "talk" ready to try to make him understand for the millionth times that his business isn't his business, he reluctantly said "yes, we can talk"
"Freedom will lead you to your end. Nolan, you can't lead a life full of carelessness if you cannot find a way to control yourself, you'll be an aimless kite with no one to guide you" Anthony spoke with rage. He never holds a peaceful conversation with his son; it always ends in fights and arguments. Sometimes, it makes me wonder if he truly loves his son like he always says and claims.
Nolan amazed by what his father said he quickly fired back.
"pfft…" Nolan scoffed. "I am nothing like you, you should know that already. If you're really interested in the success of your company, you better find someone else who would align with your plans. You should make hay while the sun shines"
Anthony smiled in disbelief. He hates to accept how dumb his son sounded. He had given him several pep talks and counseling on why he should consider running his father's company but he chose not to adhere. His father believes that even though he has no interest or passion for running his company, he'd develop and learn to be interested in his business someday; all that matters is his acceptance to take over the company.
"There's no one capable enough to handle this company except you, my son. I don't even trust a third party, your passion project will lead you nowhere, and this is what you should be interested in, my company, stop fighting it! You're made for this!"
Nolan clenched his right fist on hearing what Anthony had to say. His father's words filled him with so much rage. He doesn't seem to understand that the path he chose for him isn't what he wants and he'd never succumb to his plans. He paced around the room trying to calm his nerves, he was losing it. He father knew his limits but would happily overstep the boundary trying to prove a point which Nolan refuses to see.
"Son, you have to understand me, listen, I am doing this for y..."
"Oh spare me the crap, father! You're doing this for yourself and we both know!" His eyes grew misty as he said in a calm voice "if you truly care for me, please let me choose how I lead my life. This isn't what I want. Grant me freedom, father"
"Nolan, you don't seem to understand all these at all. I am your father and I know what's best for you" he said shockingly. "My offer is still on the table. Make up your mind as soon as possible and reach out to me. I will be waiting" he said as he approaches the door.
Lost in the moment, I almost got caught eavesdropping but I was fast enough to retrace my steps. I watched Nolan closely from the door; I was genuinely concerned about him. He left the room to downstairs, in the garden and immediately, I followed him. I felt someone's eyes on me and I looked up to see who it was and it was Anthony. He signaled me to go with Nolan to wherever he is headed and I did exactly as I was told. All through the little walk to the garden, I wondered how he's able to deal with seeing his son in such a devastated mood and absolutely doing nothing about it. Nolan would never agree to let his father impose his company on him. It is one thing Anthony would never accept. It has become an unending fight between the bloodline.
I watched him closely and cautiously as he took out his anger on the poor flower vases, pulling the flowers out of the vases, throwing them on the ground and smashing the ceramics on the ground, messing up the whole place without remorse or acknowledgement of the poor gardener who just beautified the whole place. The look on the gardeners face depicts of grief and disbelief on how the son of his employer would destroy the garth. He'd definitely think that Nolan acted the way he did because he's being paid handsomely for the job and for that he has no right to complain or nag. I quickly gave him an apologetic look and walked over to Nolan who sat tiredly on his knees after the whole episode of letting out his rage.
I noticed a little cut on his wrist and felt unhappy about it. He hurt himself at the expense of his father's "talk"
I sat there lost in thoughts, I didn't know what to say. The blood on his wrist kept on dripping and I was forced to speak.
"Go easy on yourself" I said trying to pat his shoulder.
He immediately followed up like he has been waiting for me to say a word.
"Get lost" he ordered.
I ignored him. He probably didn't mean it. Even if he did mean it, I'd still ignore. Aside from the fact that I can be considerate, he's my employer and as an employee, I pledged my allegiance. I watched him closely, yet again and I could see the tears brimming from his eyes. No way I'd let him be. If only we had become pretty close, I wouldn't mind giving him the warmest hug because he was hurting.
I took a seat on the grass few meters away from him and the messy part of the ground which had the broken ceramics on it. I watched him closely as he looked as me confused. Suddenly, he realizes that I ignored his order and had chosen to disobey him.
He hastily picked up a broken ceramic ready to throw at me. Fear engulfed me. I wondered if he was thinking straight at that point
His hand raised set to throw the ceramic at me; he yelled "don't you know what boundaries are?"
It happened so fast that if he hadn't held back, I'd have been in a pool of blood.