19

"Well, it was a joke, but..." I chuckle, dissipating any discomfort in him. "I love you too."

The man in front of me relaxes his shoulders, letting out a sigh that makes me question a few things. Did he think I would say something else?

"You started distancing yourself. Ever since you went to London, it's as if you've forgotten about us. You used to be close," he tousles his hair like mine, a pained smile on his lips. "You used to hug me a lot."

I raise an eyebrow, adjust my suit cufflinks, and give him a serious look. I huff.

"Maybe I decided not to give them after they started rejecting me."

"What are you talking about? You started distancing yourself in adolescence, and then out of the blue, you decided to work at the company I have in London when you could have easily stayed here. What happened, son?"

With his words, I remember my sister's words from minutes ago. I twist my lips in an attempt at a smile.

"I guess I wanted to find my place, Dad," I murmur.

"Does that involve pushing us away?" I swallow hard, shaking my head. "Did you at least find it?"

I shake my head again. I still feel lonely.

"No," I lower my head in a despondent grimace, sighing as I look at him. "I'll have to wait a little longer. And I'll never stop loving you; you're my family."

"I know you love us, Arthur. But you don't show it, you know?" he informs me, taking a few steps toward me and placing his hand on my shoulder. "And I taught you well that words are just words. Actions speak for you."

I don't fully understand your words. It seems like you want to tell me something, but my intoxicated mind isn't functioning properly.

"You're right, actions speak louder.

I close the distance, enveloping ourselves in a hug longer than the mere brush we had when I saw him a few hours ago, reminiscing about old times.

Perhaps I haven't hugged him like this since I was fifteen, maybe since I started to believe I knew what I wanted in life, I slowly pushed him away. I began to distance myself, thinking I wouldn't need him.

And here I am, the prodigal son returning home.

"You're still my hero," I whisper.

I feel him nod against my shoulder. His fist on my back pushes me forward as he silently laughs.

"Batman never took my place, huh?" I deny it, laughing.

We separate amidst laughter until he ceases, and his seriousness settles in again. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes disappear when he stops laughing.

I tense my shoulders at the sudden change.

"What's happening?"

He clenches his jaw at my question. His blue eyes meet my bewildered face. He clears his throat, straightening his posture. Even though he's not wearing an elegant suit, the fact that he puts his hands in his swim trunks' pockets lets me know it's something very serious.

He never got rid of that habit.

"The thing is, Müller Enterprises might no longer be ours if we don't follow the tradition."

I purse my lips.

"What tradition?" he clarifies his throat.

In my twenty-six years, he never told me that we had to follow a tradition. I knew I had to continue the family business when I was thirteen, and I was determined to do so because I liked the idea of being the boss.

I started studying, and I loved what I began to do.

I clench my fists, opposed to the idea that people other than family might have control over our companies.

Our legacy.

I'm sure that not even my sister, who doesn't like this, would disagree with something like this.

"The Müller men must have children before the age of twenty-five to ensure the Müller legacy for future generations. I had you when I was twenty-four, and your mother was barely twenty-eight when you were born. I was young when your grandfather told me this, and like you, I thought it was nonsense. Now I understand that he was securing my future.

I remained silent for several minutes, occupied with the thought that this was foolishness.

"Dad...

"No. Listen, I know you think you're too young for this, and I understand, Arthur. You're only twenty-six. However, I regret to inform you that if you don't have offspring before thirty, Müller Enterprises will no longer be ours.

"But... it's damn, huge, and damn foolishness! It's your lifelong work. My grandfather started this, and you continued it. I followed you!

I try to calm down as I realize I'm starting to pace in circles. But what the hell am I hearing? Are these outdated traditions still being used to avoid losing everything? What's next? Forcing marriages?

"And it can go on like that, but you know how. I know this is a great responsibility, and yet, I trust that you will know what is best for you and your family.

I pause, analyzing his frightened face. He was terrified about the future of his companies, and by damn, so am I. We're talking about companies that generate millions, of money that we and our grandfather worked for.

The idea of losing everything and someone who hasn't done anything getting it was truly fucked up.

"You can't ask me to have children as if I'm going to a store to buy eggs. Damn it, I don't want kids. Not now, not shortly. Dad, I can't.

He licked his lips, nodding his head with a downcast expression. I felt my heart pounding harshly in my chest. Thoughts were chaotic, and none of them were good.

Finally, he sighed and looked at me with sorrow. I felt regret knocking on the door of my heart and opening it.

"Then say goodbye to the company, Arthur. It will pass into other hands.

I swallowed and blinked to let out a few small tears that led me to drink more that night, accompanied by various indecisive thoughts.