Chapter 35

Andy’s POV.

I got to my parents' house and the gate was already shut. I started to horn loudly so everyone in the house would wake up. The security guy came to open the gate and I drove in. My parents were already in the sitting room. They came down when they heard me honking like i was going insane. My eyes were red. I got into the house and my parents were already in their nightwear.

“Why were you driving like a tout? You are just disturbing the neighbourhood. What is wrong with you, Tyler?

“I’m sorry, dad.

"It was so bold of you to show up here after what you displayed at dinner; you humiliated the entire family in the presence of Amber’s parents. I would have sworn you were not the child I carried in my womb decades ago. I am so disappointed in you, Tyler.

“Why are your eyes red, Tyler, and you look very upset? What is the issue? Why are you even here at this time of the night in the first place?

“Father, my girlfriend is in the hospital, fighting for her life; she attended Ami’s collection launch, and she was poisoned. “Ok, sorry about your sad experience, but how does that relate to you coming here at this time of the night?

“Amber poisoned her dad; she paid someone to spike her drink with a very dangerous substance; she almost did it if not for God saving her.

“What? That is so terrible; I didnt know she was capable of such. How is your girlfriend doing?

“She is a fine father.

“But how did you know that it was Amber that did it? It could have been anything else.

“You are correct, it could have been anybody else; you know, hungry girls these days would do anything for money; it could be that she slept with somebody’s husband and the wife tried to get back at her.

“Andrea is not like that; I saw the CCTV footage and that was how I knew it was Amber; she helped Ami’s sales rep spike Andrea’s drink and unfortunately, she drank the poisonous substance.

“Oh my God, that is very terrible; she could go to jail for that.

“And who is going to send her to jail?

“Mum? Are you really asking that question? After everything I told you, she did?

“She didn't do the job herself; she paid someone to do it for her.

“Well, the bigger problem is that we tried to confront Ami’s staff that poisoned Andrea and we all matched to his house. Nathan was trying to scare him; Nathan brought out a gun, and as he tried to swing his arm, he shot Jackson. My mistake. As we speak now, Jackson is in a very critical condition.

“What is wrong for all of you children? Why didn't you report to the police? Why didn't you get the police involved? How is Jackson? Is he awake?

“They were still in operation when I left, dad. I will make sure Amber pays for everything she has done.

“You will do no such thing, Tyler; do you know how this will rub off on us negatively?

“I’m not quite sure what you mean by that, mom?

“Let it go; forgive her; after all, she only did it to get your attention.

“Mum!! I cannot believe you are saying this. I'm going to press charges and I will see to the fact that she goes to jail.

“I will disown you if you do that, Tyler; you know what I am capable of.

“I do not care at all at this point.

My mom raised her hand and slapped me at this point.

The slap stung, both physically and emotionally. I couldn't believe that my own mother had hit me. I looked at her, and I could see the anger in her eyes. She was clearly still upset, and she was taking it out on me. I felt like I was the one who had been wronged, but she was the one who was upset.

“You shouldn't have slapped his honey; that wasn't necessary at all.

“I will slap him again if he keeps saying rubbish.

I held my check; I didn’t know which one hurt more, the slap or the fact that my mother was being insensitive.

“You want to leave Amber for that low life you call a girlfriend? You better break off whatever relationship you have with her because you must marry Amber, whether you like it or not. Even if I have to tie you down and force you, I will do so. I know what is best for you, and I am doing all of these things because of you.

"No, mom, you are doing it for your own selfish reasons, and your selfishness will consume you very soon. If you want Amber in the family, you can marry her as your co-wife.

I walked out on my parents again. My mom was calling my name but I ignored her. I drove out, and I was so upset that I hit my steering wheel to let out my anger. As I hit the steering wheel, I felt a surge of anger and frustration. I wanted to scream, to break something, to make the pain go away. But I knew that wouldn't help. I had to find a way to deal with my emotions in a healthy way, or I would only make things worse. I started to take deep breaths, trying to calm myself down.

I looked in the rearview mirror, and I saw that my face was red and my eyes were puffy. I looked like a mess, and I felt like one too. I couldn't keep going on like this.

“Fuck! Fuck!! Fuck!

Andrea will never forgive me if she finds out that I refused to press charges against Amber because my mother asked me not to. I was so stuck; I felt like jumping in a lagoon. I wanted to let out my frustration, but there was no better and healthier way than to just stay calm.