Chapter 12 Family Intervention
"For God's sake, Mom. Don't ever do that to me again." Elliotlet out a long sigh as Catherine disappeared from their sight.
Rebecca, feeling Elliot was behaving like a talking brick wall, glared sharply at her son. "Why do you enjoy embarrassing your mother so much, huh? Be a little friendly to them!"
Instead of listening, Elliot rolled his eyes dismissively. "I was friendly-"
"Elliot Harrington!" Rebecca hissed in a low, sharp tone, no less piercing than her stare. "Sit down!"
"But I—"
"Sit down!"
This time Rebecca meant business. Elliot knew it and obeyed, slumping slightly.
"Watch your attitude with me!" Rebecca snapped again. However, sadness and disappointment began to cloud Rebecca's face, making Elliot feel instantly guilty.
"Mom..." He immediately leaned closer to Rebecca, trying to reach for her hand, but the middle-aged woman immediately pulled it away.
Rebecca sighed heavily, turning her gaze away from the still-fidgeting Elliot. The middle-aged woman sipped the tea in front of her, but her expression didn't show she was enjoying the drink.
"Son..." Rebecca sighed softly, trying to sound firm. "You know, I don't want to seem like I'm pressuring you.
I know you're busy and your work is important. But sometimes...."
Instead of finishing her sentence, Rebecca sighed again, this time very long. The visible exhaustion made Elliot feel even guiltier.
"Mom, don't scare me—"
"I should be the one who feels that way!" Rebecca countered, slightly annoyed by her eldest son's behavior.
Elliot frowned, trying to understand his mother's meaning. "Scared? Why should you feel that way?"
Rebecca put down the teacup, looking at her son with eyes full of anxiety. "I'm afraid... I'm afraid you'll lose yourself, Elliot. You're too immersed in work. As if nothing else in your life matters more."
Elliot was silent for a while before finally sighing heavily, leaning back in his chair. "My job is important, Mom. I have to make sure everything runs smoothly. This company isn't just about me. There are hundreds of people depending on the decisions I make. Dad must have been like that too, right?”
Hearing her husband mentioned, Rebecca fell silent. Alan was indeed a hard worker, but Elliot? He's too hard into working stuff!
The woman tried to understand it all, but there was a worry she could no longer hide. "I know. But your life shouldn't just be about work, Son. Your world is too beautiful to only focus on business matters. You also need someone by your side. Someone who can remind you to stop for a moment, enjoy life, and... be happy."
Elliot smiled slightly, though the smile felt distinctly hollow in Rebecca's eyes. "Mom, I am happy. I have you, this company... that's enough."
"Don't lie to me! And don't try to sweet-talk me!" Rebecca interrupted, slightly petulant. "All of that won't be enough! I just want to see you get married, build a family, and live happily. Is that too much for me to ask?"
Elliot fell silent, his gaze shifting to the teacup in front of his mother. He knew Rebecca's desire was genuine. Not because of social pressure or prestige, but because Rebecca truly cared about him.
"Mom..." Elliot tried to speak, but Rebecca continued first.
"Isn't there one woman you like? Is there no one who makes you want to stop for a moment from this routine?" Rebecca asked, her voice full of hope.
The question startled Elliot. For a moment, the image of Audrey flashed through his mind.
The woman's face, with her rarely seen gentle smile, the way she spoke that was sometimes sharp but full of sincerity. Even that damned dream managed to pop into his mind.
However, Elliot quickly dismissed the thought.
"No," Elliot finally answered, trying to sound convincing.
Rebecca sighed again, heavier this time. "Sometimes I feel like you're deliberately closing your heart. What are you afraid of? Afraid that someone will enter your life and make you... lose control?"
Elliot looked at his mother with a confused and cornered gaze. He wanted to deny it, but Rebecca's words were too close to a truth he didn't want to admit.
"I just want you to be happy," Rebecca continued, her voice starting to tremble slightly.
She gently stroked his son's cheek, smiling a little bitterly. "I'm afraid if you keep going like this, you'll end up alone, sweetheart. That's what I can't accept."
Elliot took a deep breath before finally looking at Rebecca more gently. "Mom, I am happy. I have Dad, my siblings, and most importantly... you. Nothing is more important than that. As long as you are happy, I'm happy too."
Rebecca scoffed softly, her arms crossed over her chest. Her face was full of skepticism. "You always use family as an excuse. But your presence here is becoming rare! You say family is important, but when was the last time you had dinner with us?"
The man frowned, wanting to object, but couldn't. Rebecca was right. He couldn't even remember the last time he made time for his family without being distracted by work.
"I'm busy, Mom. I have a lot of things to take care of," Elliot finally replied, his tone half-defensive.
Rebecca leaned back in her chair, looking at Elliot with eyes full of disappointment. "Busy? Yes, of course. But no matter how busy you are, you should still remember that this family is still alive!"
Elliot frowned at his mother's words. "Mom!"
"What? I'm right, aren't I?"
Elliot was silent. He knew Rebecca wasn't entirely wrong, but he found it hard to admit his shortcomings.
"You know, even your siblings often ask when you'll come home earlier. Your father too," Rebecca continued. "And me? I just want to see you sitting at the dinner table, talking about your day, like before."
"I'll try, Mom," Elliot murmured, his voice softer. "I really will try."
"But trying isn't enough, Elliot Harrington," Rebecca interjected, her tone beginning to soften yet remaining firm. "Life isn't just about work or chasing ambition. If you keep this up, someday you'll realize that what truly matters is already gone."
Rebecca's last sentence pierced Elliot.
He fell silent, letting the words echo in his mind. There was something in Rebecca's voice that made him feel guilty, but also confused.
Rebecca sighed deeply, realizing her son was too stubborn to fully accept what she was saying. "I'm not asking you to quit your job, Elliot. I just want you to be more balanced. That's all."
Elliot nodded slowly, forcing a slight smile, hoping to calm his mother, at least for now. "I will try, Mom."
"Please, don't just try. Do it!" Rebecca retorted, slightly fierce, but this time with a small smile on her face.
"Okay, Mom. I'll make more time—"
The words felt foreign on his tongue, a concession he wasn't sure he could actually keep.
"Good!" Rebecca interrupted, nodding and smiling broadly. "In that case, next time, don't reject the girls I introduce to you again—"
"Mom!"
As Rebecca chuckled harder, watching Elliot's face crumple, the man's phone vibrated.
He saw the name of the person he tasked with gathering information on the screen.