28

Arthur walked to his father’s study room as slowly as possible. A lot of thoughts crossed his mind while he walked. Some rational and some irrational thoughts. He shook his head and opened the door. His father was seated in his chair.

“You realize right,” his father said.

“Huh? What?” Arthur said softly. It was like he almost lost his voice out of nervousness.

“You do realize right, what happened today to Ashley will happen to you too,” Arthur did not need any more explanation. All his fears of his father investigating him secretly had become true.

His father pulled the drawer and threw out a few photographs of Arthur and Ethan. It was from college and pubs and kart races. In all the pictures, Ethan was either holding Arthur's hand or hugging or kissing.

Arthur swallowed the lump in his throat. He had no answer to give now.

“Do you want to be thrown out of the family?”

“Do you think your mother would survive without you?”

“Or can you survive without her?”

“What about my reputation?”

“Shall I kick you out now only so that I can control the damage together with your uncle?”

Arthur shook his head for all the questions that his father was throwing at him. It was very much known that Arthur cannot abandon his mother. She has given birth to him. Despite living with a devil kind of husband, she has done a lot of sacrifices for Arthur's sake and his future included. He does not have the heart to hurt his mom.

“Then you will be breaking up with that boy as soon as you go to college.”

With that, Arthur's father concluded their meeting and left the room. Arthur continued to stand there and contemplate about his father’s words and he thought if he was even capable to break up with Ethan. Ethan had made him see the world with a different and better perspective. It would be Arthur's greatest loss in life if he breaks up with Ethan.

He walks to his room with slow steps. He did not have any energy left to think. He plopped on his bed, closing his eyes.

The next morning, things were very different. At the dining table, his parents were waiting for him. And a beautiful girl was sitting beside his mom.

Arthur walked to them and took a seat opposite his mom. They stopped talking and gave their attention to Arthur.

“Arthur?” his mom called.

He looked up, “Yes, mom.”

“Meet this beautiful girl, Emily Watt. She is our senior auditor, Clark Watt’s daughter. She is a student at the state university.”

“Hi,” Arthur gave an awkward smile to her.

She smiled back at him, “Hi.”

“Your mother thinks that Emily makes a wonderful life partner for you,” Arthur father’s said without looking up from his plate.

Arthur breathed heavily and turned to his, who was smiling widely.

“Yes, son. I would be very happy if you marry Emily. Not now, of course. After you both have graduated and started working.”

Arthur could not brush off the smile on his mother’s face. Reluctantly, he nodded his head.

“OK, then. You both can have a little chat after breakfast. And meet up during your college breaks. I am so happy, Arthur,”

The breakfast went quite well. It was mostly, Arthur's mother and father talking to Emily.

After breakfast, Arthur walked to the garden with Emily. She was silent the whole time they walked out of the house. Arthur was secretly glad that she was not the chatter type girl. She wore simple clothes and minimalistic makeup and was indeed beautiful.

“Um… I am Arthur Perry,” he introduced himself.

“Emily Watt,” she replied softly.

“Which year are you?”

“First,”

“I have not seen you before in any company celebrations,” Arthur said trying to remember her. If she was a senior employee’s daughter, he should have seen her at least one time.

“We have met before. Maybe you have forgotten. We once had been to the same managemental camp,”

“Oh… the one which was sponsored by Mr. Garcia,” Arthur remembered the particular camp. It was when Arthur and Liam were in school and were pretty good friends. All hell broke when they high school and an unknown competition emerged between them.

“Yes, the same.”

They both continue to talk. Arthur had no reason to hate this girl. She was here only on his mother’s invitation. And if she was the person who would bring happiness to his mother, then let it be.

Arthur spent his vacation at his father’s company. And met up with Emily at weekends. They had small dates around the city and Arthur kept in touch with Ethan and Jake. But had no guts to crack the news yet. He spent his night thinking ways to burst the news to Ethan.

When the new semester rolled in, Arthur was all set to go back to college. His luggage was packed with his clothes and stuff. Additionally, with the snacks that his mom and Emily had made for him. He had made up a few scenarios in his head about how to break up with Ethan.

Arthur bid bye to his parents and gave a small hug to Emily before hopping into the car. His mom was more than happy to see Arthur with Emily. Emily was a wonderful girl and she could not ask for anything more for her son. James Perry grinned about his victory. He had not only succeeded in breaking up his son’s relationship with a boy but also managed to make him commit to a girl of his choice. He never fancied the rich and spoilt girls for his son. He wanted someone who would be loyal and sincere to the relationship with his son. So, Emily was the best he could ask for. He had seen her growing up and supported her talent in accounts.

After a long flight and traveling, Arthur found himself at his dorm room, alone. Jake had not come yet. And he was secretly glad about it. He was afraid of blurting out the truth to Jake. To his luck, Ethan barged into his room alone.

“Hey, there, handsome. I missed you so much,” Ethan grinned coming forward to hug Arthur.

“Let’s break up, Ethan.”