RESTART

Business is business

I return to my apartment exhausted and dizzy from the jet lag, not at all relieved from my earlier conversation with that annoying doctor. Something was eating me up from the inside, but what? I 've done more than what any another person would ever do for that woman, so why do I feel the need to see her again? It's that doctor's words, messing with my head, because she confirmed what that girl said about not being able to speak. I will google it, as I have never heard of such a thing called 'selective mutism'.

The moment the elevator door opens, I see light coming out from underneath my entrance door. I open the door already knowing who is in my apartment, as only one person can pass the security of this building and be allowed up the penthouse.

"So how did it go?" I ask him

"He backed out. What did you think?" he said throwing the crystal glass full of whiskey, forcefully at the stone wall, shattering it to a million pieces.

"You still think that prick didn't sign the papers, only because I was late?"

"Watch your mouth boy" he barks in my face.

"I am not a boy anymore dad. You may think of me as one but I assure you I will tolerate this no more. Today had nothing to do with me being late. The contracts were ready and he had pre agreed to signing them. Stop throwing this on me, as I warned you about this man but you didn't listen. I always knew he was bluffing and he would never go through it at the end of the day, as it really wasn't a fair deal for him after all. You wanted to gain more power, which only meant taking most of it away from him. Of course, he won't just allow this and I fear of the effect this is all going to have on us. I am relieved in a way that he will not be meddling in our feet, but I am not quite sure how we can get rid of him, without making him an enemy. You became even greedier and you are completely responsible for your 'dear friend's' now uncontrollable behaviour, that can cost us millions."

I see the blue disappearing from my father's eyes, as his pupils dilate, now burning with rage while taking a step back from me, showing me that he can no longer control himself and he is now struggling to do so.

"How dare you mock me? You say you are not a boy and yet you know nothing of diplomacy" he tells me, looking down on me.

"You think I referred to him as 'good friend' because I was sucking up at him, or even felt threatened? That 's how you cool the heat down you ungrateful bastard, when it comes to business and I was only trying to help you get out of the mess you created. But how would you know? All you do is spend my money faster than I can make them and ran from w***e to w***e and from party to party, being the irresponsible waste that you are. You have no idea of how things really are, but I don't think you care."

My father's words are too harsh, even for him.

"You call sucking Mr. Yang's d**k after you 've f****d him, diplomacy?" I immediately regret the words slipping my mouth, but I cannot take them back. My father may be a cold-hearted man that has never shown me any kind of affection, but he doesn't deserve my detestation or the fact that I am disrespectful, as he may be the worst father in the world, but he is the best businessman I know.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to say that. You calling me a bastard among other things is not helping me to keep my s**t together." Is the only thing I manage to say.

"Don't just say you are sorry. You will fix this, the same way you caused it." His eyes are now going back to normal and he seems more troubled, rather than infuriated.

"I won't! I know that him going bankrupt will take us a few steps back, but we will come around fast enough. I 'll make sure we do."

My father is now laughing at me.

"You are dreaming boy! Get your feet on the ground and understand that if he goes down it's going to be a f*****g domino effect and I will not be held responsible because you got carried away and lost track of time while f*****g some 'friend', before the most important meeting of your life and were late to show up on time, which was basically all you had to do, as I already prepared everything else for you."

"I already told you what happened and your own opinion couldn't be further from the truth."

"Oh yeah? So where is this lady friend of yours? Call her! I want to speak to her. I want to ask her who the f**k she is, who is so important to be worthy of the cost."

"I told you she is in the hospital and she can't talk to you right now." My facial tension cannot be missed by his experienced eyes and he makes a call for it.

"So, she is hurt that bad huh?"

"Yes! What's wrong with you? Why should I even try to explain anything anyway? You always jump to conclusions and I won't waste anymore of my time as I don't see the point really."

"Oh, but you will" I don't understand his look but he seems a little sad and even guilty I could say.

I say nothing and I wait for him to talk.

"Mr Yang will only sign the deal if he knows his family will not lose almost everything his father and grandfather have worked so hard for."

"Ok, so offer him more stocks. Make him a deal he cannot refuse and in time we will make amends, for all that's lost, I will do it myself if you let me. I will prepare a new proposition that will be more fair to him."

"Mr. Yang has already made a proposition."

"Really? And what's that?"

"As I said he wants to make sure, his family's name remains in the company and for that he is offering his daughter." He says this, looking away.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I exclaim.

"It means that he will only sign the damn papers if you marry his daughter, so that his family can still technically have a say in the company, even in this f****d up way!" His eyes still avoiding to come across with mine.

I laugh at his words, but I am quick to shut up when I see that he doesn't even blink as much.

"Dad you can't be seriously suggesting I should consider this." I say these words in a low pleading voice as I know by the looks of him, that he is indeed being serious about this.

"As I said, you created this mess, now you clean it up. I don't know, marry her until he signs the papers and then you can get rid of her. She is a very beautiful girl, maybe you can even enjoy this."

"You are one sick man!"

I know my father is ruthless and puts money and success above all but this is too much, even for him.

"This is why you will never be a successful businessman. You don't have the guts to do what it takes." He grins from his teeth.

I am sure my facial colour matches my carpet's flaming red and I don't know what or how to answer to that only with words, not without my fist on my dad's jaw. Only the thought of it causes my adrenaline to rise. Then I remember all the meetings I had with my psychologist, about anger management and I try to recollect all I have learned from them and find the reasons not to throw thousands of dollars' worth of therapy in the bin and mostly the slight remains of the relationship my dad and I shared.

"I cannot believe you! I will not discuss this any longer and to be honest I am offended you would even think I would go through this."

"I am not asking! If you don't accept his offer, then find yourself another way to fix this mess. I don't care if you marry him instead." He shouts while storming out the door.