Life: what I never thought could be

Breakfast

*Chapter 3: Breakfast*

Danny came downstairs at exactly 8 a.m.

He had been back in this house for only three days, and everything still felt strange. The house was too big. Too quiet. Too perfect.

His mother was already at the breakfast table. She was dressed like she was going to a board meeting, even though it was just breakfast at home. Her hair was packed, her makeup perfect. She did not look up when he entered. She was reading something on her tablet.

"Good morning, Mom," Danny said.

She looked up and smiled, but it was not a real smile. It was her business smile.

"Good morning, Danny. You are late. Breakfast was supposed to be at 7:30. Your father and I have been waiting."

Danny pulled out a chair and sat down. The table was full of food. Eggs, bread, sausages, fruits. Food for ten people, but only two people were eating.

"Where is Dad?" he asked.

"Your father left early for City Hall. You know how it is. The mayor does not have time to wait for breakfast," she said, and then she dropped her tablet on the table. "Let us talk, Danny. Now that you are back, we need to be serious."

Danny knew what was coming. He picked up his fork but did not eat.

His mother leaned forward. "Danny, you have been away for four years. You went to study. You have rested. Now you are back. It is time."

"Time for what, Mom?"

"Time to take over your finance company," she said straight. "Your father and I built Prime Finance for you. We kept it for you. The board is waiting. The staff is waiting. Everything is waiting for you to come and sit as CEO. Next Monday, we want to announce you."

Danny put his fork down.

"Mom, I just came back three days ago," he said calmly. "I have not even unpacked all my boxes."

"So what? You know the business. You studied finance. What else do you need to unpack?"

"I need time," Danny said. "I did not just come back to take over a company immediately."

His mother's face changed.

"What do you mean, you need time? Time for what?"

Danny took a deep breath. He had practiced this speech in his head all night.

"Mom, I did not come back just to sit in an office and sign papers. I came back to settle down first. I need to understand this town again. I need to understand myself again. I need to do things my own way first, before I can think about the company."

"Your own way?" His mother laughed a little. "Danny, what is your own way? Walking around town like you have no name? Do you think people will respect you if you do not take your position?"

"I do not care about respect right now, Mom. I care about peace," Danny said. His voice was still calm, but firmer now. "For four years, I did everything you and Dad wanted. I studied what you wanted. I lived where you wanted. Now I am back, and you want me to become CEO next Monday? No. That is not what I want to do now."

His mother stared at him.

"Danny, Prime Finance is worth billions. If you do not take it now, other people will start to think you are not serious. Your cousins are already asking questions."

"Let them ask," Danny said. "Mom, I love you and Dad, and I appreciate everything you built for me. But I want to settle down first. I want to find where I want to live. I want to breathe. I want to do some things on my own terms, before I carry the whole company on my head."

"So what is your plan?" she asked, crossing her arms. "You want to just sit at home and do nothing?"

"No. I want to live a little. I want to walk around. I want to meet people normally, not as 'the mayor's son' or 'the CEO of Prime Finance'. Just as Danny. For a few months. Then, when my head is clear, I will come to the company. And I will run it my own way."

His mother was quiet for a long time. She picked up her tea and drank.

"You are just like your father when he was young," she finally said. "Stubborn."

Danny smiled small. "Maybe I learned from him."

She sighed. "Okay. One month. I will give you one month to do whatever you call 'settling down'. After one month, you will come to the office. No more stories. Is that fair?"

Danny nodded. "One month. Thank you, Mom."

"Do not thank me yet," she said, standing up. "Your father will not like this. You will have to tell him yourself tonight."

She left the table, leaving Danny alone with the big breakfast.

He looked out the window. One month of freedom. One month to be just Danny before he had to become CEO Danny.

One month to figure out what he really wanted.

And for some reason, when he thought about what he wanted, he thought about the park. And a girl named Miller he met there.