"Eat anything Bella. You can pack some home afterwards."
Aaron said. He must have sensed my dilemma.I smiled at his offer and we began to eat. By the time dessert was served, I had no space left in my tummy. Aaron and I started talking as we eat, discussing my personal life, work and his plans after his retirement.
"Lovely…absolutely beautiful to watch."
Carter's voice broke into Aaron and I conversation while clapping as he walked into the house.
"The love birds brought their affair to my home. Look at them. They are celebrating my ruin over dinner."
Carter spilled, talking to no one but himself. The agony was there in his tipsy voice.
Was he drunk?
Aaron turned a deaf ear to Carter's outburst and continued eating his dessert as calm as a dove.
"You are drunk Carter. You should stop talking before you say what you would regret later."
I tried to make him see reasons to stop spewing nonsense but he saw the opposite of that.
"Drunk? Trust me Crystal. I'm not drunk but I'm tipsy. I don't know what you are doing here but don't try to lecture me this time and get out. I need to talk to my dad."
Strangely, he was telling the truth. He wasn't drunk but he had definitely drunk some alcoholic drink…. Probably to sooth his pain and disappointment.
"Bella is going nowhere Carter. Tell me whatever you want to say in her presence."
Aaron told him still as calm as he was. I made an attempt to leave them but he ordered me to sit right back and I could only obey.
"Dad! Why are you doing this to me? Why are you adamant about destroying my life? You know what the company means to me but still, you took it out of my grasp just like you took mom away. You destroyed the happy home we had and now that we have the chance to fix it, you are choosing her over me…. Your biological son."
Pointing at me, he took a pause. I didn't know if he was furious with his dad or he was persuading him. All I knew was that Carter was furiously trying to persuade his father and at that moment I pitied him.
"You never showed me what the company means to you son. You were always nonchalant towards the company affairs while Bella took it more seriously. I haven't taken Lithe Technologies away from you Carter, I just gave you reasons to grow and work towards owning it."
Aaron replied, gulping down his juice.
"You hate me right? If not, why do I have to compete with Bella for what is rightfully mine."
Carter questioned his father again, fixing a glare in my direction. I avoided his eyes though, I wasn't interested in adding fuel to the fire between the father and son.
"In case you don't know, Lithe Technologies isn't your inheritance. Lithe Technologies is a legal technological company with legal business rules and guidelines, not some monarch throne that would be passed down to the first born son of the royal family. You have no right to claim my company…. Not if I don't give it to you."
Aaron pronounced and Carter lost it. I saw Carter shaking from what I presumed to be anger when he came in but he was able to keep it in until his father told him he wasn't an heir. Being an heir is the best part of his life and without it, he might not have an identity.
"You are making it survival of the fittest right? You actually think that is necessary?"
This time, Carter's words came out as a hiss, carrying his anger alone with his words to my ears.
"Yes Son. Let the best man win. You both should never forget that the best value, creativity, efficiency, capability and all round diligence will get the company. Don't relent Bella. Don't go easy on him. You deserve it more than he deserves it."
Aaron added the last part for me. Carter threw a bottle I just noticed against the nearest wall, making me scream. I ducked my head but Aaron's voice calmed my nerves.
"Relax child. He lacks the required action to go further. The decision is final, Carter. It is either you take it or leave it. And one last thing, we both know I didn't take your mom away from us."
Aaron's voice shakes when he talked about his wife. All I know is that she died seventeen years ago. Such a long time to move on but both Aaron and Carter never moved on from her demise.
"It pains me as much as it pains you. I hope you see how much I care about you before it's too late, son."
With that, Aaron left the table, made arrangements for me to leave and retired to his room. Carter, on the other hand, was still rooted where he was. After what Aaron said to him, he didn't utter another word. He just stood there…. Like a lost puppy.
I left the mansion with a heavy heart and a question.
Give up or give it my all?….
Well?