"Hey Son" Collins Scott said stretching out his arms to give his son a hug, his deep voice startled Mason who had just came out of his room.
"Oh, hey father. You startled me" he replied, he did not lean in for the hug. He knew this show of affection by his father was because he was in a good mood. Also, Mason was just not in the mood to hug him—they never hugged. They haven't hugged since Mason was ten and started showing interests in things that were not related to the family businesses.
After awkwardly being ignored by Mason, Collins coughed slightly to cover up the awkwardness. It did not bother Mason who just stood there watching his father without batting an eyelid.
"Sorry about that. How are you doing this morning?" Then gestured for them to go downstairs together. Mason obliged and they walked down together but made sure there was no body contact between them.
"Feeling great. You seem to rather be in a good mood"
"I woke up to the most beautiful face and I got some this morning" He winked and nudged his son.
Realising what his father implied, Mason frowned and said, "That's disgusting and I certainly don't want to hear about your bedroom business with mum. I could lose my breakfast before I even get any."
He slightly held his stomach as he tried to erase this imagery his father had planted in his mind.
Collins loud laughed announced them as they walked into the kitchen. It was obvious he enjoyed the effect what he said had caused. He gave his son a fake punch and was about to tickle him but Mason saw it coming and walked away before his father tried. His mum was in the kitchen trying to supervise the chef making breakfast.
"What's wrong?" She queried when she noticed the quick move that Mason made.
"Your husband is weird. He's giving me very weird mental pictures from your morning" he replied gesturing to both of them.
His mother, Irene immediately knew what he meant and her cheeks flustered with embarrassment, and after looking at his mother's flustered face, he made a gagging sound and said, " You guys are disgusting, I can't live like this"
"Oh get over it, you do the same with your girlfriend—which one is it now?" Irene teased him as she leans into Collin's embrace and they started laughing at Mason.
"Some activities should be banned for old people." "Also, can y'all take that somewhere else? They make food in here, plus there's another person you're making uncomfortable." he added when his parents started making out, pointing towards the chef making breakfast, as his parents continued with their display over the large marble kitchen counter.
"We've made more than food in here" Collins said winking at Mason.
"I can't believe he doesn't recognize it" Irene added, enjoying how uncomfortable they made Mason.
Realizing what they meant Mason grabbed a bottle of chilled water and exited the kitchen yelling, "You're both disgusting! Thanks for ruining food for me the whole of today."
That just made them laugh harder.
He walked back into the kitchen and said "Father, can you tell the pilot to get the jet ready? I'm leaving to school today by 12pm."
"Sure—Father? You're still on the Father business? Are you still mad at the one who pays for everything for you? You can't even call me Dad anymore." His father asked.
"I'll call you Dad when you start understanding that I don't have to be like my brothers. I shouldn't have asked you." He turned to his mum and said, "Mum, can you do it, thank you."
Collins smiled but it was obvious he was not happy by that response. "Maybe when you start showing me how responsible you are, I might take you serious! All you ever fucking do is play those stupid games. Come talk to me when you want to give up those childish bullshit for the real fortune! Of all your brothers, you're the only unserious one!"
"Why do I bother talking to you, you literally think video games makes a person unserious. How can you be so close minded, I thought you—"
"Doesn't it? What real life problem do you solve with it? instead of spending your days shooting at parrots and dolphins, why not join in the business and do what real men do?!" Turning to Irene and the Chef, he said, "Can you believe this boy? He wants me to let him play those stupid games with a bunch of nerds on the internet! And I'm the one with the problem, boy please!"
Sensing that Collins might be getting agitated, Irene tried to calm the storm by holding Collins and just saying, "Uh, sweetie, he's just joking."
"I'm not, Mum! Can you just stop fucking acting like—"
"Don't cuss at your mother! Is that what your little computer friends tell you to do? They tell you to disrespect your mum?"
Mason looked at his mother, she mouthed "I'm so sorry baby, just leave please", then she turned to Collins and said, "Honey, let's just enjoy breakfast and let this all blow over, okay?"
Mason shook his head, he was sick and tired of his mum taking his father's side but instead of talking, he walked to the kitchen counter, picked up an apple and walked away. He heard his mother call out saying, "I'll ask Christen to pack your luggages" his mother added. Christen was the housekeeper that has been working for the Scott's for almost 19 years.
"She already did that yesterday" he called back without turned back.
"You know, you encouraged this shit by making him learn about that. If you had listened to me when I told you not to go on with it, we wouldn't be in this mess. This is my problem with you, you don't listen to me! Just look what you've done." Collins turned his aggression on Irene. She just tried to make him calm by apologising.
Two hours later, the chauffeur was ready to pick him up for the private jet terminal. He was all dressed up in the casual fit -A cream colored jeans trousers and a plain navy blue colored t-shirt that had the inscription "A boy has no face" written in italics in white threads. He wore a Nike white sneakers over his black socks and wore a black Patek Phillippe wrist watch.
His mother and brother said their goodbyes as his luggages were being carried into the car, Mason knew his father would not join them, but he did not care. After that was over, he walked out the front door, took a deep breathe and then proceeded towards the 2021 Range Rover Autobiography that the chauffeur held open for him.