Pedaling with an urgency that tensed every muscle in his body, Roland raced home. Despite his hastened return, he was met with an ominous sight—the gleaming behemoth of a white Bentley Limousine parked arrogantly across his family's humble dwelling. Its massive form blocked the garage and front door, resembling a predatory creature asserting dominance over its territory.
Sweating and slightly panicked, Roland hastily parked his bike, slithered through the narrow space left between the vehicle and the house, and reached the door. He paused, gathering his composure and straightening his attire as if preparing to meet royalty, not entering his own home. His knuckles rapped on the door in a rhythmic pattern, a performance rehearsed to perfection.
Merlin greeted him with a smile that seemed to have erased all traces of anger. Yet, her fleeting frown was a subtle signal of the storm brewing inside. Roland, carrying cakes in each hand, moved with an exaggerated grace towards the dining area. His uneasy journey was interrupted by a stern, authoritative voice.
"You're late, Roland. Where have you been?"
chastised the patriarch seated at the head of the table. The man was substantial, his frame nearly overwhelming the modest chair. Beside him sat a woman whose age was gracefully masked by skillful makeup, her attire a careful balance of elegance and formality.
Just as Roland was about to respond, a gentle, yet somewhat tentative voice chimed in from a less imposing figure seated quietly in a corner of the room. It was Lily, his childhood friend turned secretary for his father. She was a delicate blend of grace and natural beauty, a testament to her Asian heritage.
"Hey"
Lily's long, straight hair, falling gracefully to her waist, mirrored her simplicity and undeniable beauty that required no adornment. Dressed in casual, blue, pajama-like attire, she seemed like a quiet rebellion amidst the sea of formal dressing, a beacon of comfort and understanding in Roland's increasingly complicated world.
A heavy silence hung in the air, its weight pressing down on Roland as he tried to grasp the scene unfolding before him. As realization dawned, he hurriedly apologized, explaining his delay.
"Sorry, father, mother, and Lily. I was just getting the cake."
Lily offered a shy, empathetic smile, her unease evident in the flush coloring her cheeks. The older generation exchanged disappointed glances before instructing her to fetch lunch.
The meal began in a strained silence, a precursor to the storm that was about to unfold. The father's voice broke the quietude, initially showering Merlin with praise for her accomplishments and recent graduation. His booming voice filled the room with a warm energy that soon dissipated as he turned his attention towards Roland.
"Roland,"
the father began, his voice taking on a cold, mocking tone.
"Are you still chasing after those silly fantasies of yours? Planning a trip to the moon, perhaps?"
"I'm working on my PhD thesis, father,"
Roland replied hesitantly, his confidence seeming to shrink under his father's looming presence.
"PhD thesis! What good will that do, huh? Does it teach you leadership, or networking, or anything remotely useful?"
"No... but..."
"No buts, Roland! You are the only male heir, destined to be at the top, not to waste time with these meaningless pursuits,You should be learning how to build wealth, how to utilize others to grow an empire!"
Roland's voice was almost inaudible, a stark contrast to the increasing volume of the father's critique.
"I... I believe in what I'm doing, father."
At this, Merlin couldn't hold back any longer. Her voice sliced through the tension, a plea laced with desperation,
"Father, please, let's not do this on my birthday. Can we discuss something more... pleasant?"
The father seemed to snap back to reality at her intervention, his fiery momentum halted momentarily. Yet the damage was done. Roland sat there, a mixture of sadness and anger simmering inside him, his appetite lost amidst the harsh realities served at the dinner table.
The atmosphere at the table changed abruptly, shifting towards lighter, yet forced, conversation.
Lily, sensing his distress, silently offered him comfort in the form of a drink and a slice of cake, a small island of kindness in a sea of turmoil.
As the parents prepared to leave, the father pulled Roland aside, a stern expression on his face. In the glow of the porch light, he regarded Roland with a critical eye.
"Son, I didn't say those things at dinner to spite you. You must recognize when it's time to relinquish childish fantasies,"
he said, his voice carrying a certain gravitas.
Roland clenched his fists, struggling to maintain his composure. "Yes, father," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, a subdued agreement to try and pacify the formidable figure before him.
"Good," the father nodded, seemingly satisfied, before stepping into the white limousine that stood grandly in the driveway.
Lily approached Roland, her gentle hand on his shoulder offering a soothing warmth.
"Hey, don't take it too hard, okay? Your father just... has his way of seeing things. But we know your worth, Roland. You have us, always."
Roland managed a small, yet sincere smile, touched by Lily's comforting words. The ambient night sounds seemed to grow louder, filling the void left by their parents' departure.
Suddenly, Lily's face lit up with excitement.
"Oh! I almost forgot. Matt told me about this amazing event happening at the hills tonight. I will be joining you tonight.."
The mention of the event seemed to inject life back into Roland, his posture straightening and a sparkle returning to his eyes. The thought of the upcoming rocket launch rekindled the joy that lay momentarily dormant in his heart.
"Yeah, I heard it's going to be spectacular. Let's not miss it!"
Lily grinned, her enthusiasm matching Roland's. Together, they headed inside, for the final preparation.