Nicholas stormed into his father's study, his face bearing frustration. The room, with its heavy curtains and dark wood paneling, was filled with the sharp aroma of smoke from cigars and old leather, and the atmosphere was thick with tension. Mr Franklivania was by far an ardent smoker who would go for any smoking contest and win. That addiction has dealt with his personality in the time past that if not for his power and wits, envious officials in FM Group who longed to sit on the seat of the CEO would have impeached him. Yes, it was that bad. The first time, he had humiliated a business partner at a public event which was meant to give the company so much wealth as well as fame and glory. The business partner went further to drag the company's name to the mud during interviews as well as on social media platforms.
He had succeeded in calming that situation by flipping everything over. He went ahead to dig the secrets of his opponent and said that, that was his reason for humiliating him, blaming his addiction on cigarettes. The last time could have been an "it is finished" situation. He had told the general public during a business summit that FM Group survives by putting smaller companies in harm's way, while providing them with the only option of salvation which is by merging or rather selling their company totally to FM Group. This raged for a very long time, bringing him different curses from different mouths. But the question on how he tamed that wild fire is a bone of contention. Now here he is, struggling to incorporate Lustre.
"Father!, this has to stop!," Nicholas thundered, his voice trembling. "You're pushing Lily to send Floria away, but that's not going to fix the problem. It's the rumors that need to be dealt with." for a second, he thought he had made a wise decision coming to his father. He thought he just proffered a beautiful suggestion.
Mr. Franklivania looked up from his desk, his face a mask of irritation. "Nicholas, you don't understand the gravity of the situation. We need to control the narrative. That means making tough decisions and managing appearances." the middle aged man tried to be calm.
"But that's her sister...You're treating her like a pawn. Can't you see how much this is hurting her? How can you be so cruel?" He barked, forgetting that he's in front of the one man that hates sentiments.
Mr. Franklivania's face darkened. "You think you know everything. You're weak, Nicholas. Just like your mother. You don't have the brains or the resolve to handle this situation. All you do is complain. God be good that she even died and allowed me to handle you. Christ! How did I give birth to a weakling?"
Nicholas's eyes welled up, his voice cracking through the strain. "Why am I even here if you think so little of me? Have you ever considered me as your son, or am I just a piece in your game?"
"You should be happy that you're a piece in my game. Mr. Franklivania's game and not another person's. If you're done talking, get out of my sight!" He thundered.
"No I'm not done!" Nicholas thundered in response, his tears spilling over like an overflowing dam. "You're happy that your wife died...."
"She wanted to.."
"She never wanted to." He interrupted him. "How sure am I that you're not her killer"
"Easy boy. You might be causing yourself more harm."
"What will you do?" He asked, with such bitterness in his eyes. "You will kill me too?"
"I'm not a murderer, Nicholas"
"Then you will have to prove to me that you're not. That you didn't kill her. That I'm at least your son who deserve your care and concerns"
"Those are the virtues and qualities of weakness"
"Then let me be weak! Pamper me like a delicate vase" he cried the more. He was really in need of love. "Discover my inner strength and harness it in love. When have you ever been a father?" He asked, pained.
The room fell silent, the weight of Nicholas's words hanging heavily. Mr. Franklivania's face twisted with rage, his mouth opening to respond, but no words came. The silence was deafening. Nicholas, heartbroken and overwhelmed, turned and left the room, his shoulders shaking with sobs. The door slammed behind him, echoing through the empty corridor.
In the coolness of Old Bloom's house, Lily sought refuge from the storm of her life. The house was a haven of calm, filled with the soft scents of lavender and the warmth of sunlight filtering through lace curtains. She sat with her grandmother in the cozy parlor, a place that seemed to hold the comfort of decades.
"Grandma, I don't know what to do," Lily admitted, her voice trembling as she fought back tears. "The Franklivanians are pressuring me to send Floria away, but I'm afraid it might do more hurting than help to her. I feel trapped between what's right and what's expected."
Old Bloom, her face lined with wisdom and kindness, looked at Lily with concern. "Sometimes the right decision isn't the easiest one. You must follow what your heart tells you, not just what others demand. It's not just about what will silence the critics, but what will truly be best for Floria."
Lily's tears fell freely now. "I just want to protect her and do right by her, but it feels like I'm fighting a losing battle. The pressure from the Franklivanians is relentless, and every decision seems like it will make things worse."
Old Bloom gently squeezed Lily's hands, her touch reassuring. "Your love for Floria is your greatest strength. It will guide you through this. Remember, you don't have to face this alone. Lean on those who care about you and trust your instincts."
Lily took a deep breath, the weight of her grandmother's words slowly lifting some of the burden from her shoulders. She stood up, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, Gran. I needed to hear that. I'll do my best to find a way that's right for Floria, no matter how difficult it might be."
As Lily prepared to leave, Old Bloom handed her a small, intricately carved wooden music box. "Take this with you. I hope this will give you some peace of mind and help you through this storm. It's said to bring strength and clarity to those who need it."
Lily accepted the box with a grateful smile. "I'll treasure it, Gran. Thank you for everything."
With renewed determination, Lily left Old Bloom's house, the small wooden box in her hand serving as a symbol of hope and strength. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, but she was ready to face it with the love and wisdom of her grandmother guiding her.
Back at the Franklivania estate, Nicholas, still shook from his confrontation with his father, found solace in the empty garden. The cool evening breeze and the fading light of dusk provided a temporary escape from the turmoil within the house. He stared out at the neatly trimmed hedges and the flowering plants, his mind racing with thoughts of his family's struggles.
As the night grew darker, Nicholas resolved to support Lily in any way he could, even if it meant defying his father's wishes. He understood that the fight for Floria's future was not just about battling external pressures but also about standing up for what he believed was right.