Eli MARK'S POV
It was a week after Chairman Armand informed me of the offer by Armand Inc., to have the staff move into the apartment building called Artesian Springs. For the past few days, I had transported the items that were important to me to the office and kept them locked up. I knew that it would not be easy for Pa to agree for me to move out and hence made early preparations.
I left the office early and rushed home, hoping to catch Pa before he went out for meetings with his friends. I stood in the doorway of the vast living, my heart racing as I gathered the courage to speak. The house is unusually quiet, a heavy stillness hanging in the air. Dad sat at the highchair, his back to me, and I could see the tense set of his shoulders from where I stood. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.
"Pa, can we talk for a minute?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
He turned around slowly, his eyes narrowed as he took in my anxious expression. "What is it now?" he snapped as his tone was already hinting at impatience.
I took a step closer, trying to keep my voice steady. "Last Armand Inc. offered apartments for the secretaries, the development team, and the security team. I shall be moving out tomorrow and settling in the apartment as they are ten minutes walk from work."
The moment the words left my mouth, the room seemed to grow colder. Pa's expression darkened, and I could almost feel the anger radiating from him. He slammed his fist on the table, causing the fruits and glass that were placed on it to rattle. "Move out? Are you out of your mind?"
I flinched at his outburst, but I forced myself to stand my ground. "This is a requirement of the company. You can confirm it if you feel that you don't trust my words."
His face twisted into a sneer, and he stood up, towering over me. "You think you can just walk out of here and everything will be fine? Do you think you're ready for the real world? You don't know the first thing about handling life on your own? Oh, Eli, you will never escape from me."
I feel a lump in my throat, but I try to keep my voice calm. "The developers and the security team will be living in the apartment, isn't this good?"
Dad's eyes blaze with anger, and his voice rises, echoing through the room. "You think you're so smart, don't you? Why would I agree for you to move out? You are a bastard that was born to serve me."
His words cut deep, and I can feel the sting of his contempt. I tried to hold back the tears, but it was hard, and I bit back a sob. "Pa, you were the one who sent me to Armand Inc."
"Yes," he barked. "I did. Hence, I am the one who calls the shorts/
I swallow hard, trying to keep my composure despite the surge of frustration and hurt. "Company rules are company rules."
Pa's expression hardened, and he shook his head, the anger in his eyes was unmistakable. "You're not going anywhere. Not on my watch. You think you're ready for the world, but you're not. You'll stay here in the mansion and work in Armand Inc."
I stare at him, feeling a mixture of defiance and despair. "I just wanted to let you know before I made the final arrangements."
He smirked and snickered "Whatever you think you're doing; you're not going anywhere. You're under my roof, and you'll follow my rules. If you even dare move out, the only one to suffer will be your mother."
I stood there for a moment, my heart heavy with the weight of his refusal. I wanted to argue, to fight for my freedom, but I knew it was pointless. His anger was deep-rooted and a wall I couldn't break through, and was left standing there, feeling trapped and defeated.
"I will resign from Armand Inc., tomorrow. "I stated and calmly turned to leave.
"What?" Pa roared.
"You might not be aware but a week ago I was framed for trying to hack Armand Inc. The internal team was the one behind it "I turned around and informed Pa.
He seemed taken aback by my words and his eyes squinted at me. "What?"
"You did not expect me to have a smooth sailing when you sent me to the wolves?" I pointed out.
"Those fucking bastards" He cursed.
"The only way is to live next to them. "I added.
"No" He vehemently refused.
"If I dare refuse, they will attack again and this time, I doubt that I will walk away unscathed like the last time "I raised my hands in frustration.
Pa rubbed his face and muttered under his teeth, and he paced up and down the living room and then he turned to me and asked, "Did they find out who it was that hacked the servers?"
" Not as yet but the hacker indicated it was an inside job " I reported to Pa and was happy that the wheels were turning in his head and the idea of me being close to the developers would be good for me as I would be able to access the AI Algorithms that Armand Inc had created and succeeded in being the richest company in Utah.
"Fine. But I want you to report to me every day from now on." He responded.
"Okay "I nodded at Pa.
"You have only three months after that if you will not have found anything, you will move back to the Mansion" He declared.
"Yes "I nodded at him.
"As for the weekends, I expect you to come home for dinner "Pa added. "I don't trust you one bit and still need to keep a leash on you" His words left a bitter taste in my mouth as I went to bed in a celebratory mood for the small win that I had made today.