Chapter 20: A Drive Towards Home
Quinn stood in front of his apartment complex, the sleek black Range Rover glistening under the city lights. He admired his new vehicle, feeling the weight of success on his shoulders, but also the pull of something else—family. The thought of home hit him suddenly, a sharp contrast to the high-paced, calculated life he had built over the past few months. It had been too long since he had seen his parents. The last time he transferred money to his mother—just $2,000—it had taken a lot of convincing for her to even accept it. His mother was stubborn, always wanting to return the money, insisting they didn't need it. Quinn had to reassure her multiple times that it was just a small amount, and he was doing well for himself. After much persistence, she had finally agreed to keep it, but not without a reminder: "If you ever need it, son, just ask, and I'll send it back."
Quinn chuckled to himself, shaking his head. His mother was always so practical, grounded, and proud. He missed her warmth, the way she'd fuss over the smallest things. And his father—quiet, strong, and always supportive—loved SUV cars. His dad had always admired the idea of owning a spacious, comfortable vehicle, something that could carry the family on long trips or through rough roads. The thought struck him—why not surprise his father with the Range Rover? It was the perfect gift, spacious and luxurious. He could buy something else for himself later. After all, with over $150 million in his account, a new car was nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
As he contemplated the idea, Quinn felt a wave of nostalgia. He hadn't been home in what felt like forever. His life had become so consumed with business deals, manipulation of the markets, and building his empire, that he had forgotten what it felt like to be just… Quinn. A son. A regular guy visiting his family. He made up his mind—he would visit his parents and surprise them with the new car. They deserved that and more.
But then, his thoughts shifted to Lisa. She had been good to him, even back when he had nothing. She never treated him differently, never looked down on him like others did. And lately, she had been showing more interest, a kind of quiet enthusiasm that was hard to miss. She had been by his side during some of his toughest moments, and now that things were turning around for him, maybe it was time to take things to the next level. He decided he'd invite her to come along.
Quinn quickly pulled out his phone and called Lisa. She answered on the third ring, her voice soft but curious.
"Hey, Lisa. Are you free tomorrow?" he asked, a little nervous despite his outward confidence.
"Tomorrow? I think I am. Why?" she replied, her tone intrigued.
"I was thinking of visiting my parents. It's been a long time, and I'd like to take a drive upstate. Thought maybe you'd want to come with me?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by a slight intake of breath. "Visit your parents? I mean, I'd love to, but… are you sure? I don't want to intrude."
"You won't be intruding," Quinn reassured her. "You've been there for me when no one else was, and I'd like you to meet them. Besides, I think it would be nice to get away from the city for a bit, don't you?"
Lisa hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing. "Okay. I'd love to go."
"Great. I'll pick you up around noon."
After hanging up, Quinn felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. He wasn't exactly sure what he was doing, but for once, it felt good to act on instinct, not just cold calculation. He wanted to share a piece of his life with Lisa, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
The next morning, Quinn went out shopping. If he was going to visit his parents, he wasn't going to show up empty-handed. He stopped by a luxury store and picked out a high-end makeup set for his mother from one of the world's most famous brands. She wasn't one for extravagance, but he knew she'd appreciate the gesture. For his father, he chose a gold-plated lighter—his dad still smoked occasionally, though he was careful not to overdo it. The lighter was a symbol of elegance and tradition, something his father would love. Quinn also bought several expensive bottles of red wine, knowing they'd all enjoy them together over dinner.
After packing the gifts in the back of the Range Rover, he picked up Lisa. She looked stunning, wearing a simple yet elegant outfit that made Quinn's heart race a little. As she climbed into the car, she smiled at him, seemingly more relaxed than she was on the phone the day before.
"You ready?" Quinn asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Yeah," Lisa replied, her eyes shining with curiosity. "I've never been on a trip like this."
"Well, you're in for a surprise," Quinn said with a grin, putting the car in gear.
The drive out of the city was smooth, the Range Rover handling the roads like a dream. As they left behind the towering buildings of New York and entered the more serene countryside, Quinn felt a sense of peace wash over him. The constant noise of his life—the deals, the manipulation, the ever-present tension—seemed to fade as the trees and open fields came into view.
"Do you miss it? Home, I mean?" Lisa asked after a while, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Yeah, sometimes," Quinn admitted. "I've been so caught up in everything that I haven't thought about it much. But now… I'm looking forward to seeing them."
Lisa smiled softly. "They must be proud of you."
Quinn shrugged. "I haven't told them much about what I'm doing. Just that I'm doing well."
"I'm sure they'll be happy to see you regardless."
As they approached the town where his parents lived, Quinn's nerves returned. He hadn't told them he was coming, and he couldn't wait to see the look on their faces when they saw the Range Rover—and Lisa. He pulled into the driveway, the familiar sight of his childhood home bringing a strange mixture of comfort and anxiety.
"Here we go," he muttered, stepping out of the car. Lisa followed him, looking around with interest.
Quinn took a deep breath, knocked on the door, and waited.