Heartache (2)

"Stop it, dad! We're not poor for us to climb over and attach ourselves to the Lin's!"

Lin's, that's us. It stunned me. Who knew I'd hear my family name in their argument. As per instinct, I hid over the overgrown roses as I inched closer.

And as I move, my heart was beating fast. It was drumming hard and loud. It was from the thrill of eavesdropping plus the emotions poured by the owner of this body.

"No-you-Stop!" I saw Mike towering over Luke as he pointed his finger on him. His eyes are red. I can see veins protrude.

Luke stared straight to his father's eyes with pursed lips. He said nothing while his nose flared. Making me know how annoyed he was. The father and son duo were in a deadlock. Neither moving nor talking. It lasted a good three minutes before Mike started again.

"Yes! Very wealthy, but do you know? We're insignificant compared to the other households! We're animals waiting to be cut into pieces by the bigger clans whose roots run deep in the society!" He continued, "Who do you think I'm exhausting my energy? Isn't it for you and your brother?!"

"Yes!? For us!? You kept saying it's for us but no! It was for your own good, dad! You wanted every the riches and glory. Every day, you remind us we need to mind our manners and make friends with established families kids!"

"And what of it!? It's me wanting my children's life to flourish! It's every parents' job!"

"No! it's your life you wanted to flourish. Your greed by gaining money through your own hands can't give you satisfaction. You wanted more! You always wanted more!"

When Luke finished talking, Mike's knuckles flew to his face. It was quick and powerful. Luke stumbled on the couch nearby. The scene gave me a scare I almost jumped out in hiding and shout. Good thing I covered my mouth, so no sound came out.

Still, for some reasons, my chest hurts looking at Luke.

"Luke Wang! Your ability to turn black from white deserves applause! I've told you already, these things are not for me but for you and the future generations of the family!"

Rubbing his cheeks, I saw Luke glaring at his father. He propped himself on the couch and said, "Yeah, right." And stand up.

When Mike saw his son leaving, he grabbed his hand and pulled him in. "You're not going anywhere, son. We're not yet finished."

Luke put strength on his arm as he broke free of his father. "We're done, dad. I said no." Luke said with clenched teeth.

Mike Wang sneered. "What? Pulling out now? Remember, son, who asked you to befriend her?"

'Her? This got me curious. Is it 'me'? My body was trembling being exposed to the cold yet I'm still intrigued. I shifted my position to hear the rest of the argument.

Luke did not answer his father. He closed his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Befriending her was my decision. I did not act by somebody's order."

I did not hear what he said but based on Mike's reaction, it isn't believable.

Mike sneered as he told him, "You can lie to yourself but not to me child." When he saw how Luke was glaring, he said, "Fine, your decision. And now you decide to get engaged. End of discussion." Mike stated.

"Dad, you knew my answer."

"Your answer was bull****!" A loud crash followed as Mike threw the flower vase. "A lot of the affluent families had been eyeing the Lin clan before. Yet none of them came victorious because you know what? They knew it was you whom the little princess picked."

Luke did not talk back. His eyes looking at the shards of the broken vase.

"Luke, son. How many families did you think wanted to send over their sons on their doorsteps? Yes, the child was deaf but what of it? Why do people want to bring forth marriage agreement with the little princess? It's because she's the daughter of Rainier Lin and Dahlia Cheung. Both of which were from distinguished clans." He said as a matter of fact.

It was disgusting listening to Mike's words. I knew there were wolves in sheep's clothing, but knowing one and holding them dear to you was something heartbreaking.

"Listen, son. You already hold the heart of the princess. Just one more step... Bring up the engagement to Iris, she'll be over the moon. You're doing her a favor, son." Mike persuaded.

This time, Luke looked at his father. There was an unexplainable emotion written on his face.

"No," he said.

"Yes, you do. Why did you think I kept indulging your mother's obsession with her? It isn't because I wanted a daughter, like your mother. It's because she can help us. That's a fact."

"No," Luke repeated.

"Luke, think through before speaking up again. I'm being lenient on you." Mike threatened.

"What, dad? Want to punch me once more?!" Luke flared as he lifted his face. Mike closed his fists, but he did not strike his son.

"Luke Wang, tell me. Don't you like the little princess? If you like her then why can't you marry her? You get the girl, our family gets the glory. It's called killing two birds with one stone!"

'This question... I've long wanted to ask the same thing. What is it, Luke Wang? What are your feelings for Iris?'

"Stop it, dad. Stop." Luke answered while holding hi temples.

"What is it? Luke Wang. Tell me, did you had feelings for He girl?!" Mike's voice rose.

Once again, Luke kept his mouth shut. This irked Mike. He strode in front of him and grabbed his collar.

"Answer me!!" he roared.

"Yes!" Luke declared as he tears up, "Yes! I had feelings for her! I liked her! But I didn't dare say or act on it! That feeling, I've buried it in my heart. Why?! Because of you! Even breathing was hard! It's suffocating!"

Breaking free from his father, "All my life, I've lived as your puppet. Starting from my walk, to the way I dress, up to the people I'm close to. All it was under you."

Finally, Luke pushed his father away from him, "So, no more. Let's stop now, dad. Let's not hurt each other anymore. I, I don't want to hurt Iris, she's pitiful since she's a child... Hurting her... I can't take it. I don't want to hurt my friend."