DECISIONS II

Ivan's parents were delighted to see him back at home. They were so busy during the day because of work but when they got home, they were surprised to see him sitting leisurely on a couch in their living room.

Ivan has been outside for almost half a year and he only came home once to cook for the woman that he liked, after that he disappeared again without calling them or texting them. It was like they didn't exist in his world.

"Ivan! You're back!" his mother rushed inside to give him a hug while checking him at the same time making sure he's fine. "You've grown some fats." she said teasing him.

"Welcome home." his father said before sitting on the couch as well. "How have you been?"

"I'm fine. I had a great time during the period of being in the apartment." he said without giving much details. He didn't want his parents to interfere with his personal life. They've done so much in the past already that hurt him badly and he never forgot those things. Not even once.

"Will you be staying here for dinner or are you going back to the apartment?" his mother inquired with a voice mixed with worry and happiness. She didn't know that Ivan has left the apartment yet. She thought he'd go back after few hours of being there with them.

"I'll be staying here." Ivan answered without any emotions. He didn't specify if he's staying for good of just for dinner. His mother sighed looking at him like a robot.

It had been so many years already since she saw him smile. She couldn't help but blame herself for what happened in the past that caused Ivan to be cold. Nevertheless, he didn't treat them badly even after what happened. At the same time, she felt that he was drifting away from them each day.

"That's great. That's great." his mother said giving Ivan a gentle pat on his shoulder before calling out their housemaid to start preparing their dinner. "What would you like to eat? I'll have the maid cook it for you." she asked Ivan who was still sitting on the couch, fiddling on his phone.

Ivan's phone was ringing incessantly this afternoon from Kaye's calls. He was in turmoil if he should give her a callback or not. He's been fiddling on his for quite a while now.

"Whatever it is that they'll cook." his mother just faintly smiled hearing his indifferent answer. His father on the side was just reading a news without bothering them. He was used to this child's temperament already. Though he was considered closer to Ivan after staying with him overseas, he still couldn't fathom his son's emotional well-being.

"By the way, it's almost your grandfather's birthday. Will you be coming this time?" his mother asked tentatively. She moved away from him as well to avoid seeing his anger. She didn't really want to raise this question but his grandfather has been asking for his presence these past years.

"I won't. Waste of time." with his blank gaze, he looked more upset and indifferent to her.

"Ivan! How could you say that? It's your grandfather's birthday." his mother couldn't help but burst in anger. "He's been asking for you to come these past years." she added. Sadness coated her voice.

She knew very well why Ivan was angry, which made Ivan even more angry after throwing him the question. "Grandfather? You knew what he did that time! You were there, but you didn't stop him! Scared that you've got someone to compete for inheritance?" he mocked his mother. His face was full of arrogance and anger at the same time.

His mother was so shocked after hearing him say that. "You think I was happy with what happened?" her tears was in the verge of falling from being upset but she held onto them stubbornly.

"Oh you were not? Tell me then. Why didn't you stop him?" he challenged his mom to spill the beans. It's not that he was upset with his mom doing nothing, but he wants to know the truth why she didn't do anything. He knew it as well that it couldn't be because of the inheritance because his mother doesn't concern herself with money.

"Stop it Ivan." his father interrupted their banter before it grew into a big fight. "If you don't want to go that's fine. You don't have to hurt your mother with those words."

"It hurts because it's the truth." Ivan said before he walked away and went back to his room. Right before going out of sight from his parents, he left them a huge bomb, "bring her back or I will leave this house to get her myself." and he disappeared from their line of sight.