I'm going to work because I'm scared

Dinner that night was bound to be animated.

Frank Shadz was the eldest son of the Shadz family, had always known he was the heir. Even so, he grew up learning that displaying wealth for personal gratification was bad. His father, Mykril Shadz and his mother Nikita Shadz, had both held high positions in the military before inheriting the Shadz family. They believed in the virtue of modesty, a belief they instilled in their children. It was this same belief that Frank instilled in his children as well. So, the family had the smallest number of servants, exactly as many as was absolutely necessary.

There were five around the table. Frank was at the head. To his right was his wife and mother to their children, Emilie. Elmo was next to Emilie. Chad was on the other side, with Theo next to him. Theo was their cook since forever, and also Chad's best friend. It was Chad's insistence that earned Theo a seat at the table. The foundation of the friendship was Theo's expertise with and Chad's love for rice.

Theo made sure dinner was satisfying to all. A rice dish for Chad, a bread for Emilie, and a meat dish for Frank and Elmo. He had been the family's cook long enough to know all of their tastes better than they knew themselves.

It wasn't long before conversation steered toward Chad and the big news he had to share.

"I'm going to father's office starting tomorrow," Chad announced.

Spoons fell in a clutter. Mouths hung open in shock, at least Frank and Elmo's did. Theo had no opinion. Emilie had one simple question.

"Why?"

Chad recounted the episode from earlier. "The crazy guy," Emilie hummed, thinking deep.

Elmo burst out laughing. "That's your guy mother," he said. "The guy you recommended. That son of your friend's. Pat."

"Oh my." Emilie was startled. "I remember him. Dorothy's son. But why would you call her my friend? She's someone your grandma introduced, as someone your grandma owed a favour to. Dorothy was asking for a job for her son. I had no intention of hiring him, or getting too entangled with that woman, so I threw her over to your father's company. Of course, Dorothy made sure Pat would never find out he got the job through a recommendation. That stupid boy's so proud. Crazy guy alright." She looked at Chad and continued. "So you're scared we're going to become poor, and so you want to work?"

"Yes," Chad replied. "And no. I want to only scrap the project that makes Pat so sure of our fall. Then, I'll be done."

Frank looked like he bit on the bitterest pill. Elmo burst out laughing, so hard he was choking not too long after. Later in the night, Frank called a director of the company and one of his best friends, Horace Forner. Horace was also a family friend who knew about Chad. So, Horace was expectedly horrified learning that Chad was coming to office tomorrow.

"What shall we do?" Horace asked fearfully.

"There's nothing else to do," Frank answered. "Just give him whatever he asks for. The only hope is that he doesn't speak with anyone else who provokes him. Let him finish this, and be off."

Horace agreed. "You don't know what the project is, do you?" Frank didn't, so Horace continued to explain. "Greenteeth, the company that we get the panels for our TVs and phones from, it's having monetary issues. We're buying them out. It's a project headed by Pat, and it's won over many of the directors."

The two old friends fell silent. They understood what this meant. Chad was pretty much starting a battle.

In another room, more precisely Chad's room, Emilie was sitting by her son's side on the bed. She smiled at him with kindness and fondness in equal measure. But her voice was cold as she spoke, which was what it was usually like. Only those who truly liked her, and who she truly liked, could feel the warmth underneath. "What's on your mind?"

Chad answered without hesitation. "I'm scared. I'm going to work because I'm scared. I don't want to be poor."

Emilie laughed loudly. "You know that's never going to happen. Your father is a lot smarter than he appears. And you know me. Even if we weren't there, no one would dare cross your grandparents. The paternal ones would bring out their guns and bombs and slaughter all intruders. And your maternal ones, well, we know they're looney. Who knows what they'll do if they learn of you being afraid? Maybe they'll design a virus that targets those that bothered you. Scary." She shuddered, to prove her words. "But you know all that. So, tell mother the truth."

Chad grinned, putting all of his teeth on display. "I'm angry."

"That's more like you. Why're you angry?"

"Because of him, I almost didn't have the chocolate ice cream I wanted."

"That's terrible. So, what are you going to do about it?"

"I'm going to see him cry. I'll figure it out. What about you? You're going to say something, to stop me?"

"No," she denied vehemently. "I told you, I don't even remember who that is. But I am going to tell you something. When you act, those old directors aren't going to be very happy. They might not be able to stop you this time, but they won't let you stay. I'm not going to say anything if you intend to fight them. It might be kind of fun. But if you don't want that, and you want to continue to work, you can always come to mother's office. It's entirely privately owned. You know what that means, don't you? It'll be yours when I retire. Whenever you want it. So, just come over. I guarantee you, it'll be fun."

"Alright," Chad promised. "I'll think about it."

"Good." Emilie was pleased. "Have a good rest. See you in the morning."

Just as his mother wished, Chad had a good night's sleep. Theo woke him in the morning just after the sun rose. Chad wasn't accustomed to waking early. Theo understood that, and had volunteered to act as the alarm. Chad was delighted to see a favourite face first thing in the morning. He was convinced today would be a grand day.