Chapter 48

"It was my mistake, letting your mother keep you by her side for so long. She did nothing but ruin you," Charles sighed regretting how much he let Elaine take charge of raising Eli. It only led to the boy always taking his mother's side. "Men should side with men. You're my successor, act like it."

"As if I care about being your successor. I wouldn't want to take away the one thing which makes you happy. Keep your belongings," Eli said declining whatever his father had in store for him. He never sought after anything his father owned. 

Whatever Eli King wanted, he went and got it himself. With this thought, he was successfully creating his own empire.

"It doesn't pay to be ungrateful Eli. One day someone will take what you could have and you'll regret it."

"I could say the same when it comes to mother," Eli retorted hitting one of his father's weak spots. 

"Whatever happens between me and your mother is none of your concern. Mind your business."

Eli placed his right leg over the left leg, getting more comfortable in the chair, and replied, "You've always been wrong there. What happens with my mother will always concern me. Now, let us get back to the reason why I'm here. Why are you spying on me? What do you want from me?"

"Can't a father show interest in his son?" Charles questioned only to receive a glare from Eli who was clearly not in the mood. "Anyways, imagine my surprise when Vincent told me you were fooling around with a human. How is Vincent by the way? Was his death grand?"

Receiving no response from Eli, Charles continued to speak, "You're always no fun but you've changed my mind by dating a human. Fun little things aren't they? Their life spans are perfect for you to dispose of them when you're done. The exact opposite of our kind. I've been worried you only took after my looks but now I know you enjoy my hobbies."

Eli couldn't fathom what about his father was attractive to his mother when they met. The man had no good quality or any redeeming ones. He was a waste of space but Eli had to play nice as his mother instructed. 

Unfortunately, his father was right about one thing. Whatever happens between his parents was their business. Eli could only patiently wait for his mother to finally snap out of whatever trance Charles had her in. When Elaine finally has enough of Charles, his father would be considered a dead man walking in Eli's eyes.

Anyone who hurt Elaine was an enemy in the eye of Eli who was cared for by his mother all his life.

"We are not alike," Eli responded to Charles. 

"Sure we are, you just don't see it as I do. We both have human mistresses or, don't tell me. Are you planning to make this one your wife? That would be an outrageous thought son."

"She's not my future wife," Eli replied the complete truth. Helen had no intentions of getting married. She made it clear as day but his father didn't have to know that. 

"Right. Unlike your mother, I don't want you to tie yourself down so fast. We live for so long being married only makes you miss out on the fun. When you're done with that woman, how about you introduce her to your dad?"

Eli stared emotionless at the man before him who smiled even though his suggestion was trifling. He would scream it out loud for the world to hear, his father had no redeeming quality.

Eli knew his father was trying to get him riled up with his words but Eli wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing it happen. 

Instead of showing how furious he was, Eli softly replied, "If I catch you anywhere near her, I don't give a fuck what mother thinks, I will end you right on the spot."

"You shouldn't threaten your father Eli."

"Act like one and you won't receive threats."

Eli removed his right leg from over the other and stood up as the conversation was going nowhere. He knew his father wanted to talk about more than just Helen but he was beating around the bush. As long as it didn't involve Helen or his mother, it didn't concern Eli but he would have someone watch his father.

"We aren't finished talking," Charles told Eli who was preparing to leave the office. He had a lot more he wanted to tell his son. It wasn't easy to get Eli to come to the office even on the rare occasions Eli visited his mother. He would immediately leave when offered a drink in Charle's office or bar.

"The old age might be getting to you. You might not be able to see clearly but me standing up is an indicator I'm leaving. Don't mind me and choke on the blood," Eli told his father before turning and walking towards the door.

"Eli!" Charles yelled looking at the back of his son's body. He wasn't a fan of disrespect and only tolerated it with Eli because they were family but Eli needed to learn his place. "If you continue to act this way towards me you'll regret it. I won't offer you any of my protection from our kind and other creatures."

"Use that protection for yourself old man, you might need it," Eli warned him. He placed his hand on the door nob and turned it to leave the room.

"Eli!" His mother Elaine called once he opened the door. There was a look of surprise mix with disbelief seeing Eli in the home once again. 

She heard the workers whispering about Eli's return but thought they were mistaken. Elaine was happy to have her son home again until she noticed the bored expression on her son's face while her husband looked upset. 

Out of all the things she wished for, why couldn't she just get one happy family reunion?