From reprehension to warmth

CORBAN'S POV

The usual curt silence in the Wright's mansion was always brought to a halt whenever it was dinner time. Especially whenever I and Jotham were in attendance. Not that it's a bad thing, the home is usually quiet and eerie in my opinion.

"Can you pass the dressing?" I asked Jotham who sat across the table.

Obligingly sliding it across, "Sure thing."

I nodded in appreciation, which he returned with also a curt nod.

"Talking about passes," Dad cleared his throat, addressing Jotham, "did they pass the security check?"

"Yes," Jotham answered in affirmative, shoving a spoonful of rice down his throat.

Security check? Huh?

Throwing glances between the both of them, "What security check?" Perplexion was written all over my face.

This is one of the disadvantages of being a part-time member of the family. Although, it's a willing option, I'm usually left in the dark.

My question was directed at either of them but Jotham was graceful enough to answer before dad did.

"We took a security check on our receptionist." He said it as though it was the most normal thing in the world, even taking a sip of his cup of juice in the process.

For what seemed like an interminably long time, "The one I saw at the reception that day? The professional one?" I questioned after realization dawned on me. How could I forget our encounter the other day? If not for mum, I might still be waiting for her to let me till today. Three days later.

"Yup," Yet another sip, "that same one."

Despite trying to focus on my meal, "Why?" I couldn't help but cock my head to the side.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Jotham open his mouth to respond, but Dad beat him to it this time.

"She knows you, and we need to make sure she's squeaky clean." There was a different tone to his voice as he continued, "Although, she signed a confidentiality contract, things can still go downhill." It was finalization, trying to say 'Things happen, and it's our job to stop things from happening. ʼ

Dropping my cutlery to gesture around, "What does the security check have to do with this?"

"We need to know about her past life. It would determine whether we should fire her and pay her off." Dad spoke blatantly, but we all knew he was saying we might as well pay for her silence if she fucks this one up.

Jotham added, "Or trust her to remain quiet and confidential." Also blatantly speaking.

"Do you run a security check on all of your workers?"

Dad trailed off, "Actually..." as though he was expecting me to fill in the blank spaces. I couldn't fill it in, and I remained still.... curious.

"Yes," Jotham jumped to my rescue, shrugging with indifference, "we do."

"Why would you do th-"

"No work talk at the table." A pair of fists banged on the table, fists that could only belong to mum. Six curious eyes turned to face her thin-line mouthed face.

"Sorry" "Our bad." "Forgive us" All three of us cowered at the same time.

It has been a long-standing rule for the Wrights to never discuss work or business at the dinner table. I knew mum set the rule because of me, but I was older now and I just decided to join them. I don't see why the rule still has to exist.

I told her, referring to her usual demand for silence, "You don't have to do that any more mum."

"Do what?"

"Insist that we don't discuss business while having dinner." Meeting my gaze with hers, "I know you only started the policy so I don't feel bad about being left out." In reality, I was saying 'I know you did it for me. Now, stop.ʼ Except that it didn't sound so nice, so I went for a nicer version.

"Yeah. He's part of us now, so he can talk about these things." Jotham surprisingly seconded my point. Smirking as though the concept of it all pleaded with him.

He's the most pleased about my decision to take up the job. And he wasn't even trying to hide it, which made me feel somewhat warm on the inside.

"Firstly, he was always a part of us." Cutting her gaze to Jotham, "Just not a part of the business." Her voice sounded sterner than expected, almost breaking in the process. It sounded almost like reprehension.

He scratched the back of his neck, "You know that's not what I meant." Even though he let out a slight chuckle, I could tell he felt awkward.

"I know, just clearing it up."There was no seriousness this time, just warmth, as she continued speaking. "Secondly, yes, I came up with that rule because of Corban." I already knew that, and she kept on going nevertheless, "But it's refreshing when we have dinner like normal people. We don't have to be the Wrights the world wants to see even when having dinner."

The last line was enveloped with sadness, as it continued to ring in my ears. 'The wrights the world wants to see ʼ. Those Wrights are successful people, and the world doesn't know there is a Corban Wright. The world was comfortable without one.

"I agree with your mother." Dad raised his glass as though he was making a toast, While at home, we talk about our family. About us." The wine glass settled on his lower lip eventually. Dramatic much.

When Jotham raised his head to join the conversation, and I saw his eyes glinting with mischief I knew what he would say next would suck. "Yes, we can talk about how Corban is going to move back in."

And I wasn't glad that it indeed sucked.

"Oh yeah," I hoped my glare was enough to cut the conversation short, "We aren't doing that."

The glaring thing worked for Jotham, but it didn't stop mum from asking, "Why? Don't you want to move back in and be closer to us? Family." As she punctuated the last word with a pout and bat of her lashes, my lips parted to form a sigh.

An exasperated one.

"I love you guys." And I mean it, "But this supervisor thingy is just a test run."

Jotham being a cool human being, jumped to my defense, "He is right. It isn't the same as saying 'Hey world I'm Corban Wright. ʼ Feel free to judge me." I couldn't have said it better myself.

"Corban..." My mother trailed off, not quite agreeing with me.

"I still want my privacy. I still want to volunteer in the library. I still want to take on some online jobs and get paid. I still want those things." Yearning for normalcy was etched in every side of my voice, I heard it, and I hope my parents did too.

Apparently mum didn't hear any yearns whatsoever, "But... You're a Wright."

"Without any doubt. But you have to understand how hard it is for me."

"I do." Dad was the first person to relieve my burden. I hadn't even realized my breath had hitched.

"Corban, you must at least promise to visit more often." I could see she was struggling to come to terms, as her brows furrowed, "Dinner doesn't hurt you know." But, I was glad she was trying nonetheless.

Dad said to her reassuringly, "He doesn't have a choice now."

"You wouldn't be babysitting me." I huffed, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.

Jotham simpered, "But I'll be casually checking up on you." With his brows wiggling teasingly. I don't doubt he'll actually be babysitting me any bit. 

"Pffft."

"You love me."

"You wish." I feigned a yawn, pretending to be bored. He stuck out his tongue at my dramatics. Such a child.

Mum tilted her head sideways, "Corban?"

"Mum?" I also mirrored her expression, grinning ear to ear.

"We love you." She also grinned, "All of you."

"It has never been a question." I hoped sincerity shone on my face as much as it gleamed in my voice, "I love all of you too, Caroline." As the words rolled off my tongue, the way they did the very first day.