Chapter 89

Chapter 89

"So what did you do when he entered your room?", I asked out of curiosity, "He asked me if I was the one who replaced the wine with water and out of fear, I said yes and he called me down to the living room to ask me some questions that I deemed unnecessary", Gabriel replied with a smile. "Why did you think he asked you unnecessary questions?," Alexia asked.

  "First of all, he started by asking me why I derive so much joy in consuming large tons of alcohol and I told him that I couldn't resist it. And that was how he started lecturing me like a college kid, explaining the dangers of being addicted to alcohol at a very young age. The advice sunk in at first but after two days, it all went out as if nothing happened but I'm glad I was able to reduce the amount of alcohol that I consume as I began to grow older and wiser", Gabriel replied. "You are still somehow addicted to it and if you say no, then how did you finish that full bottle in less than ten minutes?", Micheal asked. "I thought it was a Contest, I need the cash and if drinking one full bottle of Hennessy was the only way to get it, then I don't see any reason for me to wait behind", Gabriel replied with a smile as took in some water.

"There's no harm in what he did, after all we are all here to have fun and enjoy ourselves. So someone should please bring up something we should do or probably introduce a new game that we can play, time is fast running and we don't have all day", I replied. "It not that easy to just bring up games or topic of discussion from nowhere especially when you are not that happy", Kelvin replied. They all seemed down despite the fact that I made it clear to them that I won't be away forever but I did manage to bring a topic of discussion but due to time, I had to quickly rush up everything because I need to catch enough sleep before my flight tomorrow morning.

  we have spent some couple of hours and I feel it's time I start heading back home, at least I have seen their faces one more time. I won't forget them no matter where I go, "Alright guys, I'm really happy you all took time to be with me today, this means a lot to me guys and I hope you all won't miss me too much", I called out to all of them. It was like a joke to me when tears started flowing from my eyes and when Alexia noticed it, she walked towards me and gave me a tight hug, Kelvin and Micheal quickly joined her and it became a group hug. "We will always miss you dude, but don't forget to call us when you arrive in Nigeria." Micheal said

I left them at the restaurant and went straight to my car, I offered to give Gabriel a ride home but he refused, guess he wanted to spend a little time with the rest of them. "Don't worry about giving me a ride back home, Kelvin can do that after all, he came with his car. Just go home and rest, you have a long journey ahead of you pal" Gabriel replied as he gave me one last hug before I entered my car. I got home few hours later because there was a lot of traffic jam on the road and I had no other option than to wait patiently for the traffic wardens to do their job. On getting home, I felt so weak because it was like coming back to a place where I would be alone again, staying with my friends made me feel a little bit alive because we all spoke the same thing and could easily relate with each other unlike my parents who are getting too old to even talk about stuffs that I like.

  "Sweetheart, how was little outing go?", my mother asked. Barely looking at her face made more weaker than before, "Talk to me dear, is everything okay?", she asked looking so worried about my mood. "The way my friends acted today shows me that they want me to to leave, it pains them greatly to know that they won't be able to see me again for a very long period of time and I'm not happy with it too", I replied.  "I understand how you feel but you need to know that there is a certain point in life when you have to leave your friends behind and focus on what's important, your actions now is what determines your tomorrow. Leaving your friends behind may sound so bad and unfair to you, but in the real sense, you can't be with them forever because life would take you to a whole new dimension", she replied

"I do know all that, just that I feel sorry for them because they have come to like me so much.", I replied. "But have you ever imagined if they were in your shoes, do you think they would sacrifice an opportunity like this just because they want to keep seeing their friends every single day?.", she asked. That question of hers really threw me off balance and I started to reason out some things, if Alexia, Gabriel, Micheal of Kelvin were to be in my shoes, would they sacrifice and forfeit their family business just for a relationship with a friend?.

  "I'm pretty sure you are asking yourself what they would do it they were to be in your shoes. But don't get me wrong, I do know that they are sad because they won't see you again but don't let it bother you because it's normal in all kind of relationship. You should be extremely glad that your father is putting and guiding you through his business, I initially thought he would wait till you reach the age of 26 before introducing you to the business", my mother replied. "Don't you think that would have been better, at least it will give me some time to enjoy my teenage life and so fun stuffs like my mates", I replied

My mother laughed for a while before she settled down to carefully organize her words. "You may be right, but for some reasons, it seems your father wants to make you familiar with his business. Perhaps that was the main reason why he insisted that you should major in Software engineering, but I believe everything will be okay and besides my sister would be in Nigeria to support you in any way she can, just be a good boy", she replied and gave me a kiss on my forehead, I watched her walk away, leaving me behind.

  After standing for a while, I walked straight to my room to get my luggages and also arrange some of the little things that I would take with me to Nigeria, and just at that very moment, my dad walked in without even knocking on the door. "Andrew", he called out to me with a soft voice and when I turned to him to see the reason why he called my name, I saw some papers in his hands as he sat on my bed. "Why don't you come sit with me let's talk for a while, we might not have time to talk like this in the morning because your flight is by 7AM sharp", he said while tapping on the position he wants me to sit 

I walked up to him and sat down on the exact place he tapped and he placed some papers on my laps. "That's your ticket and your travel visa, so we will be leaving very early tomorrow", he said. "Alright that won't be a problem, guess I will have to go to bed early so that I can wake up early", I replied, "Yeah, I overheard you and your mother talking about some things, sorry that I eavesdropped into your conversation with her but what you guys were talking about was just too interesting to ignore", he replied.

  My ears stood up like an antenna when he revealed that he has been eavesdropping on her conversation, why on earth would he do such a thing at his age?. "And what did you hear us say?", I asked, trying to confirm if he actually heard what we discussed about. "You guys were talking about friendship and I must say that I'm really sorry that you are leaving your friends behind, I know that they won't feel happy to hang out with you for the last time. But please know that everything I am doing is for your own good because you will later emerge as the dog dog in this gaming business and I also know that you will make me proud", he replied with a smile 

"What makes you feel that I will make you proud, what if I flop or crash down the company to it's last point?", I asked. He seemed unhappy with my reply but he managed to let out a little smile. "You won't crash down the company because I know your capabilities but there's something I would like to say and I think your mother also mentioned this to you during her conversation", he said. "What is that?", I asked.

  "She made mention of me introducing you to the business at such an early age", he replied. "Yes of course, why would you introduce a 19 year old boy to a business that would take half of his time?", I asked looking a bit angry with him but he kept on smiling as if he did nothing wrong "You won't understand my son but I will still try my best to break it to you in the best possible way that you will understand. You might not fully get the idea why I'm forcing you to be grounded in this business but you will later understand it when I'm gone", he replied

What does he mean by I will understand better when he is gone, where is he going to?. "How do you mean father?", I asked with confusion written all over me.  "The only reason why I brought you into this business very early is because I have limited time and I don't know if I would still be available to guide when time is right for you to come into the real game, that's why I'm trying my best to show you all the areas while I'm still strong and healthy to do so", he replied.

  "What do you mean by still available?. where on earth are you going?" I asked. He looked at me with a sad face, he couldn't explain it to me and this threw me out of balance because I fell he is hiding something from me, but why would he hide anything from his only son?. "Don't worry yourself son, I'm still here for you and I will do my best to guide, and put you on the right part of life", he replied and stood up from the bed when I grabbed his arm, he looked at me with surprise

"Is there anything you want to tell me?." he asked. "I just want to let you know that everything would be okay. I won't crash down the company if that's making you feel depressed", I replied. "I'm not depressed, why don't you get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day for you", he replied and shut the door.

  I sat down on my bed, thinking about all he just said, he sounded somehow depressed but I just hope he will get over it with time. I finished arranging some of my clothes, so I went straight to the bathroom to take a cold shower, the cold water touched my skin and I began to imagine how my life would be like in Nigeria. I'm really looking forward to having a great time and also improve more on myself