Chapter 3 - Young Master

"Young Master, you're home." Agatha, Marcus' headmaid welcomed her Master back home warmly. He had been away for a couple of days, and as someone who had watched him grow up, she was always concerned for him. He nodded absentmindedly and headed for his room. He lazily threw his keys on the desk and slumped on the sofa.

"Ah!, Young Master, I made you some slobbering soup just now. Please have a little." Agatha placed the bowl of pipping hot soup on the desk, hoping he would at least drink just a little to sober up. "Don't bother, I don't need it." He said in a placid tone without even sparing a glance at her he walked straight into the shower.

Hearing the sound of running water, Agatha sighed pitifully and took the soup back with her, knowing very well that if he decided not to drink the soup, he would definitely leave it out all night, wasting it. She could only solemnly hope he wouldn't have a hard time sleeping today as well.

"Knock! Knock!" Someone knocked urgently on the door. "Agatha, I want to be left alone; please -" Marcus swung the door open, eager to send her away but halted in his tracks when he saw who was at the door.

"It seems you have a death wish, eh!" The woman immediately began to rant. "You don't eat nor sleep. All you do is work,ah!" She continued to nag as she dragged him downstairs to the kitchen. Suddenly, she was pulled back and hugged from behind. "Mom." Marcus could only drawl . She turned to face him, her stern expression began to fade and was replaced by warmth and love, she hugged him as well. Being of such a small frame, she had been completely engulfed by the larger man who had his arms tightly around her. "My son." She patted his back slowly and pulled out of his embrace. Susan tucked the bangs on her son's forehead behind to get a good look at his face. She cupped his masculine and well-defined face in her hands and smiled warmly. No doubt they were mother and son they had the same eyes and silky, pale skin. He was looking extremely fatigued and worn out, but he was usually extremely composed and never showed anyone his emotions, burying everything and not confiding in anyone. She bit her lip, feeling entirely responsible. Her poor baby was going through so much, but she couldn't take away a little of his burden to give him respite.

Marcus placed his hands over his mother's, which currently held his face. He had craved her warmth for so long but was afraid of being a burden to her. He could clearly see that she had lost weight and looked less lively than before. He let her bring him downstairs to the kitchen and obediently sat down when she told him to, behaving like a puppy, trying to seek favour from its owner. "Agatha told me you came back very drunk and refused to take the sobbering soup she prepared for you." She scolded him again. He just hung his head down, looking haggard and dejected. "I'll heat the soup and make some light dinner for you." She got up and picked the ingredients from the fidge but was stopped by Marcus.

"Don't worry, I'll do it." he insisted on cooking for both of them by himself and refused her help whenever she tried to offer it.

Soon, there was a bowl of hot soup and some freshly made noodles with some salad on the dinner table set up for two. "Oh my, it's really been long since I've tasted your cooking!" she exclaimed and then took a bite. "Have more of the salad, noodles aren't too healthy, and if you come stay here with me, I'll cook for you every day." Marcus smiled faintly. "My boy, you know I can't leave your father's side... not at this point in time." She sighed and continued eating.

After their meal, the mother and son duo sat in the living room watching a television show. The atmosphere was so warm and calm that they both for a little while forgot their harrowing problems. Suddenly, Susan turned off the TV and grabbed both of her son's hands, clasping them together she began to speak somberly. "Marcus...this actually difficult to say, but you deserve to know what's going on." Marcus frowned, confused. "I met with Doctor Ken a week ago, and it seems it's too late for this old lady." She began with a hoarse voice. Marcus sat up straight and tried to interject, but he was stopped by his mother. "It's the Cancer. It's back and spreading at a much faster rate. It's too late to cure, he said at most I... only have a year left.

"Did you get a second opinion?" he asked calmly, too calmly. "Marcus, it's useless, you know -"

"Tomorrow, we'll go to the hospital for a second opinion, we'll book a surgery right away if we have to." He clenched his fist and looked away. Susan immediately began to tear up. "It's useless, Marcus! I can feel it, I'm dying."

"No, you're not!" Marcus burst out in anger. "I won't let you die, I'm not losing you too." Susan's heart broke right then. She brought him into her embrace and held him tight.

Marcus knew perfectly well that there was no hope at this stage. They had spent millions already to fully cure her , but due to additional complications, it was futile to try over and over again. But he couldn't accept the reality.

"Does he know." he asked still in her embrace. "Mmn, he was with me at the appointment." Susan replied, knowing he was speaking of his Dad. They had a fall out recently, so she didn't mention him earlier. "Son..." she pulled out of their embrace and let go of him. "I have one last wish."

"Don't say that I'm sure we can still -" Marcus grabbed his Mom by the shoulders, angry that she had accepted such a fate just like that. "Marcus, my final wish is that you'll be happy again. I want you to live a happy life so that I know that you'll be alright even after I'm gone." She grabbed his hands and squeezed them affectionately. "I want you to get remarried." she said with all seriousness. "Remarried? Mom, what are you saying?!" He quickly pulled his hands away, completely shocked that she would make such an outrageous request. He quickly gained his composure and said plainly; "I'm not marrying anyone else." Completely ignoring his words, she said; "I want you and Eunice to get back together!"...