LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 12: Too Hurt
Ethan's POV
I was leaning on the railings, watching the night sky illuminated by the starlights as I reminisced about the past.
Five Years Ago
"Hey, Ethan, are you sure you don't want to go home to your father's house? Your dad is waiting for you," Vince said as he stood up from the sofa while Carla sat on my lap, caressing my face.
She had been flirting with me since we met at Vince's birthday party two years ago, and I chose to have her to make other girls stop flirting with me or try to get my attention.
"No, I don't want to go. I am throwing a party tomorrow night at the Eighty Eight Bar at the Eighty Eight Street downtown. Be sure to come, and don't be late," I replied as I felt Carla nip my neck.
"You can't do that, Ethan; it is your dad's birthday tomorrow," my cousin replied, looking at me in shock.
"How much did my old man pay you to convince me to go home?" I asked, irritated, and his face darkened as he met my gaze.
"Uncle Isagani didn't pay me anything; how could you say that? He is your father, and you needed to be there on his birthday, being his eldest and only son." He replied with irritation, and I shrugged my shoulders without caring how he felt.
"He is your Dad, Ethan, for heaven's sake," he softly added as he begged me.
"My decision is final. No one can change my mind, even my parents. I don't want to go home and listen to my father rant at me. I knew he would only ask me to work for him. I don't want to work in our company and be my father's pawn," I responded.
"Don't say that, buddy. You are his eldest child; it is your duty to follow in his footsteps; you are so lucky to be his heir." Ethan replied, and I shook my head.
"I wanted to be a painter, and he hated me for telling him what I wanted to do with my life. Dad said I will never succeed, and it will bring me to nowhere. He got angry when I told him I wanted to study fine arts. He insisted that I should study economics." I declared.
"And since I was an obedient son, I studied economics, and now, he can't force me to work for him. I want to pursue fine arts, and he can't do anything about it; this is my life; he is my father, and he should be the first person to encourage my passion and not the other way around." I added, and my cousin fell silent.
"You are so hard-headed; your dad only does all that for your own good. You can't be a successful painter overnight; it would require much hard work and dedication. How are you going to do that if you keep partying at night?" He asked.
"I don't know what gotten into you, Ethan. It feels like I don't know you anymore, " my cousin added before he turned his heels and left without another word. I asked Carla to return another day since Vince had ruined my mood.
I was in my penthouse, and it had been almost one year since the last time I came home to my parents' house. The last time I went home was after my college graduation.
I woke up late the following day and received many missed calls from my dad's secretary, mother, and sister, Vanessa. But I didn't return any of their calls. Instead, I called my friends and told them about the party I was throwing tonight at one of the best bars in the city.
The party started early, and many came, and I loved it. I was enjoying my freedom with my friends and was disappointed that my cousin didn't show up. And I knew he chose to attend my dad's birthday party.
I pissed Vince off, but I didn't want to come home and spend my night talking to my father's friends and business partners. I want to deal with real people, not try to impress them with any chance I can.
I knew I had to maintain a good image if I wanted to be successful in the corporate world, and that is why my dad always reprimanded me and asked me to stop partying and start working for him. I will never work for my father.
I want to build my name, and I am confident I can do it without his help and connections.
I danced and drank liquor more than I could take and got so wasted that I found it hard to stand, but I don't want them to think I can't handle alcohol. I asked for water from one of the servers as I sat on the corner and watched my friends having the best party of their lives.
The food and drinks are unlimited; they can order anything on my tab.
"Thank you for tonight, handsome!" One of the girls exclaimed while I only waved my right hand to acknowledge her.
"Here is the total bill, Ethan," the bar manager said as he handed me the check. I smiled as I pulled my wallet from my pocket and gave him my black card; five minutes later, he returned with a serious look.
"Ethan, I am sorry, but your card has been declined," he said. My eyes widened in shock, and it seemed like my drunkenness had disappeared as I stood up from my seat.
"What do you mean decline?" I asked in disbelief.
"I don't know what is wrong with your card, but the cashier tried to swipe your card on three different terminals, but the same error occurred." He responded.
"Don't worry, I have three more cards; you can try these," I replied, handing him my other cards.
"Okay, thank you, Sir." He said and left while I sat back, confused about what was happening.
The manager told me the same problem, and I had no choice but to call a friend and ask for help. I felt so embarrassed as I left the bar, even if those party-goers didn't know what was going on.
I drove my car and ended up bumping into another vehicle. I was thankful nobody got hurt, but I assaulted a police officer, and I ended up in jail that morning. It was Vince who came and bailed me out.
"Thank you for coming," I said after I sat in his car.
"You are welcome. I paid a high price for this. I begged and bribed the officer in charge of your case and the one you assaulted to wipe out your name on their records. I don't want your name to be tainted, and Uncle Isagani will not be pleased if he finds out." Vince articulated, and I fell silent as I dozed off to sleep.
"We are here in your penthouse," he said, and when I opened my eyes, I realized we were in the upper basement parking lot.
"I am sorry if I fell asleep," I declared, unbuckling my seatbelt.
"It's okay, I know you don't have sleep." My cousin replied.
We rode the elevator in silence. I cursed as I tried to open my unit with the password combination since it didn't open at all.
"Don't tell me you are that drunk not to remember your password," Vince said after I punched the biometric keypad.
"I am not that drunk, Vince. I know my password." I responded.
Before I could say another word, someone punched me in the face, and I almost stumbled on the ground. I was too shocked to react, and before I could recover, I received another blow on my gut that caused me to plummet to the floor.
I looked up with fury on my face as I tried to get up, and my eyes turned so big when I found my father standing in front of me with anger all over his face. I had never seen my father that angry, and my entire limbs felt so weak as I stared at his enraged face.
"What have you done, Ethan? Why do you love putting our family in shame? Do you think I don't have eyes and ears in this city? I tried my best to protect our family, and you love doing the opposite." He let out with anger in his voice. I could see his fists curled on his sides, and he looked at me with disgust.
"I have enough, Ethan, and I will not let this day pass without punishing you. I have frozen all your bank accounts, including your black card, " my dad added.
"Starting today, you are on your own. I will not give you money or support you. You have to go to Adriana's farm to earn money. You have to realize the importance of our business." He continued as Vince helped me to get up on my feet.
"No, I am not going anywhere; I am not your puppet, Dad," I replied, and my father gave me another slap.
"I am not treating you like a puppet, Ethan. I have given you everything, and you have no choice but to follow me from now on. Whether you like it or not, you are going to Adriana's farm." He replied.
"You can't dictate to me what to do, Dad. I can take care of myself. I don't need your money or anything. Do you think money is the only thing that matters in this world, Dad? You're mistaken." I added, and my father shook his head.
"You don't know anything, Ethan. You never knew what poverty was since you hadn't experienced life without money or food to eat. You didn't know what you were talking about. You are so young and naive, and your idiocy will make you the laughingstock in our society someday, " my dad responded.
"Money and power are all you need to live in this world in luxury." He added, and I spit on the floor as I looked at him in the same manner.
"No, I will show it to your face that I can live on my own, and I will live happily even without money. I don't need your fucking money!" I yelled.
"My money is the reason you are living in extravagance, Ethan; it is the reason you are driving fancy cars and wearing expensive clothes, " he replied.
"And I am taking them all. I want you to realize that the money you spend is not easily earned. You have to work hard from now on if you want to survive. You are always welcome to come back to me. The position is always open for you, " my father declared.
"Ha! Do you think I will beg you, Dad? It will never happen. I will never beg you to take me back. I will show you I can live on my own." I shouted.
"Okay, have it your way, Ethan, but I know you will come back to us because we are your family," he softly said, and I was furious.
"Today you lose a son, Dad. I am not your son anymore, and beginning today, I will forget you as my dad!" I responded, and I could see the pain on my father's face as he caressed his chest.
"You don't mean that, Ethan. I am only doing all this for you," he replied.
"No, you are doing all this for yourself, Dad; eat your wealth and bring it to your grave," I declared before I turned my heels and walked to the elevator without taking a second glance.
I was too hurt that my father hurt me physically for the first time, and I was so broken that he took everything from me, including my cars. I walked out of the building without knowing where to go, but one thing was for sure: I would not be going to Adriana's farm to work as a farmhand.