“Good morning, mom.” Jayson said as he sat down in the dining table.
“Good morning, dad.” He greeted.
“Hope you slept well?” His mom asked with her usual demeanor.
“Yeah, ohh, so yummy.” He said, salivating the food that was placed on the dining table.
“Silly.” His mom said playfully.
“And where is Julia?” He asked as he looked around.
“Here, I am.” She announced her presence herself. Jayson looked right and saw her standing in a blue flora gown and black sandals to match it.
“And where are you going, missy?” He asked with his brows raised.
“No where exactly.” She shrugged and sat down.
“Gosh, I am so hungry.” She said and started serving herself.
“Hello, big sister.” Helen said coming downstairs.
“And what took you so long, little sister?” Julia asked in return.
“Jayson and I had some paint fight earlier this morning. He ruined my dress and my body was so full of paint so I had to clean up.” Helen explained.
“Well, if you had not come to meet me in my room, you won’t have been messed up.” Jayson said.
“Blah blah..” Helen scoffed. Jayson snorted and shook his head at her childish behavior.
“Table manners, kids.” Their mom warned them.
*
*
*
“So, Jayson how is studies going?” His dad asked cleaning his mouth with the tissue paper.
“Fine.” Jayson replied gruffly.
“Hope you are not getting distracted?” He asked again.
“No, I am not.” He said getting frustrated already. Julia looked up from her plate of food to see him.
“You know after you are done with high school, you will be going to New York.” His dad said.
“I already worked it all out for you and also you will be taking over the properties soon, you are gonna be the head of the house by then.” His dad smiled. Jayson only stared at his dad for few seconds and took his face away.
“Oh, Roland, Jayson is not a little boy again.” His mom said when she noticed Jayson's facial expression.
“I know, I know. Just wanted to tell him my plans for him.” Roland said.
“Dad, you don’t need to plan for me, I can do that myself.” He said.
“Oh, really? You can do that yourself?” His dad asked out of disbelief.
“Okay, tell me, what are your plans for your future?” Roland asked his son.
“I..”
“You see, no plans.” His dad said cutting him off.
“I have planned everything out for the three of you so don’t you ever think you will do as you want, understood?” He said.
“Yes, sir.” They all mumbled. Jayson stood angrily and went upstairs.
“Jay..” His mom sighed.
“Roland?” She called out.
“What?” He said back.
“I have told you several times not to be hard on the kids.” She said.
“You cannot blame me, I am doing all these for their future.” He said.
“They are grown-ups, you should not interfere in their life.” She said.
“No, I must make sure their lives are better. I will provide everything absolutely everything they need for them. I will never let them lack anything.” He said.
Not long after did Jayson come downstairs and barged out.
“Jayson.” They all called out after him.
“This is what I am trying to avoid, always quarreling on matters that don’t matter.” His mom said.
“Right rhyme, mom.” Helen said while her mother glared at her and shook her head.
*
“Matt.” Jayson called out his driver.
“Here I am, sir.” Tue man said coming out.
“Key.” He ordered.
“Huh!” Matt said not getting what he meant.
“I said key.” Jayson yelled.
“Hmm, where would you love to go sir? I will take you there.” Matt said moving towards the car.
“If you take another step, you will lose your job.” Jayson said in a low dangerous tone.
“But Sir Roland has ordered me to always drive you and not you driving all by yourself.” Matt said.
“I said give me the key.” Jayson yelled impatiently and angrily. Matt flinched and handed the key over to him with quivering hands.
“You know I could drive.” Matt said hoping Jayson would reconsider but no, Jayson got into the car and drove off.
“Stubborn.” Matt said and heaved a sigh.
“Another resting day for me.” He said and stretched out. He yawned and walked away to his place.
**
“All he always want to do is make decisions concerning my life for me.” Jayson thought angrily.
“Who does he think he is?” He said between gritted teeth and hit the steering wheel repeatedly.
“Take the right.” He turned right and saw a traffic light. It was a red, he stopped impatiently and kept his hands on the honk.
As soon as it hit green, he was the first to jerk and drive. After a while, he arrived at Jake's house.
“Good day, sir.” The gateman greeted him. All he did was waved and went in. He looked around and saw some maids.
“Is Jake in?” He asked.
“Yes, sir.” One of them replied.
“Where?” He asked.
“I think I saw him last at the gym.” Another said.
“Okay.” He said and went upstairs.
He looked around and saw the entrance to the gym, he could even hear some music booming there. He walked towards and saw his best friend all dripping with sweat.
He watched for some time and went in. Jake looked up to see who dared to interrupt his moment of relaxation.
“Jayson?” He asked.
“Gosh, don’t tell I am now thinking of you.” He said and continued what he was doing.
“I am here and real.” Jayson said rolling his eyes at him. Jake stopped and looked at him.
“For real?” He asked as he stood up properly. He went to the towel stand and took a towel to rub the sweat off his body.
“I thought practice was until tomorrow?” He asked.
“Yes.” Jayson said.
Knock! Knock!
They both looked up to se who was knocking. It was a maid.
“How may I help you?” Jake asked.
“Orange juice that you ordered.” She said innocently.
“Bring it in.” He said. She entered and dropped then she left. He carried the cup and took a sip.
“Had a fight with the old man?” Jake asked and smirked.