Chapter 94: In Hathaway Manor

'Nonsense! You can't work every minute of every day! Take a break!'

'Your father is back and you won't visit? Do you want us to visit you instead?'

'I don't care if you saw each other the other day! Let's eat as a family!'

'And in our home!'

Ambryan exhaled sharply as wind blew against his face. The morning sun rose from the east, peeking out from the other side of the hill. A few goats ate on the grass. The road ahead offered a fantastic view of nature. 

Unlike the route to the Stitz Bristo, this one led to a patch of trees. The air felt fresh and moist. The temperature also dropped. The shadows and lights danced as he passed through. He used to look up as a kid. Something about the overhead leaves and branches always put him at ease.

The dirt road curved sharply to the right.

Meters more of driving and Ambryan spotted tall black gates. A part of their wealth came from old money. Since then, many generations ventured out to make it grow bigger. Only the main family stayed in the estate but its rooms could accommodate, at least, 50 guests. The pathway between the gates and the front door could line up 20 cars alone. 

The mansion had its appeal but whenever Ambryan saw it, his preference for a simple modern one grew. It was a bit too big for his taste. The costs in maintaining the household alone gave him a headache. 

A security guard stood inside a gate post. His high position allowed him to perceive far and wide. He spotted the car right away and squinted. Closer and closer, the black Jaguar XK clearly headed for the Hathaway Manor. A warm beige hand shot up from the driver's seat and waved.

It held up a special pass.

Gulping, the guard opened up the gates and let the convertible speed through.

"Was that the Young Master?" He muttered, running to the other window. This one showed the view of the front yard. He grabbed a pair of binoculars and peeked at the front stairs. A tall figure stepped out of the car. Servants immediately came to greet him.

The security guard watched them exchange pleasantries. It had been months but he knew that back anywhere! 

A bright smile spread across his face. "It is Young Master! Seems like he finally came home."

Tenderness surged into his heart. It made him happy just to see that Ambryan was well. Nothing bad had been reported, of course, but it was still nice to see him visit every once in a while.

Distracted by the sudden events, the security guard forgot about his post. 

Another car intended to enter. The driver had his pass shoved out of the window, waving it at the gatekeeper's post. "Hello! Hello!! Hello!!! Any guard up there?! Open the gate please!" 

He frowned and peeked through the windshield. It seemed that the security guard couldn't see him. This called for a change in tactic unless he preferred to wait. Unfortunately, he had a scheduled appointment that he shouldn't be late to.

So, he honked.

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A loud car horn reached Ambryan's ears. He glanced over his shoulder though he was already inside. The servants around him did the same. A frown pulled the corner of his lips. Only one person came to his mind. 

'Richard seemed to be making a fuss…' Ambryan thought with a shake of his head. He turned back to the hallway and headed for the living room. For today, he chose to wear shades of blue. Navy blue fabric made up his trousers while baby blue colored his cotton dress shirt. He left out his tie and belt, rolling up the sleeves. 

Avery spotted him first.

"Yan!" She squealed and got up from the couch. The book she read landed on the cushion. Her yellow maxi dress swayed behind her as she ran up to him, hugging his shoulders. "Finally! I thought you'd make us wait all day! You act like we live in the middle of nowhere!"

"Mother, you're exaggerating." Ambryan patted her back. One comment about travel time and this was what he got in exchange. 

Avery pulled back and shook her head. She held up a finger to his face.

"No," she protested, giving him a firm look. "I am hungry. Hungry! A little bit more and I would have been hangry instead."

Ambryan raised an eyebrow. 

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He glanced at his father for help. "Is that a new trend that I'm supposed to understand?"

Jackson laughed heartily from a velvet armchair. He uncrossed his legs and put the newspaper down. "Apparently, it's supposed to mean both hungry and angry. Quite creative if you ask me."

"Not creative enough to make someone younger—ow!" 

Avery huffed, her hands holding her hips. She glared at her son. Then, at her husband. Jackson had shifted his attention back to his paper and completely avoided eye contact. His lips mouthed out the words from his reading.

Ambryan merely scratched the side of his nose, avoiding eye contact. He admired the decor. They changed every season as if they went against the weather. For summer, cool colors soothed his eyes. Sea green hung over the windows. Covers for the throw pillows had a mix of blues and greens. 

It definitely gave a cooling experience compared to the hot sun outside. Something easily overlooked by others.

As his gaze swept around the place, he caught his mother's hard eyes. They had directed back at him. It didn't seem like they'd change anytime soon either.

Counting down his pain-free moments, Ambryan gave her a cheeky smile and scrunched up his nose. 

"Oohh…!" Avery cooed, melting from the expression. Her hands went to his cheeks and gripped them tight. "Why did you have to grow up so fast? You were much cuter when you were small!"

"That's the thing, mother. The body changes as time passes," Ambryan replied. Except, it came out through stiff lips. His pinched face proved that talking can be a tedious task sometimes.

Jackson shook his paper to straighten the creases. 

"How about giving her a grandson to make up for it?" He suggested passively, clearing his throat. His reading conveniently reached the lower half of the page so he raised up the paper to see the fine print.

Conveniently.

Ambryan scowled at his father as Avery released his red cheeks. She patted them twice. The broad smile on her face grew wider. "That's a wonderful idea! How about a granddaughter too?"

"Another wonderful idea is lunch. I thought you were hungry, mother?" Ambryan reminded her. He heard a faint snort from the background.

"Right!" Avery slapped his cheeks lightly before pulling her hands back. "Do you want it on the porch? The garden? The dining room? We'll have it prepared right away."

"I'm sure we'll have tea after the meal. Lunch on the porch sounds nice. Keep the doors open."

"I'll tell Pricsilla now. Wait right here."

Ambryan watched his mother's back disappear down the hallway behind him. He peeked one last time before rubbing his sore cheeks. They had done a great sacrifice.

He joined his father at the sitting area.

"Nice save," Jackson remarked as Ambryan walked past him. His teal eyes remained on the newspaper.

"Which one? The face or the lunch comment?" Ambryan stretched his jaw as he sat down. His elbow propped on the armrest. His two fingers pressed against his temple.

The pain had subsided by a fraction.

"Both."

"Thank you for the support, by the way. I thought you were on my side," he added, glaring through the corner of his eyes. 

Jackson knitted his eyebrows at the newspaper. "Now, how would you learn to think fast if I don't shake things up?"

Ambryan shook his head. In this household, loyalty didn't exist when it came to playful banters. Everyone had their wits. One should learn how to be independent. 

"Did you look over the investment file?" His father asked, bluntly changing the subject. 

"Yes, everything seems to be in order," Ambryan responded. He took out his phone and opened a business document. "Are you reading a new proposal behind that paper?"

"Of course. And they say newspapers have no use anymore." Jackson snorted. He turned to the next page where two sheets of white paper greeted his sight. 

He checked his watch. "Isn't Richard supposed to be with you?"

"And he is here!" Richard announced at the archway. He spread his arms like an eagle and spun his way towards the two men. His curly bronze hair stood out against his silver suit.

"So good to be back in the Hathaway Manor. I love what you've done with the place. Aunt Avery's doing, of course? She always have immacula—"

"She's not here," Ambryan interrupted, scrolling to the next page of the report. 

Richard halted in his steps. He placed his fists on his waist. "What are you trying to say? I only compliment your mother when she's around? Let me tell you. Avery is the finest woma—"

Jackson cleared his throat. 

"I know my wife is the finest woman out there, Richard. Please rethink your words and what they can imply." His gaze flickered once but it was enough. Its sharp edge hit the young man like a cutting knife. 

Richard felt the temperature drop. 

This was going to be a long day.