บท 32: Father's Dilemma

Inside the Old Master Thomas Office.

Timoteo could feel the weight of his father's disapproval crashing down on him like a heavy burden. With its graceful curves and exquisite design, the French window in the study gave the impression that this fancy room was only available to those who made the right decisions in life, mocking him.

Old man Thomas said, his voice thick with displeasure, his arms folded behind his back, "Son, I'm extremely disappointed in you."

Timoteo braced himself for the routine lecture in which his father would discuss Thea's engagement and how he had ignored his responsibilities as a father.

Yet, this time was unique. Timoteo's cheeks began to heat up as his father's harsh remarks pierced him.

"F-father"

His father yelled, "You... moron, and you call yourself the CEO of La Roche?"

Timoteo understood what his father was talking about, and his heart dropped. He had not attended his daughter's engagement to handle a matter abroad.

Nevertheless, it wasn't simply any circumstance; it was a crisis. In a panic after being unable to reach their daughter Elizabeth, his wife had called him in panic and bawling cry. They were all concerned after learning from her bodyguard that she hadn't left her apartment. Unknown to Timoteo it was all planned by his wife and youngest daughter so he cannot attend Thea's engagement.

Timoteo begged his father in a breathy voice, "Father, what did I do wrong?", he cannot understand his father since the matter abroad also concerned his grandchild.

His father added, his tone harsh, "How can you disregard your daughter's engagement for some lousy event abroad? Son, can you not even consider setting priorities?"

Timoteo could feel the rage building inside of him. He wanted to defend himself, to explain to his father that he only wants to make sure Elizabeth is secure, Timoteo was afraid that the trauma he had to his first wife, might happen to his daughter when she is away from home, but he knew it would be useless because the matter included his father's beloved granddaughter Thea.

"Father, please," Timoteo begged, his voice strained. "Elizabeth is also your granddaughter"

"..."

But his father remained unmoved, his arms still crossed behind his back as he stared out the window.

Timoteo had a wave of hopelessness. He had always respected and looked up to his father. But he couldn't help but feel resentful at that precise time. How was it possible for his father to miss how much he was giving up for his family?

Timoteo continued, scarcely raising his voice above a whisper. "I'm doing everything I can too,"

"..."

His father, though, did not comment. Timoteo pondered whether he would ever be able to make him proud as he merely stared out the window.

Looking into his father's condemning gaze, Timoteo felt his heart sink. He was aware of what would occur. The anticipated speech about his responsibilities as a father and the necessity to put his family first. But Timoteo was different this time. He had grown weary of making an effort to meet his father's standards.

Timoteo said with a voice full of sorrow, "Father, besides Thea would never even be happy when I'm around. So, it would be best if I stayed away from her engagement."

Timoteo's chest was weighed down by the words, which lingered ominously in the air. It served as a sharp reminder of his tense relationship with Thea, his eldest daughter. His heart felt like it was being cut apart every time he looked at her because he could always see his wife's face on Thea. Timoteo was crushed by the passing of his first wife. He found it difficult to accept her passing and the fact that it was his fault and he felt guilty every time he saw Thea.

Timoteo was going through a difficult moment, and old man Thomas tried his best to be there for him. He was aware that Timoteo and Thea's relationship was seriously affected, though. Timoteo had always failed in his attempts to close the distance between them. And he was aware that his attendance at her engagement would only make matters worse.

With a voice dripping with despair, Old Man Thomas stated, "Son, you can't just run away from your issues. No matter how challenging they may be, you must confront them."

Timoteo struggled to contain his tears as a knot formed in his throat. Although he was aware that his father was correct, the anguish was still intolerable.

With his voice quivering, Timoteo continued, "Father, it's not that simple. She can't take being around me, and I don't want to ruin her big day by being there and making things worse. I've done everything to make things right with Thea, but nothing seems to work."

Thomas, an elderly man, sighed and had sad eyes.

"Son, remember that the child only lost her mother; don't make her feel like she also lost a father. You can't just forsake your responsibilities as a parent in such a way., due to your guilt"

Timoteo was overcome with guilt when his father talked. It was time for him to take action and make things right because he was aware that he had been ignoring his responsibilities as a father.

Timoteo responded his voice firm, "Father, I'm doing what's best for everyone. I don't want to wreck her engagement by being there and making things worse because I can't make my daughter happy around me."

"Son... you have to open your eyes and heart...Thea changed these last few days, and I think it's wise for you to patch things up with your daughter."

"..."

Finally, his father stated in a soft voice, "Son, I understand that you're trying to do what's best. Family is everything, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices to maintain that link, so keep that in mind."

Timoteo nodded as he experienced a wave of relief. Although he was aware that his father would never fully comprehend his choice, he was appreciative of his support nonetheless.

Timoteo remarked with gratitude in his voice, "Thank you, Father"

Timoteo turned to leave the room when he suddenly realized that he had failed to tell his father about anything. He paused for a split second before turning around to face him.

He hesitated before saying, "Father, there's one more thing I wanted to tell you. Elizabeth asked if you could accompany her to the banquet to celebrate the release of her debut film."

The Old Man Thomas became perplexed and looked surprised. Timoteo observed his father's thoughts churning as if he were attempting to recall who Elizabeth was.

"Elizabeth?" he repeated, his voice soft. "Ah, yes. My other granddaughter."

Timoteo noticed that his father's response seemed odd in some way. He had always been puzzled as to why Old Man Thomas didn't seem to feel the same way about Elizabeth that he did about Thea. Yet he made the choice today to ignore it and pay attention to the current situation.

"Indeed, father, Elizabeth is looking forward to your attention as well, so I hope that you will be able to grant Eli's request as well."

For a little while, old man Thomas gave him a blank expression. Timoteo was overcome with a feeling of unease in the pit of his stomach. He was aware that his father was keeping a secret, but he was unable to identify what it was.

Finally, Old man Thomas nodded slowly. "Of course, I'll be there for Elizabeth," he said, his voice distant. "I wouldn't want to disappoint her."

As Timoteo left the study, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He knew that his father was keeping a secret, and it bothered him that he didn't know the truth. But for now, he had more pressing matters to attend to. He had to focus on his family and try to make things right, no matter how hard it may be.