บท 14: An Ideal Man 2

Neville sat at the dining table, close to Evelyn but directly opposite Gerald. On Gerald's left was Jess, and on his right, their mother Teresa. The table was set beautifully, but the atmosphere was thick with unspoken words. For the first few minutes, the only sounds were the clinking of cutlery against glass plates. Evelyn and Jess, both strikingly beautiful with their silky brown hair, hazel eyes, plump pink lips that at their default rest gaped slightly to reveal their pearly white teeth,and creamy white skin, sat quietly. Evelyn, the more mature of the two, occasionally glanced at Neville, her expression unreadable.

The silence was becoming unbearable when Evelyn cleared her throat. "Neville, what happened to your face?" she asked, pointing out the injury from the previous night.( his face was dragged across broken glass)

"I got injured at work," Neville replied curtly, not offering any further details.

"What do you do these days?" Teresa asked, her tone neutral but probing.

"Up till recently, I was a driver, but I got laid off," Neville said after a long pause, making the atmosphere even more awkward.

Evelyn, trying to lighten the mood with her usual positivity, said, "I know you'll get a better job soon."

"What about school, Neville?" Teresa continued, not letting the conversation die.

"I dropped out years ago," Neville answered, his voice flat.

"Why?" Teresa pressed.

"Finance," he replied succinctly.

"I see," Teresa said, her tone carrying a hint of guilt?

The long pauses and uncomfortable mood persisted, and everyone finished eating not because they were full, but because the tension was too much to bear. Jess kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with Neville, who focused on his meal or looked at Teresa when answering questions.

"I'll bring dessert," Evelyn said awkwardly, trying to break the silence.

"There's no need," Teresa interjected, while Gerald sighed.

"Since we haven't done what we decided to do today, I'll bring alcohol to help?" Evelyn insisted though unsure. She returned with a bottle of wine and poured everyone a glass, including herself. They drank, following Evelyn's lead, and soon the alcohol began to ease the tension slightly.

After a few moments of silent drinking, Gerald, glass in hand, drank it all and with a heavy exhale, spoke up. "Neville, I don't regret what I did. How could I? I have a son now. If I regret what happened, I wouldn't stand his existence... but—" he hiccuped, his voice turning soft and apologetic, "I'm sorry for how the events unfolded. I know it's horrible. But I still hope you forgive us. Even if you do not... please don't have malice against my child."

"I'm sorry for what we did to you, Neville. It was unfair," Jess finally spoke, her voice trembling. She met Neville's gaze, her hazel eyes filled with remorse.

Neville stayed quiet for a moment, his gaze fixed on his wine. Then he said, "You don't have to seek forgiveness. Water under the bridge." He offered a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes.

"..." Teresa looked at her sons quietly her thoughts masked by her stoic face but upon seeing Neville's small smile she frowned.

Evelyn's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Haha, finally! As it should. The past should be left in the past, let's be a happy family!" she cheered, while Jess and Gerald seemed to feel a weight lifted off their shoulders.

Suddenly, the baby started crying, prompting Jess to run towards her child. Gerald followed, saying, "Nevi-Nev, you must meet the baby," still feeling uncomfortable calling Neville by his old nickname.

"I should probably put the alcohol away. Can't have my grandson around it," Teresa said, still feeling tipsy.

Now, Neville and Teresa were left alone at the dining table. The silence between them was heavy, filled with years of unresolved issues and unspoken words. Neville took a deep breath, trying to steady himself for whatever conversation might come next.

"Are you really okay?" asked Teresa.

"Whatever do you mean, Mother?" said Neville with a small smile.

"I know that smile. You made it when you were younger at times you just went with the flow," said Teresa, frowning in concern.

"There's a happy occasion, why should I ruin it?" said Neville, his smile never breaking.

"... T-Then are we okay?" asked Teresa knowing that she won't get anywhere askinghim questions like these.

"... Mother... what happened was between you and Father... we were never not okay, Mother." Neville said after a short pause.

"But do you forgive me? You might blame me for what happened..."

"As I said, what happened was between you and Father... and he's dead. The dead know nothing, they cannot hate or love, so everythingis null and void. " said Neville, but Teresa noticed his eyes getting dull but his smile never collapsed.

"But do you hate me for abandoning you?"

"I was an adult, I could care for myself..."

"Do you hate me?" she repeated before continuing raising her voice, "Why didn't you tell your brother what happened? Do you hate me for only returning and contacting your brother? Please answer me," she pleaded.

"No," he said, but seeing the small smile on Neville's face, she snapped and demanded, "Tell me how you feel with all of this," she raised her voice.

"An ideal man, more so the eldest, should not be emotional, be responsible, do not be petty, be ready and quick to sacrifice. No one cares how much he suffers, just what he can offer. He should be responsible for those around him. Do not ruin good things because of your emotions. If something bad happens, take the fault because you must have contributed in it some way, shape or form. Bare responsibility for those around you... this is what I was taught by both you and Father," said Neville, and Teresa's heart sank after each sentence.

"Neville... y-you..." she choked on her words before Evelyn, Jess, and Gerald entered chuckling.

"Haha... Gerald, meet our son and your nephew, Michael," he said with pride as he took the baby from Jess. But the change made the baby uncomfortable, and he wasn't afraid to voice it out by crying, of course. This made people chuckle, except Teresa, who was focused on Neville, who only smiled.

They later moved together to the sitting room and continued drinking, but when they turned on the television...