42 Forgiveness
William did not leave his mother's side.
He told his stories during his childhood, even the most trivial things were not left out. Although they have not seen each other for a long time, he still felt a connection with his mother. He felt comfortable saying all his feelings and emotions. He took his time explaining and telling his stories without pause. His sister would visit and give him his necessities. He did not notice the time, it took 3 days before he was able to finish with his story-telling.
He had always imagined himself meeting his mother once again. There were many questions that he would like to ask her, but now he understood everything.
It wasn't her fault or his father. He could not deny the fact that he was angry at first, because he could not understand. He felt cheated and betrayed, he felt that it did not make much sense not telling a grown man, but after a couple of days, staying by his mother's side. He began to understand his sister and father, if he was in the same situation, he might have done the same. His mother's condition does not have a cure at this time and age.
Was it better to have hope that her mother would wake up in the future.
Or not knowing and live a life of bliss, but in his heart he would have the feeling of being abandoned by his mother.
He took his mothers' frail and soft hands while having such thoughts.
He looked at the table near his mother's side. His phone was on top of the table.
He reached for his phone and looked at the contact list.
While browsing the list, he stopped himself from pressing the call before saying in a soft voice.
"Mother, I need to go somewhere. I'll be back soon." William kissed his mother's cheek and quietly walked out the door.
As he walked out of the hospital, he remembered that he did not have his car with him.
He hailed a taxi and told the place he wanted to go to.
...
Home
William went straight to his father's study. He spends most of his time there, looking at files.
When his father passed the position to him, his father and sister focused on expanding their brand internationally, or that was the reason they told him.
He never questioned their intentions.
Once he thought about it, he never did once bother asking his father or sister about their mother.
Was it because he was too young at the time and he grew up without a mother, so he thought it was normal.
Or was it because he always blamed his father for everything and slowly forgotten his mother, it might be both.
William pause in his steps and tried to compose himself, he had time to think of what he could say in the hospital but sometimes words are not enough to convey his feelings.
Sfx*knock knock knock*
"Come in." The person behind the door said.
William opened the door and looked at his father's face. Now that his hatred was lifted, he could see his father's figure, the once strict, calm and cold look that he always thought his father had. But now seeing him he realized that it was always a haggard and tired look. The black under his eyes and the wrinkles that surrounded his face was prominent.
He felt a prickle in his heart, the words that he wanted to say got stuck in his throat as he kept his gaze towards his father.
His father looked at William with worry, both men, one sitting while one standing kept their silence.
William could not continue looking at his father as he looked down the floor and clenched his fists.
His father, on the other hand, stood up and approached William slowly.
A silhouette could be seen approaching Williams's body, William flinched when he saw this and waited for what would happen next. He thought that his father would hit him because of all the things he said, instead he felt a warm and strong hand pat his shoulder.
"You worked hard all this time William. I'm sorry for not telling you the truth." His father's pat has turned into a grip on his shoulder.
William did not feel stifled, instead, he felt the hand was trying to comfort and praise him at the same time.
William finally had the courage to look at his father, and there he saw his father's warm smile.
William tried his best to not let the tears fall from his eyes as he sniffles a bit.
His father looked at Williams' face as he said sincerely. "Son, I understand that you love Mia. I felt depressed when I found out about what happened with Director Ford and the deal, however, if there is someone who can understand you the most, then that would be me."
"I do not want you to sacrifice your happiness for me or your mother. I know that your mother will not be happy about that too." His father paused for a bit before continuing.
"Just know that I am proud of you and no matter what you choose in this life, I will understand and support you." William's father hugged William with both his arms.
