The Punishment

The sun has just set and the mansion was wreathed in silence. Marcos had the entire guard on duty and I sat in John's chair, while the parents of the thugs from earlier stood in silence and the thugs kneeling before me. I looked at their father's eyes and seen shame. Their mother's had the look of concern and nervousness. The thugs stayed kneeling with their heads bowed but you could almost hear their heart beat beating so fast that it sounded like a herd of mustangs coming down the valley.

"I called you all to the house for one thing. It has been brought to my attention that the discipline in this family has been lacking and thus the younger generation has failed to grasp their responsibility to the fullest. " I announced calmly.

The parents flinched and stared at their children. The thugs lowered themselves closer to the floor. My voice echoed through the room like a church bell in a sinners town, it could be felt through to the bone.

"As a parent it is your responsibility to teach your child good strong morals. Do not bite the hand that feeds you. Do not kill, do not rape and do not steal. Principles that should be instilled upon every child from a young age. Yet, this afternoon at lunch time. These thugs. These poor excuse for human beings were assaulting weak innocent people all for the sake of them wanting to enjoy their meal alone without them. They were neither rude or disrespectful to these boys." I stated.

"They are not boys they are men." One father interrupted.

"No, Uncle they are boys for they still do not understand the concept of no meaning no. If you fail to educate your child in how to be a proper gentleman than I will have to educate him for you. Real men, do not force themselves upon women! Real men do not use their status to threaten and belittle another. Real men protect the weak, and encourage better behaviour from their generation as well as the younger generation. I do not find fault in the boys actions anymore than I can find fault in how they are being raised. " I said icily.

"How dare you say we are bad parents. You talk about how real men don't use their status to threaten and belittle others yet you are doing just that. " A mother retorted.

"That is where you are wrong Aunty. The boys would not have been encouraged to act like thugs if they were raised to be gentlemen. Thus it is the fault of the parents for failing to encourage their good behaviour. Therefore as punishment for the sons actions the entire family with deal with the repercussions. Your parents salaries will be cut in half, and the sons will have to go do training with Gangsa twice a day. They will also be required to take etiquette classes, if they step out of line again. The entire family, mother, father, brother, sister, and grandparents no matter how high of status they have in the family business will be thrown out. They will not be paid for their services rendered for that month and will have to figure out how to survive on their own. This is my punishment as good faith that it will not happen again. Go home get some rest thugs, gangsa expects you at the dojo at 5 am don't be late." I warned.

The temperature in the room dropped the more I spoke and I could visibly see the entire family of each member shiver. The parents faces were extremely pale and the sons faces were not much better. However, if you wanted to have people respect you there was one thing that had to be done. If you don't stick up for your beliefs than those beliefs mean nothing to anyone else. I stood up and left the room with Marcos following close behind my mother. I headed to the study and was greeted with the entire elder members of the family business waiting patiently for me. I looked around and nodded before sitting down behind the desk.

"The Fu family has requested a visit with you to thank you for standing up for their children. The new business that is starting up is doing well even on its first day, the cash flow is slow but it should pick up within the week. " Said a short balding man.

"There are some disputes between employees about the pay they are receiving. Mainly the ceo's and the presidents of the company's. We weren't sure how to handle them as they had not been giving accurate accounts on the funding for certain things within the company. We suspect that they are already skimming from the books and we have hired a forensic accountant. We are awaiting the results and will inform you immediately as soon as we find out if our suspicions are true. " A tall greying man stated.

"Let me see the accounts please. " I asked calmly.

I sat up and reached for the folder in the man's hands and just barely skimmed through them. There were some huge money discrepancies here that even I can see. Why should we be paying for this much cleaning supplies for a small company that is barely making any profit. The corners of my mouth quirked up and I let out a low chuckle.

"Marcos, inform the school I have some business to attend to and will resume classes on the following day. Also please make sure to pick up my homework. Invite the Fu family for dinner tomorrow night and also strip the CEO's and the presidents of these three companies of all of their titles. Their accounts are to be frozen and they are to be barred from the companies henceforth. They dare to steal money from the business than they will have to pay it back cent by cent. Have the forensic accountant find out the exact date and how much was skimmed and which one of their accounts it was sent to so that way we may exact just the right amount of justice from each of the guilty parties. " I stated calmly.

"Let everyone know that if they value their positions that they have now and are honest they will be treated well. If they steal from the mouth that feeds them than I will turn them back into the beggars that they were before. If they do honorable work they will be treated fairly. If they do not do honorable work then they will not have any work with this family or any other of the families. Who would want a thief among them? If there is nothing else, I will be going to these companies tomorrow and be overthrowing these leaders from their proud thrones. " I seethed.

Everyone stood there in silence for a moment before a portly man with a long beard stepped forward. He wheezed for a bit before bowing his head to me.

"Boss Park, I hope that you have a good rest. If you would like we the Elders will join you tomorrow for the ousting of these thieves of the companies. We will stand by you just as we did for your father. Please instruct us. " He confessed.

"I would appreciate it if I had the Elders support in this matter, though I don't think I will require all of the Elders to be present. I know that you are all in charge of overseeing many of the in's and out's of the mansion as well as many of the other businesses. Those who can spare the time I would truly appreciate it. " I said gratefully.

I nodded my head at the Elders before standing up to leave. My mother stood just behind my left shoulder and Marcos my right making me look that much more imposing. I straightened my jacket before swiftly leaving the room. I headed straight to my room when I felt my phone vibrate twice indicating a text message. I stopped and pulled it out to read the message.

Parker, it's Xiao Tang. Hope you know we are behind you in whatever you do. Don't hesitate to ask us for help. Good night ^-^

I read the message and immediately smiled. She doesn't even know me and is already saying that she believes in me? Interesting, I thought to myself.

Thank you, I won't be in class tomorrow could you take notes for me please? I have somethings to take care of but I'll make it up to you. Get some rest. Good night!

I started to walk again towards my room and was surprised to see two body guards posted on either side of the door and two new locks on the door. I looked at Marcos and he fished out keys from his inside pocket. He handed them and I looked at the keys and noticed that they were each different colors. Must have been to help determine which one goes to which lock I suppose. I opened my bedroom door and closed it tight before breathing a sigh of relief. I could hear my mother outside of the door telling the guards that if anything were to happen to me the torture that she would inflict upon them. I gave a soft chuckle before securing the locks.

Why can't I have just a normal day? Is it because of the family business or is it just my rotten luck? I sat on the edge of the bed contemplating all of these things before I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Perhaps a meditation session before bed was indeed in order for me. I quickly changed into my pajamas before sitting down comfortably. I immersed myself into my own world and thoughts and closed my eyes on the dark room.