Great Gifts (Charles & Carla)

[Charles' room, Holmes Family Mansion, Karoon City] 

Charles sat at his desk, his gaze fixed on the envelope that lay before him.

He had been waiting for what felt like hours, to find out where Rain had disappeared. 

'He even threw away tracking device, How the heck did he know about it?'

To ensure safety of children, most of top family install tracking device on that body. And location of it, even the person himself won't know. It's because if it got leaked, then the consequences would be disastrous. 

Just as Charles was about to reach out and break the seal, Carla suddenly entered the room without warning.

Her unexpected presence startled him, causing him to instinctively draw back, his hand still hovering over the envelope.

"Carla, why are you here now? Didn't Rain specifically say to open the envelope alone?" Charles questioned, a hint of confusion in his voice.

Carla remained silent and instead handed him another letter, her actions speaking louder than words.

Charles examined the letter closely and noticed Rain's handwriting on it. He deduced that it must be the letter Rain left for Carla.

═─┈─═─┈─═

[Sorry, Mom. I don't have anything to gift you. WASTED.]

═─┈─═─┈─═

Charles gazed at Carla with sympathy, ready to offer her comfort.

However, she shook her head and gestured for him to read what was written below that sentence, an air of awkwardness lingering on her face.

Confusion creased Charles' brow as he tried to make sense of Carla's behavior.

Nonetheless, he shifted his attention back to the letter.

Soon, his eyes fell upon something written at the end of the letter:

═─┈─═─┈─═

[Just kidding. Your gift is in father's envelope. Because I know you just can't stay far from father, right? So just go.]

═─┈─═─┈─═

Upon reading those words, a mischievous smile played upon Charles' lips as he locked his gaze onto his wife's face.

Carla blushed in response, her cheeks taking on a rosy hue.

"Hey... hey... Don't stare at me like that!" Carla interjected, her voice filled with bashfulness.

She continued, "Who wants to stay with you? That was a lie, okay? Don't believe it, okay? Humph."

Puffing her cheeks, she tried to maintain a façade of nonchalance, though the warmth in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

Carla's adorable response stirred an urge within Charles to embrace her tightly, but he restrained himself, reminding himself that checking the contents of the envelope took precedence for now. Although he knew Rain was safe, he was still curious about content in letter. 

Charles with a smile opened the envelope, but seeing the contents of the envelope, his smile disappeared in a second.

There was a letter and a pen drive in the envelope. In the pendrive, there was only a single video. He immediately connected the pendrive to the virtual projector and started the video.

═─┈─═─┈─═

"Oh, the recording started, huh?" Rain's voice carried a hint of naivety, reminiscent of someone playing with a new toy.

His eyes sparkled mischievously, and a playful smile curved his lips, revealing the satisfaction he derived from pranking Carla.

"I'm sure Dad and Mom are watching too, huh? Fufu." 

"So, you must have read the contents of the documents, right?" Rain's tone was nonchalant, as if discussing a mundane topic. 

"That's correct. I have severed ties with the Holmes Family." Rain's voice remained steady, devoid of any hint of remorse or hesitation. There was a sense of liberation in his words, as if he had effortlessly shed the weight of familial expectations.

"I am free now, and I am no longer a candidate for the position of the head." 

"Oh, and I also ended my engagement with Emma." His eyes softened briefly, revealing a flicker of empathy.

"However, please don't let this affect your relationship with Emma's parents. You know it's not her fault." Rain's voice took on a gentle tone, filled with understanding.

"You knew all along, didn't you? But you never told me." 

═─┈─═─┈─═

Hearing this, Charles and Carla were stunned, their expressions frozen in disbelief.

They exchanged a quick glance, their eyes mirroring the shock that enveloped them.

Thoughts raced through their minds, trying to process the weight of Rain's words.

═─┈─═─┈─═

"That's why you told me to stay away from her," Rain's voice trembled slightly, revealing a hint of regret. "My stupid past self didn't understand your intentions."

═─┈─═─┈─═

Charles and Carla exchanged a pained look, their hearts heavy with the weight of Rain's words.

They had tried to protect him, to shield him from the pain that could potentially arise from his relationship with Emma.

Yet, in their efforts, they had inadvertently caused him to question their motives. In the end, he didn't break the engagement in the past. 

═─┈─═─┈─═

"So, Emma is now free," Rain's voice held a bittersweet tinge, his words laced with a touch of sorrow. "And now you can also support Kaya wholeheartedly."

"After all, I know you still carry the weight of guilt for Uncle's death, burdened by the unfulfilled desire for revenge," Rain's wry smile etched a bittersweet line on his lips, reflecting both empathy and resignation.

"I understand your concern for my well-being, but rest assured, I am perfectly fine here," Rain's countenance shifted, transforming into one of unwavering determination as he spoke with an underlying sense of enthusiasm.

"Now, it's time for the return gifts."

"Dad, I kindly request you to reexamine the contents of the envelope," Rain's voice carried a touch of excitement, "Within it, you will find a low-tier space ring."

═─┈─═─┈─═

Rain's words cut deep, stirring up memories they had tried to bury. The guilt that had silently haunted them resurfaced, a heavy burden they had carried for far too long.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Charles retrieved the envelope once more, his hands trembling ever so slightly.

His gaze intensified as he carefully opened it, revealing the item.

═─┈─═─┈─═

"Inside the ring, you will find a recipe for a Body Strengthening Elixir," Rain explained.

"But don't worry, this is no ordinary elixir. It's an advanced version, far superior to anything currently available in the market.

It will not only increase your strength permanently to a significant extent but also provide you with an opportunity to establish a monopoly by selling it."

"Dad, do you like my gift?" Rain inquired, his voice filled with genuine eagerness. 

"And Mom, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," he complimented, his words imbued with sincerity. "But I believe there is still room for growth, for you to surpass even your own beauty."

═─┈─═─┈─═

Carla's confusion grew as she absorbed Rain's words. Praise and compliments were not something she was accustomed to hearing from him.

While she enjoyed the feeling of being admired, she couldn't help but wonder why Rain had never expressed these sentiments before.

'What does this mean? He never praised me like this.'

═─┈─═─┈─═

"So in the space ring, there is also a Body Foundation Elixir, albeit a mid-tier one," Rain explained, his voice filled with anticipation.

"This elixir has the power to enhance your beauty and strengthen your foundational physique.

With its use, your appearance will radiate an even greater allure, and your physical strength will gradually approach that of Dad's."

═─┈─═─┈─═

Charles and Carla were struck with awe, their eyes widening in astonishment.

They never anticipated that their son would present them with such invaluable gifts.

The concept of a Body Foundation Elixir was not only elusive but seemed almost mythical to the general public.

After foundation is most important in everything. Who doesn't want their foundation to be better? Because better the foundation higher your potential rank will be. If foundation is weak and you forcibly try to increase the rank, it will backlash. So Body Foundation Elixir is kind of holy elixir for people. 

Even for a prestigious family like the Holmes, obtaining such an elixir was considered an extraordinary feat, and its recipe remained an enigma.

═─┈─═─┈─═

"Yeah, an SS-ranker. I know it's been your lifelong dream to become an SS- ranker and stand alongside me," Rain playfully remarked, giving Charles a warning with a hint of humor. "Just be careful not to upset Mom too much once you surpass me in strength."

═─┈─═─┈─═

Charles and Carla exchanged warm smiles, their hearts brimming with joy.

They were immensely proud of their son, witnessing his growth and witnessing the depth of his love and care for them. Although they were reluctant to part with him, but who doesn't want their child to be independent? Don't they know how much children from top families long for freedom. After all, they had also experienced this in their youth. 

Moreover, even if they wanted to keep him, from which face they could ask him to return?

They were also guilty because they felt they neglected him. 

═─┈─═─┈─═

"Thank you for everything," Rain continued, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "I know you've always been busy taking care of me and, due to unforeseen circumstances, haven't been able to spend as much time as you'd like. But I want you to know that I am eternally grateful for everything you've done for me. I love you, Mom and Dad."

═─┈─═─┈─═

The video came to an end, and as Rain's gentle smile faded from the screen, Carla couldn't hold back her emotions any longer.

Tears streamed down her face as she was overcome with a mixture of happiness, relief, and a profound sense of maternal love.

The weight of her son's words and gestures touched her deeply, causing her emotions to overflow.

Charles, moved by Carla's tears, immediately wrapped his arms around her, providing solace and support.

His own eyes glistened with unshed tears, a testament to the depth of his emotions.

'Rain, even though you think you weren't perfect child, you don't have to blame yourself. Because we weren't perfect parents either.'