The Truth Was Finally Out

The truth finally got out, and to them, I was the son who was about to shame the family name, if I had not brought the shame already.

The wonderful delicacies I got were only to persuade me to go with whatever would be talked about. The handover to the businesses was not because I was competent, but because they did not want me to tarnish the family name, it was all summed up, and it was not an excellent situation to put myself into. I had got to prove to them that I could do better on my own.

"Take one of the businesses, John. Take the microfinance bank, for now, you are a banker, and you would be provided with the necessary help and experience from the more proficient staff." My mother held my hand. "Just do not let people laugh at us for abandoning our own."

“I will take over any business only if you certify me credible enough to handle it and not because I am your son.

"You both started these businesses from the ground up, and I would not want to come from anywhere and take them back to the ground." I turned to my father and looked at him so he'd understand the aspect I'm coming from. "Place me on probation, not as the CEO of any, not even as a common worker for any of them, but place me on probation for the way I live my life and handle things, for the way I work at my current place and the assessments I get from my bosses and not because you think I am bringing shame to the family name.”

“You don’t decide on what we do, my friend. We decide, and you follow.

“Do you know what my friends, our friends would say if they found out about your decisions and that you have not made it in life yet?

"That the son of a General and the Central Bank Governor cannot put his life together and his parents cannot help him despite all they have?”

He turned to my mother to emphasize the severity of my decisions.

"Then, you would say to them that I decided to do so.

"Why not allow me to make decisions for myself? Why would you not hear my viewpoint? I need to learn before I can act," I begged.

“Do you know how discomfiting that is for us? Drop your self-reliant act and see reasons with us.

"We want you to have a comfortable life,” said my mother.

My opinions were not what they wished to hear, and since we had not agreed, there was no choice but to leave the house because my being there was not required. And they made it clear that they had nothing to do with a poor man as a son because that was how they saw me, and until I took over at least one of the businesses, I meant nothing to them.

My parents angrily walked out, leaving only my sister sitting there with me.

“Sorry I spoke out of place before. I was only irate that you have refused to see me after a long time, especially after you were invited to my party as the new CEO of the clothing business, and did not show,” apologized Joan.

“You were right to say whatever you said. I had it coming.”

“Don’t worry about that. If you ever need anything, let me know.

"You have tried so much for yourself. Regardless of what has happened, you did well."

“I need to sleep to think things through,” I said.

“Your room is exactly the way you left it." Joan stood up to leave. "Mom constantly ensures that the maids keep it neat daily. You can go there to have some rest.”

It was a relief to hear that, and I went upstairs to my room, flung myself on the bed, and dozed almost immediately.

When I awoke, I picked up my phone to check the time, it was 7 pm, and there were lots of missed calls and text messages from Ms. Josephine, the Bank Manager, and Rachel. I returned the calls and replied to the text messages also.

They called to know how I was doing, and Rachel asked if I’d be free to hang out with her for the evening. She gave me a location where we would meet, but I told her I would not make it there.

Hanging out with her any other day would have been perfect, but it would have been unwise to leave the house without settling the issues between me and my parents.

I examined the room after the calls, and it was the way I remembered it. I paced around to admire what I once called my room, a king-sized bed, an enormous wardrobe, and the most expensive rug on the floor.

I walked to the wardrobe and opened it to discover that lots of my clothes were still there and my shoes, I had lots of them. It had been a long time since I bought clothes or shoes for myself, and I started developing thoughts of taking some with me when it was time to leave.

All the clothes were out of the wardrobe and placed on the floor, and one cloth after the other, I wore them to check if they still fit. While I was at it, there was a knock on the door, and it opened just immediately. My parents walked in.

“I am happy you like how we kept your things, just the way you like it.” My father dragged one of the seats to sit down. “Could you come to have a sit? We want to talk to you.”

“We went over all you said about gaining experience before taking at least one of the businesses, and we have conceded that you were right in your words,” said my mother.

“However, we don’t like how you live like a commoner.

"When you want to leave, you can take one of the cars in the compound, and we will give a sum of 5 million Naira to put yourself in order. Live as though you are from a wealthy home, which you are from, and let go of your nonsense ways,” my father advised.

“I appreciate your assistance, but if I keep taking these benefits without learning to earn them properly, of what use is it?” I asked.

“What do you mean? Do you like—”

“We should let him make his choice. We agreed, did we not?” interrupted my mother.

“You can have all the experiences you need, and we will always keep an eye on you." My father turned to my mother and forced a smile. "When you are ready, we will send for you, and then, do not give further excuses." He turned back his gaze at me, stood up and left the room.

“Do not disappoint us. You are our only son, and it is right you take control over what belongs to the family.” My mother hugged me and left the room also.

It was comforting to know that we were all on the same page, but it was not satisfying because I began to feel bad about not accepting the money when I knew I needed it. The money would have gone a long way in putting things for me on track, but I turned it down.