Dinner

"Well let's forget about all that shit and talk about your big one nine coming up", Bran said standing up to face them both. He was talking about Aaron's 19th birthday that was coming up in 2 days. As they planned, Aaron's mind was elsewhere. What happened last night was still bothering him. 'And the black van, what was that all about', he thought....

He drove up to his parents mansion in Beverly hills.

"Hey Mom", Aaron said as he walked into the large kitchen where his mom was preparing meals with more than ten other cooks. She was tall and beautiful in the white lace apron she wore with her long black hair tied to a bun with a hair net over it. She was in her 40s but looked like a 25 year old model.

"Mom I told you to quit stressing yourself, let the cooks do their jobs. You don't pay em to help you, you pay them to do the cooking", he scolded as he leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

"I was bored Ron so I decided to help make the dishes. Besides no one can perfect your favorite meal like I do. Spicy ahi made with the rarest bluefin tuna", she said with radiating smiles while pulling on his cheek with one hand.

"You're preparing spicy ahi? So that's what that delicious scent was. Perceived it the moment I stepped out of the car. Can't wait", he said teasingly licking his lips.

"Now now, go wait outside. It'll be done any minute now", she said turning to continue what she was doing.

"Where's dad?", He asked heading for the kitchen door.

"He's a bit grumpy than usual today. He should be in the sitting room", she called out to him as he walked out heading for the sitting room. Then he froze.

"Oh c'mon Maurice, how did u get here. We talked about this", he said as he grabbed Maurice from the window where she sat staring outside. She wasn't bothered, just purred gently as he brushed her hair with his hand. ' maybe she hitched a ride in my car as usual without me noticing ', he thought as he put her down then continued heading for the sitting room. It wasn't the first time he found Maurice at an impossible location so it was normal for him.

He walked into the exquisite sitting room and there was his father sitting on a gold and white sofa watching the news with a frown on his face. Almost Everything in the mansion was gold and white. His father was average in height and bald, always on a suit and rarely smiles.

"Hey pops", he called out still standing on the door way.

"Oh Ron, you are here already. Come sit with me",he beckoned as he adjusted on the sofa he was sitting on. Aaron walked up to the sofa and sat beside him comfortably while staring at the large television. Everyone was afraid of Mr. Johnson except for Aaron. He was his only son so he never let him lack. He was going to be the heir to his legacy. He owned cyber security companies all around the country. His wife Morticia was his complete opposite, lovely, rarely frowns and is always jovial.

"How have you been son? I told you to report home more often. Wilfred tells me you've been reckless. You know you'll get your mom worried if you continue like this", he scolded but Aaron doesn't even look at him. He was busy trying to make out what was happening on the news.

"I'm okay Dad. Can you turn up the TV?", He said completely ignoring the scolding.

"Oh that? Some 'thing' has been attacking people and tearing em to bloody pieces", he said as he increased the volume.

Reporter: ... According to the only survivor of last night's attack, Mr. Lucas, this animal was no animal at all. He described it as a one-eyed humanoid creature about 11ft tall, that's as tall as a school bus. Local myth investigators are calling it a cyclops while the government is just terming it a bear that lost an eye. The local authorities....

The reporter's voice stopped abruptly as his mom switched off the television with the remote. Then stood in front of both of them with her arms folded.

"Dinner is ready. Everyone to the dinning room", she ordered.

They all sat down at the long silver table as the servants brought in lots of covered dishes keeping them on the dining table and opening them. They started eating in silence.

"Em dad, I em wanted to talk to you about something. Earlier today there was this black van that was following me on my way to Brandon's place", he said not showing any worry as he continued chomping down on the tuna and steak.

"Oh my!",his mom gasped as she dropped her cutleries on the plate as she turned to her husband.

"Did you say black van? And you are just saying something now? What's wrong with you Ron you could have been in serious trouble", his father scolded as he dropped his own cutleries too and sat up.

"I didn't think much of it, I thought maybe the van was going the same way as I was and it did enter another street when I stopped in front of Bran's house and...",

"Shut the fuck up Ron, what if they were assassins and had abducted you. I've always told you, your gullibility and recklessness would get you in trouble one day mark my words", his father said cutting him off.

"Am deploying armed bodyguards that would look after you from now on till this is resolved since you choose to act like a child", his father fired as he sat back down and took out his phone.

"Oh c'mon dad you can't do this to me, not with my birthday coming up. This is invasion of privacy. Mom say something", he fired back as he stood up.

"I'll have to go with your dad on this one son. We can't just take this threat lightly. We just want to keep you safe", his mother said slowly as to not upset him any further.

"Oh c'mon", he shrieked as he turned around leaving.

"Ron please wait!!", his mother called after him.

"Let's go Maurice", he called out to his cat ignoring his mom. Maurice followed behind slowly. He went into his car and drove away.

"You see what You've done Morticia, you raised him too soft he now talks back to me", Mr. Johnson said as he stood and left the table too. She just sat back down and cried...