Chapter 32

"Papa." Cooper said with a hint of surprise. He didn't expect his father to be this early. 

His father smiled at him. "Cooper, my boy!" He walked towards him without commenting about the two extra person inside the room and then hugged him.

Cooper hugged his father, albeit, reluctantly. "Papa you're early."

His father, Cristopher Myers, released him. He looked at his face and he frowned. "Can't I be early for my son today? Besides, I am not busy."

"Oh." It was all what Cooper can say in this situation. He stared behind his father. He saw Riri standing with her hand clasped behind her. She was biting her lower lip and her brows are knitted together. It's clear to everyone, except Cristopher, that Riri was nervous.

Cooper didn't know what to do. Why, in this exact time, does papa wanted to be here?!

"Uhm, papa meet Kristine, my girl friend."

All the people inside the room was baffled by Cooper's poor choice of words.

Cristopher had a shock look in his face. "What did you say? Girlfriend?!"

Cooper looked confuse. "Yes. I just said that. Papa, do you need hearing aid?"

Norvyn muffled his laughter and looked at the two, amused. Cristopher glared at him but Norvyn just smiled at his old friend. His eyes gave away  his true thoughts and was clearly enjoying the misunderstanding.

Cristopher didn't heed more attention to Norvyn and looked at his son. Sometimes he didn't knew what to make of him. "I do not need hearing aid Cooper, I can hear perfectly fine. I just want you to clarify your relationship with... Miss Kristine." He glanced behind to looked at the girl. He still couldn't forget what happened to Cooper. He knew it's not the girl's fault but he needed someone to accused and blamed for the things he didn't have control of. 

Kristine lowered her head when Cooper's father looked at her direction. Her nude-colored high heels are interesting to look at right now. 

"I just told you she's my girl friend." Cooper tilted his head and blinked his eyes. Is papa dumb?  I think he needs to check his brain to the doctor. It's a simple sentence. Doesn't he have some girl friends before? 

Adrian cleared his throat. "He didn't mean it that way master." Cristopher looked at him, silently telling him to continue. "Cooper meant that Kristine is her girl... friend.  A friend who is a girl." Adrian further explained. 

Cristopher nodded his head in understanding. He stared at Cooper. "The doctor said that you are free to go home. I am here to take you home. Come on."

"But papa, how about Kristine?" We can't just left her here. 

Cristopher turned to Norvyn. "Norvyn can you guide Miss Kristine to the car? Let the driver get her home."

Norvyn nodded. Cooper, however, had a violent reaction. "But papa! She just got here and you know it's not her fault. Why are you insisting—"

"Cooper!" His father said in a stern voice. "We need to get you home. We have to talk."

"But—!"

Kristine butted in before the duo start an argument. "It's okay Cooper besides it's already getting dark. I don't want to scared my mom you know." She joked. 

You partied for hours though and you don't care about what your parents say... 

Cooper frowned and his lips turned down. "Okay." 

With things solved and no one was arguing, the room fell in silence. Adrian took and fold the clothes that are in the drawer, putting it after in the duffle bag.

Kristine and Norvyn exited the room and went out first. Cristopher sat beside his son while Cooper didn't looked at his father. He was still angry at what his father done to her friend. 

"I know that I wasn't nice to your friend earlier..." Cristopher started off. Cooper listened as to what will his father say but he still aren't looking at his direction.

"And I am sorry for having a bad impression."

Cooper glared at his father. His mouth pursed and you can tell that he was not impressed at his father apology. Cristopher stared at his son and sighed. "I am sorry for blaming Kristine about the incident."

Cooper's face relaxed. "I am glad that you admit you're wrong. It's not Kristine's fault... It's my fault. If I didn't panicked or just didn't went to the mall, it will never happen. If I didn't have this stupid  sickness, all of these would never happened. I'm sorry too papa for worrying you. I know that you only want what's good for me but... I really want to go to the mall and I'm afraid that if I told you, you wouldn't let me go. It's stupid... I'm stupid."

"Don't you tell that. You are the smartest son I've ever had."

Cooper looked at his father like he told something funny. "But I'm your only son."

Cristopher smiled at him. "Exactly."

Cooper laughed. After what seemed a long time, he sobered up. "It's nice that we have the 'talk'."

Cristopher agreed. "It's nice... How about this, everytime you want something or you want to go to another place, you will tell me where it is. I will give you permission but with  curfew. If I deem it dangerous, I will have to say no. How about that?"

Cooper nodded excitedly. His smile was even wider and brighter. He hugged his father. "Thank you papa!"

Cristopher hugged his son back. He was not saying a word. The room was filled with comfortable silence. 

"Kuhum." Adrian fakely coughed. He was hesitant to interrupt the father-son bonding. The two released each other from the hugged and looked at Adrian. 

Getting the attention of the two, he took the duffle bag and put the longer strap on his shoulder. "Master, young master, we are ready to go." He informed.

Cristopher stood up. "Good. Cooper change your clothes. After that we are going home."

He gave the prepared clothes to Cooper. 

Cooper took it and went to the comfort room. After a few minutes, he came back wearing a blue t-shirt with a cat's paw print on it and a jeans to complete the look.

He walked towards his father and Adrian. "I'm ready!" He enthusiastically announced. 

His father smiled at him. "Then let's go home."