A MEAL WITH UNCLE SEAN

ELI'S POV

When I left Armand Inc. Offices, Uncle Sean's call came and when I connected the call his voice was loud as he yelled "Get to my house right now" and the call disconnected.

I huffed and drove to the house, passing by the liquor store and picking up a bottle of wine. When I arrived at his house, Uncle Sean had already set the dinner table and placed the chicken, and baked potatoes on the table. Ma and Uncle Sean were good cooks, and I always had a great meal every time I visited.

As I took my seat across from my uncle, the rich aroma of the meal that had been lovingly prepared filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of old books and leather that lingered in the room. It was a comforting embrace of familiarity, like stepping back into a cherished memory when I was just a child.

Sitting down to eat, I felt a deep sense of contentment. The clink of cutlery and the murmur of our conversation blended seamlessly with the comforting sounds of the evening with the soft wind in the outskirts of Utah. We exchanged smiles and small talk, our conversation flowing as easily as the wine that was poured into our glasses. It was a dance of familiarity, shared history, and unspoken understanding.

As I took my first bite, the Flavors burst in my mouth and when I glanced up to see my uncle savoring his meal, a look of contentment on his face that mirrored my own. As the meal progressed, the room seemed to fill with a deeper warmth, a quiet joy that came from the simple act of being together. The laughter we shared, the stories we told, and the shared appreciation of the meal created a sense of unity and peace. The evening stretched out before us like a comforting blanket, wrapping us in the gentle embrace of family and tradition.

When the last bite was savored, I stood up, cleared the plates away, and chose to do the dishes before leaving his home. Once done we sat by the patio having a nightcap as the quiet hum of the evening seemed to echo the comfort and joy of our shared meal, a testament to the enduring power of family and togetherness.

"Can you tell me why you are now working at Armand Inc" He demanded.

"Pa is the one who sent my profile to Armand Inc," I explained and narrated how two years ago Chairman Armand saved me from Pa's whipping and since then Pa had already planned to use me to spy on Armand Inc. and get the company's AI algorithm and trade secrets.

"What the fuck "Uncle Sean growled as his face flushed, his usually calm demeanor cracked by the heat of our disagreement. His eyes, usually soft and understanding, were hard and unyielding, mirroring the anger that I felt simmering just beneath the surface. "Why did you agree?"

"You just don't get it, do you?" I said, my voice rising, more forceful than I intended. "Pa would have killed me if I did not agree. I plan to leave Utah, and he threatened me with Ma."

My uncle's response was sharp, his voice a low rumble that cut through the tension. "Why did you not come to me, I would have helped you and your Ma. Why do you not see that I can be able to get the two of you out of Utah?" His hands were clenched into fists at his sides, the knuckles white with the strain of holding back his frustration.

"Uncle, do you know that Pa would kill you once he finds out "I tried to steady my voice, but it betrayed me, cracking with the strain of trying to hold back my rising anger. "You always think you know best, but that doesn't mean you're right. I'm tired of being dismissed like my opinions don't matter."

His expression hardened further, the lines on his face etched deeply with frustration. "This isn't about being right or wrong. It's about understanding the bigger picture, something you seem to be missing entirely."

The words struck me like a physical blow, and I struggled to keep my emotions in check. The feeling of being misunderstood, of having my thoughts and feelings invalidated, was overwhelming. I could see the reflection of my anger and hurt in his eyes, and it was like looking into a mirror that only showed the worst parts of myself.

"Uncle, do you know what I have been through since I set foot in Pa's mansion?" I yelled at him. "Why did you not come to me then? "I felt drained and hollow as I spoke the words with the realization that this disagreement was more than just a clash of opinions, but a reflection of deeper divides, which made the situation more painful.

"I had no power then. "He whispered and the silence that followed was heavy with the weight of what had been said.

We sat in the uneasy quiet, I felt a mix of exhaustion and regret. The argument had left its mark, a reminder of how fragile our relationships could be and how easily even the smallest disagreements could escalate into something much more significant.

"Uncle, now that I have joined Armand Inc., I have my plans. I know that Chairman Armand is a Tyrant but Pa's evil ways cannot be compared to his" I whispered.

"You plan to use him to get away "Uncle Sean's eyes bore at me.

"Yes. I plan to hide in Armand Inc. This is the only solution. "I nodded.

"What if you fail?" Uncle Sean demanded.

"Chairman Armand is the lesser evil. "I muttered.

"A Tyrant who rose to power and made a name for himself would squash you if he discovered your plans. You will not leave unscathed when you get away from his clutches, "Uncle Sean warned me.

"I know. That will be a price I am willing to bear "I responded in a whisper as the Utah night wind echoed my words.

"What about your mother?" Uncle Sean demanded.

"I plan to take her away with me "I huffed and responded.

"Okay. Now that you have made the resolve to leave Utah, include in your plans, I will start to make the arrangements on my end" Uncle Sean's final words made me smile and I raised the hand that was holding the bottle of beer, and he joined me as we clinked the bottles together to seal the plan that we had.