MAKING A STAND

Driving back to Pa's mansion after midnight was deliberate since I never wanted to have a confrontation with Pa, his wife, or their daughter. Hence, I slowly sneaked into the house, and much to my surprise the light went on as I passed by the living room and Pa was standing by the fireplace with a leather whip in his hand.

I stood there, a mixture of dread and defiance swirling within me, as my father's stern gaze bore into me with an intensity that left no room for escape. The air felt heavy, almost oppressive, a physical weight that pressed down on my shoulders.

"Where the fuck are you coming from "He growled. My father's expression was a hard mask of anger and disappointment. He held the leather strap in his hand, its dark, worn surface a stark reminder of the punishment that awaited me.

"I had dinner with Uncle Sean "I responded.

"Why are you sneaking back to the house so late? Who the fuck is Uncle Sean? Did you forget who your father is?" He demanded.

"No Pa, I did not forget. Uncle Sean wanted to have dinner with me. "I responded and Pa's eyes widened in shock.

"Did you talk back to me?" he asked, his voice low and menacing, each word a deliberate step toward the inevitable. The authority in his tone was unmistakable, and it carried the weight of years of discipline and tradition.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry knowing well that I had definitely answered him, and the weight of my mistake was now palpable. The rebellious actions I had taken seemed small and insignificant compared to the magnitude of the consequences that loomed before me.

He raised his hand and beckoned for me to approach, and I did so with reluctant steps, each one heavy with the gravity of the situation. He pushed me on my knees and the leather strap felt cold and unforgiving as he held it up, the sight of it sending a shiver down my spine.

The first strike was sharp and sudden, a searing sting that made me gasp. The pain was immediate and intense, radiating through me like a line of fire. I clenched my teeth, trying to suppress the cry that threatened to escape, but the sting of the leather was relentless, a harsh reminder of my defiance. The next subsequent strikes were a brutal repetition, a rhythmic punishment that was a reminder that the man who sired me was a beast.

Pa's face remained a mask of unwavering hate, his eyes fixed on the task at hand. There was no solace in his gaze, only the cold certainty of his resolve. Each strike echoed the hate he felt, the unspoken words of reprimand that hung heavy in the air. The pain was not just physical; it was a deep, gnawing ache that resonated with the weight of his disapproval all the years that I had been in the mansion.

As the whipping continued, my resolve began to crumble, and the defiance that fuelled my response gave way to a profound sense of regret. The stinging whips on my back were a tangible reminder of my failure, and the tears that streamed down my face were a mix of physical pain and emotional anguish.

Finally, Pa stopped and commanded me to stand up. I stood up with my back throbbing and my spirit bruised, I realized the complexity of the relationship between us as the punishments reflected the power dynamics that shaped our bond. Pas wanted to remind me who was in authority between us.

"I hope you have learned your lesson" Pa snickered.

I met his gaze, trying to steady my voice despite the tremor that betrayed my emotions. "This is the last time you're going to whip me," I said, my voice coming out rough but resolute. The words felt like a declaration, a boundary drawn with the remnants of my dignity and pain.

"What did you say?" Pa's thunderous voice echoed in the room. The leather strap still hung in his hand, its dark surface reflecting the dim light of the room. "Do you think you can just dictate terms?" His voice was low, a rumble that seemed to reverberate through the room. There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes, quickly masked by the hardened resolve that defined him. "Or just because you joined Armand Inc, you think that fucking Armand will protect you?

I swallowed hard, the taste of blood in my mouth from where I had bitten my lip to keep from crying out. The pain in my back was a raw, persistent throb, each movement reminding me of the physical cost of my defiance.

"I am already a grown man and having a mean will Uncle and Ma, should not be a reason for you to whip me," I continued, trying to keep my voice steady. "I am telling you now, as clearly as I can, that I won't stand for this anymore. I need you to understand that this stops here."

His grip on the strap tightened for a moment before he let it fall to his side. "You think you're old enough to set boundaries?" he growled back. "You think a few words can change what's been the way of things for so long?"

I met his eyes directly, the fire of defiance mingling with a deep sense of pleading. "I am not saying this out of rebellion but emphasizing that it's time for things to change. I'm tired of this cycle of punishment and prefer dialogue to understand each other without resorting to this."

The silence that followed was thick and heavy, a palpable tension that seemed to hang in the air like an invisible barrier. Pa tilted his head and answered, "Go to bed, we shall talk about this tomorrow" His voice was less harsh but firm.

I nodded, the ache in my back momentarily forgotten as the small win razed my body. I dragged myself up the stairs as I listened to the muttered curses that came from Pa. When I got to the room, my feet gave way as I staggered on the floor. I crawled to the bed and once I got on it, I lay on my stomach and stretched my hand to the bedside drawer, took the painkillers that were in it, and pushed a couple of pills to my mouth as my hand shook in the process.

It took close to an hour before the pain began to subside and the dizzy effect of the meds hit my body. Thank God I had had a fulfilling meal at Uncle Sean's house or else I would have collapsed unconscious the minute I got to my room.

The buzzing on my phone snapped me from my sorrow and I disconnected the call without checking the caller ID.

"Hey," Chairman Armand's voice rose on the other end.

"Chairman Armand, why are you calling me so late at night "I rasped.

"What is wrong? Where are you? Do you need me to come over? "He demanded, and I could feel the worry in his voice.

. "I... I don't know what to do. Everything feels so overwhelming. I can't breathe, can't think straight." I whispered as the tears came rolling.

"Just breathe for me," He responded and added "In and out, slowly. We'll get through this together."

"Chairman Armand, I feel so lost. I was happy when I joined Arman Inc but right now, I feel like I made a mistake."

The response that came through the phone made me bit back a sob "I'm here. "Even if you can't see me, I'm right here with you. Talk to me. Tell me what's going on."

"Everything's been so chaotic," My voice trembled. "My life is a rollercoaster, I never managed to get a break. And worst of all today, I got framed. How could a normal person bear all this?"

"Eli, you're not alone in this," It's okay to feel overwhelmed. It's okay to not have all the answers. But remember that you're stronger than you think, and I believe in you." Chairman Armand's voice was filled with assurance.

I took a deep controlled breath as his words sunk in. "Thank you"

"Do you need me to come over?" He asked.

"No. It will only make it worse if Pa sees you." I whispered.

"I will come up with a plan to get you out of Gregory Mark's mansion. I promise you" Chairman Armands last words were comforting and a glimmer of hope that made me get off the bed, clean my wounds after a change of clothes, and fell into deep sleep.