Chapter 18 - Protect Her For You (1/2)

Marcel knew something was wrong the moment he got home. The atmosphere was contaminated and he knew just one person who could do that.

”Hello father,” Marcel greeted him as soon as he entered his living room.

His father had his back turned to him, staring with disdain at the large portrait of his mother. That photo hasn't been in the open until recently. If he were to suffer in the hands of Clara, his father should have a taste of pain as well, right?

He knew how much his father loathed that woman, his mother, and did well to rub that on his face. His family was somewhat complicated and dysfunctional and it was not a secret to everyone around them.

His father, Daniel turned and before  Marcel could even brace himself, a harsh slap that resounded across the room landed on his cheek. His head whipped around from the impact and Marcel remained that way for almost a minute, trying to register what just happened before he finally looked up.

Marcel dragged his thumb across his lips to wipe away the blood before flexing his jaw saying, ”That is one odd way to welcome your son back home. Even a mother hen does a better job at it than you,”

”Y-you!” Daniel choked, going red in the face with his hand raised in the air as if to slap him again.

Marcel didn't say anything nor was he even ruffled by the gesture. Instead, a cold glint appeared in his eyes as he said, ”You can beat me up in other places but my face? It is a no-go area, father,” He called him with heavy sarcasm. Everybody knew he treasured his face more than any other part of his body.

The man brought down his hand with a deep breath, finally reigning in his anger. His grey ones stared into his son's lighter ones, he was full of resentment mixed with disappointment.

The only feature his son inherited from him was his eyes, the rest was from his mother - and that made him angrier. Staring at him was like staring at that woman and it vexed him.

”Clara called,” Daniel announced.

”Of course, she did,” he already guessed she would make such a move. Clara was nothing but an annoying bug and lately, he's been feeling a great itch to squash some insects.

”She was going to introduce you to her friends and you humiliated her!” Daniel said sternly.

”Is that so?” Marcel asked, wrapping his arm across his chest, ”How so then?”

”What?”

”She claimed I humiliated her, I need an account of how such humiliation happened and the evidence thereof,” He was dead serious.

”Marcel!” the man roared.

”Father!” He retorted with the same intensity, ”You should know by now how petty I can be,”

”It seems this position of power has filled you with nothing but ideas. Don't be mistaken, Marcel, I gave you this position and I can take it away as well,” He threatened him.

”Ohh, I'm so scared,” Marcel acted exaggeratedly. However, the smile vanished on his face when he asked, ”And give it to who? Your imbecile son?”