Kael

Kael's POV 

My family has not been the best but in the eyes of the people, we are the perfect family. The members of the Palmer family are the best because of the strong facade we put on.

As you can see, my father is a maniac. My mom, despite her power in society, is just the powerless wife of the richest man. Then me, their only son, the puppet he hoped I'd be. He wants to arrange my life, he wants me to live according to his script but not anymore. 

As soon as my father stormed out, I rushed to my mother at the doorway. She was shaken by our argument.

"Are you okay?" I asked, eyes scanning her for any sign of distress or bruises, trembling hands or anything that could show if my father had touched her.

"I'm fine, Kael," she said gently.

“Are you sure? Did he touch you?” I asked, my hands trembling more than I intended.

She pushed my hands away, not in an aggressive way. It is her way of telling me not to worry about her. “He didn't touch me, Kael.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. I don't want her to suffer for my mistakes anymore. 

“I'm sorry I had put you in this situation… again,” I apologized.

"You should have listened to me," she said, her voice calm but heavy.

"I know." I dropped my head slightly. "I just... lost track of everything going on at school. I’m sorry, Mom."

"I told you to focus. I told you to leave everything else and concentrate on your studies. I warned you, Kael, but you never listen." Her tone wasn’t sharp like my father's. It was that soft, the disappointed kind that stung me even more.

"I know I messed up. I caused all of this and I’m really sorry, please forgive me."

"Apologizing won’t change anything now," she said, folding her arms. "You know how your father is. He won't take it easy on you anymore.”

“When has he ever taken it easy on me?” I whispered. I'm not trying to blame him for my failure to graduate but it was kinda his fault too. If he hadn't put so much pressure on me, I wouldn't have been the rebellious type. 

“What about me?” she asked in a softer way. “You know how your rebellious act will affect me too. None of us will breathe freely until you graduate.”

“I'm sorry, mom,” I said but she cut in.

“What’s your plan?"

"My plan?" I echoed. "I don’t have one."

"What?" Her eyes widened. "You asked for four months. What exactly are you planning to do with that time?"

I sighed. "Nothing. I just said it to shut him up. I was tired of his ranting and needed a way out of the conversation."

She let out a deep breath and muttered, "Kael," her voice thick with frustration and quiet panic. “What were you thinking?”

“You know how he is. He won't shut up until I challenge him.”

“You shouldn't have asked for time if you have no plan at all.” 

"Mom, you’re the director of the school. You must have something I could do. Maybe some way to help me graduate."

"It doesn’t work like that," she said. "The school isn’t some private playground where I pull strings whenever I feel like it."

I almost laughed at her. The college is for my father. She is the director of the school. Yet she says she can't pull a string to help me. That's absurd.

"Your husband is basically number one there, and you’re like the number two. Who’s going to challenge you?"

She raised a brow. "What happened to 'I don’t need his help or his name'? Didn’t you say that like five minutes ago?"

"What the fuck mom? You of all people should know I was bluffing. You know I just wanted to get him off my back."

She looked at me, unimpressed. “You know you are not so different from him.”

“I'm not him and I'll never be,” I said dryly.

"You’ll need to do something exceptional, Kael. Something that gives me leverage to step in on your behalf."

"Something like what?"

"Join an academic group. Be outstanding while you are at it. Win an award, something that proves you’re still worth the investment."

"An academic group?" I blinked. "You mean, like... the Book Club?" I said it jokingly, expecting her to laugh. But she didn’t.

"Yes," she said seriously. "The Book Club is a good choice."

“What?” I stared at her in disbelief . "You want me to join the Book Club?"

"You’ll have to," she said firmly. "That’s the only path left if you want to graduate with your class."

"Mom..." I groaned. “I don't think I can join that nerdy shit.”

"Kael." Her expression turned stern. “That nerdy shit is your only ticket out of school.”

“No mom, there should be another way.” 

"Join the Book Club. Stay out of trouble. I can’t take another scene like the one I just witnessed. I won’t let your father keep tearing you down. But I need you to give me something to fight with."

I rubbed a hand over my face, groaning again. "This is ridiculous. Me in that book club is just out of it."

"Please, Kael," she said softly. “It is only for a few months. And I know you love reading… in secret. You can make good use of this opportunity.”

I looked at her, then away, shy that she knew my little secret. I love literature, I love the weirdest one but that doesn't mean I should expose myself in front of everyone, especially those nerds. 

Finally, I nodded. "Fine. I’ll join the damn Book Club."

As soon as I said it, she pulled me into her arms and hugged me tightly. Initially, I just agreed to get her off my back but the hug made me change my mind. I was going to join the book club and I was going to take it seriously because I want this woman to be proud of me. 

“Thank you for putting it into consideration. I promise you won't regret it,” she whispered as she pulled away.

“If I don't like it, I won't continue. Don't put your hopes up,” I said.

“I know the president of the book club. I will instruct him to take care of you while you are there.”

“No mom. I don't want your help. I can do this myself. I will get the award and graduate with my class.”

I can't wait to see the look on my father's face when I bring the news about my graduation to him. It is just four months to go.