Six

Chapter Six 

Nathan's POV

Two months ago, I got a divorce letter from my wife, and still, no one in my family knows that I'm divorced. I was waiting for the right time to tell them, maybe tell them all at once that my marriage was over or maybe I was just not ready to let them know about it. 

The Lancaster family is large. They come from old money so they had no choice but to stick together except for me who decided to build a name for myself outside the Lancaster's name. In the first few years of my startup company, I didn't use my father's surname, instead, I used my mother's. Things didn't come easy but after a while, it all smoothened out. 

My family still wants me involved in the family business and they won't stop trying to talk me into leaving my company and focusing on the family business. It never worked and I know it still won't work tonight. I've been invited to dinner by my father, I know it's going to be as crazy as before but I'll survive like I always do.

Getting closer to the family's estate gate made me ignore my thoughts and focused on the big iron gate rolling out of its shutters. I heard honking behind me and when I looked at the side mirror, it was a yellow Ferrari that sang all things, Eliza Lancaster, my second cousin.

I drove into the estate and packed in front of the main entrance. One of the valets came to collect the car keys. Just when I was hoping to escape from the bee, she sang right into my ear.

"Cars like that still exist, I thought they went into extinction," 

She was talking about my Mercedes Benz 2017. Eliza has one of those funny, pretentious voices that annoy the crap out of normal people. She tries too hard to be cute and even after spending thirty-one years on Earth, she should get the memo that it was enough time to stop acting cute. 

"Hi Eliza," I faked a smile, trying to avoid drama.

"You need to throw that car away," 

I groaned. "I don't remember asking for your opinion about my life," 

"Grandma should've left you with some money. You look like you could use a few new clothes and cars," 

"Like I said, witch, it's none of your fucking business," 

Grandma's will haven't even been read and even if they did, I believe I won't be getting anything. I made that clear to her when she was alive. She could give some money to Alicia but not to me. I've been trying to stand on my own two feet for a while and I believe I can always do that.

"Did you just call me a Witch?" She squealed.

"Don't make me replace the W with a B?" 

It took her a while to figure out what I meant. By the time she did, I was far gone. She screamed, stomped her feet, and threw a stupid tantrum like a child right behind me. 

"Good evening dad, Good evening Mom," I greeted as I walked into the house. 

Everyone was already seated and I realized I was late for dinner. My dad, who was always on a business trip and I got to know him thoroughly through pictures and several handwritten letters. My mom deemed it fit to attend events rather than her children. My younger brother, Mason was also present with his girlfriend or should I say, arranged girlfriend, Susan Barbrock, second daughter of the Prime Minister. 

My dad's younger brother, we call him, big uncle for unknown reasons was also there with his wife, Aunt Judy together with their two kids, Dusty and Ricky who happen to be twins and high school students. Dusty came along with his best friend, Nathan, my namesake and an incredibly polite kid. Even though there were a total of maybe 12 to 15 of them on seat, the rest are irrelevant and invisible to me. 

"You're late, Nathan," my father mentioned the obvious. 

"Pretty sure it was a last-minute decision to come here," My mother added.

"Yes, it was. I didn't want to show up but I gave it a second thought" 

My mother glared at me and focused back on her meal. I sat beside my dad in the empty seat preserved for me and someone placed a plate on the table for me. My relationship with my parents was nonexistent.

"You should've come with Alicia. How's she? Are you guys perhaps hiding good news from us?" Aunt Judy asked with a big smile on her face.

"She's busy. She's doing okay and she sent her greetings. She's so sorry she couldn't make it here tonight and there's…" 

"She's too disrespectful for her status," My father cut me off. 

My grandma had been the patriarchy of the family but after her death, the duty fell to my incorrigible father. 

"You can't talk about my wife like that,"  

My father stared at me. 

"Nathan called me a bitch," Eliza cried out as she got to the table, cutting the tense atmosphere off.

"How could you say that to your cousin? She's older and she deserves some respect," 

I took the napkin. "When she starts minding her business, she'll be respected," I smirked directly at Eliza.

She hissed and took her seat, still glaring at me. I looked away from her and focused on the meal in front of me. 

"My friend, Williams Cardry talked to me about investing in your company," My father stated. Williams is one of the richest tech founders in the United States. Getting interested in my work is not just about the money, but the knowledge and experience I'll gain from meeting someone like that would be extraordinary. 

"Give him my details," I replied, acting as if it didn't mean so much to me.

One thing I've learned growing up independently in Lancaster's home is to never let your weakness show. Once they see it, they latch on it like a lifeline.

"I will if I see you and your wife at the reading of grandma's will next week, at Thanksgiving and Christmas," 

I dropped the spoon loudly on the plate.

I knew and respected my obligation of attending family events and I followed that judiciously for so many years but spending Christmas with them was a line being crossed. My relationship with my family, both immediate and extended, has been estranged for so many years after I decided to go my own way. I only kept on coming back because of Grandma. 

"Are you trying to tie me down with conditions because of Williams?" 

I asked angrily.

"It's your choice, Nathan. It's either you take it or not," 

I dragged the chair out and stood up, ready to walk out of this damned place.

"SIT RIGHT BACK, NATHANIEL," my father yelled.

"Watch me leave," 

I didn't even bother to look back as I walked out of the house, collected my keys, and drove out of the mansion. Why did I think anything good was going to come out of dinner tonight? What was I even expecting? I know my company might need some of Michael's money and fame but not at the expense of my peace. Secondly, how was I supposed to tell Alicia that I would need her help to keep up with my lies? 

I don't know how long I kept on driving but I knew I stopped at a place that was forbidden for me. As I got ready to drive off, my addiction walked out of her house, holding a garbage bag with her hair tied up. She looked tired as usual and I wished I could help but I couldn't. 

I kept on watching her till she walked back into her house, away from me like she did two months ago. Maybe I should've treated her better when she was with me. Maybe, Alicia wouldn't have walked away from me like she did.