Chapter Four

       They drove past the building in silence, nobody not even saying a word. The driver tried to make a stop to drinks for them but he abruptly refused. Colin Ansel didn't want to waste his time, drinking to stupor. He was exhausted so was his father. Today was a busy day at work. Meetings everywhere, making plans for the future of Ansel Incorporation Company and the list could go on and on. And also the orientation for the new employees. Speaking of new employees, he remembered her. That insolent dum dum. The last words he said to him really stung him deep. 

         “This place sucks. Who the hell makes a bunch of stupid rules like no cellphones or no eating or other shit like that? You also suck as a director. You feel because you're above everyone, you have to bully or order anyone around. Well, boy, I'm glad not to be working here, Mister. Goodbye.“

         How dare her talk to him in the manner? Does she know how badly he could hurt her if he wants to...?

        “Colin.” His father's cranky voice brought him out of his thoughts.

    “Yes, father?”

    “Are you alright? Your face is burnt red and you're sweating hard and the car's AC is on. Did something happen at work?”

    “I'm okay, Father. I'm just tired. I need to be home real soon.” Colin said as he pulled out his white handkerchief from his pocked and wiped off the beads of sweat on his forehead. 

    “Are you sure? Are you sick? ”His father asked and tried touching his forehead but Colin slapped his hand away.

       “I said I'm fine. You can drop the act here. There's no need checking on me like you really care because we both know that you don't. Besides, there's no one here from work that you have to pretend that you care about your son. So yeah, drop the act.”

       His father was stunned. He rested his hands on his laps and sighed heavily. “Why would you say something so insensitive, Colin? You know how much I care about you.....”

       Colin interrupted him. “No, Father. You don't. Cause if you did care for me, you wouldn't have allowed mom to leave.” As he said this the car came to a stop at once. He opened the car, carried his briefcase, came out of the car, leaving his father behind. 

      Mr Ansel Wilkins watched as his son angrily walked out of the car. He had expected this to happen sooner or later. He sighed as his driver helped him out of the car. Their family was a complicated one. Soon after his father, Sir Wilkins, the secretary to one of the most prominent governors passed away, he took all his father's savings and started a little business which grew into what everyone knows as the Ansel Incorporation Company. Few days after his company was launched, he met Colin's Mother, Miss Flora Armstrong. She was the daughter to one of his father's late associates and had come to the company, seeking for a job. He fell in love with her, the very moment he set his eyes on her. They got engaged a few months later, and on the last day of September 2004, they got married. Colin's birth was announced a year later and that was the best day of his life. 

      Then came along Colin. He was a chubby child, with a wide smile. Ansel loved him so much. He would devote most of his time at home taking care of both his wife and his baby. Everything was perfect until Colin's seventh birthday. Cheong Oh, the Managing Director of The Cheongsam Business, asked for a meeting. That was the greatest thing that had ever happened to the Ansel Incorporation Company as a whole. It was finally getting the recognition it deserved. Ansel was so excited that he forgot about his son's birthday. After the busy day at work, he came home to meet his wife angrily waiting for him. That was when the arguments started. He started spending most of his time at work, and neglecting his family. Till Flora got tired and left when Colin was twelve. He was heartbroken when she did but he knew he was at fault. 

      Although, it has been almost twenty years since his wife left, but Colin still blames him for ever letting his mother go. And he would never forgive him, ever. But Ansel promised himself to use his last days wisely. He stopped for a moment at the door. The driver stopped too.

    “Drop the briefcase in my room and ask Francis to prepare dinner.”

    “Sir, are you not coming in?” the driver asked, fearing that the old man would run off somewhere.

    “I'm just going to step out for a minute for a smoke or two. I'll be back.”

    The driver hesitated. “But sir, the doctor said that you shouldn't...”

    “Stephen!” Ansel said at once. The driver stopped. “Just do as I say. Tell Colin not to worry, I'll be back soon.”

    “Yes, sir. ” The driver bowed low and entered inside the house. Ansel watched him go then pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. As he was about to lit one, he started coughing loudly. He then covered his mouth with his head so as not to make noise. He then cleared his throat and he felt much better. As he removed his hand away from his mouth, he noticed a red spotting on his hands. His life was already slipping away by the moment. The doctor had told him that his lungs barely functioned and he should stay away from smoking. But this week, he had smoked almost two packs and was about to smoke another pack. He wiped his hand on his trousers and went ahead to lit another cigarette. He was still going to die either way.