Chapter 55: Chapter 55

ROYCE

"What are you both doing here?"

Their presence came as a shock to me. Never did I dream of having them in my life again. When I was an innocent kid, I had wishful thinking of having them with me, the usual complete family like my friends. But those years are gone. I taught myself to accept things and continue to live my life even without their presence. Who needs complete parents when you have the perfect grannies.

Mom and Dad stared at me, both unable to speak right away. It must have been a miracle that got them together because they couldn't even stand being 5 meters close the last time I knew.

"Royce, who are they?" Nelly asked as she clung to my arms. I contemplated what to say to her if I should tell her the truth or just lie.

"Nelly, it's you. How are you?" Mom said before I could introduce her to my Nelly. So, she already knows Nelly.

Nelly squeezed her eyebrows and looked at mom and me back and forth. Her eyes sent a silent question to me.

"My mom and dad," I told her as I looked at the two people still at my doorstep. Many questions were running in my head, but I didn't know if I would ever be interested in learning the answers.

"Hi, nice to meet you," Nelly said; she initiated shaking mom and dad's hands which they gladly accepted.

"Baby, why don't you let them come inside? Come on in," she invited them to the living room. How could I protest Nelly? I let them pass through without making any eye contact with them. They were hesitant at first, but Nelly was so polite that they couldn't refuse her.

I followed them into the living room. There was a deafening silence that lasted for seconds. The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward having my parents around Nelly and me. I find it hard to start a conversation either.

"Baby, let's offer them something. Did you guys have dinner? It was strange you weren't at Royce's birthday party."

"Thank you, Nelly. You seemed like a very nice woman," Dad said.

"She is," I answered as I entwined one hand on Nellys.

"Thank you, Mr. Park," Nelly said, pressing her lips flat like she was shy to accept the compliment.

"You're one lucky guy, Royce."

"I know."

"Baby, can you wait for me in my room? I just have to talk to them now. You have your things in the wardrobe."

"But Royce, I can help you if they need something to eat."

"It's okay, Nelly, don't worry about us. This won't take long," mom said.

She must have sensed my anger and the unwelcome atmosphere I sent them when they saw my face.

"Okay then, I'll see you guys later," Nelly said.

She nodded to mom and dad before she left. She went straight to my room, and when she closed the door, my facial expression hardened.

I was unsure what to say, but I must end things between us to keep them from coming back to me. I want closure just so they would let me live in peace with Nelly.

"Let's go to the library," I commanded and led the way. They did not respond, but I heard footsteps behind me. I opened the door for them and then closed it behind me.

"Have a seat," I said, pointing at the couch. Mom and dad sat side by side, and I sat on the opposite couch.

"I don't wanna be rude. But this is my house, and I don't want anybody to come and visit without my permission. What are you two doing in my house?"

None of them dared to speak. The atmosphere was so quiet that I could hear my own breath. It lasted for a few moments before I interrupted the silence that dominated among us.

"Who wants to go first? I don't have the whole night to discuss this with you."

"I'm sorry," Dad dared to utter those words in front of me.

"Straight to the point, why are you here?" My voice raised a few decibels because of agitation.

"I'm here to say sorry and talk things with you and your mom."

"Is that all you have to say? After all these years?"

"Royce, please listen to your dad." Mom chimed in. "This is difficult for the three of us, but please listen to what we say."

I scoffed, I flared up. "Huh, three of us? Really? How is this hard for you and dad?" I asked, pointing my fingers to her and dad, back and forth.

"It was me who was left alone while you two had your own family. You and dad abandoned me," I pointed out; my voice was brittle.

"For so many years, I wish you two would come back, and we would be a complete family and happy again. You don't know how deep pain you engraved in me. You tore me. I grew up longing to have normal parents like my friends in school."

"Royce, please...," mom begged.

"What? Are you realizing just now how tormenting it has been for me?"

Mom looked away; tears started forming in her eyes.

"Royce, it's my fault. As the head of the family, I should be the one who has to settle things. I admit I was at fault; please don't blame your mom on this."

"No, you two are adults; both are responsible for your own actions. Don't take all the burden on your shoulder. It wouldn't change the way I looked at you and mom."

"Yes, I am at fault, Min," mom said as he patted dad's arm.

"We are taking the blame, Royce; just give us a chance, please. I beg you. We understand we have been compulsive without thinking about the consequences of our actions, and it is you who would be in pain. We know it was difficult for you to be left alone, growing up without parents beside you, and now you are forced to manage the businesses of your grannies. Everything left for you was a burden, and as your mother, I am truly sorry, even if you won't believe me."

"Your mother was right, Royce. You suffered the most, and we were too blind to see it coming because we focused on our own happiness. We were selfish, we neglected you, and it pains me to think about it now. We were irresponsible."

Everything that happened in the past came rushing into my head like a flash. They reminded me of how much I pitied myself way back then. I didn't feel enough as a child; I thought I wasn't a typical child for not having my parents with me.

"I don't have time for this now. We had a long night at the party. I need to rest."

They wished me a happy birthday before they left. I chose to stay in the library, letting the conversation sink in my system before facing Nelina waiting in my room. She has nothing to do with my personal problem, and I don't want her to worry about me; Nelly has a lot of issues to deal with.

All those years I spent without my parents made me tough, and I hope that when the time comes that they appear in front of me, I will show no mercy. Yet what happened was the opposite. It tore my heart to see them in pain and hopelessness. And I hate it; it felt like my heart betrayed me. I was wrong; I wasn't ready to end everything.

I walked into my room and saw Nelly patiently waiting for me. She was sitting on the single sofa, reading a magazine. Her mere presence instantly lightened my mood.

"Hey"

Nelly quickly closed the magazine. "Royce, how was it? Should we serve them dinner?"

"No, baby, they went home. It's getting late."

"I thought they were staying. You look stressed and tired."

"And so are you; look at the dark circle in your eyes. You need some rest."

"Yeah, we both need to rest now," Nelly agreed.

But I saw questions in her eyes. I'm not ready to discuss them, though.