KAISER

It was after Malik's independent study when he drove to my place to get me for Sacramento.

I am invited to my parents for dinner, they are expecting me along with Riley, but she's all occupied with some research project that will be due before the weekend.

We take Malik's AMG and make our way to the capital of California, discussing shoe brands and rugby league while listening to Drake's masterpiece that Malik must have been taken away and forgotten the driving rules.

"Fuck." He cuss when his car slightly brushes some old Honda Odyssey.

"The fuck dude?" I chuckle. Granted we both have our seat belts on, so when he pulled on the brake; our bodies jerks with the force but the belts held us firmly.

"Is not funny."

I couldn't stifle the laugh, while I bait him about his lack of driving skills.
"It is, I should know you are not so good of a driver."

And just as usual, he's provoked sufficiently when he begins to defend. "Whoa? Hold it right there."

But I couldn't retort, with the abrupt noise that suddenly let us collects our present situation.

At the same time, Malik and I climb out of the car to come across a mature man, dressed like some groom in a tuxedo. He is banging on the hood of Malik's car like he can afford to pay the damage fee, supposing he causes any defect on the AMG.

"What do you think you're doing?" He barks, aggrieved at the minor accident.

Oh, and he's determined to appear man-like. He better drop off the balls he's attempting to wear on. None between Malik and I put up with attitudes like that.

"You were on my way." Malik boldly countered.

The fun thing about Malik is we share one thing in common. Malapert.

While it triggers the daddy, it evokes satisfaction in us, the man looks like he's about to breathe fire.
"On your way? The last time I check I find no name written on the road."

Reluctantly my eyes roll and I brashly utter. "Is called freeway for a reason dumbass."

"Excuse you?" The jerk's attention came to me like I should fear him. I sometimes wonder why older people try so hard to gain respect. "Did you just call me a dumbass?"

Oh yes, Viserion. In case you don't know, he wasn't the sole surviving dragon.

"Can't you tell?" I smirk along with a sluggish shrug.

"You two think you are so bad? Wait until the police arrive."

Oh save me time, is not like there's any cop that can arrest me. That must be the reason Malik couldn't stop laughing at the ridiculous man, huffing and puffing and about to explode in our faces.

"I'm sure you'd be on your knees begging for an apology because by then you will know the difference between bonfire and campfire, my friend."

I snort under my breath after Malik's words. Lazily tousling my hair with my fingers.

Then some anonymous snapshot sound came up, attracting our attention.

"Fucking paparazzi." Malik hissed knowing how irritating these recent changes my parent had made in the family makes me.

"I know you." The twat eyes narrowed, he watches me inquisitively, trying to figure me out, if possible.

"I know. You're dumb don't you get it, now if you'll excuse us, we men have dinner to attend." Thus I smiled genuinely and begin turning away.

"You're the elected governor's son." He rushes.

And there it is.

"You're right."

"You know I vote for your dad." He informs, desperately.

"You shouldn't have."

Is not like I asked for all these changes, I wanted my parent to realize their mistakes and retire from the family business as they had promised, months ago. However, it went polar-plan. My father was chosen for the gubernatorial office instead of the yacht he and mom were supposed to be on.

Ignoring the tetchy man, I and Malik help ourselves into the ride when I heard the man say. "filthy superior people."

***
We arrive at my parent's right on time. Laura, the senior household who has been with us since New York, lead Malik and me to the dining room.

As a tradition, the two honorable are seated around the table, waiting for my arrival.

"You are here." Mom bolts up and approaches me with open arms.

"It not like you offered me a choice," I say bluntly, though mom always finds a way to tolerate me, so instead she pulled me into a hug.

We all settled around the table and the servers begin assisting us.

"Malik, how are your studies?" Mom brings up a conversation.

I grin; a cheeky grin at the best she can do. Seriously? Asking Malik about his life? Oh, I must have forgotten, I've never been a priority.

"Not gonna lie it's quite stressing," Malik replied, obviously deluding mom with his fake chivalrous behavior.

"You kids of this generation like complaining all the time." The mighty father of the year interferes while struggling with a plate full of greens.

"Sir is not easy." In three words Malik explains teenage life to my dad. But of course, my dad doesn't understand the difference between his generation and ours and so he begins. "Nothing comes easy, my son. Achievement demands hard work."

Dad and his trash can wisdom words, I no longer believe in.

"John worked hard, yet he still isn't giving up." And my Juliet of a mother smiles at her junkie called my father.

Honestly, I don't get it, why am I even invited? To be ignored? Or watch my parent praise each other.

"We worked hard, darling." Dad chastised, winking at her. I want to swallow glass and throw up on their faces. "But look around, isn't it worth it." He appended.

"Defin..."

"Very worth it, you two are so happy to have a messed-up family." I interrupt mom before she could finish up.

"Kaiser." Mom and dad unison, sternly.

"What? Isn't it obvious? This family is a gallon of shit."

There's a sudden tension in the air, I restlessly want to escape this place for nontoxic oxygen.

Malik nervously pick up a stupid choice and went telling on me to the enemies.
"Did KC told you he's thinking of starting a shoe brand in LA?"

"Really?" Mom turns to me with a smile that says 'I'm so excited you're doing something with your life.'

"I just thought about it two hours ago." I honestly announced.

I underestimated Malik's imbecility. If he thinks discussing what I just thought about two hours ago will bring back the happiness I lost, he sure needs enlightenment.

"But I am confident it will be a success, my friend here has style." Malik slaps my shoulder, brotherly.

"Definitely." Mom agreed before bringing back her eyes on me. "I thought Riley would be here."

Well, she's not, so what? Kick me out? Apparently, I'm not even welcome here.

"But she's not, accept what you can have." She should be grateful I accept the invitation.

"Young man..."

"She's on for some research and I heard she's hanging with Daisy." Malik retorted, cutting off whatever my dad was about to throw at me.

"Daisy? Isn't that the roommate Riley told me about?" Great, and now my mom's interested in what's not her concern.

"Yes, Daisy is a nice young lady, she's a premed." Malik state the certainty. Though stopped right there when I shoot him a dagger glare.

"I heard good things about her, maybe we would have an expanded table for Thanksgiving. Invite her please."

What the actual fuck?

"And here I thought thanksgiving is meant for just family, but of course, when your parent doesn't give a damn about you. They expand the table for others." I direct at my parent contumeliously.

Mom fidgets on her chair, her fingers laced together, she says. "That's not true, my dear."

"Oh you don't have to pretend to be a parent, you two are none, at this point if you tell me I'm an adopted child I wouldn't disagree." I lean into the seat and watch my two donors that made a human out of love and ended up tossing the child behind, for they believe the luxury of life is better than parenthood.

"You need to learn how to control your anger, son. And stop making derogatory remarks." Dad warns if that's considered harsh. He has dropped the fork and maintains his attention on me.

"He's just being a teenager." Mom deceived herself.

"I'm no teenager. This is what I feel inside, I'm letting it out."

"You heard him, he is a grown man." Dad challenged.

"Seriously John?"

"What I am saying is, I've got a call from SU and this young man here hasn't been doing his homework and following the syllabus."

Whoa whoa, what?

"So what is this now you've got me under your watch Huh? How can you go low to espionage?" I gasped.

He really wouldn't go this low, will he?

"Will you explain what your father just said?" Mom snapped me out of the intense scrutiny I'm aiming at dad.

"First, I'd like to know why I have people watching me," I demand.

"We've got nothing to hide, unlike you. You are our only child and we are your parent, of course, I will spend everything to have people keep an eye on you." Dad shamelessly hit me with those absurd words.

"You don't call whatever shit we have, parent-son bullshit." I fly my hands between the two sources that produced me. "I don't care about your dumbass emotions, I don't need your protection, stop trying."

"Language!" Again, they unison.

"What? I'm eighteen. I can cuss as much as you. I can cuss you even." I shrug, showing crass insensitivity.

"When will you take things seriously? Do you have any idea how many newspapers your face are on these days?" Dad practically yells.

Good. I enjoy triggering his impatience.

"No! You know why? I don't lick the shit you poop." I shove back the chair and bolt up.

"Kay... Kay?"

"Do not fucking call me that. Is not you who gets to call me that." I snarled at the suddenly fragile woman dabbing her eyes with a napkin.

"You don't talk to your mother like that." Dad rises, anger evident in his expression.

"Make me talk the way you desire then?" I smirk in his face and add pain to his wound. "The last time I check you can't even handle your family. For fuck sake we are fucking three. But shame, you failed the species of men. It's an embarrassment to be called a father when you know no shit."

His hand flies towards my face, I know it will come, I saw it but I didn't budge, I didn't give him the satisfaction of showing my fear. I boldly stare at him, waiting for him to finish what he started. However his halt with mom's exclamation. "Do not." She commands, panic and anger filled her tone.

I scoff at the pathetic people, I call my parent. And shook my head at them. "Why did you gave birth to me? I never asked to exist you know." I remind them and match for the exit.