Third Person's POV.
The peace in the apartment lasted precisely until after breakfast. Percy and Gemini were cuddled up on the couch, wrapped in the afterglow of their new relationship when the vibrating of Percy's phone on the side table became a frantic, relentless buzzing.
Percy squinted at the screen, recognizing the caller ID with an immediate, grim certainty.
"I guess we're doing this now," Percy sighed, kissing Gemini's forehead before reaching for his phone. "The silence is officially over. The Queen has woken up."
"Is that... your mother?" Gemini whispered, instantly tensing.
"In a spectacular rage, I imagine," Percy confirmed, his jaw setting hard. He answered the call and immediately held the phone away from his ear.
The sound that erupted from the speaker was a sharp, high-pitched scream of fury that easily pierced the quiet sitting room.
"PERSEUS! What in God's name is the meaning of this insolent, unprofessional, utterly treasonous action you have taken? I have just been informed that you have not only resigned but that you have unilaterally appointed that Renee woman without so much as an email to me first! This is not why I allowed that clause in your contract!"
Percy waited coolly for the initial blast to subside.
"Good morning, Mother," Percy finally cut in, his voice calm and level, a deliberate contrast to her hysteria. "As stated in the documents filed by my legal representation, my resignation from Morre Holdings is immediate and permanent. Renee is an exceptionally qualified Creative Director, and her appointment ensures the company continues to thrive even in my absence."
"This is an act of war, Percy!" she shrieked. "You were meant to succeed me! I built that company for you! And the CEO role? Aethel Design? You think I won't crush that pathetic little startup before you even have a chance to warm the seat? This is a betrayal! A direct attack on the family!"
"No, Mother. This is my career," Percy countered firmly. "I told you I was ready to move on. I simply expedited the process. You are in good hands with Renee. I'm done discussing fighting about the same thing with you."
He didn't wait for her response. He simply hung up the phone. The sudden silence in the sitting room was suffocating.
Gemini looked at him, his eyes wide. "Wow. I didn't think she would scream that loud."
"That was the beginning of this war" Percy said, his face hard. "It will only get worse from here. But she can't touch me now."
Later that afternoon, Percy received another call—this time from a different number. It was his father, Robert Morre, whose tone was decidedly less hysterical but heavy with stress and exhaustion.
"Percy, we need to talk. Your mother is currently in the middle of a nervous collapse in the library," Robert said, his voice low and weary.
"Is she injured?" Percy asked, maintaining a detached tone.
"No, she's throwing priceless antiques and blaming me for everything. Which brings me to the point," Robert continued, his irritation rising. "Why did you use my law firm to file your resignation and appoint your replacement without running it by me first? She's absolutely furious that the very lawyers meant to protect the family were used to undermine her!"
Truth be told, Percy's father knew this was coming, but he didn't expect the bomb to land on his head. He gave Percy access to the firm because he trusts him, but his wife believes he conspired with him. She hasn't spoken to him civilly since the papers landed on her desk. He's caught in the middle of this mess, and frankly, he's tired of being the collateral damage in their fights. Percy and his mother are so alike, that's why they're always clashing.
"I'm sorry dad, I didn't have time to run it by you first. I had to ensure the move was swift and legally impeccable," Percy explained. "I needed the best team—your team—to handle the paperwork, ensure my shares were liquidated properly, and most importantly, guarantee my replacement is competent so Mother wouldn't have any grounds to challenge the resignation as an act of neglect."
"You used my resources against your mother, Percy," Robert sighed.
"No, Dad. I used the family resources to finally gain my independence and secure a clean transition form the company," Percy corrected gently but firmly. "If I had consulted her or even you, she would have found a way to tie me down with legal knots for months. I needed to get out immediately."
There was a moment of silence on the line. Percy could hear his father sighing heavily.
"She feels completely blindsided and betrayed," Robert admitted, the parental concern momentarily overriding the corporate stress. "She thinks you're doing this because of the kid you're seeing. You know I only want you and your sister to be happy but couldn't you meet your mother halfway on this?"
"It's not about Gemini. If not him, it'd be someone else. Mother's reaction was always inevitable because she simply cannot tolerate not being the one who dictates who I love. Her drive for control over my life, over everything, is the precise reason I need a stable, independent future. He is not the cause of my departure. She presented the ultimatum long ago—a clear choice between the company and my own happiness. I picked happiness, Dad. You're upset, of course, but you know deep down this was always going to happen, don't you?"
Robert paused. "I do, son. I'm proud of you for being decisive. But be prepared. She's not just angry; she's out for blood. She sees Aethel Design as a rival now. She won't rest until she's retaliated."
"Let her try," Percy said, his voice colder than before. "I have nothing to hide. The war is on her terms now, but the battleground is mine."
Percy hung up and immediately felt the need to wash the residue of his family drama from his skin. He walked back into the living room where Gemini was quietly scrolling through his phone. Seeing him—calm, safe, and completely unconnected to the toxic family drama—was an immediate soothing balm.
"Done with the calls?" Gemini asked, putting his phone down, his gaze full of understanding.
"Just the beginning," Percy confirmed, sinking onto the couch beside him and pulling Gemini into his side. "Mother is enraged at the audacity, and Dad is caught in the middle. The consensus is that the war is officially on."
"Aren't you worried?" Gemini asked, gently stroking Percy's arm.
Percy shook his head, burying his face in Gemini's hair, inhaling the comforting, familiar scent. "No. Not anymore. Because I'm not alone," Percy murmured into his hair. "She can do whatever she wants, but she can't fight this. She can't fight us."
He looked into Gemini's eyes, the intensity of the morning's calls replaced by a deep affection.
Percy leaned closer. "I need you to promise me something, Bunny. She's going to lash out, but listen: no matter what threats she makes, no matter what scheme she uses against Aethel Design or me, you are to ignore it. Focus only on your education, alright? I'll handle my mother."
Gemini kissed him, reassuring pledge. "I promise. And if you need to talk or scream about the stress, I'm here for that too. I won't let you do this alone."