Arinze was sitting in the living room, busy with his phone, when his dad came down the stairs.
"Arinze," Chief called.
He looked up. "Hey Dad. Didn't hear you coming."
Chief smiled warmly. "It's fine. I just came to remind you that you'll be resuming work with Dumez Links by next week, so have that in mind."
Arinze's face tightened. He tried to hide his irritation, exhaling deeply as he stood up.
"Dad, you always have a way of ruining someone's mood," he said, sighing heavily before walking angrily toward the stairs.
Chief watched him leave, then went to sit on the couch and turned on the TV.
A few minutes later, Arinze's mum came to his room. She stood outside the door and knocked.
"Who is it?" he asked, not looking up.
"Arinze, can I come in?" her voice sounded from outside.
"Yeah," he replied.
She entered and quietly shut the door.
"Good afternoon, Mum."
"Afternoon, son," she replied as she went to sit on the bed beside him. Arinze sat up, expecting what she came for.
"Arinze, I heard you and your dad talking downstairs," she said softly.
He sighed, already disappointed.
"Look, Arinze," she began gently, "I know you may think your dad is trying to do you wrong by sending you to work as a junior staff in another organization…" she paused to read his expression before continuing,
"…but it's for the best. He knows what he's doing. He knows you'll do much better in his company if you've gained the proper work experience."
Arinze frowned and raised his voice.
"Seriously, Mum?! Is that what you came to tell me? Really?!"
"Arinze, I'm just trying to make you see reasons with your father, to make you understand—"
"And I do understand, okay? My dad is trying to sell me out of his company!" he cut in sharply.
"No, son. That's not it," she tried to explain, but he wasn't listening. His anger was building.
"But it's fine. I really don't care anyway," he said curtly.
"Arinze, listen to me—"
"You know what, Mum? I need some air," he interrupted, getting out of bed.
"Excuse me," he muttered, walking out of the room and leaving his mother in shock.
"Did he just walk out on me?" she said under her breath, bewildered.