Master of Lust

Chapter 223: Father and Son [1]

Chapter - 223

Rick strode briskly out of the hospital, his father trailing closely behind, his steps hesitant and uncertain. "Rick, wait!" his father called out, his voice tinged with concern.

Halting in his tracks, Rick turned to face his father, a sense of urgency etched in his features. "Just hold on. I will be back in a bit," he interjected, cutting off his father before he could say more.

"But, Rick—" his father attempted to protest, but Rick was already on the move again, striding away with purpose, leaving his father standing there, bewildered and anxious.

With a heavy sigh, Rick's father watched his son disappear down the corridor, a knot of worry forming in his stomach. He shifted on his feet, feeling torn between following Rick and giving him space.

Minutes ticked by, and Rick's father waited, glancing around the hospital entrance and tapping his feet anxiously. Just as he was beginning to consider going back inside, a sleek, new Range Rover pulled up right in front of him, catching him off guard. He took a step back, his brow furrowing in confusion.

Before he could utter a word, the window rolled down, revealing Rick behind the wheel, his expression determined.

"Get in," Rick commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Rick's father stood there, utterly flabbergasted by the sight of his son behind the wheel of such an expensive car. His mind raced, struggling to comprehend how Rick could afford something like this.

"What the—" he stammered, his voice trailing off as he blinked in disbelief. This was no ordinary car; it was a luxury vehicle, something he never imagined Rick would be driving.

"We're running late. Just get in," Rick urged, impatience seeping into his voice as he gestured towards the passenger side.

Still reeling from the shock, Rick's father hesitated for a moment before reluctantly obeying, opening the door and sliding into the passenger seat. Before he could even buckle his seatbelt, Rick hit the gas, the engine roaring to life as they sped out of the parking lot.

"Hey, slow down!" Rick's father exclaimed, his voice tinged with anxiety as he instinctively reached for the dashboard to steady himself.

~~~~~

As the car zoomed down the street, Rick's father struggled to contain his bewilderment. His fingers grazed the smooth dashboard and the plush leather seats, almost as if he needed to reassure himself that this surreal experience was indeed real. The gentle purr of the engine and the effortless glide of the car were unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Rick's father finally spoke up, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and concern. "Rick, where on earth did you get this car? Whose car is this? Are you mixed up in something illegal?"

Rick's eyes rolled skyward, his attention still fixed on the road ahead. "Relax. It's nothing shady."

"How can I relax?" His father's voice grew more urgent, his worry palpable. "This car must have cost a small fortune! How in the world can you afford it? Are you involved in some kind of dodgy dealings? You need to tell me the truth, Rick!"

With a heavy sigh, Rick tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "I've told you, there's nothing to worry about."

His father's questions came fast and furious, each one more urgent than the last. "Are you mixed up with dangerous people? Did you borrow money from loan sharks? Are you drowning in debt? Rick, you need to talk to me!"

Rick sighed, his frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. "It's complicated," he replied curtly, unsure how much he wanted to divulge to his father.

His father's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Complicated how? You kissed her in front of me, Rick. I need to know what's going on."

Rick felt a surge of annoyance rising within him. He couldn't believe his father was bringing this up now, of all times.

He couldn't quite put into words the conflicting emotions he had been feeling—anger, jealousy, longing—but he knew he had to try.

"It's none of your business," Rick snapped, his frustration boiling over. "You have no right to question me about Olivia. And why are you surprised. It is not like the first time you have seen us together."

His father recoiled slightly, taken aback by Rick's sudden outburst. "Rick, I'm just trying to understand—"

"Well, don't," Rick cut him off, his voice sharp. "You don't understand anything. You have no idea what I'm going through."

His father's expression softened, a mixture of concern and hurt in his eyes. "Rick, I'm your father. I just want to help you. But I can't do that if you shut me out."

Rick's jaw clenched, his anger flaring. "Help me? You want to help me? C'mon. We both know that you have been of no help to me for the all these years. This time it is no different."

His father's face paled, the color draining from his cheeks. "Rick, I—"

"No, don't," Rick interrupted, his voice trembling with emotion. "Don't try to explain it away. You weren't there. And now you want to play the concerned father? It's too late for that."

His father's gaze dropped, a heavy silence falling between them. Rick could feel the weight of his words hanging in the air, each one a bitter reminder of the pain and resentment he had been carrying for years.

But as the silence stretched on, Rick felt a twinge of guilt creeping in. Maybe he had been too harsh, too quick to lash out. His father wasn't perfect, but he had always tried his best, hadn't he?

With a sigh, Rick softened his tone, his anger giving way to exhaustion. "Look, Dad... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I just..."

His father looked up, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and understanding. "I know, Rick. I know."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation hanging heavy in the air. Rick's father reached out, placing a hand on Rick's shoulder.

"I'm sorry too, Rick," he said softly. "I should've been there for you more. I should've been a better father."

"Yes you should have been."

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