Date The CEO.com

Chapter 283: No Tears Left to Shed

"Mom, mom, mom!"

Ambryan ran out of the car and up the front steps of Hathaway Manor. He had started in a new school after two weeks from moving out of Cornelia Town. The uniform was a new experience to him. Its navy blue color brought the cool hues in his eyes. 

Everyone wore the same thing. The bathrooms were well-kept. His history teacher was also amazing. They had a discussion after class about the Peloponnesian War. He was neither turned away nor brushed off because the teacher thought he was too young.

His Nana was right.

The world had so much more to offer.

And he couldn't wait to tell Madame Isabelle all about it! 

"Mom!" Ambryan screamed again when a servant let him in. He raced to the upper floor, one destination in mind. He turned around the corner, pushed the bedroom door and

If a stranger had walked up to this room, that person would think no one was using it. The bed laid empty, sheets and pillow covers all clean and free of crease. The dresser lacked skin care bottles and hairspray. Nothing hung on the cabinet's handle. Bedside table had a lamp, no hair tie in sight.

Ambryan scanned every direction as far as his eyes could see. He stepped inside and wandered around. He checked the bathroom. The sink counter only had a liquid hand soap which he also saw in his own room. 

Out in the hallway, Avery walked up to the doorway and knocked. "Ambryan, are you in here?"

He left the bathroom, meeting her gaze with alarmed eyes. "Where's mom?"

"S-She" the madam trailed off. "Why don't you come down for some afternoon snacks, hm?"

"Where's mom?" Ambryan repeated. His hands began to tremble. They had a deal. She should be here. Even when she went back to town, her stuff remained so he knew she'd be back. But now 

"Let's join Nana for tea first, okay?" Avery tried to touch his arm but he pulled away.

A tear trickled down the corner of his eye. "You made her go away, didn't you?"

Her throat clogged. "That's not" 

"It was you! You told her to leave! Because I don't want you as my mother!" Ambryan wailed. Two streams of tears flowed down his cheeks. His eyes stained red as he glared in her direction. "Why do you take everything from me?! I already live here. What more do you want?!"

He slipped out of the room and bolted for the library. It had become his refuge. There was a nook between two shelves that people normally missed. He couldn't remember how he found it but he did. Legs bent in front of him, he hugged them to his chest and sobbed on his knees.

Back at the guest room, Avery closed the door. The latch clicked softly. Her back slumped forward until her forehead hit the door. She shut her eyes and gripped the knob tight. Footsteps sounded from the and stopped right behind her.

"Jackson" she said without looking. "Have I gone too far?"

He hugged her from behind and kissed her shoulder. "We both know he wouldn't stop unless something stopped him. Forget accepting us, he wouldn't be able to see us at all. Neither as his guardians nor his family."

Turning his wife around, Jackson held her chin up. "Madame Isabelle understood that perfectly despite her initial objections. We'll get it lifted once things are mended among us, hm?"

"I hope it will work," Avery whispered. "Otherwise, he'd just hate us forever."

Days went by and Ambryan spent his days on auto-mode. He didn't speak inside the manor unless spoken to. They were short replies. If possible, only one or two words. He never did anything else but his homework and necessities.

Not even his Nana could get him to talk.

It was the coldest week in the manor as his mood affected everyone.

Avery knocked on his door each day, determined to earn his forgiveness. She'd bring his favorite tea and scones but he never answered. The tray would be left for him to get if he wanted. She refused to use the keys since that would mean invading his privacy.

Sometimes the tray would be empty when she'd come back to get it.

Other days, it would be untouched.

She brought the tray back to the kitchen, a blank look on her face. There had to be something they hadn't tried. A servant took the tray from her and she sat on the nearest stool of a kitchen counter. 

"Nana, what should we do?" The madam asked the old woman across from her. "This can't keep going. I've tried everything I could think of. Should I read books? Discuss them with him?"

Nana Hathaway ate an orange slice. "That would work in other circumstances. But knowing Ambryan, he'd know you're only doing it for him to forgive you. It has to be something more genuine than that."

"Maybe I should ask the school about how he's doing. Like if he had made friends. He needs, at least, one," Avery ranted. These thoughts had lingered in her mind so much that they mixed together like a cake batter. "Then, invite the person to a playdate. I'd be happy just to see him interact with someone at this point."

"Why not host a party?" Her mother-in-law suggested. 

"Too many people might overwhelm him."

"Only the guardians and/or parents of the kids in his class," she elaborated. "Even if he made friends or acquaintances, we need to know what kind of people they are. Plus it would help distract you from hovering over him."

Avery pressed her lips together, considering the idea. They do need to be more involved. He would also be mingling with more people in the future. It should have a beneficial long-term effect. But

"I don't think it will work." She sighed.

"Leave it to me. It'll work out." Nana Hathaway threw her orange peels in the trash and headed for the upper floor. She made a slight detour, grabbing the handset of a wireless telephone. There should be one person who would be able to help sort this out.

Nothing like a little bribe wouldn't be able to do. 

Especially with a nine-year-old. She must teach him sometime when he becomes older.

Believing Nana's words, Avery invited Ambryan's classmates and their families for a barbeque. Jackson came back home early just to attend it. The manor had been its liveliest since Ambryan started the silent treatment. The kitchen was busy as well as the servants. 

Avery managed to smile here and there, chatting with the women.

Jackson sat around a table with the adult males. They played a friendly game of poker while drinking wine. Both sides talked about one thing the most:

Their long lost son.

"Ambryan? He's very studious. Never lets his education be compromised," Avery stated.

Jackson laughed heartily when someone on his table mentioned the same. "I can't wait until he's old enough to play. I bet he could outwin us all in one game."

Nana stayed by the doorway that connected the house to the back porch. She watched the two socialize, delighted to see some happy expressions. Then, she glanced over her shoulder. The children stayed inside under supervision. Toys and video games had been provided. 

A copper-headed boy tripped over a lego.

Still lying on his stomach, his steel gray eyes blinked in confusion. "What was that?"

Two leather shoes appeared in his line of sight. He had to squint to notice their shapeand that they were connected to a pair of legs. His head tilted upwards until he saw a face. At least, he figured it was a face.

"Who are you?"

Ambryan stared down at the kid his age. He didn't remember the latter. They weren't in the same class. Although, if he looked closely, the kid seemed familiar. Maybe he had a family member in school that Ambryan recognized.

"What color are my eyes?" He asked out of the blue.

The kid scowled. "Um black?"

Rolling his eyes, Ambryan bent down and helped the kid stand up. "I think you need glasses."

"Glasses?"

"Your vision is blurry. That's why you tripped."

"Ooohh" The kid nodded, not even questioning how Ambryan knew about that. He looked around the room before shifting his attention back to Ambryan. "HeyWhere did he go?"

"Ambryan, nice house!"

"You have so much room to run!"

"These toys are amazing too!"

"Your TV is pretty big but we have a bigger one at my house. Want to see it?"

"You have dolls? What are you? A girl?"

Ambryan ignored the noise. 

He only came down because he made a promise. Profanities flowed out of his lips. Thanks to Nana Hathaway, he was able to talk to his mom every month from now onexcept Madame Isabelle would only accept his calls if he cooperated with his new family. 

His feet brought him to a passage that led to the library.

That was when a small figure bumped into him.

"Ow!"

"Are you alright?" Ambryan questioned, offering his hand to help her.

Amber eyes blinked up at him. "Are you Aunt Avery's son?"

He frowned. "Do you like the floor so much that you don't want to get up?"

She grabbed his hand and hoisted herself up. A huff escaped her lips. "Well, you're really rude. Don't you know any manners?"

"Didn't I just help you?"

"Jane! Jane, there you are!" A boy cut in the conversation. Two of his friends stood on either side of him. "Come play with us!"

The girl immediately hid behind Ambryan. The latter scrunched his eyebrows at her actions. 

"Come on! It will be fun!"

"I don't think she wants to," Ambryan replied for her. He met kids like this boy in his previous school. They would always invite Eve to play and bully her for it. "Go find someone else to play with."

"You think you're better than us just because you live in this house?"

"Where I live is irrelevant. She doesn't want to play. Or are you too stupid to understand?"