Chapter Five

Isaac watched his mother leave him and his father alone in the living room. He walked towards one of the couches and sat down. He could feel his father’s eyes on him as he tried to make himself comfortable on the luxurious couch.

“I see they fixed up your neck,” His father began as he stared at Isaac. His eyes were not looking the way they usually looked. Instead of seeing the hardness that he knew so well in them, Isaac saw compassion and guilt.

“Don’t start,” He warned his father.

“I’m not starting anything,” His father replied to him boldly as he crossed his legs. “I’m just stating what is obvious, and right now, that’s your neck.”

Isaac was really being tested. He could feel his patience becoming thinner. If his father continued on this path of arrogance, he would certainly snap. “Why am I here? Why did you want to see me?” 

His father smiled faintly and ran his hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. “I’m sorry for what happened last night. I was abusive and deserve to go to prison. I shouldn’t have choked your mother or tried to hurt you.” 

Isaac was shocked and speechless. He could not believe what he was hearing. Was this a dream? His father had never apologized before, nor owned up to anything he did wrong. If he was sorry about something that he did, he would just start acting nice and avoid talking about what happened.

“Is this a joke?” Isaac laughed in disbelief. 

“Do you see me laughing?” 

“You have never apologized to me before, why now?” Isaac asked boldly. He was really intrigued by why his father was suddenly acting out of character. And even though this was a good thing, he wanted an answer still.

Isaac’s father laughed deeply and uncrossed his legs. His son was right, he had never apologized to a single soul in his life. This was a first. “After your mother came to my office and we argued about you leaving for America, I had some time to think about everything when she left.”

“It’s time for a change.” His father added, his voice cracking a bit as tears formed in his eyes. 

“Dad, are you okay?” Isaac felt all his anger disappear, he was now feeling sorry for his father. 

Mr. Robert cleared his throat and then spoke, “What would you like to study in America?” He was not ready to talk about the reason he had so much anger and pain in his heart; why he lashed out at Isaac and Ava almost all the time.

Isaac could sense that his father was trying to open up to him but was not fully ready, so he did not try to make him do so. “I don’t know, to be honest. Mom got it all done in a blink of an eye.” 

“Business. You’re going to do Business and Accounting like your old man.” Isaac’s father replied to him.

Isaac felt more relaxed than he was when he first entered the living room to meet his father. He was actually now willing to forgive his father for what had happened last night. He was not the kind of person that held grudges, they’re just too draining.

“Yeah, I think Business Administration and Management would do,” Isaac agreed with his father. “I don’t even know which college or university I would be going to.”

“The best one, I would tell you that. Do you think I would let the heir of the Ford fortune go to a community college? Certainly not!” Mr. Robert laughed, and Isaac joined him. 

Isaac spent the rest of the night talking with his father while actually enjoying it. This was a rare occurrence. He and Mr. Robert only had a professional relationship; one that involved him being groomed into the perfect CEO and Heir, but tonight they were finally building a bond. 

Morning came and the sun shone through the thin curtains in Isaac’s room. Birds chirped and the alarm at his bedhead cried loudly. 

He cursed under his breath as he turned off the alarm. He maybe got about four hours of sleep last night because he and his father was finally bonding. It was a great night; one that Isaac would always remember.

A knock sounded at the door, and then Isaac heard his mother, “You better be getting ready, Isaac. You have to be at the airport in an hour!”

Isaac did not answer, he dragged his body off of his bed quickly and removed his clothing. He headed for the large bathroom in his room and took a quick shower. He then dressed and headed for a closet.

He did not pack a suitcase because he did not have to. He had two suitcases always filled with all he needed in case he had to travel; one of the perks of having money. He pulled the suitcases out and left his room.

“Are you all set for America?” Mr. Robert asked his son. He saw that Isaac was already dressed and was rolling two suitcases with him. When Mr. Robert thought about last night, he felt proud of himself; that he had finally made a move to get to know Isaac on a deeper level.

“Yup, and I don’t suppose that you are heading to the airport with us, are you?” Isaac asked, and he could not deny that he wanted Mr. Robert to come along. 

Mr. Robert was already ready and dressed to impress in a three-thousand-dollar suit. But he had a very important meeting with the partners at Ford Technology. “Um, I have a very important meeting that I can not miss, Isaac.” 

Isaac felt sad a bit but he was not giving up. “You’re the CEO, schedule it for another time.”

Mr. Robert knew that it was not how things worked but he was not willing to wipe the smile from on Isaac’s face. “Yeah, you’re right. Let’s go.”

Isaac chuckled happily as Mr. Robert helped him with one of the suitcases. As soon as they exited the house, guards came to help with things quickly. 

A driver drove the Ford family to the airport in a BMW X7. When they arrived, Isaac's flight was going to be boarding in twenty minutes. It was good that everything was already checked in online.

“You would meet with one of the family’s friends in New York. He would walk you through everything, including where you would be staying, your university, and more,” Mrs. Ford informed her son as her heart swelled up with joy. 

She was really happy that Isaac was going to live his life elsewhere. Instead of being constantly polished day and night for taking Robert’s place, he would actually get to live life to the fullest. 

She had also heard Isaac and Robert talking and laughing last night. It was very strange and rare but she was really joyful about that. 

Isaac gave his mother a hug and took in her scent of lavender deeply. He’d miss her dearly but this was what she wanted. When he broke the hug, he saw her eyes glistening with tears as she smiled happily.

“I love you, Isaac. Always know that.” Isaac heard his mother say to him as she touched his face gently.

Mr. Robert stood awkwardly as he watched the interaction between Isaac and his mother. He was tentative about doing anything emotional, and besides, he was not Isaac’s real father. And maybe Isaac might only see him as the rich guy that his mother married.

“I love you, mom,” Isaac replied, and a tear escaped his eye. He sniffled and chuckled as he wiped the tear with the back of his hand. 

Isaac’s flight was now boarding and it was being announced on the speakers in the airport. He walked up to Mr. Robert and stared at him for a few seconds before hugging him. “Thank you for everything, I love you, dad.”

Isaac’s words caused Mr. Robert to choke up, he couldn’t speak; afraid that if he did that he would start sobbing. He hugged his ‘son’ back and breathed in deeply before letting his breath out slowly.

Isaac broke the hug and his father gave him a nod. He then turned around and headed for the line where people were boarding the plane. As soon as he reached the line, everyone looked at him and whispered. 

“He’s Isaac Ford,” A woman not far from Isaac said to her friend. 

“Sir? Excuse me, sir?” The lady checking everyone’s passports called for Isaac’s attention. “Please come to the front of the line.”

Isaac was a bit taken aback by all the attention and respect. Being a Ford really was like being a celebrity here. He went to the front of the line and no one complained.

After his passports were checked, the lady spoke, “Thank you, sir. Have a nice flight.” 

Isaac was in first class, of course. He was escorted to his seat and had over three flight attendants at his service.

He fastened his seatbelts and breathed out a sigh. This was actually his first time being on a plane. Since he was born, he had never left South Africa. 

And now he was literally heading across the world to a country where he did not know a single soul.