After making more conversations with his mother, Colton went to say Hi to his father in the study room. They discussed a bit about work until a maid came to inform them that dinner was ready and that the rest of the family was waiting for them in the dining room.
On getting to the dining room, Vicky, Caleb, and Ashley were already seated.
Upon seeing her elder brother walk in, Ashley rose to her feet and went to hug him.
"I don't remember us being on good terms, young woman," Colt said, not returning the hug.
"You're still mad at me?" Ashley pouted as she looked up at him in the face, still holding onto him tightly.
"I'm not mad at you. But I do find it weird receiving a hug from you after about five months of no communication."
"Come on, Colt." She groaned. "I always thought about you, I missed you. I used to ask everyone about you, including Theo, whenever I chatted with him. I promise. It's just that when I left, we weren't exactly best of friends so I didn't dare to talk to you."
"How has the world tour been?" He asked.
"Colt!" Ashley groaned, pulling away from the hug. "I graduated with good grades, I'm a good child, taking one year vacation doesn't mean I'm not serious with my life"
"You're my brother, you should understand me more and support me."
While his son and only daughter settled their differences, Derik made his way to the dining table and took a seat at the head of the table.
"I don't see you as someone who's not serious with her life, I just feel going on vacation for a year is ridiculous. Sleeping, waking, and doing nothing for 365 days? If Mom and Dad took vacations like that, we wouldn't have all of these luxuries to enjoy."
"Let her be, Colton. We only live once so she has every right to enjoy!" Caleb chipped in.
"That's not true. I've been making good use of my time."
"Really? How?" Colton folded his arms.
"I purposely took the vacation to rebrand myself and also devote time to something I've been wanting to do. I've been taking influencing deals and making cool cash. While traveling all over the world, I've been creating content and also having fun."
"I've done what you all required of me all this while. But I'm an adult now. And I want to venture into things I think I have passion for."
"I have a degree in Finance, I promise I'll do my masters next year. I've even started searching for schools but please don't force me to work in the company."
"Why didn't you tell me about your plan?" Colt asked.
"Because I was worried you all wouldn't approve of it since you all need me in the corporate world."
"We want the best for you but we wouldn't force you to do what you don't want to. It's fine if you don't want to join me and Caleb in the company. The most important thing is that you're doing what you love to do. I'm glad you're working and having the time of your life."
Ashley beamed as she nodded. She was a replica of her Mom, Vicky. While the boys looked so much like their Dad, Derik.
"Your approval means a lot. I love you!" Ashley hugged Colton.
He smiled, returning the hug. "Love you too, Sis"
"Can you all be done already? I'm hungry!" Caleb rolled his eyes at his siblings.
"Someone's jealous!" Ashley teased. She sat beside her Mom while Colton sat beside Caleb. They all held hands, said a very short prayer, then dug in.
The table was filled with everyone's favorite. They served themselves and made conversations in between.
They were having dessert when their father spoke. "Son, Your Mom and I have something to discuss with you!" Derik said, looking at Colt.
"I knew there was more to this dinner," Colton mumbled.
"What is it, Dad?" He asked.
"We've been in talks with the McGregor's for a while now. They've been having some issues with their company and your Mom and I promised to help them rise to their feet again. Also, we the parents have agreed that you and Natasha get married."
Caleb almost choked on his wine upon hearing his father's statement, knowing how much his brother disliked Natasha.
"We will help their company rise to their feet but I'm not getting married to Natasha," Colt replied.
"It's already been decided, Colt," Vicky said.
"I don't care!" Colton replied immediately. "All I know is I dislike Natasha and there's no way in hell I'm going to marry her."
"But you and Natasha used to be lovers? As far as I understand, She still loves you!" Derik said.
"It doesn't matter what we were in the past, I'm not getting married to her," Colton said, already regretting attending the dinner.
"You will be 34 in a couple of months, Colton," Vicky said.
"I know my age, Mom." He justified.
"Then at what age do you plan to settle down? 50?"
Colton sighed. He was about to say something but his mother intervened.
"Don't you dare tell me you're okay with being alone? I'm tired of hearing that. You seem to love no one for the past few years and as your parents who have your best interests at heart, we've decided you're getting married to Natasha."
Colton ran a hand over his face. "I'm not marrying Natasha." He replied, wondering what the hell was wrong with his parents.
"Your Mom and I never go back on our words. We already promised Natasha's parents that you both will be getting married."
Colton shook his head.
"Give me one good reason why you wouldn't get married to Natasha?" Derick asked. He was sure his son had no good reason for his decision. They didn't want him to end up lonely so they believed their decision was in his best interest.
"Because I'm in love with someone else and she's pregnant with my child." This time around, it was Ashley who choked on her drink. Caleb's eyes went wide upon his elder brother's revelation.
"What?" Derik spat, confusion was written all over his face. Victoria too had a shocked expression on her face. They all watched as Colton refilled his glass cup with the available wine on the table and took a sip.
"Don't you dare come up with pranks. We will not fall for it." Vicky said after a while.
"I have no reason to prank anyone!" He answered.
"You've never lied to me, Colton. Don't start now!" Victoria said with a heavy heart.
"If you all don't believe me, then go ask Chad." He said, focusing on his glass of alcohol rather than looking them in the eye.
"You mean you've been seeing someone all this while? She's also pregnant and you didn't see the need to inform us? How long did you plan on keeping her and the baby away from us?" Derik asked.
Noticing Colton didn't seem happy talking about the girl and the baby, Vicky spoke. "You met her at some dumb club didn't you? And the baby is a product of a one-night stand. Isn't it?" The disappointment could be heard in her voice. "God, I trusted you so much, Colt. How could you be this reckless?"
At this point, Colton was mentally exhausted so he did what he thought was best for everyone. He excused himself, ignoring his parents' call to come back to the table because their discussion wasn't over.
Though Caleb went after him. He finally caught up with him outside the mansion.
"We need to talk, Colton," Caleb said, slightly out of breath. Colton was quite a fast walker.
"About what?" Colton answered, walking in the direction of where he parked his car.
"What the hell just happened in there? One minute, you've been single for five years and the other minute, you have a girlfriend and she's pregnant with your child. Didn't you say you were not ready to become a father? When did all of this occur?" Caleb asked.
They finally approached Colton's car. "Life happens, Caleb. We will see each other at work tomorrow." He entered the car and drove away, leaving his younger brother behind.
"What the hell?!" Caleb whispered.