"You aren't doing this, or are you? Don't tell me you are putting your house up for sale, Ryan!" Mrs. Lerman blurted out, wearing a stern look.
Ryan appeared unmoved as he folded his shirt and put it in his traveling box alongside other clothes in it. "Why not...？" He requested, paused what he was doing and turned to his mother. "Is there a reason why the house shouldn't be sold out?"
Mrs. Lerman breathed in with her eyes partially closed for a few seconds, she felt frustrated arguing out words with her son. He was slowly losing it as the day goes by, but at the moment, she felt like he had lost it completely.
She cleared her throat before speaking to prevent herfrom sounding as angry as she was. "Of course, there is, Ryan." She told him in response, trying her best to keep her anger in check. "There is a lucid reason why you mustn't have that house sold!"
"Please enlighten me, mother." Ryan said, his face devoid of any emotion, but his mother only stare at him, not saying a word since she felt he had more to say.
"What is this lucid reason that you speak of?" He asked as he sat down on the bed, crossing his arms across his chest. "Because as far as I can see, there is no reason why the house should not be sold."
Mrs. Lerman could feel her blood boiling as she listened to her son. He was being so stubborn and unreasonable, and it was driving her crazy. She wanted to scream and shout at him, but she knew that wouldn't do any good.
"That is the only property left in your name after selling out part of the multimillion company, Ryan -and you know this!" She lilted, her eyes saying the most. "You aren't supposed to lose this house the same way you lost the company."
"Oh, that...?" He mouthed, standing up from the bed as he unfolded his arms. "That's is not even a reason so concrete enough to move me or have my mind changed -not when the house is sold out already."
"What...?" She blurted out, hoping silently that she heard him wrong. "What did you just say, Ryan? I hope this is some kind of prank you are pulling on me."
"It's not, mother." He countered, his facial expression stoic and hard. "Why would I prank you with such a vital issue as this? I know you won't give in that easily, that was why I sold it without your knowledge."
Mrs. Lerman was furious at his sense of reasoning. Isn't that enough reason to keep him in check? After selling the family's heirloom, he still went ahead to sell the last and only property in his name?
Mrs. Lerman regretted supporting his idea of needing a shareholder in the company, she had thought that's the best way to solve the problem, as he had said. But it turns out to be his reason to sell everything under his name -and now his house too?
"You can't do this, Ryan!" She uttered, sounding more like a warning to an advise; still finding it hard to believe his words. "You can't break my heart and trust forthe second time, son. Tell me this is all a joke!"
"Mom, please try to understand where I'm coming from." Ryan said, his voice surprisingly calm. "The money from the sale of the company is not enough to keep me going. I need to sell the house to have a fresh start. I promise I'll do something better with the money this time around." He pleaded, taking a step closer to her. "Please, trust me."
Mrs. Lerman could see the sincerity in his eyes, but she wasn't sure if she could trust him again. After all, he had already betrayed her once -making a fool out of her idea and option. No matter how she tried to forget that day, it just won't let go; not in such a hurry.
"How sure am I that you aren't repeating the same mistake, Ryan?" She asked him, wanting to trust him again. "-that you aren't doing all of this for your personal interest and selfish gain like you always do?"
Ryan felt hurt by her words, the impact of it was just too hard on him, but that was the bitter truth he's aware of. "I wouldn't dare, mom!" He vocalized. "I've learn my lesson the hard way, why would I be foolish to tread on the same old path?"
Mrs. Lerman's heart softened as she heard his words. She could see that he was genuinely remorseful, and sorry for what he had done. She knew that he had made a mistake, but maybe he deserved a second chance -every one deserves a second chance, and herson shouldn't be an exemption.
"I want to believe you, son." She said, reaching out to touch his hand and fondled it lightly in her gentle palm. "But I'm afraid of being disappointed again."
Ryan looked at his mother's hand on his, and he felt a surge ofemotion. "I understand your fear, mom." He said, his voice choked with emotion. "I promise I won't let you down again, this is why I'm leaving for France -to start a new ground."
Mrs. Lerman's eyes widened in surprise. "France?" She asked, hervoice filled with disbelief. "You want to leave the country?"
Ryan nodded his head positively in reply. Mrs. Lerman knew that moving to another country was a big decision, and she wasn't sure if it was the right one for him. "Are you confident this is what you want?"
"Yes, mom." Ryan said with conviction. "I need to get away from this place, from all the memories and regrets, I need a fresh start, a chance to rebuild my life." He continued, his voice soft but determined.
"France is the perfect place for me, I can start overthere. I can make something of myself, and I can prove to you and to myself that I'm not a failure." He looked at her, his eyes shining with hope. "Please, just give me a chance."
Mrs. Lerman looked at her son, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. She knew that he was hurting and that he needed this.
After a long moment of silence, she finally spoke. "I understand your reasons for wanting to go to France." She said, her voice filled with compassion. "And I know that this is important to you. But I just want to make sure that you're making this decision for the right reasons."
She placed her hand on his cheek, her eyes full of love and concern. "I don't want you to run away from your problems. I want you to face them head on, and overcome them."
Ryan closed his eyes and leaned into her touch.
"I know you're right, mom." He said, his voice thick with emotion. "I know that running away won't solve anything. But I feel like I need to get away from here for a while, to clear my head and get my life back on track."
He opened his eyes and looked at her, his gaze filled with determination. "And then, when I'm ready, I'll come back and face my problems head on."
Mrs. Lerman could see that he was serious, and she knew that he was ready to make this change...