Happy New Year

It was silent in the large hall. Except for the scraping of cutlery, the wind howling slightly outside, the music blasting from neighboring houses, and the occasional pop from a champagne bottle. It was New Year’s Eve after all, and people deserved to party.

The year had been a tough

one, on families, relationships and especially businesses. The young man, who

sat at the end of the table, facing his family, knew all too well of the last

one.

"Curse all who celebrate

this year." Said an older man, who sat next to the younger one. "Down

by 47% in budget this year, we are." He continued and everyone at the

table listened intently, for those were the first words spoken throughout the

entire evening.

"Suppose there's nothing

we can do about that really, all we can blame is the virus-" An ageing

woman, with a kind face, said softly from next to the older man.

"There bloody well is

something to blame!" Spat the older man as he pounded his fist on the

table. The table fell silent again, but there was no longer the sound of

cutlery silently clashing together, the wind outside had calmed, and even the

neighbors seemed to quiet down. Even the smaller children who sat at the far

end of the table, knew better than to interrupt.

"You." Said the

older man, voice dripping with menace, as he turned his head to stare at the

younger man.

"Me?" The younger

man said calmly, raising his eyebrow.

"Don't play dumb with me

boy." The older man growled, voice raising slightly.

"Now dear let’s calm

down it's not James' fault." The older woman coaxed slightly but the man

next to her wouldn't have any of it.

"So, who would you

blame? Me? For passing it down to this pathetic child? Or perhaps the hundreds

of past generations in our family who put all their hard work into this business?

Or is it perhaps James' fault?" The man said pausing and his wife next to

him went silent staring at her plate again. "For sending us, and the

entire family honor downhill because of him not putting enough effort into his

job?" James' father finished with an evil smirk on his face.

James' eyes narrowed as he

stood up. "As a matter of fact, you are correct father, I'm done putting

effort into this family business, and have been for a while.” He remarked pulling

his coat over his shoulders and getting up from his chair. His father eyed him

as he stood up as well.

“And what is that supposed to mean?” He said, glaring at the younger man, though this failed to look intimidating, since James was far much taller than his father. James’ smirked as he propped his top hat onto his head and grabbed his cane.

“It means, to put it simple, for your simple-minded brain, that I am resigning from the family business.” James announced and everyone sat at the table gasped. His father simply laughed, first it was a chuckle, then it turned into complete maniacal cackling, then he stopped and an uncomfortable atmosphere filled the room.

“Resigning you say?” His father laughed. “You think you can just resign? You make me laugh boy, now sit down.” His father demanded, but James’ remained unnerved. The atmosphere was thick in the room, no one said a word. The silverware hadn’t been touched since the argument began, the wind outside had stopped and there wasn’t even the sound of people on the streets laughing any longer. It was a pin drop silence, no one dared to breathe, too afraid of bringing any of the wrathful attention towards themselves.

“I said, take a seat, child.” His father growled and James was slightly frightened, until he remembered why he was leaving.

“I don’t feel like sitting, I could use a bit of a stretch.” James smirked and his father glared. “I hope the profits improve next year.” James continued before his father could utter a word. “Though, with the person I’ve passed the job down to, you might struggle.” He smiled and his father gave a puzzled look.

“And who might you have appointed the job to, hm boy?” His father asked. “Seeing as you have no children, no one can claim the position.” His father smiled, having gained his composure once again. “You are bound to this family, you cannot escape James, this is not a game. That business supports the entire welfare of this family. Imagine what would happen, if word got out, that the oldest child and manager of Smith Corporations, had simply up and left. Oh, the things people would say about you. James Smith,” His father taunted as he began circling his son. “A coward.” He whispered “A dirty no good. A lazy boy. A shame.”

“What they say of me is not a problem of mine, but rather one you will have to face.” James said. “For I myself see myself living the rest of my life far away from here. Perhaps in the mountains?” James chuckled and his father rolled his eyes, glaring. “Then the comments you will be receiving, is that your son was a coward, a dirty no good, a lazy boy, a shame, how on earth did you raise your own child that badly?” James finished pushing past his father and walked towards the grand door, prepared to leave the hall.

“Boy don’t you dare walk out that door.” He heard his father growls as James’ hand fell on top of the newly polished brass handle.

“And what will happen if I do?” James questioned with an eyebrow raised. He pressed down on the handle and pushed the door open. That’s when everything became chaotic. His father was fuming and charging towards James but the butlers were holding him back, his mother had burst into tears and the younger kids stared at the scene, confused. The dishes were being collected and the clanging of plates could be heard, as well as the howl of the wind and the neighbors were shouting a countdown.

As his father broke free, James stepped out of the hall and slammed the door in his father’s face, but not without saying; “Happy New Year father.” As fireworks lit up the dark night.