"Mom, I need to be in California in five months for work, and I shared my plans with her. I've already received my passbook and visa, and the company expects me to be there within that time frame."

"Okay, but I believe your work with your father will be completed before you leave."

"What work? He hasn't even discussed why he wanted me to stay here," I informed her.

"I'm sure he's waiting for you to settle in comfortably."

"Alright, I'll talk to him today and start working right away. I don't want to waste any time."

After taking a bath, I headed out for dinner. Upon reaching the dining table, I was greeted by a delightful sight – it was adorned with a spread of delicious dishes that I was certain my dad had prepared. He had always been passionate about cooking and was truly a talented chef. I often found myself wondering why he hadn't pursued a career in the culinary world until now.

He sat in one of the chairs with a somber expression. 

"Thanks for the food," I said as I took my seat across from him. 

"Oh, I've prepared your favorite dishes. I hope you enjoy them." 

However, I didn't respond verbally; instead, I divided the food into two plates – one in front of him and the other in front of me. He gazed at me with eyes filled with emotion, but I quickly averted my gaze. I didn't want to engage with these emotions.

With each bite, the familiar and delicious flavors filled my mouth, a testament to his culinary skills. 

"It's as tasty as ever," I remarked without making eye contact. However, I couldn't help but sense his gaze on me, and I was certain that he must have been pleased with the compliment.

After a while, he cleared his throat and began, "You have my company under your name now. You and your sister are the only children I have. I was foolish before, thinking that you girls wouldn't be able to handle it, so I decided to give the company to your cousins. But now I've changed my will. I want you to handle it," he said. 

He was laying out the situation and his decisions, and I couldn't help but be taken aback by how readily he accepted it.

I looked up at him, my expression a mix of shock and curiosity. "What made you change your decision? Why do you suddenly feel that I'm needed when I've clearly planned to move to California in the next few months?" I questioned, seeking an understanding of his sudden change of heart.

"I know your plans won't be affected, I promise. I just want you to handle this company as well. I'm an old man now; I can't handle it anymore," he explained. 

However, his words left me with more questions. "But what about you? And how will I manage it from California?" I asked, concerned about the logistics. 

He reassured me, saying, "Don't worry about me, and your cousins have some solution in mind for you to handle the company even from California." 

I sensed his hesitation in sharing his long-term plans, and it became apparent that he may not have fully considered this aspect.

Respecting his boundaries, I refrained from pressing him for more information. After dinner, he mentioned our plans to visit the company the following day for an explanation and to learn more about it. He also mentioned that my cousins might join us to discuss their ideas. With that, we decided to call it a night and prepare for the events of the next day.

.........***.........

Thanks for reading

xxx