"But, Dad thinks that's unlikely. If that girl really had such a motive, she wouldn't have left you alone in the nightclub room."
"Could it be because your handsome face made her crazy about you and willing to spend a night with you? Or maybe you were both so drunk that you spent the night together, then the girl woke up and chose to run away before you woke up, considering it all just a mistake?"
"Or maybe she just intended to spend a hot night with you and then ran off somewhere? But even so, you still have to take responsibility for her!" Noah said, ending his speculation with firmness.
Azka was silent, digesting his Dad's words.
Clutching the sheets of his bed, Azka asked in a soft voice, "Is... Dad angry at Azka?"
"Dad isn't angry, Azka. Dad is just disappointed. Dad is disappointed because you didn't listen to your mom's words, you even broke all her rules," Noah said, shaking his head.
Azka sobbed, tears he couldn't hold back as his regret welled up in his heart again. "Forgive Azka, Dad..."
"It's alright, don't cry. It's not entirely Azka's fault. Besides, Azka didn't know everything would end up like this. It's just... Dad hopes you'll be more careful in the future. Refuse all offers from anyone who invites you to go to bars or drink," Noah said.
"Rest, don't push yourself," he continued, patting Azka's head a few times and giving his son an affectionate kiss, then covering Azka's body, who was still crying with regret.
"How is he, Dad?" asked Jacob, Azka's eldest brother, who had been standing outside the room with a soft voice and worried expression. He wanted to know his younger brother's condition and hear directly from his dad who had just come out of his younger brother's room.
Noah sighed deeply. "Azka is fine. He just needs time to rest and calm down."
Dominic, Azka's second brother, chimed in, "Dad's sure?"
Noah nodded to his two sons and led them to their respective rooms. He didn't want Dominic and Jacob to ask more about Azka and disturb their youngest brother who was resting.
"You guys just rest. We'll talk about it another time. Besides, we have a meeting with the executives tomorrow," Noah said.
Unable to refuse their Dad's request, the two brothers nodded and closed their rooms simultaneously, giving their dad space to rest and process the incident that had just befallen Azka.
"Alright, it seems I have to cover this up as best as I can first," Noah muttered, running a hand through his hair and walking towards his room. He also had to calm his wife who had experienced so much shock today.
In fact, his intention was to guide Azka and place him in one of the company's divisions so that his son could slowly learn until he was finally ready to inherit one of the companies, just like his two older brothers. However, fate had other plans. It seemed he had to postpone that plan for the time being, at least until the situation improved.
The day had changed again. For some reason, time seemed to pass so quickly this time. However, the atmosphere in the Xavier family was slightly different from usual after having just experienced a shock yesterday.
In the dining room, the family enjoyed the dishes served on the table. Occasionally, they glanced at Azka who only stared at the food in front of him without appetite. Dominic, his older brother, even spooned some food onto Azka's plate earlier, hoping to help him a little.
However, the only person who didn't pay attention to him was Madeline. Her face still showed anger that hadn't subsided since yesterday's incident.
"Brother and Dad are leaving first," Dominic said, patting Azka's shoulder and smiling.
Azka nodded, giving a forced smile. In fact, he thought his brother would be angry and hate him, but the reality was different. Instead, both his older brothers showed him this kind of concern.
"Take good care of yourself and don't go anywhere today. Understand? Just rest in your room. If Azka needs or wants anything, just tell Brother," Dominic said in an endearing tone.
"Bro..." Azka's voice stopped Jacob who was pouring water into a glass before leaving for work.
Jacob glanced back, seeing Azka who seemed hesitant to say something. Meanwhile, Dominic could only remain silent in confusion.
"Doesn't Brother hate me?" Azka asked after gathering his courage.
Jacob chuckled. Gently, he ruffled his younger brother's hair before pulling Azka's face so they were face to face.
Azka, who hadn't expected the sudden treatment from his brother, could only look down shyly, especially when their eyes met.
"I should have followed Mama's rules back then," Azka murmured.
Jacob smiled faintly, then lifted Azka's chin so he would look at him again.
"First, remember that you were wrong for not obeying Mama's words. Second, this isn't entirely your fault. That woman started it first. Third, you didn't know something like that would happen. So, don't keep blaming yourself," Jacob said, wiping away the tears on his younger brother's face. Earlier this morning, his father had briefly told him and Dominic about some of the things that had happened to Azka yesterday.
Dominic shook his head and nodded at the same time. "And how could Brother be angry or hate you, hmm? You're too adorable for Brother to scold."
Yes, Azka was easily carried away by emotions. Moreover, he wasn't mature enough to face the harsh realities out there. Plus, for the past few years, he had always been in a cage, never doing the things that people his age usually did.
On the other hand, Jacob smiled faintly, feeling surprised by his youngest brother. Even though he knew Azka had just had a one-night stand with a woman yesterday, he still acted innocently in front of him and Dominic, as if he didn't fully understand what had happened. His virginity was lost in one night.
"I'm already an adult," Azka said, annoyed that his two older brothers treated him like a child.
"Yes, yes, you're an adult now," Dominic laughed.
"So much so that you broke all of Mama's rules and had a one-night stand with someone else," he continued inwardly. In fact, he himself had never been that free just for fun. After becoming an adult, all he did was drink moderately and do the things that rich kids generally did, not to flirt or do anything beyond the line like free sex.
Seeing Azka constantly stealing glances at his Mama, who had been silent and ignoring him all this time, Jacob patted his younger brother's shoulder.
"It's okay. Mama just needs time, so don't think about it too much, okay?" he coaxed gently.
Azka nodded slowly even though his heart still felt heavy. He knew his mama was still angry and disappointed in him. However, at least his dad and two older brothers didn't hate him. That was enough to make him feel a little calmer.
Dominic and Jacob then prepared to go to work with their Dad. Before leaving the house, Dominic patted Azka's shoulder again with a warm smile.
"Don't think too much. Just focus on resting, okay?" he said before walking out with Jacob.
Azka only nodded again. After they left, the atmosphere in the dining room became quieter and awkward. His mama still refused to talk to him, as if Azka wasn't there.
After a while, Madeline finally got up from her chair without a word, leaving the dining table and walking towards the kitchen. Azka could only stare at his mama's back with mixed feelings.
Now, only Azka sat silently, still faithfully watching his mama who was washing the dishes they had used.
The sound of running water stopped, coinciding with Azka's and his Mama's eyes meeting for a moment. However, Azka immediately broke eye contact because he felt reluctant, ashamed, and unable to look for long.
Azka grew even more silent, his mind racing as his Mama's footsteps began to climb the stairs one by one.
Standing up with his legs still aching, Azka immediately followed his Mama's footsteps, albeit with faltering steps.
"Ma," Azka called, standing behind her. His head was bowed and his fingers were intertwined to strengthen himself.
The woman stopped walking and remained silent, waiting for her son to speak.
"A-Azka is sorry, Ma," Azka said in a stammering voice. "Azka is really sorry. Azka shouldn't have followed Azka's friends' invitation back then. Going to a nightclub, drinking alcohol, and ending up doing that."
Madeline still remained silent. Unconsciously, both her hands clenched at her sides as she heard her son's words of apology in a trembling voice as if he wanted to cry.
"Mama can punish Azka. Whether it's hitting, locking up, or scolding Azka."
"Azka knows Azka is wrong. But, Azka begs you... Don't be silent like this. Don't ignore Azka. Don't stay away from Azka or hate Azka," Azka's voice trembled slightly, making his Mama's heart soften.
"Does Azka promise not to do that again? And will obey Mama's words?" Madeline asked after a long silence.
Azka looked up, staring at his Mama's back, who still refused to look at him. Slightly hesitant and uncertain, Azka spoke, "Azka can't promise, but Azka will try to do it," he said softly.
Turning to face her son, the woman saw Azka's face starting to swell from crying again.
Her hand reached out endearingly, ruffling Azka's hair as he bowed his head in tears. A moment later, his body was hugged tightly by Azka.