The Fast Rising Billionaire

Our Home

Together, they got into their cars, Laura got into her new sports car, and Christopher drove the other car behind her as they headed over to her parents' house.  

The drive was not a long one, and in mere minutes, the pair had arrived home. The joy at the day's successes did not last a long time, as they met packed bags sitting on the stoop of the house. 

In front of the entire pile was a wicker chair that Laura had had for a few years, and if they had been unsure before, that was a definite sign that they were being kicked out. 

Laura looked at Christopher as though she needed to make sure that he was seeing the exact same thing that she was seeing, but his face did not bely any shock. 

Melody and Austin must have spent all day packing their things, and needing to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, Laura went to the door and knocked on it. 

At first nobody answered, and Laura put her head to the door to listen for footsteps. She was too focused on listening, so she did not see her brother step out from the side of the building and run back inside.

Jim opened the door with a wide smile, and laughed. “Laura, you're back from work early. Great timing too, Mum and Dad were about to head out.” 

“What is all this?" Asked Laura through gritted teeth. “Why are my things outside?”

“Isn't it obvious? Why, you're being kicked out. Mum and dad warned you last night, didn't they? They've finally had enough of you and your husband, so now I felt to have the house all to myself." To Christopher, he sneered, “I won't miss you, brother in law.” 

Behind him, both parents stepped out, frowns of displeasure on their faces. “Mum, Dad, what is all this? Is Jim telling the truth?”

“Yes!" Exclaimed Melody. “Your father and I have had enough of you and your husband just leeching of us. You don't pay any rent, and you can't be bothered to return from work on time, you don't cook. You're just liabilities, and we are tired!” 

Stepping forward, Christopher placed a palm at the small of her back. “It's okay baby.”

“No it's not! they're not allowed to speak to us that way. I'm their daughter. If I need their help for some time, that should be okay. But it has never been, huh? All they care about is pedigree and status. Since I have been little, they have treated me differently than they treated my brother. Look at him. He's old enough, yet believed in their home. He does do anything she said we don't do, but he gets to live there, just because. How is that fair in any way?” 

“Surely you know,” said her father, meeting her in the eyes, “you married a lowlife, and now you no longer bear our name. Your brother is the one who will carry on the family name, so we have to help him. Besides, you have always thought you were better than we are. You are proud. You need us too much. We can't fend for both of our children's families, we are already too old to be doing this.” 

“Well, listen, and listen good,” said Christopher, unable to eat h the barrage on his wife. “It is your house, so you can kick us out. But we do not need your help, and we are sorry that it was such a burden to you to support us as we struggled for some time. Just earlier today, I not only fulfilled an impossible sales quota, but I also got the brand-new sports car that's sitting in your driveway. 

Sure, we needed your help for some time, but that will no longer be happening. We don't need you, okay? Nobody wants to ever have to need help as long as we needed your help, and it's okay if you wish to stop, but for no reason should you speak to my wife that way, or treat her the way you have been treating her, okay? It was okay when you did it to just me. I can take it. But she does not deserve any of it, and I will not have you speak a word against her. ” 

“You own the car?” asked Jim, raising an eyebrow. 

“Yes, yes we do. And before you say any more, let me say one thing," said Laura, crossing her arms over her chest. “Thank you for keeping us in your home for so long. And thank you for finally telling the truth about what you think of me and why you haven't been anything but hostile to my husband and I. You don't even have to kick us out, because we would also like to leave this home." 

Taking her hand into his, Christopher continued, “this had been something on our mind for some time now, especially with the maltreatment in this house,  to me and to my wife. We do not need you, and we too would like to begin a life without all three of you being on our shoulders and criticising every little thing. Somewhere we can make the decisions.

Reaching forward and ignoring their shocked faces, Laura pulled the door shut and turned around to her husband. “That felt good,” she laughed, rubbing a flat palm over her chest. “Scary, but good.” 

“I agree. and we're right, you know. It was about time that one of us put them in their place. It wasn't my place before, and I didn't know how you felt about it, so I didn't say anything.”

“You have no clue how much it has annoyed me from day one,” frowned Laura. “I just didn't want to get them angry, since we still needed their help. But screw that. We tried it that way, and it didn't work. We need to get our things off their lawn.” 

“Yeah, it's about to rain. I am so proud of you. For today. And even earlier. Thank you for believing in me. I know it probably looked impossible, but the fact that you didn't panic helped me to retain confidence in my plan. Things will only get better form here; none of our family members will be over our shoulders, issuing commands and critiquing every little thing.” 

Walking over and picking up the first box, Laura laughed, “the speech you gave them? That was the single most attractive thing ever. You stood up for me, and you didn't so gently still.” 

“Always. There will never be a reason to yell or disrespect you or your parents. In our home, there will never be any yelling.” 

“Our home huh?” said Laura, looking over at him. “You're full of surprises today. Do you have one more?” 

“I just might. We'll figure this out together, okay? We're not going to be homeless just because your parents kicked us out." 

“I trust you," smiled Laura. “Thank goodness you got this car today, huh? My cute little car would not have contained enough of our things. We would have to have made two different trips!”