It was night, and Yulzar Crest shone in all its glory. The aromas from the kitchen had spread throughout Yulzar Vintage, filling the air. The dining table was laid with an array of exquisite dishes.
Zulqarnain Yulzar sat at the head chair, his eyes burning with intense anger. His gaze was fixed on Zaarim, who sat calmly in his chair, eating as if nothing mattered.
Zaarif sat beside him, sometimes glancing at Zulqarnain's furious eyes, sometimes at Zaarim. His golden hair fell over his head, and fear flickered in his green eyes. Though Zaarif was extremely handsome, Zaarim had always seemed more striking, more extraordinary.
"Explain your actions…" Zulqarnain's deep, commanding voice echoed through the serene room. Zaarim continued eating, offering no reply.
Seeing this, Zulqarnain's eyes grew even redder with fury.
"Answer me! What do you want? Why have I had to hear so much nonsense from your school? Who is this girl whose sketches you are drawing?" he roared.
Zaarim remained perfectly calm.
"Do not force me to make a harsh decision for you!" Zulqarnain said, gripping Zaarim's arm tightly.
"A harsh decision…" Zaarim spoke for the first time in a calm tone and smiled mockingly.
"The decision you make… will it be harsh, or petty?" he said evenly, almost taunting.
Zaarif shivered, listening to the exchange.
"You are utterly ill-mannered and unworthy of staying here. I am sending you both to Canada, understood?"
Zulqarnain grabbed Zaarim's face and roared. Zaarim jerked his hand away.
"Very well! I don't want to stay here either!" he said, in a sarcastic tone, as if nothing could touch him.
Behind him, Zaarif had begun to cry.
"I have raised you both alone, without your mother, yet you are ungrateful. Remember this!" Zulqarnain said, running his hands through his black hair and gripping Zaarim's arm.
"I am your father!" he ground his teeth, his voice seething with authority.
Zaarim shook off his hand again and laughed mockingly.
"Father? Really?" he said, laughing.
"No! You are not my father!" Zaarim shouted furiously, his voice piercing, even louder than Zulqarnain's.
Zulqarnain's eyes blazed redder, his face pale as a rod.
Zaarim stomped toward his room. Zaarif glanced once at Zulqarnain, then followed behind Zaarim into the room.