Hey, {{user}}! How are you?

"Yes, son. I wanted to discuss about the vacation with your siblings and me. You know how important they are for me..." Robert grinned at his son in a manipulative way, trying to get him on his side. "I've always been good to you... hasn't your mom ever complained?" He lowered his voice and leaned closer, almost conspiratorially.

Robert's grin widened at that. "But don't you want to spend some quality time with your family?" he asked innocently, ignoring the fact that they had barely spent any time together as a family in years. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. "It would be good for everyone," he added with a soft sigh.

"And think about it... you'll get to see how much fun we can have when we're all together." His voice was almost seductive as his eyes met Marcus' again, hinting at things that shouldn't even be mentioned in polite company.

A flicker of anger crossed Robert's features, but he quickly schooled his expression into what he hoped looked like disappointment. "You don't understand, Marcus," he said softly. "This is important to me...your siblings and I have always been close..." He paused for a moment before adding, "I would think you'd want that too." His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied his son's face for any sign of guilt or submission.

"So," he continued, tone suddenly hardening. "Either you come with us on this trip, or I will have to rethink our arrangement regarding your trust fund and college tuition." The threat hung in the air between them like a knife's edge.

As soon as the door slammed shut, anger boiled up inside Robert. He clenched his fists on the desk until his knuckles turned white, his teeth grinding audibly. His mind raced through a litany of curses and threats; he wanted to make Marcus understand how ungrateful he was being.

But then, amidst the storm of emotions, a small seed of amusement took root. Marcus had always been so easy to manipulate. Perhaps if he played his cards right, he could still get what he wanted without having to resort to the ultimate threat...

An hour later, just as Marcus was beginning to focus on his work again, the intercom on his desk buzzed. "Marcus?" It was Robert's secretary. "Your father would like to speak with you in his office." Her voice sounded tense and a hint of fear laced her words.

"Son," Robert said in his most soothing tone. "I just want to talk about this rationally." He leaned back in his chair and spread his hands on the desktop. "I understand you might not enjoy traveling, but your siblings mean everything to me. I only want what's best for them." His voice was almost pleading now, as if he were trying to appeal to Marcus' better nature.

"So," he continued after a moment's hesitation, "I propose we compromise. You can stay home and take care of the things that need attending while I'm gone, but when we get back, you'll come with me for a special trip... just the two of us." His smile was almost predatory. "What do you say?"

"Look," Robert said in an exasperated tone, leaning forward. "It's important to me that we spend time together. You can stay home and do whatever you want while I'm gone if it makes it easier for you, but when we come back..." He paused, his gaze boring into Marcus. "...when we come back, you will accompany me on this special trip." It was no longer a request or even a suggestion; it was a demand disguised as an offer.

"Think about it," he said quietly, leaning back in his chair again and folding his arms across his chest. "It's not just about you anymore. This family means something to me too."

In the silence that followed Marcus' words, Robert could feel his temper rising like bile in his throat. His hands clenched into fists so tightly on the desk that his knuckles turned white. "So be it," he ground out through gritted teeth. "Then consider your trust fund and college tuition voided."

He paused, letting the words hang in the air for a moment before adding coldly: "You've made your choice."

As soon as Marcus slammed the door shut, Robert's face contorted into a snarl. "You dare defy me?!" he spat out through gritted teeth. His fury was so intense it made his vision blur with red. He forced himself to take several deep breaths, trying to calm down. There would be time for anger later... now he needed a plan.

Carefully schooling his features into what he hoped looked like icy disdain, Robert turned to his secretary. "Cancel my trip," he said curtly. "I won't be needing any time off after all." He paused, considering her expression. "And inform security to keep an eye on Marcus. I don't want him doing anything stupid." His tone was as cold as steel.

"He's gone," the secretary informed her boss as soon as she saw Marcus leave the building. "What would you like me to do now?" Her voice trembled slightly, sensing the storm that was about to break.

Robert remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on something in the distance. Then, slowly and deliberately, he reached into his desk drawer and withdrew a cigarette case. Without looking at anyone, he flipped it open and removed one of the cigarettes. As he slid the pack back into the drawer, he muttered under his breath: "I hope I didn't make a mistake."

Robert had been silent for too long now; he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd made a grave mistake. He glanced at his secretary nervously as she busied herself with paperwork. Perhaps it was time to rethink their strategy... or perhaps this situation called for something more drastic. "Secratary," he said slowly, taking a long drag on his cigarette, "please send a message to Marcus' phone. Tell him I need to speak with him immediately." His expression darkened as he ground the butt into the ashtray.

"Your father is worried about you and wants what's best for you," came the secretary's reply. "He believes that talking through your issues can only help." There was a hint of pleading in her tone as she sent the message, hoping to sway Marcus one last time.

Robert watched as his secretary typed out the text, then nodded curtly. Perhaps there was still hope... perhaps they could work something out after all. He took another drag on his cigarette before exhaling a thin stream of smoke into the air. "Please tell Marcus that I understand his anger and hurt," he said carefully. "But I only want to make things right between us." His expression softened slightly, as if he were beseeching Marcus' forgiveness.

Robert's heart sank as he read Marcus' reply. He felt a sudden surge of anger and frustration rise within him, threatening to boil over at any moment. "Fine," he growled, tossing the phone back to his secretary. "Then I guess there's nothing more to be done." With that, he turned his attention back to the papers on his desk, willing himself not to think about Marcus anymore.

But as the day wore on and Marcus remained firm in his decision, Robert could feel a deep sense of unease gnawing at him. Perhaps he'd gone too far this time...perhaps there was no turning back now.

Time passed slowly as Robert sat at his desk, going through the motions of his job while his mind fixated on one thought: how to make Marcus see reason again. His fingers drummed nervously against the desk as he fought down an almost overwhelming urge to track his son down and confront him directly.

As the sun began to set outside, Robert pushed himself away from his desk, grabbing his coat and hurrying toward the exit. He knew there were only a few hours left before he could finally speak with Marcus face-to-face, but every moment seemed like an eternity. The drive home felt interminable as he mentally rehearsed what he would say to convince his son that they should mend their relationship.

When he finally arrived at the house, Robert barely acknowledged his wife before storming upstairs to Marcus' room. He paused outside the door for a moment, taking several deep breaths in an effort to calm himself, then rapped sharply on the wood. "Marcus," he called out, his voice low and firm. "I need to talk to you."

"Just hear me out, son," Robert said, his voice softening slightly. "I was wrong to manipulate you like that, and I understand why you're angry." He paused, collecting his thoughts. "But please, let's talk about this like rational adults. You don't have to go through with whatever you had planned before...we can work something out."

There was a long silence from the other side of the door. Robert swallowed hard, unsure if he'd made any progress. After what felt like an eternity, Marcus finally spoke up. "Fine," he said, his voice still angry but less confrontational than before. "Give me a minute to get dressed." There was another pause as Marcus got out of bed and began changing clothes. Finally, he opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, glaring at his father.

Robert waited until his son was properly dressed before speaking again. "I appreciate you willing to talk," he said sincerely. "I just want what's best for our family, and I'm willing to do anything to make it right between us." He paused, searching for the right words. "Maybe we could go on a trip together, just the two of us...somewhere where we can really talk and reconnect." His gaze never wavered from Marcus' face as he waited for his response.

"I understand you're angry," Robert said slowly, his tone carefully neutral as if speaking to a volatile animal. "But think about it, son. We could go anywhere in the world. A chance for just us to spend some quality time together, to rebuild our relationship..." He paused, looking at Marcus hopefully. "...wouldn't that be worth considering?"