High school. It had been 10 years since they had finished high school.

He never thought that he'd be happy or that he'd be able to escape his parents firm grasp, but he was wrong.

He didn't want to admit it, but in the long run, all that strictness and hard work did come in handy. He now had a stable job while some of his careless classmates whom he envied for being free and happy were now struggling to support themselves.

He still did not agree to the methods his parents used, but he now understood that they had wanted what was best for him even though the methods they used ending up hurting him a lot.

So, as a semi rebellion he refused to work at his father's company agreeing to come back to the company only if it were an emergency or if his father or the company really needed him.

And to his surprise, his father agreed, and did so easily on the condition that he would visit regularly.

To say he was shocked was an understatement. The same father who had been so cruel was going to let him go so easily.

Unable to contain himself, he finally asked his father. Instead of a reply, his father simply put his hand on Alec's shoulder.

His father's eyes were glossy, and he was smiling. Smiling ever so genuinely for the first time after so long.

"You have my blessings son." he said, and he paused and looked deep into Alec's eyes, "I won't hold you back now. I won't because I know now that my son can now take care of himself. You may have hated me back then, but I did it for you..."

He stopped for a moment and then spoke again, his voice holding vulnerability now. "I know the methods I used were harsh, but I just didn't want you to end up like me."

Alec looked at his father. He had never spoken of his past, ever.

They stood like this for a moment until his father broke the silence and said the words Alec wanted to hear- the words Alec yearned to hear all his life, and they meant more to him than any I love you for him.

"I'm proud of you, son."

And that was all Alec needed to break down in tears.