“Oh, sir, let me carry that for you.”

“No, Peter, I can manage it myself.”

I got into the car, tossed the bag beside me and relaxed a little.

“Sir, do you need to see a doctor or anything like that?”

“No… just take me to the palace.”

The car set off, and on the way I was thinking: what important matter did my father want to discuss? Was it so important that it made him swallow his pride to bring me back?

I didn’t think about it too much, but I didn’t care what he’d say or do. The week I’d spent away from him had really allowed me to relax. 

The car pulled into the palace’s private garage. I opened the door and got out, trying to hide my tears as I carried my bag with me.

I entered the palace, and just as I remembered, it was clean, spacious, elegant and extremely expensive.

“I can’t believe I actually miss this place.”

I walked a little further, then I heard…

“Max.”

I looked behind me and saw my father sitting alone on the sofa.

“Yes, Dad?”

He gestured towards the sofa opposite him.

“Sit down so we can talk.”

I sat down in front of him whilst the servants were called to bring me some juice.

“So? What exactly do you want?”

He sighed quietly, then spoke, shifting his gaze as if he couldn’t bring himself to look at me.

“To be honest, I’ve been… well… worried about you… that your mum and her husband are just employees… and that you were brought up in a palace; their lifestyle doesn’t suit you.”

“Thanks for your concern… but I was comfortable at my mum’s house.”

“Comfortable? Right, then… you went back to your boyfriend, didn’t you?”

“Johan? No, I’ve been trying to ring him all week, but he either didn’t answer or was busy.”

“Did you go to see him?”

“No, I didn’t have time for that – I was busy with university and the gym.”

“You told me you go to the gym with Elias, didn’t you?”

“Yes, why would I lie to you?”

“Max, have you forgotten that you lied about the 21,000 euros? Do you remember when you came back from Johan’s and insisted you’d been with your mates? Or do you remember when he caught you smoking weed and you insisted on lying?”

I stood up and shouted

“Enough! OK, I lied, but that doesn’t mean I lie about everything! Stop using my mistakes against me every time… Have you forgotten that you’re just a womaniser who cheated on my mum with that bitch!”

My dad tried to shout back, but something stopped him… Something I didn’t understand. Silence fell between us, then he said in a calm voice tinged with sadness or regret

“You’re right… I’m a traitor. I forgot your mother’s love for me and her loyalty, and I let myself be swept away by my own whims… but I don’t want you to be like me.”

“What?”

“You heard what I said… I don’t want you to be like me… I don’t want you to ruin your life by chasing after silly sexual desires… I want you to pursue things that are worthwhile, Max – things you won’t regret.”

“Like what?”

“Work, money and a stable life.”

“And where’s the love?”

“Love won’t buy you bread.”

“Do you call that an argument?”

“Max, think logically… Is love guaranteed? Can you get it whenever and wherever you want, based on your own efforts, without it wearing you down?”

I sat down again and thought about what my dad had said… He has a strong point: love didn’t help my mum when my dad cheated on her, and love didn’t help me when Johan stopped talking to me… Is love just a lie? But the love of family and friends… Romantic love isn’t included in that.

“Do you mean romantic love?”

“Yes… From the moment my mum gave birth to me until she died, her love for me never changed. You love your friend Elias, and that love will never change… It’s unconditional love, pure love untainted by desire.”

“What if I didn’t love Elias as a friend?”

“You wouldn’t dare… Elias is a religious young man and he has a girlfriend.”

“How did you find out about his girlfriend?”

“Never mind… Anyway… Max, a man needs the strength that comes from work and reputation; as for love, it will either come naturally or simply be created in various ways – such as the love for a cute cat, a particular dish, or a platonic love for people. These are all additions that bring happiness and do not destroy the self.”

“I didn’t know you thought like that.”

“Max, as you know, I love reading books, so it’s only natural that I’ve gained some wisdom… Anyway, our conversation isn’t over yet.”

To be continued…