ALFRED POV:

"Father, mother, I'm here " I sniggered entering the house, I searched for them in the living room, they weren't there, so I stepped to the backyard topiary to search for them. I found them bawling at each other, can't remember the last time I caught a sight of them tussle together and wrangle this way, my mom never ululated or squawked at my father before.

I cleared my throat glaring at both of them. They immobilized and zipped their yaps. My father slighted me and continued what he was doing, he was sieving some papers in his suitcase" mom, what's going on?"

"Son! Your father, want to hock our house! He's going choleric! Please say something to him, I'm overtired from convincing him but he insisted to do this "my mom glowered and scowled in a despairing way.

I stepped closer from my father, I placed my hand on his shoulder, he ostracized everything and was flummoxed searching for the documents "father! What's your reason? Do you have some debts or dues? Tell me! I could help!" I distended my eyes.

"Son, it's not as you think "my father blustered, then he twined his body tardily pulling a chair and sitting down furrowing his brows.

"Then tell me your reasons! I won't occlude you! But I'm your only son, at least you should tell me, I'm not a kid anymore, I'm 20 years old! “I raised my eyebrows genuflecting to his legs holding his hands. He never looked bemused like this, his mind and his eyes unhinged, he hides something.

"Son, the last month, I was going out early to make some medical and physical examination, I'm getting old, I have heart problems, but don't worry it's fine, I'm not going to die soon " my father respired scratching his neck.

I wheezed "w-what? Why didn't you tell me? My mother knows that?" I stuttered gyrating my head to look at mother.

"Yes, she knows that! And I want to do this for you and for your mother, I can't die and let both of you suffer, twinge and endeavor in this frightful life after my death "my father was elucidating to me. Okay, I want to tell him I don't care, because I don't want him to die, but I still don't understand anything yet.

"Father! be truthful! Do you need the money for a surgery? Let's sell the house! I can work two jobs! We can move to one of our relative’s house or even live in a basement, I don't care, I will sell my car too " I suggested a lot of things, my mind didn't give me more ideas at this moment.

"Honey, I just need a low priced medicines that's all, but I have a business deal, I want to go through this straight away, I want to corral money as much as possible, I can't let you work two jobs, I blemished you but I'm satiated and gratified for having a son like you! Honest, sweet-tempered, kind, loves me so much. That's why I'm doing this. All that I need at this moment is to collect just 2 million dollars, I can't sell my company. So the house will help! After this business deal, I will win 20 million dollars in just a night. Couple of hours actually. I hope you can understand" my father explained to me. But what kind of deal could make you win 18 million dollars in a couple of hours, this is discomforting.

"Yes, husband, but tell him what kind of deal first! "My mom glowered.

I contemplated at my father "yes, how you could make it? And don't think it's dodgy! What if you lost everything? The market and the economy is not stable! So you could lose with a snap! "I widened my eyes. Recognizably our country has a horrendous issues and my father company works in advertising, so I still can't get it!

"I won't lose, I can't lose, not just because I'm doing this for your sake and for your mother sake! But because I'm self-assured from winning " my father huffed and blustered.

I rolled my eyes and I stand on my feet checking my mother expressions and then looking back to my father gall face "winning what?"

"Your father will gamble and hazard, in a poker game, one of the highest tables in the country, its international game, if he won, he will take everything and if he lost he will lose everything too! And we will be hurtled on the streets "my mother gnashed on her teeth. And now I could understand why she was yelling at him, if he wasn't my father, I would do the same to him, but I respect him, and I reverence his decisions.

"Sorry father, but we don't need all this money!! Please back off your surety decision! "I gaped at my father.

"I'm not coming back! I said I will join this game! Besides I will never lose and your mother could explain to you, how I started my company before marrying her?! I was the best gambler in the country, but after getting birth to you, she asked me to stop that, and I did it actually because all I needed at this time was to raise you well! But now, I will do it! "My father squalled.

"Even if you lost everything?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Trust me, I will never lose, I have been practicing this for a whole year, I think I'm still the best, all I need at this moment, is your support, are you in with me?" my father placed his hand over my cheek ... Sure I'm with you, if it was your death wish, then I will do it for you, even if you lost, you don't know how much I love both of you.

I waggled and joggled then I sniggered "yes father, I will support you, I'll comply and heed you till the last breath of mine, just let's hope you win " I simpered altruistically... But I have a pain in my chest for him. I'm ossified to lose him. Someday everyone will die, but my parents mean life and the air I'm respiring. Whatever it takes from me, I will do it for both of them.

"When?" I gasped.

"Tomorrow at nighttime son, are you coming with me?" my father asked me in a palpitated tone. He looks so fussed .and I still don't know why! he's afraid to lose? or petrified to die? or there's something else?

I shake my head "yes sure, I will adjoin to you as your specter"