Honest Mistake

Chapter 56 - Honest Mistake

Torin entered his room with anger written all over his face. His hands were clenched into fists, and his mind kept returning to what Pascal had done. His best friend had seen his mother naked. In Torin's mind, that was practically a criminal offence, and he was ready to make Pascal understand just how serious it was.

I'm going to punch him first and listen to his explanation afterward.

However, the moment Torin stepped inside, he stopped in surprise. Pascal was kneeling in the middle of the room, his forehead almost touching the floor as he bowed as low as possible. His backpack lay forgotten beside him, and he seemed so focused on apologizing that he barely noticed Torin entering.

"Torin, I'm sorry. I-I have no words to justify what happened, but I promise it was an honest mistake," Pascal said, raising his head slightly before lowering it again.

Torin stared at him, unsure how to react. He had expected excuses, arguments, or perhaps some foolish attempt to laugh off the situation. Instead, his friend was practically begging for forgiveness.

"What the hell are you doing?" Torin asked.

"I'm apologizing!" Pascal replied, his voice filled with embarrassment. "I was coming back from the bathroom when something caught the corner of my eye. I turned without thinking, and then I realized what was happening. I left immediately, and you came. I swear I wasn't trying to see anything. It was a mistake, Torin, and I'm really sorry."

Pascal's fingers pressed against the floor as he struggled to find the right words. "I know she's your mother, and I understand why you're angry. If I were in your position, I would probably feel the same way. But I would never deliberately do something like that."

Torin watched him quietly. His anger had not disappeared entirely, but Pascal's miserable expression made it difficult to remain furious. He had known the man for months, and never once had Pascal given him a reason to believe he would deliberately cross such a boundary.

I've been with this idiot for months. I should know what kind of person he is by now.

Torin released a slow breath and reached down to pull Pascal to his feet.

"Enough. I heard you."

Pascal looked at him uncertainly. "You mean... you forgive me?"

"Don't make me repeat myself. I trust you, Pascal. I know you didn't do it on purpose. Just be more careful next time."

Relief washed over Pascal's face, and his shoulders finally relaxed. "Thank you, Torin. I honestly thought you were going to beat me up."

"I was considering it," Torin replied, making Pascal's expression stiffen again. "But watching you bow to the floor was punishment enough."

"You're a terrible friend."

"And yet, you're still here."

Despite his embarrassment, Pascal managed a small smile. However, it disappeared when he glanced at his backpack and picked it up.

"I should leave. It's getting late, and I don't think I can face your mother right now."

Torin frowned. "Why? I just told you everything is fine."

"I know, but how am I supposed to look her in the eye after what happened? She treated me so kindly, and now I can't even think about standing in front of her without feeling embarrassed." Pascal adjusted his backpack and sighed. "I'll come back another day."

Torin scratched his head, realizing that he had not considered how awkward the situation might be for his friend. He wanted to tell Pascal to stop overthinking, but he could see that the embarrassment was genuine.

"Fine, go home if you want. But don't start avoiding me tomorrow because you're embarrassed."

"I won't. Thanks for believing me."

The two friends stepped into the hallway, where Pascal was immediately stopped by Torin's mother.

"Pascal? Where are you going at this hour, son?"

Pascal froze. He lowered his gaze, struggling to find an answer as she looked at him with concern.

"Pascal, what happened?" she asked. "Is everything all right?"

Before he could respond, Torin stepped forward. "Mom, his father called him back urgently, so he needs to go home."

"Is that so?" She looked between them, clearly surprised by the sudden news.

Pascal quickly nodded. "Yes, aunty. My father needs me at home."

His mother accepted the explanation and stepped closer, gently patting Pascal's hair. "All right, then. Take care of yourself and come back soon. You're always welcome here, so don't disappear for too long."

Pascal felt another wave of guilt as he looked at her kind expression. He managed a small smile and nodded, unable to bring himself to say anything more.

"Thank you, aunty. I'll come back soon."

After exchanging a goodbye handshake with Torin, Pascal left the house. A black sedan was waiting outside, and the chauffeur immediately opened the rear door for him. Pascal climbed inside, placed his backpack beside him, and leaned back against the seat as the car drove away.

Meanwhile, Torin returned to his room, only to find his mother standing beside the bed with her hands on her hips.

"Torin, come here and help me clean this room. Look at this mess!"

He glanced at the clothes scattered across the floor and the books left lying on his desk before letting out a quiet sigh.

"Coming, Mom."

He began collecting the clothes while his mother straightened the bed and gathered the books. Every time he thought they were finished, she pointed toward another mess he had somehow overlooked, leaving him with little choice but to continue cleaning.

By the time they were done, the room looked presentable again. His mother gave it one final inspection before leaving, satisfied with the result.

Torin sat on his bed and reached for his phone, wondering whether Pascal had arrived home safely. Despite the strange events of the evening, he was glad that the matter between them had been settled.

He knew Pascal would probably remain embarrassed for a while, but that was something his friend would have to overcome himself.

With that thought, Torin put his phone aside and settled down for the night, allowing the unusual evening to come to an end.

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