I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World-Chapter 89: The Celebration of Christmas

The drive back to his mother's house felt different this year.

Matthew sat in the back of his Lexus LM500, the city lights of Manila reflecting off the car's tinted windows. BGC was still buzzing with late-night Christmas Eve celebrations, but as he moved toward Quezon City, the streets grew quieter. The pandemic had changed the way people celebrated, but the warmth of the season remained.

For the first time in a long time, Matthew wasn't thinking about Sentinel Systems, investors, or billion-peso deals. His mind was on his family.

He had been so caught up in work, expansion, and making Sentinel a global powerhouse that he hadn't realized just how much things had changed for them.

His mother, Teresa, wasn't struggling anymore.

His brother, Marco, wasn't stuck in a dead-end job.

Even his father, Ramon Sr., seemed… different.

And this time, when he visited, it wasn't out of guilt. It was because he wanted to.

The Lexus pulled up in front of the house. It was modest compared to where he lived now, but it was theirs—no rent, no looming eviction notices, no worries about making ends meet.

Matthew stepped out, adjusting his N95 mask before heading to the front door. The house was brightly decorated with Christmas lights, a star lantern hanging above the entrance. The sound of laughter and Christmas music spilled out from inside.

Before he could knock, the door swung open.

Marco stood there, a Santa hat crooked on his head, his own surgical mask pulled down to his chin. His eyes lit up when he saw Matthew.

"Look who finally decided to show up," Marco smirked, stepping aside.

Matthew chuckled. "I had a long night."

Marco raised an eyebrow. "Meeting with billionaires or saving the world?"

"Both," Matthew said, stepping inside.

The house smelled of lechon, spaghetti, and his mother's homemade fruit salad—the unmistakable scent of a Filipino Christmas feast. The living room was packed with decorations: a Christmas tree in the corner, wrapped gifts underneath, and a nativity set on the side table.

His mother, Teresa, appeared from the kitchen, her face lighting up when she saw him. "Matthew!" She rushed forward, hugging him tightly. "Merry Christmas, hijo."

Matthew felt something inside him settle. "Merry Christmas, Mom."

She pulled back, looking him over like she was making sure he was eating enough. "You work too much. You're thinner than the last time I saw you!"

Matthew smirked. "I think I've gained weight, actually."

"Not enough!" Teresa scoffed, patting his arm. "Sit, sit. Dinner is almost ready."

His father was already sitting at the dining table, dressed in a simple button-up shirt. He glanced up when Matthew walked in.

There was a time when that look would have been filled with resentment, but tonight, it wasn't. It was just… neutral. Maybe even a little proud.

"You made it," Ramon Sr. said simply.

Matthew nodded. "Yeah."

The older man leaned back in his chair. "Good."

That was all he said, but for his father, that was progress.

Marco plopped down on the couch, grabbing a beer. "Alright, since Matthew's here, we can start."

His mother shot him a glare. "Not until we pray!"

Matthew chuckled, shaking his head. Some things never changed.

The dining table was filled with all the classics—lechon, spaghetti, ham, queso de bola, bibingka, puto bumbong, and even a couple of fancy dishes his mother insisted on making now that they had the money to splurge a little.

As they sat down, Teresa clasped her hands together. "Alright, let's say grace."

Everyone bowed their heads, and she led a simple prayer, thanking God for another year, for their health, and for keeping the family together.

Matthew felt it this time.

Last year, this family dinner wouldn't have happened.

Now?

It was the first real Christmas they had in years—without stress, without financial worries, without the lingering feeling that everything could fall apart at any moment.

When they started eating, the conversation flowed naturally.

Marco was talking about work, and Matthew was genuinely impressed.

"Richard Wong actually respects you?" Matthew teased.

Marco scoffed. "Surprised? I'm killing it at Sentinel. You'd know if you actually came to the office more often."

Matthew smirked. "I'm running the company, not babysitting employees."

His mother rolled her eyes. "You two never change."

Marco chuckled. "No, but seriously. I'm learning a lot. And it's crazy, you know? Actually having a job that matters."

Matthew nodded. "Good. I didn't hire you as a favor. I hired you because I knew you could do it."

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Marco hesitated, then muttered, "Yeah. Thanks for that, by the way."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Did you just thank me?"

Marco scoffed. "Shut up."

After dinner, Matthew stepped outside for some air. The night was cool, quieter now that most of the neighbors had gone inside.

His father joined him a few minutes later, standing beside him.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

Then, Ramon Sr. said, "Your mother's happy."

Matthew nodded. "Yeah. She is."

Another silence.

"You did good, Matthew," his father said, voice gruff. "I may not have said it before, but… you did good."

Matthew turned to him, studying his expression. It wasn't easy for his father to admit things like that.

He exhaled, leaning against the railing. "Thanks."

His father nodded, pulling his jacket tighter around him. "You staying the night?"

Matthew smirked. "You want me to?"

His father chuckled. "Your mother does. That means you have no choice."

Matthew laughed. "Fair enough."

For the first time in years, Matthew wasn't spending Christmas alone in a penthouse or working late into the night.

He was home.

Inside, his mother was excitedly pulling out gifts from under the tree.

"For Matthew!" she said, handing him a box wrapped in gold paper.

He raised an eyebrow. "You got me something?"

"Of course!" Teresa huffed. "Just because you're rich now doesn't mean I won't buy you a gift."

Matthew chuckled, unwrapping it. Inside was a framed photo of their family—from years ago, back when they still lived in their old house, before everything fell apart.

Matthew stared at it for a long moment.

"It's a reminder," his mother said softly. "Of where we came from."

Matthew swallowed. "Thanks, Mom."

Marco handed him another gift.

"This one's from me," he said.

Matthew opened it—a Sentinel Systems hoodie.

He laughed. "Wow. Real creative, Marco."

His brother smirked. "Wear it to work, boss."

Matthew shook his head, but for the first time in a long time, he felt like part of this family again.

They weren't the same people they used to be.

But this?

This was home.