I cleared my throat behind them, and both of them turned to look at me. I took a long, deep breath as their eyes stared at me. The older woman seemed confused and rolled her eyes. After a while, I excused myself from them. They might think I was eavesdropping.
“Thank you for your time,” I said, and she just nodded and gave a faint smile.
A few seconds later, I left the hotel. I quickly opened the door of my car and sat in the driver’s seat. I immediately started the engine. My secretary had several missed calls. I just looked at the screen of my phone and sent her a short message.
A little while later, I arrived at my parents’ mansion. I quickly parked my car, which had gotten dirty from last night’s rain.
“Sir!” our driver, Lucas, called out to me. I turned to look at him.
“Good morning, Lucas,” I greeted him politely.
“Good morning, too, sir,” he replied, smiling. I handed him my car keys and told him to get my car washed. He readily agreed.
I went inside the mansion and headed straight to my room. I immediately entered the bathroom to shower. After a quick shower, I dried myself with a white towel and put on a black suit because I had to be at the office before nine. Once I was ready, I went downstairs. I saw my dad and grandpa talking seriously in the living room.
“Son!” my mom called out to me.
“Good morning, Mom,” I greeted her.
“Good morning, too, son. Your grandpa wants to talk to you.”
“Mom, is this about Grandpa wanting me to marry his friend’s granddaughter? How many times have I told you, Mom, that I won’t agree to Grandpa’s plans!” I said firmly to her.
“When do you plan to get married? You’re being left behind, son. Look at your cousins—they all have families now. And you’re still single. When will you give us a grandchild?” Mom asked sadly.
“Mom, give me more time to think about it,” I replied.
“More time, son? That’s always your excuse,” she said, her voice tinged with disappointment.
My head was already aching because this was always their topic with me. They kept pushing me to get married. I don’t believe married life is happy, although my parents seem to have a happy marriage. To me, being single is freedom—no headaches. Marriage is far from my mind right now.
I approached where Dad and Grandpa were talking. I greeted them. Thankfully, Grandma wasn’t there. If she were, she would endlessly ask when I would have a child and a wife.
“Grandson!” Grandpa called to me.
“Next week, we’re going to my friend’s county to meet the woman who will be your wife. I’ve already talked to him,” Grandpa said authoritatively.
“Grandpa, let me find the woman I want to marry myself. Don’t force me into something I don’t want. Marriage isn’t a joke. Let me enjoy my single life for now because the time will come when I’ll get married.” I replied to Grandpa. I noticed his face darken.
“Arlo, listen to your grandpa and me. You’re of the right age now,” Dad said. I smirked.
“Dad,” I said, noting Grandpa’s clenched jaw—his usual reaction when things didn’t go his way.
“I’ll give you two weeks, Arlo. If you can’t introduce a woman who can give us a grandchild within that time, I’ll remove you as CEO of the company. And if you can’t, you’ll marry my friend’s granddaughter, whether you like it or not. Understood?” Grandpa said firmly.
I felt a slight relief at Grandpa’s deadline, but I couldn’t accept being removed as CEO. I needed to find a woman who could pretend to be my girlfriend. I didn’t have much time. Two weeks was all Grandpa gave me. I couldn’t lose the company, and I couldn’t marry someone I didn’t know. I’m Arlo Bonde, and with all the women I’ve met, it’s impossible I can’t find one I like.
“I have to go, Dad. I have an important appointment,” I excused myself.
“Arlo, you know we’re not joking,” Dad said. I smirked.
Mom called out to me, but I just looked back at her. As I left the mansion, I called one of my friends, Charle. He was surprised I called him so early.
“Too early, dude,” he said sleepily on the other line. I shook my head as I heard a woman’s voice in the background. “Okay, fine, sorry if I disturbed you. We’ll talk later,” I said before ending the call. Then I hung up.
