CHAPTER 3- DO YOU AGREE?

                       RYAN POV

 The elevator dings open as I move out with my secretary trailing behind me.

  My phone stuck to my right ear as I was finalizing the deal with one of our biggest clients.

  "We will meet next week Mr. Hawkthore. I will ask my secretary to book the appointment, "I finalized, as I hung up the call.

 I kept walking towards my office.

  "Zara, kindly get the work done and bring them to my office as soon as possible. As well as the appointment with Mr. Hawkthore, "I stopped walking and instructed her before opening my office door.

  She nodded and walked to her cubicle in the opposite direction.

  I heaved a sigh of relief as I entered my office, my head throbbing, and I felt a slight headache. I am damn tired already.

  Running over the company has been one of my top priorities. I had to make sure everything was in place, especially as the CEO of this company, which focuses mostly on land buying and selling, as well as construction projects.

  Pulling my suit off my body, I allowed it to settle on the back of my seat, as I slumped into my office chair, twirling the chair around.

  As I looked into the files in front of me, I suddenly felt a flash of guilt, apart from the workload on me. A flash of the lady I ran into by accident blurred my imagination, piquing my curiosity,whether she was fine.

  I took my phone to call my driver, who I asked to give me an update about her welfare. The door to my office opened, as I raised my head, anger fueling inside of me, at the sight of the person I saw.

   He strolled closer, as he settled down in one of the chairs in front of me, a smirk on his face.

  "I never knew my best friend was a sissy. It has been over two years bro, have some fun, "He chuckled, as I tried to keep my calm, breathing out gently.

  If he wasn't my best friend, I doubt if I would not have beaten him up by now.

  "And I can't believe my best friend will betray me. Especially with spiking up my drink and trying to hook me up with those sluts, "My blues eyes met his dark brown eyes, as he simply snorted, annoying me more.

  He readjusted himself, as he rested his hands on my table.

  "You are blaming me now bro. I was only looking out for you."He peered at me

  "Look out for yourself. I am old enough to live my life. I do not want to have anything to do with any other woman. Next time you try that shit, like yesterday night, I can't promise not to cut our friendship ties, Nick." I gave him a stern look, as his face contorted into a frown.

  That was more like it. He should feel guilty for what he did. I shouldn't have trusted him in the first place,especially if I knew he had his plans off his sleeve. But instead I went to a bar with him.

The thought of it only makes me feel furious.

  "Seriously? It has been over two years since she died. Are you still clinging to her?"I gritted my teeth at his words.

  "You need to move on Ryan. Get laid, or better still, get married to someone else. To be honest, I never really liked your dead wife before. Maybe the universe is telling you to move on. You are almost 30 for fuck sake."

  His words were like knives pushed into my body. I rolled my hands into fists, as I stared angrily at him.

  "Nick, get out, "He wore a shocked expression, as he looked at me.

  "Are you kidding me?"

  "No. I am not. Don't make things messier for us. Until you are willing to acknowledge your mistakes, don't ever try talking to me again, "I stated firmly, as he sighed.

  He stood up, as he turned to leave.

  "And the next time you pull that kind of stunt like yesternight, or you try to say shitty words about her, even though she is dead, I will never forgive you again."

   He muttered under his breath some words, as he left my office. I called my secretary immediately, giving her a clear warning never to allow Nick to enter my office again, not until I said so.

  I creased my forehead as I felt my head banging. 'Anger is not good,' I said inwardly.

  I rested on my seat, and I felt guilty for the words I said to Nick. He had been my childhood best friend and was probably looking out for me. But still, he shouldn't have involved himself in such a funny act.

   Just because of the spiked drink, I ran into a young lady with my car. I hope mother doesn't find out or I might have some queries regarding my late night yesterday especially after lying that I was at home yesterday night. I even sent my driver home early yesterday, all thanks to Nick's hanging out plan.

    The ringing tone of my phone brought me out of my reverie, as it displayed my driver's contact on the phone. I breathe out, hoping I would be hearing some good news this time around.

  "Hello. Any update about the lady?"I questioned.

  "Fine sir. She has woken up and is feeling better, "I felt relieved by his words.

  I doubt if I will be able to see the lady again. She looked beautiful, yet weary yesterday. I was drunk and got her into this mess in the first place.

  "But sir....." My brows creased, at the sound of my driver. It seemed he was hiding something else at the sound of his hesitation.

  "Speak up, Mr. Walter."

  "Mrs. Ackers visited."

  "What the...."I missed it, wondering how my mum got to know about the incident.

  "How did she know?"

  "I don't know,boss. But I think she has some people following you recently. She even brought some provisions for the hospitalized young lady. She left recently."

  "Thank you for the information. Just make sure she is okay. What is her name?"I asked, tapping my table, due to tension building in me.

  "Ariel Peterson."

  "Got it. Keep updating me. Thank you, Mr. Walter."

  I hung up, as I felt more fatigue.. it was as if the whole world was resting on my shoulder.

  There was a knock on the door, as I straightened up a bit.

  "Come in, "The door opened, and my eyes widened.

  "Good day son."

  "Mum, "My voice almost trailed off as I stood up to welcome her. 

  We hugged each other as she sat on the chair opposite me. Feeling more nervous than ever, as it was rare for her to visit the company except for very important reasons. She stared at me, a brilliant smile plastered on her lips.

  "Sit. You do not have to offer me anything. I only came to give you a proposal. One, you haven't acknowledged for a while now, "My heart thumped for a while, as I smiled softly, before sitting.

  "I'm all ears mum."

  "For a start, I think you should be kneeling on the ground, especially for the stunt you pulled off yesterday, "I lowered my eyes, feeling guilty beneath my mother's scrutiny.

  "Well. I'm sorry I lied yesterday, as well as hitting that lady with my car. It was a mistake. It won't happen again, "I looked at her with puppy eyes, as she chuckled softly.

  "That isn't what you should be bothered about for now. I have taken care of it. Have you seen the newspaper headline recently?"My face dreaded with sadness at her last statement.

  I knew what the news was all about. The rumor that I was gay, was laughable. I am not gay, but only a man who can't seem to forget his late wife.

  I felt a warm hand, gently caressing the back of my palm, jolting me out of my reverie. I let out my breath, trying to get the rumor out of my memory. To me, the words of others shouldn't get to me. I am a wall.

  "I'm so sorry son."

   I shook my head, putting a smile on my lips. To reassure my mum that I was fine.

  "It is fine. I guess the shareholders of this company also want me to get married. Some planned on pulling out their shares if I don't get married soon, "My mum nodded, as she cleared her throat

  "I want you to get married soon, please."

  I looked at her with amazement. This will be the first time she will bring up the topic 

  "But mum, I still love Evelyn."I shook my head, refusing instantly, but her next line of action shocked me to the bone.

  She knelt down, as I quickly rose to make her stand up.

  "Mum, please. Stop this. I am begging you, "I tried to make her stand, as she stood her ground.

  "I want you to get married, Ryan. I promise you won't regret this."

  I straightened up, frustration building in as I glanced around the room, refusing to make eye contact with her. My heart pounded, as I hummed quietly to myself. Trying to reduce the nervousness and anxieties clouding me.

  I sat down as I looked at my mum who was still on her knees.

  "I will get married in the next few months. Please, get up mum, "I pleaded, as I felt a fluttering nervous stomach feeling.

  She stood up, as she sat. She reached to touch my hands, but I flinched backward. Just because I accepted doesn't mean I was happy with her for forcing me. The thought of marriage alone was enough to paralyze me.

  "You seemed upset. I was only looking out for you, which is why I will make things easy for you. You are free to state your conditions regarding the marriage as well."

  "I want you to get married to the lady you ran into yesterday."

  I peeked at her, as I tapped my fingers on my table. It seemed my mum had this all planned out. I will go with the flow. I love her, and I will obey her.

  "I have some conditions."She nodded, as she paid more attention.

  "Firstly, I want to meet the woman you want me to marry, after she is released from the hospital. Number 2 is that we will get married only for a year." I started, as my mum's countenance changed slightly.

  I rested my hands on the table, then continued:" If I do not develop any feelings for her at the end of the one-year stated, we will part ways. And lastly, I don't want this marriage to be public."

  "I agree. However, if you fall in love with her within that one year, after five more years, you are free to leave and enjoy the simple lifestyle you always wanted. Your younger brother will handle the company."

  I felt happy at her last set of words, even with the clause there. I knew in my heart that it was only my late wife that I would love all the days of my life. 

  "And the lady in question, did she agree to marry me?"I asked

  "Yes, she did. The question is ' DO YOU AGREE?"

  "I agree."I finally voiced out.

  The next stage was to finally meet the lady that caught my mother's eye.