004

Engel

My father's death anniversary was supposed to be a small family gathering, only for close relatives; Mother had done preparations for it, as I only had to sign the papers they brought regarding the bill.

I was already at the family house as I expected Lindsay to be here very soon.

"Brother, I have got news for you," Lazarus stuck his head out into Father's old office. While I was busy looking into his old things, I was having this place cleared out since I had agreed with my mother to move back in.

I am still yet to let Lindsay know; I am sure she wouldn’t mind us moving in either, as she most likely would like the idea.

"What is it?" I said in a bored tone, as I already knew it was most likely another of his sex escapades with a new woman he had become obsessed with.

Lazarus ignored my tone as he went further to speak up, "Rhea Harper is back, you know, your ex-girlfriend, who would’ve been your wife."

I paused as I heard him describe her; I didn’t like it one bit, but I wasn’t the type to be in a haste to anger.

"Never say that in front of Lindsay," I warned firmly, my tone sharp and serious. "I saw her already at the hotel, is there anything wrong?"

"Ah… I see Conrad hasn’t told you yet," Lazarus began as he took my warning to tread carefully.

"Told me what?" I showed interest since Conrad's name was now involved.

"Rhea holds a share in father’s company, a whopping twenty-six percent," Lazarus stated. I was astounded and utterly confused, as this was something I wasn’t aware of. "What do you mean, 26%?"

"Exactly what you heard," Lazarus nodded, which didn’t quite give an answer to the question being asked.

"Mr. White holds 15%, the Andersons hold 10%, your father has 13%, the whole of the Gunthers combined hold 56%, and then there are the others who share the remaining 6 percent," I broke down everything as I understood.

I haven’t been focusing on that side of the business for now, but as I will be switching things with Conrad, I might need to be more inclined to what is going on over there.

"I think Conrad will explain better when he sees you," Lazarus deviated as he chose to maintain his silence as though that would be of any help; a stranger is currently a part of the company. Am I just going to sit still and watch?

There was a knock on the door before Martha, my old nanny, entered to tell me, "Your wife is around," she told me as I had instructed her to be on the lookout for when Lindsay would come.

I wasted no time as I rushed to go see, only to see she was occupied in speaking with my mother; it didn’t look good as I already could tell the topic for discussion.

It has to be about Lindsay's pregnancy again.

As I approached them, Mother had simply walked away from Lindsay before I could get there. Lindsay looked me in the eye, and then she smiled before moving away too before I could say anything to her.

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Though it bothered me, it didn’t quite seem like anything was wrong until Mother pulled me away for a chat away from the guest.

"Find yourself a new wife," Mother suggested, no premise, just straight to the point. I was annoyed by this as it was an insult to my face.

"I already have one."

"Lindsay is not good enough, dear; two years and she is yet to give birth."

"Not this again, she is a woman just like you besides I am not in a hurry, there is time for everything remember , when it is the right time, Lindsay will conceive. This constant reminder is not good and needs to stop," I stated firmly; this was no time to say things calmly, as it has gone on for far too long.

"Getting a new wife isn’t a bad idea, son; think about it. I know that you will, son," Mother said as she was bent on dying on that hill.

I didn’t say anything as she coaxed me to at least give it a thought; still, no words came out of my mouth; it was just going to be as it was.

"I already made arrangements for this; her family is around. Would you like to meet with them?"

"I have a wife; I suggest that this topic is never brought up again," I said to her.

Though our conversation was quickly cut short as I walked away from her, it had lingered in my mind. On our way home, Lindsay had been quiet throughout the drive.

I tried reaching for her hand; she flinched but didn't take her hand away. She was uncomfortable, so I did her the favor.

"You look tired; is anything weighing you down?" I asked, wanting to start up a conversation to drain out the silence this drive had become, a replica of a graveyard. "What did my mother say to you?"

"Huh?" Lindsay was completely blanked out; I then again repeated myself, "What did my mother say to you?" I asked.

"Nothing, she thanked me for coming," Lindsay replied and then went back to silence.

I chose not to bother her anymore, as she wasn't interested in the conversation we were about to have, so I allowed it to be.

I parked in front of our three-story duplex. "I will open the door for you," I offered, and Lindsay's hand clenched on the door handle. "You don’t have to," she snapped.

Lindsay has sat there like that, as though she had something to say; I just know Mother confronted her again about the pregnancy.

"Engel..." Lindsay's angelic voice called my name softly, though from how she spoke, I could feel the heaviness. "I-I-I..." She stuttered, unable to make out a sentence. I remained patient with her as I waited to hear what this was about. "I heard you are getting a new wife; is that true?" She breathed out.

"Who told you such a lie? Where did you hear it from?

"Answer me, Engel; it is a yes or no question."

"No," I whistled, the lie catching up in my throat.

"No?"

"No."

"Okay," Lindsay opened the door as she stepped out of the car; her steps were so swift that it was hard to catch up to her.