Chapter [ 7 ]

[ Brandon Wesley ]

My father lowered his reading glasses and gave me a deadpanned look, “Calm down, Brandon. I told you to focus on your present and in extending our empire. There’s no need to dig in the past which doesn’t matter anymore.” He said.

“She visited me today.” I told him.

He looked at me with a bored expression, “I know, son. Your wife told us. You are a married man now, Brandon. Whatever happened in the past, it was a horrendous mistake made by your late grandfather. Anyways, she’ll not bother you again. I have warned her father and he’d not dare to breach our deal.” He said with surety.

“Dad, this is my life. How can you take decisions for me?” I scoffed, “She came to visit me when her patience broke, I kept lying to her all these years. You know how pathetic I feel? Her reaction didn’t give away any signs of her involvement in the deal you and her father made.” I said.

“Does it really matter now?” He gave me a dead look which means he wants to end this discussion.

“Yes, she was my friend.” I reasoned.

“She was, you implied past tense, son which means she no longer exists in your present and I do not want any mention of Madeline Parker in your life. You better focus on your marriage. People has started gossiping about you and Kate. Her parents called me and they’re not very happy about this present rough patch in your marriage. So, you better pull your shits together and fix this.” There was a finality in his voice means I couldn’t argue with him over this.

I sighed and poured myself a whiskey knowing I wouldn’t be able to handle my parents and Kate without it.

“You’re the one who is making me to do this, Dad. My marriage has been dead for over an year. Don’t you think it’s unfair for Kate as well? She can still find someone better than me?” I practically yelled but he remained calm.

“Do not use these tactics on me, Brandon. You know what her family’s net worth means to us, for our business. So, think like a businessman and who says marriages and relationships are built on love. Look at me and your mother. Aren’t we married for thirty years? We were arranged whereas you married Kate on your own will.” He resolved.

My frustration was reaching on its peak.

“Do not drag Madeline in our current mess. She won’t affect my present.” I said before walking towards the door to exit from his dominating presence which suffocates me.

“Your great grandfather built the Wesley name, my father and I carried it on and being my only heir, it’s your duty to act like a responsible businessman. This name is handed to you or should I say served to you on a silver platter. So, respect it and do as I say.” He said, it was a harsh slap of reality on my face.

I slammed the door shut and decided to get some fresh air but the luck didn’t seem to be on my side as I saw my mother and Kate walking towards me. They get along very well and I know it isn’t an emotional connection but mutual interest in materialistic things.

“Good evening, Mom.” I greeted my mother politely despite knowing that it really mattered to her because she gave me a look as if I said something atrocious.

“Brandon, what am I hearing from Kate. That Parker girl came to your office and misbehaved with your wife but instead of throwing her out, you asked Kate to leave you alone with her? How could you do this?” She accused me as if I did something horrible.

“Mom, I do not want to talk about it again when Dad has given me a long lecture over this. So, if you want me to stay here, please do not raise this topic again because I have dealt with it maturely. Madeline is a sincere person, she’ll understand.” I didn’t know why but I ended up defending her which infuriated these women.

Kate gave me a stink eye.

“Brandon, you’re clearly disrespecting me.” Kate hissed.

“Look, Kate. Let’s face it. No matter how much I am trying to fix it, you’ll always suspect me. So, I don’t see a need to explain anything to you and anyone else if you can’t trust me.” I said with firmness in my tone and hoped they’d leave me alone.

“I am sorry, Darling.” Kate chimed and I wondered how quickly her mood flipped as she snaked her arm around mine, “I was feeling a bit emotional. I love you so much and when I see you with her, I mean that girl, I lost it but I didn’t mean to hurt you.” She flattered me.

“I can see.” I said with a taste of sarcasm which she didn’t seem to catch.

“Brandon, I and your father want you to plan a baby soon. People are talking and we don’t want them to spread rumours about my precious son and his wife.” My mother used the same tactic as my father but she draped it in sweetness.

A baby?

I’d love to be a father one day but not in the near future and definitely not with Kate until we sort out the gap between us which is widening day by day and none of us bother to mend it.

“The dinner table is set, Ma’am.” A maid informed my mother.

“Come, both of you. You know your father doesn’t like to wait.” My mother reminded us as she walked past us.

I sighed in exhaustion. The last thing I’d want is to dine with my parents and Kate on the same table. They’d never understand me.

“Let’s go, honey. We shouldn’t make them wait.” Kate batted her eyelashes at me.

“I have to make an important call to Maximus. Please, go ahead. I’ll join you shortly.” I said, it was an excuse to buy some more time to prepare myself for more ridiculous demands and remarks.

“Okay, but don’t take long.” She rubbed my chest before going to join my parents while I strode out of the house.

My phone buzzed at the same time and it was indeed Maximus. I thanked the God and answered the call.

“Hey, man how’s the dinner going?” He asked me and it was more like rubbing salt on my wounds.

“What do you think?” I snorted.

“I can save you, buddy if you want.” He suggested.

“Please, hang up if you don’t have anything better to say.” I said with a exhale.

“Actually, yes. I am on my way to board my flight for a business trip to Milan. I received a call from my sister. She is at the Lifeline Hospital. Can you please pick her from there? She refused to be picked by my driver. You know how stubborn she can be sometimes, her pregnancy is making her more hard to handle. I would have come back but I can’t miss the flight. I only trust you with her.” He requested me and it was something I couldn’t refuse since I consider his sister as my sister as well.

“Alright, I’ll pick her. Don’t worry.” I said and it was the perfect escape from this blasphemy on the name of family dinner.

I called Kate to inform her that I am leaving for an emergency because if I had gone inside, they’d never let me leave.

I reached at the hospital in no time. I felt knots in my stomach as it’s the same hospital where Madeline works and I hoped I’d catch a glimpse of her.

I enquired on the reception to find the OB/GYN department. After receiving the instructions, I made my way to the given direction. My stomach felt knots. My eyes searched for her but much to my dismay I couldn’t find her.

Why do I become so desperate to see her after avoiding her like a contagious decease for years?

However, I entered in the waiting room where I spotted, Maximus’ sister Melissa who was talking to a nurse holding her huge belly.

“Melissa.” I called out her name to gain her attention and her face turned into my direction.

“Brandon?” Her face lit up seeing me and with the help of the nurse she got up from the bed.

I strolled towards her so I could help her.

“How is this little one doing?” I asked about her baby.

“She is making me worried every day. Today, I got a false alarm so I had to come here urgently but the doctor isn’t on her shift. I guess I have to come back again tomorrow and it’s becoming difficult for me to move much nowadays.” She said rubbing her belly affectionately. I felt bad for her. She was going through this phase alone as her husband died in a car accident five months ago. Maximus and their mother are all she has so I decided to call the doctor. We donate a huge sum every year to this hospital.

“Wait a minute. I am calling the director. She will come here now or I’ll make him fire her. You aren’t in a condition to move like this every day.” I said feeling a bit angry.

“It’s fine, Brand. You are no less than Max.” she tried to stop me and before I could make the call, the doors opened and my head tilted to glance at the rude intruder but my eyes went wide when I found Madeline, panting hard in a messy state like she had run a marathon.

Her eyes met mine and her whole posture turned stiff.

“My doctor is here, Brand. You don’t need to sue her.” Melissa chuckled.

I cursed myself for saying something this stupid as Madeline’s face contoured a bitter expression.

Fuck!