Chapter 2

Richard’s pov

I dressed as corporate as I could, though the tie was choking and everything seem so uncomfortable.

  I guess stepping in as the boss of your father's business doesn't seem such a bad idea.

I guess that's a delusional statement since I never wanted any of this.

   I have always dreamed of being a lawyer. Being a law graduate was an honor though, an honor my dad never allowed me to enjoy.

  He always wanted me to take over his business and tread his path. I do so as he wishes not like mine.

I stood by the mirror, trying to adjust the tie for the hundredth time.

  "Let me help with that," I heard a female voice say and I turned to face her.

   I do not remember bringing a lady home last night. I do not even know her name but she had the gut to lace her skeletal hands around me.

   "I guess I have paid you," I said, uncertain why she was still here.

   "Of course you have," she answered with a crooked smile. "But I still want..." I shut her up by taking her hands off me.

   "Dress up and get the hell out of this room!" I ordered in a low voice but she was hesitant.

  "This minute!" I yelled louder since she seemed to have problems with her ears.

  She was startled and hurriedly packed her things. Off she went.

   Sense of reasoning has it that people loved to be treated shitty. Humans irk me, they only believe whatever it is they want to believe so they fabricate fantasy as their reality about a person's life.

   I'm simply seen as being defeatist and I'm not showing any form of skepticism about that fact.

  I checked myself out one last minute in the mirror before picking up my briefcase and headed outside.

   The aura of the workplace was as usual. Paparazzi streaming around and reporters hanging here and there to get a top-tier headline. It was still the same serious atmosphere with stiff people walking around in all shades of suits.

  I looked up the sky scrapper before stepping out of my car and multiple flashlights showed my way.

 A couple of bodyguards walked up to me, trying to pave a way among the hungry paparazzi waiting to be fed interesting topics.

 "What does it feel like to be the son of a multi-million dollar businessman? Would you have preferred becoming a lawyer to a businessman? Does lacking a motherly love and her role affect you? What would you like to say to people?" numerous voices with unknown owners questioned from the crowd but my head remained bent as I walked inside without answering any of the questions.

 I was starting to get irritated by the paparazzi instead of getting used to it.

  After getting inside and being out of sight, I straightened my suit and adjusted my tie, walking head straight and wearing my most intimidating look as always.

  From side to side, they great with a bow before they continued whatever it was they were immersed in, ladies murmured with admiration reflecting from their actions but none got to me.

  I stopped walking abruptly and looked to the side, my eyes meeting a young lady that I don't think I had ever seen but really don't care.

She smiled at me, expecting a smile in return but I disappointed her.

  "That shade of lipstick doesn't suit you," I remarked and her cheeks turned red from embarrassment.

 I was about to take the elevator when I saw my dad's P.A.

  "Good morning, Mr. Trenton," he said with a slight bow and I nodded in return.

   "The boss awaits you in his office," he said and my hand dropped from the elevator button.

  "What is he doing here?" a slight grimace formed on my face.

"He would like to say himself," he answered and I blamed myself for asking him when in fact I knew I wouldn't get a desirable response from him.

   "Alright,"

I took the elevator to the last floor where his office was.

   The elevator door chimed open, giving a view of the only floor where no employee is allowed.

 I knocked twice on his door before opening it and a calm breeze hit my face.

  He was standing and checking the city out. Which was an unusual habit. He was always sitting on the sofa in the room, reading through a newsletter.

  "I demand an apology from myself for not noticing this view before now," he said out of the blue.

 "It's a great view out there," I complimented, playing along without knowing exactly what the point was.

   "I always go out to explore the city with your mum but everything stopped after she died. We men don't know the effect women have over our lives until they're gone," he said.

 I really don't know where this discussion was heading and why she brought my mum into it but I nodded.

  He faced me and instructed that I sit while he took his seat as well.

  "Having a woman by one's side is as valuable as having a child. Women are beautiful creatures just like the view out there,"

"What is it, dad?" I was getting impatient.

 "You should get married soon,"

"What?" I asked without putting much thought into it but his next words clouded my thought.

  "You should get married next month," he said, adjusting his glasses well on the bridge of his nose.

 I looked deep into his eyes and it only showed seriousness nothing like uncertainty. He was sure of what he said and was sure he was going to make me do as he wishes.

 The certainty in his eyes, his voice was so evident that not even my objection could clog. I knew instantly that, even though the heavens bear witness that I don't want this, nothing living could change his mind.

 In that case, I didn't bother altering his decision since there was no point in doing so.