CHAPTER TWO

Tobias Pov. 

Benjamin Grey is the only son of George Grey, a retired businessman who owns a business conglomerate situated in different countries of the world. He built his legacy with his traveling agency, which his son, Benjamin, took possession of when he retired. 

Benjamin took over the wheel from his father and developed the agency then made different alliances with other companies and investments. The only difficulty Benjamin encountered was being an only child. It comes with so much pressure and responsibilities. 

He avoided his parents, mostly his father, because of the pressure he mounted on him. After so many months of skipping lunch dates and dodging his parents, he resolved to have lunch with them. Seeing the way the maids were performing hard to please him at the table, he knew his parents must have put so much effort into making the lunch a perfect one. 

The table had a lot of lavish sets of platings and wine glasses lined up. He looks down at the food that is set before him; it's rosemary chicken, bacon and avocado salad, his favorite meal. He could feel his father's stare fixed on him, but pretended to look at his plate. The meal looks luxurious, no doubt but with the thought of what his father could have in mind, he loses appetite. 

The only sound that is heard in the dining room is the sound of his parent's cutlery on their respective plates. He looked up and saw his mother beaming fondly at him. His mother is a gorgeous young woman in her late forties, he must have stolen his good looks from her. 

She's dark-haired, and her skin is as white and clear as milk; the media says she married his father for the wealth he possesses but only an insider like himself knows how much his parents love each other. 

"Aren't you going to eat?" His mother says while nibbling her food. His lips meandered into a faint smile then gave his mother an ensuring nod. 

He adjusted his shirt collar, then picked up his cutlery and pierced the bacon on his plate with the fork, and shoved it in his mouth. His father cleared his throat and spoke up, "How's work going?" 

"Going well, dad," he says, without looking up. 

"Why have you been ignoring our calls?" His father asks with a calm tone. Tobias pitches his head and notices the quick glance his mother cast at his father. 

"It's work, I've been busy for a while now. At least I'm here, isn't it?" He responds with a grimace and his father gave an approving nod. 

He suddenly lost his appetite for the food because he knows that the next discussion is going to be about how his parents will dictate his life. He lowered his cutlery and gulped the contents of the glass cup beside him. 

"Dad, I have to go, I have a lot of work to do at the office," he says, lifting himself from the chair and adjusting his blue velvet jacket. 

"Not so fast son, we have to discuss." his father says, glancing at him with a wry smile. 

"What is it about dad?" 

"Would you mind taking a seat first?" His father says, creating a gesture with his hands. All the while his mother sat at the table, as quiet as a dove. He lowers himself to the seat in front of the table, with itchy ears. 

"Well, we want to talk to you about something a little bit private, if you don't mind"

"Okay, I'm listening"

"You're twenty five and soon you will be twenty six, why haven't you gotten anyone you want to settle with?"

"Really, dad? You want to do this right now?" Benjamin asked with feigned irritation. 

"I just asked you a question," his father says with a mild tone that only fueled his anger. 

"This is why I hardly come home…you and mum do this every single time we meet. Come on dad! I'm not a child anymore, let me have a break"

"Are you gay?" His father questions. Tobias looks appalled and infuriated upon hearing the question. 

"What?!" He inquires of his father with bewilderment. 

"Oh come on honey, our son is not gay," his mother says looking at her husband with an expression that is hard to detect. 

"Then let him get someone to be with! Being unmarried is costing us so many contracts and endorsements because most clients don't trust single men!" his father reacts with irritation. 

"What do you mean?" Tobias shot at his father. 

"You think I don't get a word from the streets just because you run the company now? Benjamin, if you don't get married, you won't earn the respect of prospective clients because they want to trust a responsible man."

"Look, son…" his mother cuts in and goes on, "I think what your father I trying to say is, some people can't delegate their contracts in the hands of a single man, and that's why you have to get married soon or bring a lady over"

"You didn't even answer my question…are you gay?" his father cuts in. 

"Dad, what kind of question is that? Why would I be gay?" He asks with astonishment. 

"Are you following the media at all? news? papers? Anything at all…see for yourself. Our company's reputation is at stake here! The word on the street is that you are gay because you've never been spotted with any lady in public"

"Look, dad, squash all that okay, I will get married when I choose to. You or anyone would not force me against my will. Once I have someone I love, I will show her to you both" he says with distortion. 

"You better do because the Berman's are getting far ahead of us and you would want that"

"Can I go now?" Tobias asks as he lifts himself from his chair. 

"As long as you do what is appropriate, I don't see a reason why we'd keep holding this conversation," his father says with a tone of finality. 

"Oh, come on sweetie! Relax…" his mother says, looking at his father, entwining his hands with hers. 

"I have work to do… I'd see you some other time" he says and turns to leave. His assistant who has been standing at the door with his briefcase follows suit as he ambles towards the door.