Five

BECK- PRESENT

“I must confess though, that I am not very pleased about this matter with Teresa.” He gets to it, and I groan loudly. “Don’t give me that! I thought that we had an understanding that friends of the family are out of bounds? Even Dante understands this.”

Do I need to remind him that Teresa has pursued me for over a decade, since the first time we met at her father’s birthday party? No. Should I tell him that three months ago when we had sex, I had been drunk as skunk? Also no. Did I expect that Teresa would seize the opportunity to declare us a couple to the world? Heck no!, but I should have expected it.

I down my drink and go to pour myself a fresh one, bringing the bottle with me. All thoughts of the leggy blonde waiting at home vanish to the back of my mind, and I preoccupy it with thoughts on how to get out of this conversation.

“Men need women; I know that more than anyone else. But only on the biological level. Anything else and you become Carlo.” He adds with a grimace. “That is why I never get close to women like Teresa. One smile and they start seeing wedding bells.”

My father has never been married, and has never expressed a need to be. As a matter of fact, his four children are from four women of different nationalities. He is known as a man with diverse tastes in women, a verified Lothario, even at his age. And for some reason, maybe money, women gravitate towards him; like moths to a flame.

Listening to him gave me a headache; especially since my best friend and sister was a feminist sympathizer. She’d probably shoot him if she heard that statement. Which is why they never get along; that and the fact that he does not approve of his daughter being a lesbian. He shouldn’t be surprised though, Sophie and I inherited our womanizing genes from him.

“You need to produce an heir.” he announces so suddenly, I choke on my drink.

“I beg your pardon?” I gasp out of my burning throat.

“I want to know that my legacy will live on, even after my death. I want to know that you are committed to preserving our great name.”

To be honest, the name meant more to him than it did me. I had an accident when I was twelve and my memories before then are blank; so I have been a Caliri for all of fifteen years. That is less time than Dante, who is eighteen, has.

“I can see that you are not taking this seriously, so I want to present a counter offer. Pablo has offered to cement our family relationship with a union between you and Teresa.” My father announces and I blanch. “Naturally, I refused, because he knows that I don't believe in marriage.” I relax a bit at this announcement. “However, if you refuse to produce an heir in the next one year, I will do everything in my power to ensure that marriage happens. Once married I have no doubt that Teresa will produce an heir.”

“This is ridiculous.” I scoff. “You can’t be serious!”

“Do you want to bet on that?” He arches a brow in challenge and I deflate. “Six months.”

“What?”

“I give you six months to produce proof of pregnancy or I will take matters into my own hands.”

I am so dumbfounded; I just stare in shock. I cannot believe that this is happening! And I know him. I know what he is capable of, the manipulative jerk!

“This is my life! You think I would succumb to your will just to have a chance to be President of Caliri & Co?” I laugh humorlessly.

“You sound like I am manipulating you.” He says in a disbelieving tone. “When you are my age and have lived as long as I have, you will understand. I don’t care if you inherit the company or not, I still have Dante. Why are you being so selfish? I have four children of my own and I can assure you that the act of making babies is very pleasurable. You know all about it!”

“This is not happening!” I deny and he chuckles.

“Sex is not as gratifying as the feeling of holding your babe for the first time.” He suddenly says in a serious tone and I eye him suspiciously. “Just promise that you will give it some thought.”

I nod my consent and he smiles a victorious smile, thinking that he has won. Far from it! I will not let him manipulate me. A baby! Who wants to be a father at my age? I curse and rise to my feet. After I excuse myself, I walk out of his home office with the mother of all headaches pounding away in my head. I feel his eyes on me as I walk away and when I look back, he gives me a smile and a thumbs up.

Alessia is talking to Dante when I descend the stairs next. As always, Dante greets me with a smile and I return it with a genuine one of my own; but when I turn to Alessia, it turns sour.

"Hey Dan," I greet my brother, "how's the team doing these days?"

"Still the best." He boasts.

"Must be nice being a quarterback. Papa never let me join the team." I hope the jealousy I feel is not obvious. Dante gets to live a normal life.

"You'd have been great at it." Dante informs me and Alessia glares at him.

From the moment Dante hugged my knees as an infant, he has adored me as his big brother, no questions asked. Unlike Sofia, he cares about the family; and unlike Alessia, he is not interested in business politics, at least not yet. There is no doubt however, that the three of us love him. Must be one of the perks of being the youngest sibling. I wonder how long that would last though.

“I suppose congratulations are in order.” She grits her teeth. Dante gives us both a funny look and walks away, pulling out his phone as he walks.

“You don’t have to sound so happy about it.” I reply with a sarcastic arch to my brows.

“I deserve that position.” She snips.

“And I deserve to be balls deep in the model waiting for me, not here. Unfortunately, we all cannot get what we want.” I snip back. She recoils at my vulgar words and I smirk.

“Are you done with Teresa already? Poor girl has been in love with you for ten years.”

From her tone, I know that she is fully aware of my situation. Even though I really didn’t care for the position of President, Alessia’s attitude towards me makes me want it.

“I’ll be sure to invite you and Fred if anything happens there.” I smile at her and she curses, before turning to walk away. I continue to grin at her retreating form so that when she turned to glare at me, I am still smiling.

My headache continues to increase on my way home. The model has left and I somewhat relieved. After the conversation I just had, I doubt that I would have been up for any activity relating to procreation anyway. Instead of calling her up like I am itching to do, take a warm shower to calm my frayed nerves and hit the sack.

That night, I dreamt of a child with emerald eyes and an adorable smile.