3:The Marriage Talk

Tristan

Being summoned by the two powerful people made me uncomfortable. I was already having a bad day. One, Isabella wasn’t in the office today, and it was unlike her to not show up and it made me think.

I walked out of my office, staring at her empty desk. A sigh escaped my lips, while I headed to the elevator. I was pissed. Anger was the word I needed to define how I felt. I couldn’t tell if it was because of this impromptu meeting or the fact that my assistant wasn’t in the office.

“Let’s go,” I said to the driver going through my phone and trying to respond to a few emails as he drove. It was better I find a way to distract my thoughts, than I keep making scenarios in my head.

A few minutes later we arrived at the mansion. I got out of the car on my own and stared at the building briefly before walking into the mansion.

“They are waiting in the garden,” the butler informed me immediately after I got into the mansion. I nodded in response and made my way to the garden.

“It’s good to see you, son,” I heard grandfather’s voice, calm and delightful as always.

“Oh you don’t mean that father,” Mr. George responded and immediately I made myself notice the whole place became quiet.

“Grandfather,” I said cheerfully, and kissed him on his forehead, making myself comfortable on the last seat beside him.

“Mr. George,” I turned to my father, staring at him. We had a sour relationship and this is as good as it could get.

“So, why am I being summoned?” I turned to my grandfather who laughed at my question.

“I guess this old man can’t spend some time with his grandson again?” I knew the card he was playing but I chuckled lightly, staring at the expressionless face of Mr. George. I guess I got that from him.

“Of course you can. But seeing how you involved fa… Mr. George, it must be important,” I couldn’t look into his eyes, neither could I steal glances. Maybe I was quick to stop myself from saying the word, but I sure knew he heard it and I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of being vulnerable.

“Can we just get down to it Father,” He said, that word. The one I couldn’t say out loud.

“Dominic,” He rarely calls me that. Even if it was my grandfather’s favorite name to call me, he rarely did call me by it.

“It’s time to get married,” His voice was calm as always.

“Lily seems like a good fit, “ He added again. I didn’t know what to do, or say. Lily was the girl who arranged for me. The woman I’m supposed to get married to, to keep the family’s powerful legacy. I couldn’t run away from this subject all my life. I knew one day I’d be asked to marry her like I was expected to. Not because it benefited me, but because it benefited the family and the company.

“We don’t share any chemistry. It’s bland,” I said trying not to grumble when I heard him scoff.

“You can always form chemistry over time,” Grandpa said in defense.

“I tried. I asked her to be my girlfriend and made her my fiancé because you asked me to, but still, we are completely different people. How am I supposed to spend the rest of my life with her if we have nothing in common,” I complained.

“But you are friends, you care about her?” He asked

Of course, I did. I had a little thing for her a long time ago, we even kissed at that moment but I didn’t get that feeling.

“We are good to each other,” I said it like it answered any of his questions.

“Oh forget it. I told you he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t keep the legacy going, cause all he’s good at is just being an embarrassment,” Mr. George said and left the garden angry.

“Great,” I thought angrily.

“Call her to the office tomorrow, and talk to her about marriage plans. I won’t press on it and I hope you give it some thought and call her, “ His voice was calm again.

“Not a promise, but I could try, “ I said sweetly and stood up to leave.

I walked out of the garden, going through the hallways to find him bringing out a cigarette.

“You know for someone who needs my approval, you are playing weak to me. I don’t know how having anything in common or sharing chemistry would be of use to the company,” He stated.

“Didn’t you share one before?” I said turning to stare at him.

“Pardon”

“Chemistry, haven’t you had that with someone?” I looked at him in the eye, searching for emotions I know damn well I wouldn’t find.

“What are you talking about?” He asked holding the cigarette between two fingers.

“With mom, didn’t you..”

“Don’t you dare bring her up again,” He yelled. I was cut off by his pitched tone.

“This has nothing to do with her, she’s different,” the last words came out calm and his eyes shifted like he recalled some memories.

“If you truly are a Dominic. If you want my approval, Tristan, then you should make this marriage a thing as soon as possible,” He paused and lit the cigarette.

“Maybe then we could get along like father and son,” He got closer to me, staring into my eyes

“And probably ride the Ferris wheel since we never got to do that” I looked at him, feeling vulnerable. Feeling like a child who is about to receive the care that they have craved for all their existence.

“So do the right thing,” he patted my shoulder and left me standing there unable to move for a moment.

“Maybe marriage isn’t such a bad thing after all,” I thought.

“Lily is a good woman, she was pretty, educated, well-spoken, and familiar with the family business,” I thought taking a step as I began to move.

“Maybe I can do this after all,” I said suddenly getting a new wave of motivation after all, or was this because i needed my father approval?