1 - No woman is worth my love

"My decision is final. I will be back in six months. You should be married by then or every inheritance goes to your brother," Mr Herbert Norman's voice was one filled with bitterness-hushed resentment. Sylvester lowered his gaze, too proud to show the visible chagrin on his face. He couldn't conceal the agony trussing his voice. "You know why I can't settle down."

Mr Herbert Norman snaps."Oh, downright I do. Come on, that was five years ago Sly, it wasn't your humiliation alone but our families' too. You have to move on." Mr Herbet Norman poured himself a glass of tequila and gulped it down in the hope the alcohol will give him the confidence he needs to hide his hidden pain on the events of that fateful day.

"So easy for you to say - you weren't the one involved and it's not your name snaking on the lips of the media." Sylvester sat on the custom furniture opposite his father. This study used to be his favourite place is this villa. This is where his father took him through everything about the company when he graduated from college seven years ago. At twenty-seven, Sly had taken the company beyond Mr Herbet Norman's expectation.

"Trust me, son, everyone feels your pain but it's time we leave the past right where it belongs." Something told Sly there was some kind of mischief behind his father's strange behaviour but, the man before him would not open up.

He recalled the events of the past. The mere thought seemed like ripples of pain. Unintentionally, he stamped his foot on the marble floor. "No Dad, I am not getting married to any woman and that is final," His face turned ghastly and Mr Herbet Norman only wished there was a way to take away the pain his son felt. He was not one to show emotion - he would rather force his way in and out of the situation. 

"Then you should prepare to leave the management of the family's fortune to your junior brother," he gasped. But Sly could see a force meandering behind his words.

"This isn't about me, is it? Just another ploy for me to hand over my hard work to yet another sorry dumb head. Tell me the truth. Are you even my father?"

Mr Herbet Norman had lost his calmness. "Watch your tongue son?"

Sylvester snaps, his eyes scampering dangerously."Or else what? What are you gonna do? I grappled and burned under the frustration of every challenge the company faced. I sacrificed my whole life bringing it to this stage. Now you have the esteem to take everything from me," he squealed before suddenly becoming fearfully calm. "Why don't I feel surprised?" His eyes were burning with fury, at every word that escaped him.

"Come on Sly, I'm only trying to help you here. Claudia would never return and the past can never be changed. I've had enough slander about your ways with women out there and I can't take it anymore."

Sylvester tightened his fist at the sound of the name Claudia. A shiver of rage swept through him but he remained calm. "I see. I don't regret it anyway," he shrugged emotionlessly. "No woman is worth my love." His voice was strangely steady.

His serenity was like a travesty to Mr Herbet Norman who wasn't used to being opposed. "Fine but I'm not changing my mind. I'm off to the airport. Remember. Six months is all you have." He stormed out of the study before Sly could say another word. If he was returning in six months, he would return with his mother and brother. Sylvester was not one to give up. He found solutions to every problem so why not this one.

A slow wind of peace embraced him, blowing away every inch of pain in his mien. Sylvester lifted his iPhone 12 pro to his ear. "Meet me in the office," he mumbled before adjusting his Satya Paul necktie and made his way out of the study. He slid into his Cadillac beast. "To Norman Towers," He ordered the driver.

An angry aura exhumed Sylvester as he walked into his private elevator, the evolution of his fragrance as time passed, starts as something fresh but with time gives way to something rich and masculine. Imagine wearing the scent of autumn in the winters, that was Sylvester Norman for you.  This fragrance follows him to the top floor, leaving milking air over and around him. His assistant, Josephine, begins to shudder, smelling his scent before seeing Sylvester approach his office. 

"Mr. Norman, the files you requested for," she hummed, arranging a layer of files on his desk. 

"Where is James?" Sylvester focused on the pile of documents on his desk. Josephine pulled the hem of her dress uncomfortably, being unable to make an impression on him after all the efforts she had put in.

"I. I don't.." The door abruptly opened, with James grinning at Josephine before engaging Sylvester. With his hair combed back, he had a boyish look. "Sorry, I got here as early as I could," James exclaimed as he ambled towards the newly furnished plush office. He takes a curious glance around, nodding his head at each turn. He knew from the start that everything about Sly breathed luxury. 

"Excuse us, Josephine," Sly discharged Josephine quickly. The former brisked out of the office, relief flushed over as she wipes the beads of sweat forming in her face. No matter how she tried, she couldn't hide the blanket of emotions continuously sweeping around her whenever she was alone with Sly. The latter will date other girls but not for once look her way. She knew she had what it takes. The beauty, confidence, intelligence, and dignity to date her boss yet, it never happened for the past two years she has been working for him.

"This must be helpful," James muttered, dropping a file on his desk. Sly shifted the pile Josephine dropped a while ago, his focus trained on the new document in front of him, not shifting his gaze as James continuously rambled. "It's his father's company. He took over after his old man was paralyzed from an accident but things haven't been good. Both parents are still alive. He is single and has a graduate jobless sister. Wait, I think I got a family picture of theirs," James encountered, pulling out a pulling picture underneath the documents in the file.

An idea knocked in Sly's head when he took in the image in the picture. "Tell him to meet up with me in twenty minutes," he tapped his charcoal black Italian leather shoe. James gleamed suspiciously and made a call. "He will be here soon," he snickered.

"Have you any idea whether she is married or in a relationship?" Sly's qualm poked the previous suspicion James already had. "From what I heard, she's a social phobia. She can't even face a panel which is why she is still jobless despite being brilliant. Why do you ask?"

A smirk makes its way to the corner of Sly's lips. "You will soon find out."

James wasn't interested in this discussion anyway. He had his agenda for coming over. He needed his best friend around him. "Any plans for tonight, I have some new models coming to the club."

Sly frowned, "Not tonight," his voice unawares was tensed.

James' suspicions grew. "What is eating you up?"

Sky sighs, "My oldie is planning to give my inheritance to my kid bro, if I don't get married in six months," Sly said through gritted teeth. James was shocked but the pain on Sly's face forced him to put it behind him. He couldn't afford to freak out.

"Ho, that's unexpected. Is that why-" His voice was swallowed by the ringing sound of the telephone. Sly grabbed the handle on the first ring. "Just let him in." A medium-height, good-looking man stepped in roughly thirty seconds later. He wasn't as good-looking as either Sly or James but he wielded his own show of perfect look. He was dressed in a white shirt and wine-colored necktie. He gave a half-smile, wove his way to the luxury chair next to James but remained standing.

"Kyle, have a seat," Sly proclaimed, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Coffee?" He asked the two men sitting in front of him.

Kyle chuckled, "Maybe later."

"Not me," James expressed disgust. I would rather have Hennessy for breakfast. Sly snickered and sank into the executive swivel chair. 

"Thank you for giving me a second chance," Kyle expressed eagerly, expectation visible on his face. 

"Don't thank me yet. There are conditions Kyle, I want you to know that I will take the risk of investing in your business if you get your sister married to me for one year," Sly's voice was casual almost like someone buying a commodity in the market.

Kyle Stiffened, not expecting such a hot wave request. "You mean Monica?"

Sly shrugged. "Unless there's another sister perhaps."

"You don't understand. She isn't a normal girl. She's a complete sociophobic who prefers sleeping her life away than finding a job. She won't match up your status. Why don't you get some model as your pretend wife? I can arrange that." It was clear that Kyle wanted to help Sly but also visible that he didn't want to gamble with his sister. He might not show it but she meant a lot to him and knowing Sly, he wasn't the type to value his sister.

"Hmmm..models, models, models. Do you think I wouldn't have one if I wanted to? The same way they will jump at the offer is the same way they will blackmail me in the future if something goes wrong, you know what I mean?" The cold chill in Sly's voice conveyed hidden messages yet, Kyle decided to try again.

"But Monica? A pretend wife should be able to accompany you to events and gatherings, sometimes to the office. Monica is complete bad news," he affirmed.

Sly smirked. "Why don't you leave that to me?"

"But why her Sly?" Kyle hoped that maybe, just maybe, sly like her sister a bit to make that proposal but he was met with disappointment. 

"Very simple. She's plain and there's no way I would feel attracted to her. Perfect candidate for someone like me."

Kyle didn't hide the pain he felt. his voice shook at his words. "It's all business for you, isn't it? You don't even care about her. All you want is your inheritance right?"

"I'm sorry but that's true. I'm not surprised you heard about it. The media these days is doing more harm than good. You see, if you have been where I have, you will understand. Right now, your business is struggling and I am your savior. A favor for a favor is my proposal. Are you in?"

Kyle was not ready to give him but neither did he have what it took to back out. "I will think about it. I will go talk to her," his tone was graced with despair. 

"I want to come with you," Sly countered. Not exactly what Kyle wanted. At least he could talk to the family and help them convince Monica. She was a sociophobic, and would most definitely put up a fuss.

Before he could object, James enunciated. Kyle had forgotten he was even there. "Wait. You mean you are going there right now? All the best pal. I have other things to take care of and remember tonight. Call me if you're gonna come," James announced, getting off his seat as he sauntered to the door.

"I have to behave for the oldie's sake so sorry, not tonight James," Sly was nonchalant. James shrugged and walked out the door. Sly stares at Kyle who was looking on dumbly, "can we go now?"