II

Raymond

“You can't stop me from having what's rightfully mine.” I yelled at my dear old dad, who treated me as if I was someone who works for him not his own son, but then again his own father didn’t treat him like a son so it’s like father like son I guess.

“Don't use that tone with me, boy.” He said in a tone that was meant to scare me but it only boiled my blood more and I often wonder is he stopping me from taking charge over the companies because he wants me to get married and then have it or is it because he doesn't want to give up The control he has over everybody and everything.

Even his family, especially his family, he stopped my mother from doing everything she ever wanted because he said that his words with law, he stopped me from travelling and doing everything I wanted like starting my own business, all because I was his firstborn so I had to take over the companies but now he's the one pushing me away.

“You will have what's rightfully yours once you stop being the most important headline on the news and magazines for being the  most famous Playboy, and the only way to do that is to get married.” There it is again, the one topic I never want to discuss yet he still brings it up every single time.

“tell the truth Dad, you just want me to get married or do you want me to get married to someone's daughter I don't know maybe a senator or a mayor, either way, you're the one who's going to get something good out of it and I'm the one who's going to be stuck in a hopeless marriage for the rest of my life.” I was able to hear the movements behind the door and I knew that my mother was listening to us argue, that I understand but what I don't understand is that she didn't get used to it by now.

“ I only want what's best for you.”  I swear if only we weren't arguing I would have started laughing at him, did he really think that this would make me do what he wants.

“Well, that's weird because I remember hearing you say the exact same words to Ethan and Nathan and look how that worked out, remind me of one time where we were having dinner or lunch or breakfast and they didn't fight with you.” I let out a bitter laugh at remembering every single thing he made us do, ever since we were children to this day. This man is a narcissist who only cares about himself, his money, his fortune, his legacy.

He doesn't care about anyone else.

“Face it father, you don't care about me or Nathan or Ethan. You only care about yourself and that's never going to change, you know why? Because a narcissist never changes.” And apparently, that was the final straw for dad because he got up, slammed his fist on the table then started yelling “You crossed the line!” 

“The line... What line did I cross Dad?” I  screamed back at him as I heard the door getting opened and I didn't need to look behind me to know that it’s my mother standing there, this is how it always was, we fight then scream at one another and finally, mom comes in and stops the fight, but not this time because I've had enough of this bullshit.

“Remember that you're talking to your father.” Another yell and I swear that I was one moment away from doing something I might have regretted but stopped when I felt my Mother's hands clutching my arm tightly. “And you should remember that I'm your son, Not someone who works for you and bows to your orders” I pulled my arm away from my mother's tight grip and left the office without another word.

Alana

“I should never make decisions when I'm drunk again.” I said, clutching my head that was throbbing painfully while Malia who was sitting opposite of me was laughing as if she was watching a comedy show and I was only able to glare at her for a few seconds before my phone buzzed on the restaurant table.

 From: Mom

To: Me 

We are almost there.

“Before your parents arrive, give me my two hundred bucks because I clearly remember betting you that liquid courage will help you make this decision.” The confidence of this girl, I thought as I was searching my purse for any two hundred bucks to give her but I mean she's not wrong though because liquid courage definitely helped.

A few minutes after Malia left, I saw my parents enter the restaurant and my heart started beating at a rapid speed in my chest, that was it the moment that was going to decide whether I'm getting married next week or not but either way that's my decision because I'm freaking tired everyone making decisions for me...it's time for me to be my own person. 

“Sweetie, how are you?” mom said as she sat down in the chair opposite of me beside dad who was pretending to ignore me ever since I refused to marry Daniel.

“I'm fine thanks, Mom. Thanks for asking anyway and being a good mother.” if I'm honest for a Split Second I doubted my own words about her being a good mother and maybe she is in her own way, as in for Dad he was the kind of father that when you go ask him for something he gives you a credit card, no hugs, ‘no I love you daughter’ no nothing... It's pathetic.

“So why did you want to meet us here, in a public place?” Of course, dad being dad would think that I brought them into a restaurant so that they wouldn't yell at me or fight with me even though it was never my intention. I just thought that the restaurant would be nice to have a conversation with your parents but apparently, not all parents believe that.

“I wanted us to meet because I have made my decision about what you asked me earlier or by earlier I mean about a week ago.” the moment the words left my mouth I caught a slight change in his facial expressions, a smile. He was smiling, poor old man. He thinks that I'm going to agree.

“And?” 

“No, I'm not going to marry Daniel, dad.” Finally, there was a reaction I wanted. He was surprised and if I didn't know better I'd say he was terrified of my decision and maybe he is because if I marry Daniel his rank in society would have been up in the sky, what actually surprised me was Mom, she doesn't have the same reaction as his she was a little bit surprised but she was almost happy. I could swear I saw the corner of her mouth go up.

“ I'm sorry I think I must have misheard you.” Dad said with a look in his eyes that dared me to argue with him which I'm going to do anyway so yeah.

“We both know that you didn't mishear me and yes I'm not going to marry him just because you want me to.” I could see how much it took for him to control himself not that he would hit me, not that he ever did but he would always start yelling and slamming his fist on the table, it was just the tradition I guess.

“Honey, she made her decision and we should respect it.” All right, mental note to myself.

‘I should thank Mom when we get home.’ 

“I'm not going to respect anything she's going to marry him.” This is the first time in my life I heard him talk like that to Mom and me. He never forced me to do anything I don't want, let alone a marriage, what was happening to him? 

“You can't possibly force me to marry him?” there was a pain in my voice but there was also fear, fear that he would actually force me to marry him

No, he would never do that, right?

“You have two choices in front of you, Alana. You either marry him and all of the hotels will stay yours but if you don't I'm taking every single penny I gave you back.” he was serious when he said this, is he seriously going to force me into a Loveless and hopeless marriage?

“You can't be serious?” My voice was merely a whisper but I know he heard me the moment he shook his head at me and I could feel my eyes burning with unshed tears, I immediately looked at my mother hoping for help “Mom?” 

She didn't even look at me, because she knew he was going to do this and didn't even warn me. She didn’t do anything, she just sat there hearing her husband telling their daughter that he was going to leave her with nothing in her life. 

“You have three Days To Think,” he said with no emotion in his voice, then looked back at my mom. “ Come on Laura, we're leaving.” 

They both got up and left but of course, my mother had to give me that ‘I didn't know what to do’ look but she always did give me.

 God, I hate them.

It took everything in me to stop the tears from falling and get up as quickly as possible and leave this place so I can go outside and cry in peace where the press will probably follow me to see you why am I crying but for all I care because my father just threatened me that I either marry my ex who destroyed me piece by piece or lose everything I have ever worked for in my life, not a hard decision, right?

Raymond 

For the first time today, I let my mind move back to Alana Steel. The girl would make you do anything she wants you to with a look from her gorgeous green eyes, or just a command from her voice.

But one thing is for fucking sure, whoever made this girl a CEO of a Hotel knew what he was doing, she had everything that's needed. She's professional but intimidating at the same time. She's polite but she can burn you with one comment at the same time.

“Hey bro, you with me?” The voice of the ruiner fun, Elliott my best friend, distracted my mind away from the beautiful girl that I was thinking about.

“ Yes Man, I'm with you.” but of course my best friend being my best friend couldn't let the matter go as a knowing smile reached his face then he said “ who is she this time?” 

“Don't get your hopes high buddy, I just met her once and she kicked me out of her Hotel.” well it looks like that got his attention because he stopped walking and turned back to look at me with a surprised expression. 

“You're telling me that you met a girl who kicked you out of her hotel, am I dying or something or is the world coming to an end?” Elliott said as if this was the best day of his life, am I really that much of a Playboy that no one can believe that someone disliked me?

“Believe me, I was as surprised as you are but who knows.” Lucky me we are at the restaurant so he was finally going to drop this topic because if you want to keep Elliot's mouth shut then you have to keep it full.

When I was about to ask Elliot what he wanted to order I looked up to see him staring at someone so I turned my head to find myself looking at the same Alana Steel I met yesterday.

How small is this world?