3.

Handel walked into his office with a frown on his face and shut the door firmly behind him. He walked up to his massive oak desk and sat in the large chair behind it. His intercom buzzed and he angrily answered it.

"Yes?" he bellowed out

"I'm really sorry Mr. Donovan, but your mother says she needs to see you. She says she won't leave until she does.

Handel sighed. Of all days to come and see his, his overbearing mother chose today. No doubt she was here on behalf of her husband. The head of the Donovan Empire wouldn't stoop so low as to come to his son's office so he sent his wife.

"Send her in, Ellen and cancel all my appointments for today."

His door opened and his mother walked in. She sat on a sofa at the far end of his office close to the window that overlooked the city and primly crossed her legs.

"How are you, Handel?" she asked, quietly.

"I'm really busy mother and I have little time, so let's spare the pleasantries and you tell me why father has sent you here" he replied with an impatient huff. 

"Your father has only your best interests at heart, you must know that. Everything he does is for your own good and for the empire he has worked so hard to build and has intended for you to inherit when he dies. You must also understand that he doesn't want anything to damage or tarnish it" his mother said.

"You and I know that father cares about his company and empire alone, mother. If I had a brother, he wouldn't have given a second fiddle as to how I fared. But he needs the Donovan name to continue so he wants to groom me to his taste and you are gladly partaking in his little schemes."

His mother sighed. "Surely, you must understand where's he's coming from, son. He has worked so hard to keep things in line and one single mistake would ruin everything. That is why he is so interested in your affairs. He does not intend to control you but to set you straight"

Handel let out a short laugh. "Does interest also mean determining who I will spend the rest of my life with, mother? Does it involve selling off his only son to the highest bidder just to increase his empire and secure his wealth?"

"Annabel is a good lady. She is well groomed and obedient. She has less chances of causing a social scandal unlike the other girl" 

"That other girl has a name and you should remember that. Besides, she was perfect for me, just perfect! "He bellowed.

"You don't know a lot of things son" his mother tried to plead.

Handel stood up, walked to his door and held it open. "I may not know a lot of things but I know you need to leave now".

When his mother had gone, he walked back to his chair and sat down. The burden his father had placed on him irked him most times. It wasn't enough that he broke his relationship with the woman he loved at the insistence of his father coupled with heavy threats and the incessant pleas and fits of hysteria his mother had displayed on several occasions. He had thought about quitting so many times but his promise to his late grandfather kept him here.

Now, his father wanted him to marry some spoilt brat who wore a façade for the media? Someone who wasn't real and down to earth like Sarah? Just for financial purposes? Even if they could get him to leave Sarah, they would never force him to marry Annabel. 

Picking up his phone, he dialed a number. "Hey, Juan. You busy? I need a favor."

An hour later he was face down in the boxing ring, his friend towering above him.

Juan helped him up with a frown on his face. "What's up man? You've never lost to me, what's changed? You look distracted and bothered"

"Mom came by today and threw that Annabel crap in my face again. They really think I'm going to get married to her if they push me enough" Handel replied and wiped sweat off his face.

"I don't know, man. You broke up with Sarah at their insistence. Surely that'll make them think they can get you to marry Annabel too"

Handel sighed for the umpteenth time. "I did what I did to Sarah because having her around put her in so much trouble. They were out to get her in any way possible and she was better off without me. Annabel on the other hand, is something that I can control."

"Whatever you say man. You got to be careful, okay? You know your old man would do anything to get what he wants. He is that ruthless and evil" Juan said.

"Case is so lucky she doesn't have to inherit the empire. She's off to the Caribbean for yet another vacation with her recent lover" he scrubbed his eyes "when have I ever gotten a vacation?"

"She has a new lover? What about me?" Juan whined "when does she get to notice that I'm available for vacations?"

Handel narrowed his eyes at Juan. "If you show any interest in Case I'll personally kill you. We both know you have flings and not relationships"

"She can handle it, she's more matured than you think"

"Fucking leave her alone or I'll strangle you" 

"But she's on a cruise with her latest lover. Does that not scream fling to you? Cause it certainly does to me" Juan replied.

"The difference between you and those guys is she doesn't love them and knows when to call it quits. But she has always had the hoots for you and you know it. I don't want her to fall in love, get dumped by you and then end up with a broken heart"

"Like Sarah?" Juan asked, bluntly.

"I did what I had to do" Handel growled. "Let's have a rematch"

"Are you sure you're up for it? I don't want to beat your sorry ass", Juan said, laughing.

"Just shut up", Handel barked out.