Chapter 6

Grey.

It was the same scenario, the same feeling that churned in my gut every time I thought about women. they were all the same! Give them little attention and they would want to ruin you completely.

“Get out!” I snapped, every ounce of my being desperate to rid myself of her. My disgust for her grew with each passing second.

She took a hesitant step backward, her hands trembling. “Please… you have to believe me,” she pleaded. 

I didn’t want to hear it. She had to go.

I motioned to the security team, who had been standing at the door, waiting for their cue. “Get her out of here,” I said coldly, my eyes never leaving her face. Her lip quivered as she tried to take a step toward me, but the guards were swift, their hands gripping her arms and pulling her away. Her protests were drowned out as they escorted her from the building, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

Once the door slammed shut behind her, I felt an unexpected relief wash over me. But then, Bryce, who had been sitting in the corner the entire time, leaned back in his chair and let out a hearty laugh.

“That was so close! She almost caught you with that man!” he said, shaking his head. He clicked his glass against mine, the ice rattling as he threw me a wide grin.

I forced a smile, even though the tension in my chest hadn’t quite loosened. “Thank God for those fake medical reports,” I muttered. “You would’ve been looking at me as a father right now. Not that I want that. Hell, I don't even want the thought of it.”

“You saved my life with that,” I said calmly, leaning back into my leather chair. “That bitch, she was hell-bent on destroying everything I’ve built, all for a bastard she thinks is mine.” I poured two drinks, handing one to Bryce, who accepted it with a smirk.

“Sometimes, I don’t know what I’d do without you, man,” I said, raising my glass to him.

Bryce grinned. “Absolutely nothing, Grey. Absolutely nothing.”

We clicked our glasses together, and for a moment, everything felt like it was in its rightful place.

Later that evening, I was back at home. My parents had been waiting for me in the living room, as always. The moment I walked in, the words were out before I could even get a word in.

“I can’t believe you had the guts to chase that young girl away with those fake medical reports!” My mother’s voice was high-pitched. “For crying out loud, you’ll be forty this year! Doesn’t it bother you that you’re going to die alone? Single?”

I sighed, it wasn't anything new. I was already used to their endless nagging each time I came back home.

I knew they had cameras everywhere. My father probably had someone tailing me for the last few months. They were obsessive about my every move, and as much as I hated it, I was powerless to stop them. They controlled everything, from the company to the expectations of my life.

Bringing out my earphones, I stuffed them into my ears, hoping to block out their constant nagging. It was futile, of course. They knew how to get under my skin.

I was just about to zone out when a tap on my shoulder interrupted me. My father had appeared behind me, and before I could react, he yanked the earphones out of my ears with an anger I knew all too well.

“I need a grandchild!” he yelled, his face reddening with fury. “And you just jeopardized everything by sending that girl away! Why are you so selfish, so focused on yourself?”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, though the temptation was strong. “But, Father, you already have your wife and two illegitimate children to give you grandkids. Why are you always on my neck? I’ve told you before— I don’t want children, and I do not like women!”

The room fell silent for a second, and then my father’s eyes widened in disbelief. “So, are you gay?” he asked, his voice trembling. “You mean… you’re gay? I’ve always known it,” he muttered to himself, his eyes welling up with tears. “I’ve always known…”

I wanted to laugh, but this wasn’t the time. Instead, I held my tongue, not wanting to escalate things further. “Stop being so dramatic, Father,” I said calmly. “I never said anything about being gay, and honestly, I wish I was, but luckily for you, I’m not. But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m not getting married, and I don’t want kids.”

He seemed to shrink before me, his expression one of absolute defeat. “How dare you say that to me?” he groaned, clutching his chest like I had just struck him.

I tried to keep my voice steady. “Well, if you want a child, you can get your wife pregnant again. The two of you are still pretty much young, and don’t think I don’t hear all that noise you make at night.”

His face twisted with fury. “You are the worst son anyone could ask for,” he spat out.

I grinned, savoring the slight victory. “The pleasure is all mine,” I said dryly.

My father stared at me for a moment, as though trying to find the words to counter me. Finally, he exhaled and muttered, “Get yourself ready. The president is hosting us tonight. Maybe you can meet his beautiful daughter. Maybe she’ll be the one to change your mind.”

I shook my head, walking toward the stairs. “You never give up, do you?” I muttered, more to myself than him.

****

The president’s mansion was as grand as always. I had been to countless events at places like this, each time going through the motions, meeting people, shaking hands, pretending to be interested. And every time, my father tried to sell me as a perfect candidate for marriage. I hated it. 

As expected, the moment we arrived, my father was already steering me toward the president’s daughter. She was standing near the grand staircase, dressed in a gown that I found to be very ugly. Her blonde hair shimmered in the lights, and I could see the way my father’s eyes lit up when he saw her.

“Grey, meet Isabelle,” he said with a grin.

I was about to say something to Isabella when my phone bleeped, and then I checked to see a message from Bryce. "No way!" I shouted before I could stop myself. I couldn't believe it!