Marriage Talk

AIDEN'S POV 

I arrived at the family mansion at around 6:55pm after having a series of meetings with the employees at the company. 

I had been introduced to the entire head of departments alongside the key members of the company. I was finally back to head the entire company and I knew I was ready for it.

"You're here, finally". Grandma Gloria yelled from afar as she started walking down the stairs to greet me. She wore a very big smile on her face.

I immediately began to climb up in order to meet her half way. 

" Hello grandma...its soo good to see you again" I said as I walked into her outstretched arms. 

" Oh dear! My dear grandson" she blurted out as she wrapped her arms around my torso. " I have missed you soo dearly. 

" I missed you too ma" I replied her after she released her grip on me.

" Now that you're here I can scold you as much as I want to" She playful hit me on the shoulder as she spoke. " Why didn't you come home sooner?.....how could you leave for 5 good years? Where is your conscience Aiden? Where is it? That is certainly not how you were raised! " She continued to hit me gently.

" I know...and I apologize grandma. I'm sorry for allowing myself to be consumed with the PhD programme and then work " I apologized 

If only I could tell her the main reason why I decided to stay back. If only she knew that I was in hiding and wasn't ready to face my past, at least not yet. Over the years I was scared that if I visited California I wouldn't be able to bear it, infact I might end up searching for Nora because I knew I wasn't over her.

In order to avoid creating any mess, I decided to keep myself away from California, because I didn't want to be reminded of the past. 

California holds soo many memories that I am still struggling to move on from and if not because of the fact that grandma Gloria was retiring, I honestly wouldn't have returned just yet.

"Well....I am glad that you are finally back" she said to my face with a broader smile. It was obvious that she was really pleased to have me back.

"I'm back for good grandma, you have nothing to worry about" I replied her 

Elvis, Grandma Gloria's assistant walked up to us. " Lovely to see you Mr Hart " he greeted me.

" Hello Elvis " I gave him a slight nod 

" There's a call for you ma'am " He faced grandma Gloria. 

" Oh..... who's it from?" She asked as he showed her the caller ID. Immediately she faced me " please give me a moment Aiden, I need to attend to this call " she said 

"See who finally decided to show up " A voice spoke from up the stairs just as grandma Gloria began to walk away with Elvis following behind.

I looked up to find Jason, my cousin standing at the top of the stairs wearing an amused expression in his face. 

"Jason! What's up man..... it's soo good to see you" I walked up to him as we gave eachother a big hug 

" Hi cousin....... you're looking sharp" Jason said in between hugs.

I chuckled at his choice of words. " Really , That's the best you could come up with?" I asked 

" I mean, you've grown really broad compared to 5 years ago.....I thought the photos you posted on I*******m was just exergerating your physique...well I guess not " He continued

Little did he know that I had to reinvent myself again and now it's obvious that those rigorous activities and trainings paid off.

"What can I say? I'm taking self care very seriously" I replied him playful. " How have you been?" I asked. " The least you could have done was to pay me a visit you know " 

" Oh man I apologize for that, ....... someone had to assist grandma in taking care of the company remaining? Aiden I barely had time for vacations!" He complained 

" I know.....and I apologize too, I should have come home earlier " I said to him as I fought the urge to ask about the one thing that was really on my mind. 

Her. Nora Simmons. They used to be very close before I left. And even though I am presently unsure of how things are between them, I still wanted to find out things about her. If she was doing well without me while I suffered for 5 good years. 

Or worse case scenario, if she was already married , especially with kids. The thought of hearing such news filled my heart with fear. I still don't want to ever imagine her with another man so I think it's best if I was left in the dark concerning any information about her. 

But deep down I want to know. To know if she ever misses me. If she ever thinks about what we had, what we used to be . Because apparently that is all I ever think about. It's crazy that even after 5 years I am still stuck with her. 

It doesn't make sense that I am still stuck with someone that hurt me. Someone that could break up with me without even batting an eye, it made me wonder if she ever loved me.

"So tell me, how was your first day as the CEO of the company?" Jason asked as we walked down the stairs side by side.

I shrugged my shoulders unsure of how to respond. Jason is family, there's really no point of me trying to be hard on the outside.

" I hope you are prepared to handle the pressure that comes with being in that position?" He continued as we neared the floor 

"Don't worry too much about me Jason. I have everything under control." I replied him calmly. " I already met with the marketing team and CFO amongst others and it seems very promising.

"Well....I am glad it isn't overwhelming" he pats my shoulders. " At least not yet" he added 

"Jason stop bothering your cousin with work...he only just arrived" Grandma Gloria said as she walked into the large room.  

"I'm just trying to catch-up on hold times grandma and also warn him of what is ahead" Jason replied jokingly 

"There's nothing to warn him about.....he would figure it out" She said to him as she grabbed both our arms anda stood in between us. " Didn't I tell you of how excellently well he performed at the branch he was heading? .... it's high time he becomes the CEO of the entire company" She added 

"Grandma, you give me too much credit " I said to her 

"Ofcourse my dear... because you deserve it....you both are my successors and I am supposed to reward every hard work that you do " she explained 

"Thanks alot grandma " Jason replied 

" Hmmm" I said 

" Now let's forget about work for now.... it's time for dinner....you arrived just in time Aiden " she said as she led us into the large dining room.

"I'm glad I did." I replied.

Ten minutes later, we began to eat. I was sitted opposite Jason while grandma Gloria sat at the head of the table.

"It's soo nice to finally have both my grandsons sit with me for dinner" grandma started 

" Yes....it is, the last time this happened was 5 years ago " Jason replied her. 

I gave him a suspicious look. I hope he wasn't planning on mentioning what happened and why I made the decision to leave because I honestly don't want to have the conversation with grandma Gloria.

I had texted him the night Nora ended things with me and he had been surprised to find out that we broke up. He had promised to speak with her and after he eventually did, he said she couldn't cope with long distance and to make matters worse, she was resigning from the office.

It didn't even make any sense, because it was obvious that she wanted to cut off all ties between us. 

"Well, I am glad all the sacrifices paid off. Look at where we are now, ..... let's cheers to that please" Grandma Gloria said bringing me back from my wandering thoughts.

I watched as Jason rose to his feet to fill all three glasses with wine.

"To family" Grandma Gloria said as she raised her glass.

"To family" Both Jason and I have our own cheers.

A moment later as we enjoyed our meal, Grandma Gloria spoke up " So Aiden, I think this is the perfect time to tell you that you need a partner....a wife"

Her words caught me off guard, infact I almost choked on my meal.

"What are you talking about grandma?" I asked 

"Oh please don't act like you're totally surprised. You know this was going to happen one day " she stated 

" Well but at least not now...... grandma I only just got back into the US, I believe there are much more important things to focus on right now " I argued gently 

" Is there a time frame to determine how long you need to be settled in before getting a wife?" She asked 

" I understand but c'mon grandma, let me focus on the company first.....I really don't need a distraction right now " I blurted out.

" So you think getting married is going to be a distraction?....." She asked. " Listen to me Aiden, getting married would even give you more authority and respect.! And guess what? You don't even have to stress, I have found the perfect match for you..."

The fuck? I dropped my cutlery as soon as the words left her mouth. Did I just hear her say 'a perfect match for me?'

" Okay...I need you to slow down grandma" i started " what do you mean the perfect match for me?" I asked. I was beginning to get reeled up about the whole conversation.

" You know the Vegera family don't you? ....... I went through the length of meeting with them and then made arrangements for you to settle down with their eldest daughter, Olivia. You remember her don't you?" Grandma continued 

I let out an scoff in unbelief. Even till this moment she thinks she still has a say in making certain decisions in my life. How insane is that?

" Trust me Aiden, Olivia is a very sweet and well cultured lady. I have met her a couple of times and you know the best part, she is a successful designer who runs her own fashion brand...that is how much prominence the Vegera's family have in the society.... That is the kind of family you need to get married into Aiden " she explained 

I looked at her in disbelief. Why on earth was she acting like we were broke? Like we need them to stay in the market.

" Hold on a minute grandma....is there something you aren't telling me? Jason are we at the verge of bankruptcy?....how much do we owe the bank?" I asked all at once as I looked between her and Jason.

" Don't look me...I have no idea why she's doing this cousin" Jason defended himself 

" Grandma what is going on?" I asked her. 

I needed to know exactly why she's opting for an arranged married when I am capable of getting a wife for myself. 

I need to know everything.