CHAPTER 2

 NELSON'S POV

“But dad, I'm already 28, what else is the problem? Didn't you say I'd be legalized as the heir to your inheritance when I clock 22?” I snapped at my father, my eyes burning with anger.

“But your mom says you must get married, son,” he replied pleadingly. “You see it's for your best, we need to ensure that you grow into a responsible child.”

I kept quiet, I didn't say anything to his last words. Somehow I was angry at my father but I wasn't sure why. Maybe because he was too lenient to have allowed a woman control his life or because he couldn't fight to protect his son's interest, perhaps, because she was not my biological mother?

Growing up, my father had always been too gentle. Unlike other rich business men that I knew who were always powerful and ruthless, my dad was the complete opposite.

“I can't continue with this, dad. Why can't you all consider my interest too? Would you have me marry the wrong partner because of inheritance?”

“Your mother knows best. You should discuss this with her and not me.” With that, he stood to leave, his face etched in pity for me but he had no say on this.

“Step mother,”  I corrected him. I've always disliked that woman  all along. She was wicked, cunning and always did things her way. “I'm never going to talk to that woman about it,” I said to my father as he walked away.

I stood to my feet, pacing up and down the room hoping to alleviate my anger in the process but it didn't help. Again, I grabbed my earphones from the couch, I discarded the volume discretion as I reeled it up to the maximum volume. But that didn't help either. 

With one final attempt, I grabbed my car keys and off I dashed into the road. 

On the road, my heart ached in bitterness and disdain. I wondered how my father could have submitted himself to a woman; his wife. I quickly discarded the thought as it made me harbor more hatred for my step- mother. With “Lonely Dirt Road by Dax” playing in the background, I pressed my legs harder on the accelerator, firing on into the distance.

Putting my hatred aside, I grabbed my phone, sent a call to my step- mother, waiting impatiently for her gloomy voice. 

“Dad said I have to get married to be legalized as the heir to the inheritance. Is that the only requirement left?” I barked, discarding her greeting.

“Yes, do you have any problem with that, d-e-a-r son?” she laughed from the other end. The way she laughed when my mother died.

“I don't know if I can keep up with that demand,” I said after hesitating for some time. “Isn't dad supposed to be the one giving orders?”

“Well, young man. I regret to remind you that I'm the one in charge and nobody can change that,” she whispered, voice thick. “You have just a month to meet the requirements else, you’ll lose your inheritance to my son just as your mother lost her position to me,” she finalized before the line went dead.

The nasty reminder of my mother's death felt like a stab in the chest. The picture of her kind smile even in her own blood flooded mind.  I needed to prove my masculinity. I couldn't afford to be a shrimp like my father- I was determined to make Linda, my father's wife pay with her life if she had a hand in my mother's death.

I sped mercilessly into the distance, stopping only when the traffic indicator light stopped me. I smirked each time I remembered I had no destination in mind but then, an idea struck me. “Leo should help me with this.”

In a few minutes, I was at Leo's office. My anger still clung to me like as much as the fabric I was putting on. I didn't care if it was an office, I pushed the door open without knocking.

As the door gave way into the office, my breath caught up in my throat. Standing before me was a beautiful young lady. Despite her cheeks being soaked in tears, she looked stunning still. 

 I was still lost in bewilderment when my hand voluntarily found its way to her shoulder, “Hey, you don't look alright. You're crying too much,” I managed to say when she looked up.  I seriously wished my eyes didn't give my thoughts away.

A short moment later she was out of the office, but I couldn't get my mind off her. I had completely forgotten about the reason for my visit until I heard Leo's voice.

“You seemed to have found your missing rib,” he teased.

I knew he was right but I wasn't going to admit to the truth, not even after I had always boasted to be an alpha male. “C'mon friend, don't be childish. There was nothing serious in trying to comfort a girl who cried like someone who had just lost her father,” I retorted.

“Well, she's at the brink.”

“I don't understand,” I said, adjusting my position.

“Amelia needs to raise money for her father's surgery or she would lose him. She wanted to borrow from the company but the financial situation is bad,” Leo explained further.

“That's bad, really bad,” I commiserated. “I need assistance, friend. I need to get married before the month ends.”

“Hahaha! Do I need to remind you that you don't have a girlfriend?”

“And that's why I need your help. It's either I get married or lose my father's wealth to someone else.”

Leo's brows raised, “Is it so serious?” “I have an idea,” he said, his eyes beaming with seriousness and his face portrayed genuineness.