Chapter 3

A WifeSantiago knocked on the door and entered his dad’s office when he heard a faint ‘come in’. His dad looks to be engrossed with many documents that lay in front of him on the table. He walked closer to the table and sat down in front of his dad as he waits for him to say the reason, he called for him.

His dad was still going over some papers when he spoke “You asked for my presence” he said to his dad.

“Yes, I did” Julian answered and looked up at him while he arranges the files on his table. “There is a very important matter I want to discuss with you and it’s concerning your future” Julian continued.

When his dad said those words, he could already know where this was going to and he couldn’t help the look of distaste that showed on his face. He opened his mouth to say something but his dad silenced him with his hand raised.

“Let me say all that I need to say” Julian paused then continues after a moment. “I and your mum are not pleased with how you’ve been living your life, the scandal you caused and all”

“I am managing your company”

“The company is your future so, treat it like it’s yours… not as a gift but a responsibility, your responsibility” Julian said sternly then continues “We are not pleased and I have come to a conclusion that you need a wife”

“I handle the affairs of the company fairly and responsibly, I don’t need to marry a woman to be responsible” he said to his dad, his tone laced with annoyance.

“A wife will make you responsible. I have experienced it and look where I and your mum are, so in love and can’t get enough of each other” Julian said to him and Santiago couldn’t believe his ears.

“Mum definitely has no hand in this” Santiago grits out, eyes shooting lasers at his dad.

“No, but this is the best. I and your mum were arranged to be married, the early years of our marriage was bumpy, getting to know each other and adjusting to what we were in but I never knew I needed someone to love and protect till I met your mum” Julian smiled as memories filled his head.

“This isn’t the 90’s where you guys get to play matchmaking with your kids, it’s totally old school and even if it does exist… whoever will be matched with me will be so tired to go further and I got no time for all that commitment thingy”

“Well, you will” Julian said and brought out a document which he passed to his son, Santiago looked at the content of the document and widened his eyes as he stares up at his dad.

“You wouldn’t dare”

“Oh yes, I would. I will take everything you worked so hard for all these years, I will take you off the will and rather have my properties given to someone else who is not worthy” he threatened “I really don’t care about the hard work you put into this, your hard work is useless without you having a responsible and well modeled personal life, that’s what you need”

Santiago couldn’t believe what his dad was saying to him. He worked so hard for to keep the company running, to be in the position he is in now and here his dad want to take it away from him because of his ridiculous request for a wife.

“Now, if it’s a hassle to get yourself a proper lady you can make your wife, I have someone prepared, you just need to have this thing you folks call it ‘meet-cue’ or something, that’s all you need to do and be nice to her else, the whole idea of saving your name for your future will be in vain”

Santiago didn’t respond because this came as a shocker to him. Never has he ever thought that something like this would come up, he was okay with not having a relationship with anyone aside the few affairs he had in the past but now that his dad is threatening to dethrone him after all his hard work, it has put him in a deadlock.

“I did everything you ever wanted, even when they were inconvenient, I did it to please you, to prove that I am not as worthless as you think I am” Santiago accused, sadness and anger going through him.

“I never thought of you as that son, I just wanted…” he didn’t complete his sentence and just let it hang in the air.

Both men, understood where he was going.

“I want you to be responsible”

“I manage the company well and I didn’t need a woman to keep me in check”

“You have a choice son, you have two months to get yourself a wife or I am paring you up with a lady of my choosing”

“Mum wouldn’t approve of this”

“You have caused your mum enough worries for the past years, you really don’t want to add to them” Julian said threateningly and that made Santiago to stand up abruptly.

“I will not succumb to your wishes and I am out of here” he said then turned around and stormed towards the door.

“You have two months to make a decision” his dad said and he opened the door, got out and slammed it so hard, the hinges would have given way for the door to fall off.

…

It’s been a week since his dad gave him a deadline to bring home a wife and as much as he doesn’t want to take it seriously, he knew his dad well enough for that. He is a man of his words and would make sure he goes ahead with all of his threats if he doesn’t take steps now.

He has no plans to settle down with anyone now or even in the nearest future. His ex-fiancée taught him the hard way and the few affairs he had didn’t raise any ray of hope for love. He doesn’t want to meet with any girl who would be matched to him by his dad but would rather look for a girl who he can have a contract with, strictly business and nothing more.

He slowed down when he noticed the long line of cars waiting for the lights to turn green. A sigh left his lips as he rolls his eyes at how long it might take for the line to move, if he had paid attention earlier and not let the threat of his dad to distract him, then he would have avoided this and taken another route.

Santiago relaxed back on his chair as he thought about the many things that has been happening in his life lately. The memory of his past flash through his eyes and he groaned then banged his fist on the steering wheel but was glad that he didn’t hit the horn.

He thought about the argument he had with his dad about getting married and finally settling down he groaned again at it and saw that the line was moving, soon he was able to get to where he could make a right turn, he was thrown out of his reverie as he hit the brakes when he almost hit a young golden-haired lady who was crossing at that time.

Santiago felt scared and at the same time irritated that she couldn’t watch where she was crossing to, he got out of his car and approached her to check if she was okay but she stepped away and began running away from him. He tried to run after her too but she was already far off and the rain was pouring heavily.

He wondered what must have made her so deep in thoughts that she didn’t see him turning, he usually wouldn’t care since it was none of his business but for her, he hoped she was okay and probably found shelter from the pouring of the heavy rain. He got back into his car and drove off to his home.