Married to the Billionaire Playboy

Episode 2

RYAN'S POV

Driving into the Estate gate, I could barely recognize the environment. I drove back in reverse to check the number at the gate again to be sure I wasn't driving into the wrong property. I had spent twenty years of my life within these walls but right now, it felt so unfamiliar. I had lived here with my mother and my nanny Ms Grace. She had a son, Dylan when I was five and we were raised here together. My father had always been away on one business trip or another and so he wasn't really present during my childhood. My mother was diagnosed with cancer when I was fifteen and she died on my twentieth birthday. I was traumatised by her death but not so long after, my father moved back home and started seeing a younger woman. I couldn't stand it, so I moved out and took Ms Grace with me. Coming back to my childhood home and not seeing any trace of my childhood in it made me question if it was still home.

I drove by my mother's old garden, only to find that there was no garden. It had been replaced with a hideous looking fountain. "Stephanie '' I scoffed, it's been barely five years and nothing is recognizable. As I approached the main entrance, I discovered that the old playground was nowhere to be found. That playground held my happy childhood memories of playing with my mother before she fell sick. The playground had now been replaced with an Olympic sized pool. "This woman clearly has an obsession with water" I said to myself. I drove towards the garage and parked away from my father's fleet of cars.

Ever since I moved out five years ago, this is the first time I'm coming home. Some 10 years ago, I would have been walking through the doors to the aroma of mother's cooking. Ms Grace would welcome me with a glass of Juice before settling for whatever was on the menu. That was home. Walking through the doors now, the empty hallway smelled of scented candles and expensive cigars. I heard a sound from the dining room and when I looked, my eyes met with Stephanie's. She smiled awkwardly at me but I glared at her and hurried up the stairs to father's study where I assumed he would be. I stepped into the study a little disappointed to see him healthier than I expected. "Why did you make me come here"? I asked, sounding angry "And a good morning to you too" he replied. "I really thought you were on your deathbed, otherwise why would you call me yourself. You could have just asked your secretary to send an email through my secretary like you have always done. Why make me come all the way here if you're still this much alive"? I continued in anger.

"Ryan Darnell Thompson" he called, "can't a father ask for his son"?

"That's for other fathers and sons, not us. The only relationship between us is formal so I need an explanation as to why I'm here in your house" I stated.

"Take a seat" he said calmly and lit a cigar. "I invited you to the house because this is not a business conversation. '' I scoffed but he didn't seem to care. He took a puff and continued "You didn't reply to my last email so I had to send for you to inform you in person". I tried to remember the last email but I couldn't remember any reasonable message coming through. The last email was just four words: "Stop Ruining My Reputation" I had tried to make sense of it but I didn't see how I was ruining his reputation all the way from Miami so I dismissed it as spam mail and didn't ask for further explanation.

"I didn't receive any mail," I replied.

"Boy, does this seem like a joke to you"? He asked, his tone rising, "Is that how little you value the family business"? I burst into laughter. " There is no family business, you have yours and I have mine so.."

"Dylan works for me" he said interrupting my words "how would you like to see him laid off because of you". He said grinning.

I shot him an angry look, grinding my teeth in anger. "You give me no choice boy, I have to go for the person that matters to you". He really landed a low blow with Dylan and I felt all my words vanish. "What do you want?"I asked, feeling defeated.

"You are ruining my reputation, rumours of your alliance with a rival company are spreading all over Seattle. The folks in the industry here are beginning to lose their respect for a man whose son disrespects' ' he said, taking another puff.

I stared at him in disbelief, "what would you have me do, I'm a businessman and I wouldn't miss out on a business deal because of your ever increasing number of rivals" I shot back.

"The rumour spreading here is that you are going out with the daughter of my arch rival" he announced.

I looked at him confused and annoyed as to why my personal life is up for discussion. "I have arranged a marriage for you with the daughter of my business ally and you are not going to say…"

"I'm married", I blurted out, interrupting him.

He looked at me in shock and I too was shocked by my words, but I stood firmly on it. I wasn't planning on marrying anyone he chooses and I didn't want to hurt Dylan's career either.

"I'm married to a girl that has nothing to do with your business drama, so please let me be" I said standing up.

"Lies" he shouted "If you are telling the truth bring her to me before next month, else the next mail you'll be receiving will be your engagement".

"Fine" shouted back, storming out of his office and hurrying down the stairs only to meet Stephanie's curious eyes. She winked at me and came close

"Been a while boo" She said, running her hands across my chest. "Please stop while I'm still being nice," I said, trying to pull myself away from her. "I've missed you" She blurted and wrapped her arms around me. For a split second, I wanted her but then I remembered that she was one woman I couldn't have, at least not now. "Go be with your lover" I said as I tore away from her and made my way to the garage.

Getting into my car, I could feel my heart thumping from the tension. Stephanie is an unpredictable woman and that was exactly why I fell in love with her; for the thrill.

As I turned on the ignition, I cursed Dylan under my breath. I don't have interest in keeping women around for a long time and now I have to get married to get off Dad's domineering hook and still keep Dylan in his job. If only he had left Dad's company when I told him to, I would have defied Dad without losing anything and not have to come to this stupid agreement.

It was the 20th day of the month and I had just about ten days to find a girl and get married.