The Second Chance Doesn't Exist

Chapter 4. The Mayer Family

Will Mayer.

My name is Will Mayer. I am the patriarch of the Mayer family. I had a wife, a son, a daughter-in-law, and a wonderful grandson. Years ago, life took my beloved wife from me. She suffered from kidney failure and passed away during surgery. A year later, my beloved son died. He was driving home with my grandson in the middle of the night when a very drunk man crashed into them. He died instantly, and my grandson, who was still a nine-year-old child, miraculously survived. He is now 27 years old, and since he was orphaned, I have taken care of him. He was the one who gave me the strength to move forward and not fall apart. I gave him all my attention and love since he was all I had left.

His mother is a useless, materialistic woman. Though she lives in my house, I barely tolerate her. She is only interested in spending money on shopping and attending events where she can show off and brag about being the lady of the Mayer family. We are the most powerful family in the city, a status I ensured through years of hard work. When my grandson Samuel turned 20, I prepared him to take over the company. It's not in his name yet, but as soon as he gets married and meets the requirements I set, it will be entirely his.

My grandson Sam, as I affectionately call him, is an intelligent, very attractive, and tall man. He has an excellent profile and a strong financial standing, everything a woman could desire. But despite having it all, he is closed off to giving love a chance, all because of a troublesome woman. He met her when they were studying at university and fell in love with her. Yaniz was not interested in him and always avoided him until she found out he was the Mayer heir. That's when all the "love" for him began, well, nothing but lies. She's just as much of a gold-digger as my daughter-in-law. Since I didn't agree with their romance, he clung to her, and I gave in because I didn't want to lose my grandson. But after a few months of relationship, she disappeared completely without saying anything, leaving no trace of her. He never saw her again, searched everywhere, but was unable to find her.

After that, he became a cold and ruthless person, retreating into a shell so no one could hurt him again. He left home to live alone in a luxury apartment I gave him when he came of age. My poor grandson, I feel so sorry for him.

It was 5:40 in the afternoon, and Samuel arrived at the Mayer mansion. He entered and stood observing his old home, filled with nostalgia, as he remembered the moments he spent there.

"Sam, come in, my son, it's been so long since I've seen you," he gave him a hug with a warm smile.

"Grandpa, it's only been two weeks since we saw each other, don't be so melodramatic."

"Well, take a seat, I need to talk to you."

Samuel sat down and looked at his grandfather with an intrigued expression. (What is this crafty old man up to?) Samuel knew his grandfather was very inventive; if he got bored, he would look for things to meddle in.

"The matter is this: lately, I've been thinking that you're already at the age to get married and start a family. You're 27 years old; you're not so young anymore."

Samuel squinted, thinking his grandfather was talking nonsense.

"Grandpa, I haven't found the right person yet, so that's not up for discussion right now."

"Well, what I say isn't up for discussion either, Samuel. (Sigh) I feel sicker every day, I don't think I'll last much longer, so I need you to do it for me, to start a family with a good girl."

"Ha, and where do you think I'll find "a good girl"?" he said, raising his fingers to make air quotes, "they don't exist in the world anymore."

He closed his eyes, putting his hand on his forehead.

"Well, I've already found one for you and I want you to marry her."

As soon as Mr. Mayer said those words, Sonia, Samuel's mother, entered the room.

"What on earth are you saying, father? You want my son to marry someone?" she raised her voice angrily, gesturing.

"Enough, Sonia. You have no say in this matter, stay out of it," the grandfather shouted angrily, his eyes filled with fury. "Do you think you're in a position to have an opinion about your son? You were never there for him when my poor son died, you were always at meetings with your friends, you neglected him."

Samuel was at a loss for how to react, feeling overwhelmed by Mr. Mayer's request.

"Enough," snapped Samuel.

"Mom, I ask you to stay out of the conversation between Grandpa and me, please."

After thinking about it for a few seconds, he realized he needed to do it for his grandfather since he was sick and didn't want to undergo surgery. He adored his grandfather and would do anything to keep him happy.

Sonia was left speechless by her son's reaction and furious, stomped her foot on the ground, turned, and left the room.

" Alright, old man who claims to be my grandfather, tell me who she is and why she's so good for me," he said with exasperation, running his fingers through his neatly combed hair.

"Well, a few days ago, I met a friend at a café downtown. In my haste, I left my wallet, and on the way, the car broke down, so I had to walk to the place. I had breakfast with him, but he received a call from his wife, and I told him to go. When I went to pay, I realized I didn't have my wallet, and it caused quite a scene, but then a beautiful girl came by and helped me out," he said with a big smile and a sparkle in his eyes, as if he were boasting.

"Grandpa, how can you be so sure she's a good woman when you've only met her once?" He ran his hands over his temples, shaking his head, thinking his grandfather was naive.

"Well, she is, and I want you to marry her. That's my final word."

"And if I don't?"

"You can forget about the company being passed to your name; I'll give it to her."

Sonia was listening behind the door, her eyes were filled with fury at what her father-in-law was saying. How could he say he wouldn't put the company under Samuel's name? She turned and went to her room, enraged by what she heard.

"All right, Grandpa, I'll do your will," thought Samuel, realizing it was better to do it for his grandfather's sake since he didn't know how much longer he would live. He lazily leaned back on the sofa with a sigh and said to him.

"I'll do it, but only on my terms. Got it?"

The great Mr. Mayer was excited to hear what his grandson was saying. His eyes sparkled, and he hugged him with enthusiasm.

"Whatever you want, son, as long as it's nothing outrageous."

"Very well, listen carefully. We will sign a contract where we will only be married for three years. For these three years, I'll treat her as my wife and take care of her. I'll try to grow fond of her and build a life together, and if it doesn't work out after three years, we'll just get a divorce, no questions asked. Understood?"

The great Mr. Mayer grumbled, fell silent for a moment, rubbed his hands, and placed his right hand on his chin, thinking about what his grandson had said. He thought to himself, that's fine, in three years many things can happen, and he will fall in love with her when he gets to know her over time. Now the tricky part would be convincing the bride. With a sly smile, he replied, "Deal's done, but you can't treat her badly under any circumstances, got it? If you do, I will do what I deem appropriate, and you will have no grounds to criticize my actions, and that will be included in the contract, understood?"

Samuel nodded in agreement with what his grandfather had said.

"Excellent, my son, now let's go have dinner. You've made me the happiest person in the world today."

The three gathered for dinner, and the time came for Samuel to leave. The grandfather retired to rest, and Samuel was about to head back to his apartment. Sonia approached him with a sour expression, wanting him to explain how everything had turned out.

"Sam, dear, what happened with Grandpa and his nonsense about marrying a stranger?"

"Mom, please, don't get involved in this. I'm old enough, and I make my own decisions. See you next time, mother."

He turned to give her a kiss on her forehead and walked away.