Four Weeks
2062 Words
MOORE’S MANSION
The silence that filled the room was deafening. It didn’t bother Bryson as he dug into the meal with relish, ignoring the eyes-piercing holes through his skin. On the other hand, Khloe was quite jittery; she felt it was her duty to bring the room bubbling with interaction. There was already an elephant in the room; why push it further and cause them to be suffocated?
“So, mum, dad, I bet you already heard the news that you will be grandparents to triplets. Isn’t that splendid news?” Khloe made a fake squeal. Her smile was drowned out when she got a displeased frown from her mother.
Evelyn scoffed, wiping at her lips hurriedly. She turned a vicious glare at Bryson. “I just can't believe this. When you told your father and me months ago that you had found someone and just needed time to work things out. We didn’t realize you would stoop this low to get your inheritance.”
Bryson said nothing. He chose to focus on the veggies on his plate.
Landon sucked his teeth, “I thought it was a joke at first. I didn’t bring any of you up to be comfortable seeking the easy way out. You couldn’t even get to know someone. Make a friendship with a well-known person. Instead, you just sought out a random stranger to carry your heir? How the hell does that make sense?”
“Dad, please. You gave him just four weeks to find someone. How else was he supposed to make something happen?” Khloe questioned. She was never the type to query her parents. But it is beginning to look like they are being unreasonable towards Bryson’s predicament.
“he should speak for himself then.” Their father gritted. “You are familiar with many women in our business world who have been around you for years. Many are willing to be with you just for who you are. They would have willingly agreed to marry you and be the mother of your children. Why, then, will you choose surrogacy? Even if it was suggested. Shouldn’t you have guessed that it wasn’t meant to be considered? How desperate are you?”
Evelyn let out a dramatic gasp as she massaged her forehead, breathing slowly like she worried she might pass out. “I didn’t think there would come a time when I would have to beg my first child to let someone love him. When the news gets out, what would people say that Bryson Moore had his first fruits through surrogacy? You don’t think questions about your potency would be asked? Why does everything have to be about your ego, son? You can see just how happy your father and I are. See Khloe and Owen. Don’t you want to feel fulfilled? You need a partner to help your kids grow up right. Depriving yourself of this lifelong happiness is unfair to you and the children.”
Bryson's knuckles had gone white as he clenched his fist tightly around the cutlery he had in hand. His parents can be pretty insensitive. And it appears they still wouldn’t understand his predicament, no matter how much he tries explaining it to them.
“Aren’t you going to say something?” Landon raised his voice at him.
Just as Bryson attempted to give his folks a piece of his mind, he felt his sister’s comforting hand on his thigh. Begging him not to say something they would all regret. He scoffed in distaste, biting down on his tongue. At least one person here knows how hard everything has been on him. As if getting an ultimatum wasn’t enough. They are still trying to frustrate his efforts.
He took in a deep breath and let out a slow exhale. “Mum, Dad, I am trying my best to make us be on cordial terms. But it seems you are hellbent on frustrating my effort. Suppose my decision isn’t good enough for you. I guess it will be best if you call your lawyer. That being said, you all have a good night's rest.” In a second, Bryson was up on his feet. He didn’t even blink twice toward his parents, who had shocked looks on their faces as he walked out of the house.
Landon pointed a shaky finger at Bryson’s receding. “Did that boy just walk out on me? Has he forgotten the importance of carrying the family name with no blemish? How selfish can he be?”
Owen, who had been quiet, couldn’t resist the rise of his head at his father-in-law’s words. If anyone is being selfish and inconsiderate, the answer appears to be glaring in their faces. But as always, he said nothing.
Khloe chuckled dryly as she held her parents' gaze. “I don’t know what you two are playing at. But that is enough already. The fact that Bryson was willing to go all out to please you two, despite his hard work, should be enough to cut him some slack. It was nice to hear that I would be getting his inheritance. But that will only make me an unreasonable person. He has worked harder than any of us. He is right to maintain his position without being threatened with being pushed out. I love you two, but this is too much.”
“And I am not going to be bullied into silence just because you children have chosen to be chaotic in your actions. He can do whatever he pleases with himself and the surrogate. But I am not going to be a part of this nonsense.” Landon said with finality as he left the table, mumbling incoherent words.
Evelyn shook her head at Khloe, “You should learn to talk some sense into your brother. You could have tried to convince him to choose the surrogate path. How hard could that be? Now your father is pissed. I need to calm him down. Sorry for the whole mess, Owen. But you should have also talked with your friend. You are married, after all.” She stated, excusing herself.
Owen blew out a long breath. “I didn’t realize I was going to get hit.”
Khloe rolled her eyes, “Don’t even get me started. Those two can be quite ridiculous sometimes. I thought they would be glad to hear the news. The sudden change in attitude is quite surprising. One moment, they act like they understand the ways of the modern world; another minute, they return to their archaic mode of reasoning. What is it with them?” she whined in frustration.
He sighed, pulling her to his side to kiss her forehead. “It's okay, baby. I don’t want you getting worked up over this. How about you let the driver take you home? I will go and talk to Bryson.”
“You will do that?” she asked, looking up at him.
“Of course, baby. anything for you.” Owen cooed, locking his lips with hers.
“Thanks, my love. I will see you at home.”
Owen had ordered a taxi to take him to Bryson’s home. He wasn’t surprised to see him sitting on his balcony sipping a Manhattan drink. He couldn’t resist the chuckle that left his lips. “Isn’t this incredible? How did you get to make yourself a Manhattan in such a foul mood?”
Bryson sniffed as he readjusted himself on the chair. “I needed something to put my mind in place. How did the rest of the dinner go? I hope Khloe didn’t get burned too much. She should have allowed me to handle the news update.”
Owen reached for the glass in Bryson’s hand, downing the contents.
“What the hell, man? You should get yourself a f*****g glass. I painstakingly prepared that for myself.” Bryson hissed in displeasure.
His friend snickered, unfazed. “I needed that more than you do. After all, I am the guest.”
“No one called you here.”
“Swear you didn’t need the company.”
With an eye roll, Bryson mumbled. “I don’t need you.”
“Liar,” Owen uttered confidently. “You were going to die of loneliness. It is the only reason you went all out to make a Manhattan. You are no bartender. I bet your mind is in shambles, and the only way to not lose your sanity is to get busy. Now tell me I am wrong.”
He chewed on his lips and inhaled deeply. “I do regret not expanding my horizon and finding a better friend. I probably would have avoided you long ago if you hadn’t become a leech and married my sister. Were you that desperate not to lose me?”
“First of all, f**k you. So that you know, I love Khloe more than I love you. The right word for you is tolerating. I tolerate you.”
“I never should have let you near my sister. Asshole!” he snorted, hiding a smile.
Owen chuckled, shaking his head lightly. “I will get us a drink. Would whiskey do?” he asked, standing up.
“Don’t be so lazy. Mix it up.”
He groaned in response but didn’t argue and went along with it. Owen returned later with two glasses, handing one to Bryson. They took a long sip at the same time and made a satisfied sigh.
“I hate to say this. But you mix well. Now I know why house parties were always fun at your place.” Bryson noted.
“Not anymore. Khloe will have my head if I host any drinking party that doesn’t involve the high-class snobs and supposed classy drinks.” Owen snorted.
“That girl gives me so many headaches.”
“I love her still.” He grinned sheepishly.
His friend made a face, “That’s enough. I don’t need you to keep repeating the affectionate words like a daily mantra.”
Owen laughed lightly, “You are just jealous.”
“Whatever.”
They stayed quiet for a moment before Owen spoke up again. “I was momentarily worried that you would go off on your parents.”
Bryson shrugged, “I was on the verge of doing that. They have Khloe to thank for calming me down.” He sighed heavily, “Sometimes, it feels like they never forgave me for what happened years ago. Dad is a perfectionist, and Mum rolls with his ideas. They expect me to live a certain way. It was why I got pissed at Khloe sometimes, she got to live as she pleases. Just one time that I made a mess, they made it a duty to remind me of my failures. I have no idea when all of this will end. Dad could have threatened me with something else. I have toiled hard, Owen. Yet this is all that I could be brought down to. Either get married or be screwed. At this point, I don’t care anymore. They can do whatever pleases them. I regret falling under their pressure; if I had just called their words bluff, I wouldn’t have been saddled with the sudden responsibility of fathering three kids. I have never been a parent before. How do I start with three?”
That was the first time Bryson admitted to the pressure he had been under since the surrogacy journey began. He was never the type to express himself efficiently. Something Owen had come to accept through the decades of their friendship.
“Give them time, and they will come around. I think parents are like that most of the time. Expecting nothing short of perfection from their kids. We must do what we can to get them off our backs.” Owen said.
“I am tired of doing what they want. This is my life, and I choose to live it as I please.”
“No one is arguing that.” He mused, grinning to himself.
“What’s with the smile?” Bryson inquired.
Owen shook his head, “Nothing. Nothing at all.” He exhaled slowly, staring into the night.
Bryson threw his head to the back and hummed in response. “I thought as much.”
- Writer
