Play the Player

Chapter Four - Find You a Bride

“You have to get married!” Briggs, Xavier’s father’s voice floated through the dimly lit coffee room. The silence that followed was so profound you could hear a pin drop.

It was three months after he met the mystery girl. Three months of relentless search and zero results.

“Not again today, father.” Xavier muttered amidst heavy breath. He started to recount the events of the past week.

From touring that club wishing that she’d appear again, to becoming utterly disappointed when she eventually didn’t show up, and then to combing the city for her with no results.

Whoever the lady in red was, she probably didn’t want to be found.

“I know you want to enjoy the pleasures of being a youth son but need I remind you that I am not getting any younger, and the board will not give a second thought to kicking you away once I’m out of the picture. You should have realized that by now.” Briggs persisted.

“Dad, I know you mean well, but I still don’t see the correlation between me getting married and leading the company yet. Plus, is it not a bit strange that no one else has muttered this requirement to me except you and mum? Sounds less like the board wants me out and more like you and mom are trying to coerce me into getting married again. Either way, I’m still not interested.”

Xavier insisted. He had no desire to give in to the conversation yet.

“You know very little son and I genuinely wish it was the latter. Those men do not care about your expertise. They want proof that you can actually lead. A man that lacks experience in keeping a home will struggle to prove that he can lead a conglomerate.” Briggs pushed further.

“Oh dad. I respect your position, but it still doesn’t connect. I’ve been working alongside you and leading the business comfortably for the past five years. I know the ins and outs of that place. No one else is capable of leading as much as I am, and I doubt my competence will be questioned just because I am without a wife.”

Xavier dragged out the last part and frowned at how his heart fluttered at the mention of the word.

He never ever desired to marry. Women did not interest him that much and no one was going to change his mind about it. Just then, her face swept across his mind again. The siren eyes that stared longingly at him. The lushness of her lashes and fullness of her lips. Her little laugh when he slid across to hold her by the waist. His heart did a double take.

“Son…” Briggs moved closer to his son this time and sat at the armrest. He puffed at the large cigar in his hands and then continued…

“These men are like sharks. They would do anything to take control of the business. When I’m gone, I wouldn’t want you to be left alone and fighting them. So please, do me this favor and listen to your father just this one time.”

Xavier combed his hand through his head in frustration and let out a deep breath. He didn’t want to argue the matter with his father any longer. But Briggs was a resilient man. Decades well spent in sales had made him master the art of persuasion and Xavier knew that he would lose.

He was still lost in his thoughts when his father dropped the bombshell.

“Anyway, I do not think you have any more choices in the matter, since you’ve refused to pay heed to my plea. I’ll give you six months to court and get married. If you do not bring a wife home, then I’ll have no choice but step back and let the board take over.”

Xavier had been unbothered all along until that single comment. His father was his biggest and most powerful ally. Despite his stubbornness, he knew that he could not afford to be found on Briggs’ bad side.

“What’s going on boys?” A soft voice sailed into the room, followed by a strut of a beautiful and elegant woman. Valencia, Xavier’s mom and Briggs' wife.

She was a powerhouse that oozed charm in any room she walked in. Xavier saw his father’s eyes lit up as she strutted in, and the smile that spread over his face as he stood to kiss and pull her into a hug.

30 years married and their bond had always been this strong. Xavier had watched them through different seasons, but one thing had been visible through it all – they were madly, insanely, in love with each other.

Growing up, he had admired their love and wanted some for himself too, however, women in his generation had proven to be different. They all wanted money and fame, none cared less about his person. So Xavier had decided that maybe that kind of love was not for him.

“Have you told him now?” Valencia asked softly.

Xavier stood slowly to hug his mother reluctantly. Fury was written all over his face.

“I’m assuming that’s a yes.” Valencia responded back to herself, observing the rage on Xavier’s face.

“Anyway, now that you know, I’ll just make it quick… I found someone for you already.” Xavier raised his eyebrow in shock.

“What?”

“Yes. A friend connected me with her mother. She’s a very lovely, homey, and gorgeous young woman. Her name is…” She made a gesture with her hands, something she does while trying to gather a thought.

“Strange how I just forgot her name…”

“Forget it mom. I’m not giving into this blackmail. Even if I want a wife, I’ll find her myself.”

Xavier finished and started to make his way out of the room, which suddenly started to seem too crowded.

“I forgot to mention that I already planned out a date for next week. Trust me, you’d love her. Valencia called after him.