Chapter 2: Dilemma
1272 Words
Riana spun hard into the final curve, wheels screeching against concrete before she shot past the finish line. In one smooth motion, she hopped off, flipping the skateboard into her arms as cheers exploded around her.
“Ri! Rii! Ri!”
She soaked it in, shoulders lifting with pride as she walked toward Nathaniel, who leaned against his car, clapping slowly.
He was effortlessly stealing attention from half the girls present.
“That was hot, Ri,” he said, ruffling her hair.
“You already know I rule these streets,” she pulled on a proud smirk. “Anyone messes with you, I’ll handle it.”
Nathaniel let out a low laugh. “So I should rely on an 18-year-old girl?”
“I’m serious Nate. ”
“I’m sure you are,” he smirked. “Done? We still need to shop. As proof for your mom.” he reminded.
“Oh, right. Be back!” she said and jogged off.
Nathaniel shook his head and turned to get into the car.
· · ·
Breakfast the next morning was unusually quiet.
“I know you’ve both been wondering why I called you back from Italy,” Finn began, his voice steady and they looked at him. “I’ll be turning fifty soon and it’s time the business world sees my sons properly.”
Nathaniel scoffed lightly. “They already know us, Dad.”
“I mean my heir,” Finn corrected immediately and that gripped everyone's attention.
“You both came into this world at the same time,” he continued. “That’s why you’re called the special twins. But only one of you will lead this family.”
“I’m not interested,” Nathaniel said flatly before Finn could finish.
“Same here,” Pedro added.
“Oh, be quiet!” Sylvia snapped at him sharply.
Finn ignored them. “My decision will be revealed at my birthday celebration. Two weeks from now.”
Adella and Sylvia were the most affected by this announcement. What could their husband be planning?
At all cost,they both wanted their sons on that seat.
· · ·
Later that day,the brothers had both gone to a golf club to clear their heads.
Pedro’s ball rolled cleanly into the hole.
“Bingo,” he grinned and Nathaniel adjusted his cap, preparing to take his shot with precision.
“You’ve been off lately,” Pedro noted after he hit the ball which rolled into the hole.
Nathaniel exhaled. “Who do you think Father will choose?”
“You,” Pedro said easily. “I’m not built for that. I’ll just mess around and invest money on forex or something.”
Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head. “You’re insane.”
“True. But how about your Mum? She’s not letting this go.” he continued and Pedro sighed.
His eyes wandered until he spotted someone then quickly nudged Nathaniel.
“Now that… is worth looking at.” he said as they both watched a lady standing a few feet away.
Suddenly,she turned and started approaching them. No doubt, Pedro was already captivated.
“Hey, handsome,” she greeted once she reached them and Pedro smiled.
“Hello.”
“I’m Audrey,” she said, already knowing who they were. "You must be the special twins right? Pedro and Nathaniel."
Her gaze shifted to Nathaniel whose eyes were shielded behind dark glasses.
“Do you not talk?” she teased.
“Nice meeting you,” he replied simply with a really cold voice and walked away.
She blinked utterly stunned. Pedro quickly handed her a card.
“Ignore him. He's in a terrible mood." He explained and Audrey nodded. And like that, he chased after Nathaniel.
· · ·
Riana moved through the streets that were familiar to her. There were graffiti walls, broken staircases, and familiar voices calling her name every now and then.
By the time she reached the abandoned building, a smirk had already formed on her lips as she made her way up.
Locating his apartment was difficult and they crashed against each other in a heated moment with clothes shedding instantly.
Much later,she was laying against his chest tracing idle lines on it.
“My dad’s birthday is tomorrow,” she muttered after a while. “Big party. My mom’s already planning to parade suitors for me.”
Raul scoffed and held her closer. “Sounds suffocating.”
“It is.” She sighed then sat up fast. “Come with me.”
Surprise showed on his face at that offered then he shook his head.
“You know I can’t. Our class is far apart”
“I don’t care about status.” Riana replied.
“But your mother does.” he reminded and that was enough. Only God knows what she would do if she ever finds out her daughter was seeing a man. A gangster at that.
· · ·
That night, Nathaniel stared at his phone with the screen full of Audrey’s messages. With a stressed sigh, he finally replied.
. . .
The birthday celebration came in quickly. It was nothing short of grand with bright lights, and cameras in every corner.
Finn finally stood on the stage, commanding attention instantly.
“Tonight,” he began, “I officially present my eldest sons Nathaniel Wayne and Pedro Wayne. The special twins.”
Applause thundered then quietened after a while.
“And now… my heir.”
The atmosphere shifted.
“Only one of them will take over my legacy.” Finn said and silence fell.
“My successor will be…” he paused. "The first of my sons to get married.”
At that announcement, shock rippled through the crowd.
Nathaniel and Pedro quickly looked at him.
Marriage?!?
· · ·
The battle had only gotten a lot more tough.
Sylvia began her match making but Pedro made sure to ruin every single effort of hers. Adella on the other hand didn't know how to convince her son into marriage.
But little did she know. He was already seeing someone.
Audrey. From one date to multiple texts exchange. It wasn't love. They both couldn't even define it at that moment.
Pedro revealed it at dinner about Nathaniel being out for a date and it surprised them all.
Later that night, Nathaniel returned home to find Adella waiting for him in the living room.
“You went on a date,” she said softly as he approached and he rolled his eyes. Pedro couldn't keep shut huh?
"Who is she?" Adella asked and he sighed.
“Audrey. That's her name."
Her face lit up instantly.
“You know her?” Nathaniel asked, frowning.
Adella smiled. “Of course I do. She helped your uncle during his Senate campaign last year. That girl worked tirelessly behind the scenes in such a smart, composed, and respectful manner. She is Minister Donte's last daughter.”
Nathaniel blinked, surprised.
“I met her there,” Adella continued. “She’s not just beautiful, Nathaniel. She’s capable. Loyal. A perfect fit for this family.”
He exhaled, already exhausted with the direction of the conversation. “I’m not getting married for business.”
Adella stepped closer, cupping his face.
“If Pedro wins, Sylvia will make this house unbearable for us and you know that,” she said softly. “Audrey is a good girl. Marry her and protect what we have.”
Nathaniel fell silent as the reality of things dawned on him.
Sit still and let his tyrant of a stepmom get the victory card or step up and claim it all?
- Writer
