Chapter 3: Never Ending Demands
1861 Words
Days had gone by, and the struggle only intensified. Pedro remained defiant, while Nathaniel stayed torn.
He watched Romeo execute a perfect drumroll on the practice pad, and a genuine smile broke across Nathaniel’s face.
“See! I did it!” Romeo cheered, pumping his small fists. Nathaniel chuckled, ruffling the boy’s hair affectionately.
“Of course you are. You’re learning so fast now. Can you sing me that song you’ve been talking about?” Nathaniel asked. Romeo’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Sure!” he squealed, dashing toward the karaoke corner. Nathaniel rose to follow when the door opened. Both turned to see Adella standing there, elegant.
“Big Mummy!” Romeo yelled, sprinting into her arms. She scooped him up, twirling him until his laughter filled the room, then gently set him down.
“I can see you’re having so much fun with Nathan, huh?” Adella said, sparing her son a warm glance.
“Yes. I missed him all these years,” Romeo replied honestly.
“Awww. Well, I hope you don’t mind if I borrow him for a few minutes,” Adella asked sweetly.
“That’s fine by me,” Romeo agreed, already returning to his drums. Nathaniel stepped out with his mother and closed the door softly behind them.
“What is it, Mum?” he asked.
Adella sighed, facing him squarely. “Sylvia is inviting the Minister of Agriculture over in seven days. He’ll be coming with his family to set up Pedro’s wedding date with Chantel. Can you imagine that?”
“Oh… that? Pedro already told me,” Nathaniel replied, shocking her.
“And you didn’t even care to tell me?” She snapped, lightly hitting his arm.
“Ow, Mum, I didn’t know I should,” Nathaniel whined.
“Well, you will have to send out a formal invite to Mr. Donte and his daughters. They’ll be here for dinner in seven days,” Adella instructed.
Nathaniel furrowed his brows. “On the same day as Chantel and her family?”
“Yes, son. No matter what, we need to get you on that seat. Understood? So get moving,” Adella replied firmly and Nathaniel sighed, palming his face.
· · ·
The dinner evening arrived swiftly.
Nathaniel patted Pedro’s shoulder reassuringly. “You’ll be fine, Pedro. It’s just one dinner. It’ll be over before you know it.”
Pedro sighed heavily. “Anything that makes my wedding date come first would make me leave Chantel at the altar. I mean it.”
“Relax. Let’s go welcome your in-laws. I hear them coming in,” Nathaniel teased as cars rolled up the driveway and they walked out together.
At the grand table sat Mr. Wayne and his family, Mr. Charles and Mrs. Charles with Chantel, and Audrey, who represented the Donte family alone. Minister Donte had been unable to attend.
“It feels so great finally becoming this close to family,” Mrs. Charles said warmly. Sylvia chuckled.
“Of course. Chantel has always been a sweetheart. I’m excited to make her my daughter,” Sylvia responded, glancing at the grinning Chantel.
Adella rolled her eyes and turned to Audrey, who was quietly chatting with Nathaniel. “How is your father, Audrey?”
“He’s fine, ma’am. Regrets missing this,” Audrey replied politely.
“No worry, dear. The next gathering will be bigger, and he’ll attend,” Adella assured. Audrey chuckled softly, which visibly irritated Sylvia.
· · ·
Later, Audrey found Nathaniel alone on the porch, staring at the stars.
“Hey,” she muttered, standing beside him. He glanced at her before looking away.
“Your father is still in closed discussion with the Minister,” she informed him.
“Yeah, I know,” he mumbled. She lifted a hand and gently caressed his back.
“Look, I understand you don’t want to settle down yet. Everything is happening too fast. But any decision you make is fine by me including calling off the wedding,” Audrey said sincerely.
Nathaniel looked at her, stunned. “So you’re saying you’ll be cool with me rejecting you?”
“We’re only courting. You don’t really want me as a wife, and I see that. I don’t know why you’re still going ahead with fixing dates when you’re not ready and don’t even want the company. Just do what you think is right, Nathan,” she responded.
· · ·
Mr. Finn sipped his wine, then placed the glass on the stool. The Minister’s family, his wife, everyone was present.
“I had a productive discussion with Mr. Charles. We agreed on a date for Pedro and Chantel,” Finn began.
Sylvia smiled widely.
“I also spoke with Mr. Donte,” he added, chilling Sylvia’s expression.
“Despite his travel, he discussed Audrey and Nathaniel’s wedding.”
“At the end, one of my sons will marry first,” Finn continued. Tension crackled between Sylvia and Adella.
“Mr. Donte wants his daughter married before her final exams. Mr. Charles wants Chantel married before the next state election. Therefore, Pedro and Chantel will wed in five weeks on May 12th, and Nathaniel will marry Audrey in three weeks on May 1st,” Finn declared.
“No way!” Sylvia sprang from her seat, shocking everyone.
“What are you talking about, Sylvia?” Mrs. Charles demanded.
“They can’t possibly marry right after Nathaniel. He will become CEO!” Sylvia thundered.
“So this is about the seat?” Minister Charles asked, surprised. Sylvia scoffed.
“You personally forced that date on us, Sylvia,” Mrs. Charles revealed.
Adella sniggered, stood, and hugged Nathaniel. “Congrats, son.” She kissed his cheek, then embraced Audrey.
“Finally,” Pedro groaned happily, hugging his brother. Nathaniel stood stunned, trying to grasp the current situation.
“Pedro!” Sylvia screamed, storming over and gripping his arm. “How dare you rejoice? Do you know how much this costs me?”
Pedro shrugged free immediately.
“There! You said it. It’s always about you, Mom. Nathan will take that seat, and you can’t stop it. I’m done. You can marry Chantel yourself for all I care.” He headed for the stairs.
“This is madness,” Minister Charles spat, rising. “Fix your family. I won’t let my daughter enter this hellhole.” He stormed out with his wife and daughter.
Sylvia watched in disbelief as Adella smiled triumphantly. Riana congratulated Audrey and Nathaniel, further infuriating her.
· · ·
Two Years Later
“Get back here, Riana!” Sylvia yelled as Riana slipped down the stairs, backpack in hand.
“No, Mom. See you later!” Riana grinned, dashing out. She mounted her bike, fixed her helmet, and zoomed through the opening gate, blending into the wind.
Romeo, now a tall thirteen-year-old, walked out of the kitchen munching an apple.
“Just let Riana be, Mom. She’s not a kid anymore.”
“Do not get me upset, Romeo. And why aren’t you in school?” Sylvia demanded.
“Got bored,” he shrugged, heading to the music room in the cottage.
Sylvia screamed in frustration and Adella descended the stairs, laughing.
“These past years have been eventful, Sylvia, and you never stop with the drama.”
Nathaniel had married Audrey and become CEO of Wayne’s Investments, sidelining Sylvia completely.
Adella never missed a chance to remind her of it.
Pedro married a year later to a woman from a notable family, though he already had two children with other women. And Sylvia dismissed as illegitimate.
“Well, I’m off to my weekly meeting of CEOs’ mothers. You can entertain the mansion,” Adella sneered, leaving.
Sylvia’s ego burned.
· · ·
At breakfast a few days later, Mr. Finn read the newspaper while Pedro and his wife Tina played lovingly at the table. Nathaniel’s latest achievements were praised in the press.
“This is impressive,” Finn said. “But something is lacking.” A smug smile crossed Sylvia’s face who knew the topic of Nathaniel and Audrey’s childlessness was about to be raised.
“It’s been two years. Give them time,” Adella spoke up.
“Just like you stayed two years without conceiving. If not for me, this family might have no children. My luck blessed you, ungrateful snake,” Sylvia sneered.
“Enough!” Finn thundered. “People are talking. Nathan’s inability to produce an heir, unlike Pedro…”
“I never asked to be CEO,” Nathaniel growled. “None of us wanted your seat.”
“That’s no way to speak to your father,” Adella scolded.
“I’m out.” Nathaniel grabbed his jacket and left. Pedro followed after kissing Tina.
Riana excused herself, wishing she were in France like Clara who travelled out months ago.
Tina offered Audrey a reassuring smile and she nodded, fighting to keep her composure.
· · ·
In the slums, Ariel panted hard, running from bullies. She glanced back thinking she had lost them only to look up ahead to see her path blocked by them.
She screamed in shock and fell hard. In seconds, they encircled her.
Becky squatted, poking Ariel’s chest through her ragged, patched dress.
“So pathetic, as usual.”
“Please, Becky. I gave you all my money already,” Ariel begged, voice trembling.
Becky laughed mockingly and slapped her hard. Ariel’s unkempt hair immediately covered her dirt-streaked face.
“Surrendering money isn’t enough. See you tomorrow, dirt.” She shoved Ariel down and the gang laughed, stepping over her.
Ariel cried as she scrambled up. Her skin was layered with grime and the patched dress was all she owned.
Life with her aunt and her drunk boyfriend who beat her randomly had been merciless.
She leaned against a wall, failing to control her sobs. She still had to face her aunt over the vegetable delivery money Becky stole.
Ariel finally reached and entered the crumbling flat. Brianna, her aunt, who was watching the news quickly groaned.
“Jeez, what smells so bad?” She turned to see Ariel. “Place the money on the table and get out. You stink.”
Ariel stayed rooted and Brianna rose angrily. “Are you deaf? My money.”
Tears slipped down Ariel’s cheeks and fear washed over her. “She took it all. Becky attacked me…”
Brianna’s face twisted. “You let that sick girl rob my sweat? How do I pay your cousin’s tuition now? Huh?” She charged at Ariel, who missed her step and fell then tried crawling away.
“How dare you, Ariel?” Brianna dragged her back by the hair and pain exploded across Ariel’s scalp.
Daphne walked in and sniggered. “What happened, Mom?”
“This pig let Becky take the money for your tuition,” Brianna explained.
“How could you be so stupid, pig?” Daphne snapped.
“I’m sorry, Daphne. I’ll work harder at the farm,” Ariel pleaded through sobs.
“You better,” Daphne said coldly.
Brianna let go of her hair and Ariel got up and ran out, heart shattering.
- Writer
