Fresh

Dusk had already fallen when Antonio Brandon swung his black Audi along the driveway to the Brandon mansion and stepped out with a grim expression on his face. Flinging the car keys to one of the guards at the door, he quickly made his way into the house, to his grandfather’s office. There’s an important and urgent issue I need to talk with you about, Sebastian Brandon had told him earlier that day. Despite Antonio’s protests about tight schedules and calendars, his grandfather had insisted on the meeting for that evening. Dominic, his younger brother and best friend for many years, would have been the one here instead of him. But sadly, he’d passed away in an auto crash some months ago. Antonio’s only comfort as he stepped inside Sebastian’s office was that it certainly had to be an important issue that demanded an audience with his grandfather. “I was expecting you for dinner,” Sebastian said, sipping from a glass of brandy and pouring a glass of wine for Antonio. “I was held up in a long meeting,” Antonio simply explained. “Company acquisitions actually.” He sat down at his grandfather’s desk, staring out the windows at the gathering storm for a while. Although, Sebastian was actively involved in the family business which was Brandon Group of companies, Antonio played a less active role. He owned and managed a technology conglomerate, one of the largest in the country which took most of his time. Though, he had a number of partners and capable managers to run the business in his absence, he preferred a more hands-on approach. Sebastian gave a hint of a smile and set down a glass of red wine on the large oak table in front of Antonio. “I would need you to do something for me. For the family actually. It’s about the chairmanship position of Brandon companies,” Sebastian stiffly began. “I’m planning to resign Sona and was wondering if you can take over after me.” Antonio blinked. “Now? You said months ago that you weren’t retiring anytime soon.” Sebastian had been the Chairman for many decades. After Damien, their father had resigned due to poor health, the two brothers had played more active roles in the company. Soon after, Antonio had left Brandon companies to set up his own start-up – Sigma Technologies - and Dominic had efficiently stepped in and quickly showed more promise of continuing with managing the company after their father’s and grandfather’s planned retirement. Antonio had been relieved that Dominic was pretty much the spare that the family could use. “That was before your father and Dominic passed on,” his grandfather said tightly. The grief and pain over the untimely deaths was still raw and fresh in their minds. “Theirs was unforseen, especially your brother’s.” Evidently, Sebastian wanted the company to remain in family hands and was quite desperate to do so. He hadn’t even bothered to suggest the option of an outsider. “Well, if you want me to take over I am sure it can all be sorted out, legally and all.” Antonio agreed. His mind was working on how to juggle this new set of responsibilities along with those of Sigma Technologies. Sebastian nodded. “But before your new position can be absolutely certain, there are conditions. You have to first marry and ensure that you have a child.” A child?! Before Antonio could ask, Sebastian explained. “Brandon companies was started by my grandfather-in-law, Hardin Brandon. He only had daughters but wanted to keep the business with the Brandon family. His daughter’s fiancé, Alan Jackson, was very promising so he asked him to do a name change from Jackson to Brandon.” Antonio sighed at the unpleasant situation. He needed time to think about it. “You never required that of Dominic,” he accused. “No. Your brother knew his duties to the family very well. Other than that he was of much more stable personality." “Marriage isn’t on the top of my priorities now.” Sebastian simply glared at him. “Fine. What if I get grandma’s shares from you and step in as your vice. It should keep the wolves in the company at bay.” Sebastian shook his head. “Your grandmother stipulated that her shares go only to someone who is going to continue the family’s control in the company. Dominic would have easily got it if he had a child even before he married, which unfortunately didn’t happen.” Antonio sighed. His options were quite limited. “If a marriage is what you want, I will do it for you. But give me some time.” “You have a month to accomplish the task. I’ve a list of eligible ladies you can marry,” Sebastian said, holding up a folder, and sliding it to him. “Understood. But there won’t be need for that. The bride must be of my choice,” Antonio agreed. “Well, just get the job done.” Antonio nodded, stood up and left. **** Antonio returned his gaze to the busy street below his office glass windows. He had been alternately staring at his office monitor and the world outside which was ignorant of his disturbed thoughts. Ever since the meeting with his grandfather, conflicting thoughts had plagued him endlessly, but there was work to be done, and he had to do it quickly. The folder with the list of requirements for a prospective bride along with the profiles of suitable candidates from his grandfather sat on a corner of the table. For one brief moment, Antonio thought he was like a stock broker selling and buying on the stock market. He had gone through the list of names severally but none of them impressed him. True, he knew some of the ladies and had had affairs with a few, but they lacked a sense of closeness and familiarity that he wanted. For days, a name had haunted his mind, an uneasy feeling which he couldn’t shake off. Finding any woman out of the blue to marry seemed easier than having to follow a list. He knew Sebastian didn’t want him selecting from among his numerous mistresses, since the marriage was also to forge alliance with another powerful family. Eventually, he placed a call through his personal line to Becky Handersen’s, a friend of his. “Becky, we need to talk.”