MEETING THE BALCHS
1070 Words
The shock on his father’s face was nothing like Devyn had ever seen. This made him smirk a little.
It has not been up to six months since Devyn returned from the United States, and now he is talking about a wife.
Devyn has had quite a life in and outside the country, from girls to parties to throwing a ragger. On many accounts, has Mr. Balch had to bail him out of jail? No one believed he was capable of starting a company and, more or less, making it successful.
Ever since he came back from the US, Devyn has been spotted with a different girl every single day.
And all of a sudden, he brings home a wife. What a joker!
"Devyn, what is the meaning of this? If this is a joke, it is not funny." Mr. Balch said he was trying not to get upset, especially in front of a guest.
But before Devyn could reply to his father, Braden, the second son of the Balch family, walked in.
“Serena? Is that you? What are you doing here?" Braden asked, walking up to Serena.
“Do you know this young lady, dear?” his mother asked.
"Mum, this is Serena; I can’t believe you all forgot." Braden said. He was waiting for his words to click in their heads, and when they didn’t
“Her mom worked for us; remember Miss Campbell who took ill and had to leave?” Braden reminded everyone.
"Oh, my honey, Mrs Campbell was a really hard worker. Darling, you do remember her, right?" Mrs. Balch had gestured to her husband.
“Of course I do; how could I forget, Serena, is it?” Mr. Balch asked Serena
"Yes, sir, it is,” she responded. She knew she had a familiar feel for the place; she just couldn’t remember exactly what it was.
“You’ve grown into a fine young woman." Mr. Balch complimented
“How is your mother? I am sure she is doing alright now,” he asked further.
Before Serena could say a word, Devyn responded, “She’s doing great; she was very present at our wedding ceremony.
Devyn gave her a stern look and told her not to say a thing, holding her tightly.
Braden walked up to Serena to get a closer view without acknowledging Devyn's
“Long time no see Serena.” He gave her a big hug, not just because he missed Serena but also to spite Devyn.
If looks could kill Braden, he would be a dead man.
“How could you remember all of that? I had a feeling this place was familiar, but I couldn’t put a finger to it,” Serena said to Braden, surprisingly.
"Serena, you are breaking my heart. How could I forget you so easily? No one forgets their first kiss,” he said, looking at Devyn’s face to see his reaction.
Serena and Braden have been really good friends since her mother worked for the Balch when she was much younger, and yes, she had a huge crush on him and followed him all around until he reciprocated her affection.
“But that’s all in the past now,” she thought.
"Devyn, may I have a word in my study room?" Mr. Balch said
Devyn nods his head and gives Braden a soulful look before going after his father.
Braden and Devyn have been known to never be on good terms with one another since they were twelve.
“What is the meaning of this, Devyn?" Mr. Balch exclaimed.
“What are you talking about? I thought you would be happy. I am finally settling down like you wished and demanded." Devyn responded sarcastically.
“Are you doing this because you know not getting married before you are thirty will jeopardize your inheritance? Devyn, this is madness." Mr. Balch protested.
"No, it’s not. Father, it is love." Devyn responded.
“And of all people to love, you fell in love with her; are you even hearing yourself?" His father countered.
"Why, father, why can’t I love her? Because her mother worked for the family?” Devyn asked angrily.
"No, Devyn, I don’t want you involving an innocent girl in one of your games,” Mr. Balch said.
“It is not,dad ." Devyn responded.
Mr. Balch leaned back in the chair, embracing the comfort of the seat. “Then show me.”
"What?” Devyn asked, looking confused.
“Show me that this isn’t one of your games and that this girl is who you really love." Mr. Balch said calmly
Devyn, looking confused about what was up with this old man, thought, “What are you talking about? I married her.”
“You will have to do more than Devyn; as a now-married man and business tycoon, you are a public figure, and as a public figure who is now married, you will be going to press conferences and public meetings, and as a husband, you have to show the world you are happily married." Mr. Balch said with a smile so bright
He knew he had him right where he wanted him, and he knew Devyn only got married to Serena to get his inheritance before he was thirty. According to his trust fund stipulation, he has to get married before he is thirty.
“What the hell, father?" Devyn said in an angry tone..
“I thought you said you were serious about her; this should not be hard for a man in love, and by the way, I would like you to make a speech to the press by Monday about your marriage." Mr. Balch said as he handed him a spreadsheet.
“What is this for?” Devyn asked.
“I heard your wife is an editor; you both had better start scribbling words together for tomorrow ,” Mr. Balch said.
“How did you know?" Devyn was in awe.
“You think my son would go out of his way to piss off a member of the board on his wedding day, and I would not do my due diligence on his alleged lover? What were you thinking?”
Mr. Wood Stone was indeed a member of the board, working directly for his father.
It was at this moment that Devyn knew that if he wanted to beat his father, he had to take two steps ahead.
- Writer
