The Hurdle of Love

Chapter 2

ETHAN

“I want the meeting to be scheduled for tomorrow and I want this report to be completed before 24 hours. Am I clear?” I threw the report on the desk in disgust and stared at the figure that kept standing there like a daft person. He joined a few weeks back, and my fuse was burning out already.

“Am I clear?!!” I repeated myself as he fidgeted at my hard tone.

“Yes sir.” Just then, the door of my office opened, and Mom walked in, followed by our lawyer. If I were to pick on cue from Mom's countenance, it was something unsettling. I redirected my attention to my PA still standing in front of me.

“Get out!” He hurriedly grasped the file and hastily left my office.

“Mom?” Both she and Mr. George took the seats opposite me.

“Ethan, Mr. George is here to show you your dad’s will.” Dad's will, all of a sudden? It's been close to 7 months now since Dad passed away, and his will hasn't been brought out since. I rested my back on my seat and loosened the tie around my neck.

“I have a lot on my desk right now, Mom. Can't it wait?” Mom let out a sigh before looking at Mr. George who had quite a concerned demeanor.

“I am afraid, not.” I experienced a sudden eye spasm as I mentally struggled with all the possible conditions Dad’s will might put forth. I gave a slight nod and locked eyes with him to go on.

“Mr. Ellington, your dad had included in his Will that the Ellington Realty be passed down to you provided you settled down.” He paused for a split second to watch my reaction before proceeding. “You have to get married.” I looked steadfastly at him before turning to Mom; they both sat at my front, their faces expectant. “I don't have the time for pranks right now!”

I stared between both of them who sustained their seriousness. Dad would often get involved in our conversations on how I should settle down and start a family, and considering that he imposed this stipulation in his Will, it didn't sound too far-fetched, but I didn't just want to believe it.

Mom let out a deep sigh.

“This is not a prank, Ethan. Your dad wrote in his will that he wishes you’d find a lovely companion of your choice and provide a family to Kaira.” It wasn't until later that I realized the gravity of the situation considering I didn't feel the helplessness that I should drown in at this revelation.

I was still trying to put my next words together in my mind when Mr. George spoke further. “If not fulfilled, after your mother, it goes to Clement’s.” I yanked my head up, almost straining my neck.

“Clement's? Our arch-rival?” Our attorney nodded tentatively, before I pounded my fist on the table, startling him out of his composure. I eased out of my seat and strolled to the window, at a loss to understand who in their right senses would do that.

“Could he have been struggling with a hidden mental health problem we had overlooked?” I asked. I mean, all I was aware of was his heart condition, maybe there is more to it than what I knew of.

“Ethan!” Mom sounded offended.

“That would explain this will because this is completely the most ludicrous freaking thing I have ever heard in my entire life.” While mom looked tired, George looked petrified. Petrified of who? Me? The only thing that is petrifying right there is that will.

“But, like, for real, Dad wrote this?” Was I expecting to get a different answer? Something like they had planned some April fool's prank though it was late - August? Perhaps.

“He did.” He rearranged his limbs awkwardly, and the impulse to throw him out of my office was overwhelming.

“I don't understand this, Mom, why do I have to get a family? Kaira has a family already. She has me, she has you and Anny. This is her family.” I rationalized but her raised eyebrows questioned my logic.

“Kaira needs a mother in her life” I shut my eyes for a moment in vexation. This single remark had always felt like a slap in my face to all the labors I had put in for Kaira over the years.

“No, she doesn't, I’m enough for her as a parent.” Even at my statement, my confidence wobbled a bit. I have done all I could to ensure my daughter has the best life and I am parent enough for her yet a voice hovered in my consciousness which stated otherwise.

Mom squinted her head slightly to my side, looking straight into my eyes. “You can't dispute the fact, you know it yourself.” She sounded confident as if she had heard my earlier thoughts.

“I am serious, child; I know how much you loved, cherished, and had always been there for her. But she still needs a mother in her life. That's a void in her life. I can see it; most probably, your dad did too.”

My hand went straight to my hair as I leaned back in my seat. Even if Mom and Dad were right, I am not even prepared for a wife right now. I hadn't even thought about getting into a relationship or dating anyone after her, and now we are talking about marriage. “I need to think about all this, I need time.”

Upon raising my head, I was met with their stern countenances like they were something else I needed to learn about. The mere idea sent shivers down my spine.

Mr. George rapped his knuckles on the desk before letting it out. “You have just a year to settle down.” I felt an upcoming headache suddenly, and undisputedly, it was going to last a while.

“What do you mean I have a year to get married? There is also a deadline?” I felt like punching him in the face, my words dripped with frost.

Mom hesitatingly nodded, and I honestly wanted to slam my fist in frustration, but I settled with a hollow chuckle.

“Anything else? Does he also want me to get a dozen kids in a year? Would he prefer that too?” One might consider me a teasing jibe, but like seriously, I was uncertain. At this point, anything was possible for him to put in his will. He had the power, didn't he?

“No such thing was addressed,” Mr George cowered a little under my scowl while Mom shot a concerned look at me, perhaps thinking I’d gone bonkers. Well, I was on the verge of freaking out; I wasn't too far from it.

“We’ll take our leave now.” They were both on their feet and

with the twinkle of eyes out of my Office, leaving me reeling.