Finding Mrs Billionaire

Chapter 3

He was still visibly upset as he rode to the office.

Carlton looked at him through the rear view mirror and saw that he was uneasy. He wanted to say something but he decided against it. He knew Tristan quite well and knew he would want to be left alone with his thoughts.

Tristan thought back to the conversation he just had with his family. He could not believe his Dad would sink so low as to drop an ultimatum on him. They knew that the company was his life. It was all he had time for. He had worked his ass off from the day he started working there and now that he was about to fulfill his lifelong dream, they pulled something like this. But why? He wondered. What do they stand to gain from forcing him into a situation like this?

His mind drifted back to the conversation. Everything had gone downhill from the moment his dad had walked in.

“I am sure you can guess why we invited you over for a discussion” He asked calmly in that gruff voice that was a big contrast to his mums very soothing voice.

He wondered what this all about and why his mum had given him a wedding ring as a birthday present. Now that he thought about it, the hints had been there for a while, but he had not noticed or better, yet he had chosen to ignore it all.

“No, I still am lost on what the conversation could be about. I reckoned it was because of my birthday and you both missed me terribly.” He retorted jokingly.

His mum smiled at this and sat down at the table.

“Your father and I have been talking, and it's really because we are concerned about you. This is your 35th birthday and you are not getting any younger. We believe…” she paused as if to make up her mind how to proceed.

“It’s time to get married, Sonny boy. You can’t run forever.” His Father added without a pause.

He was taken aback by his parent’s brashness. At least that was his first reaction to their inquiry.

His father continued, “The truth is that the board is worried and, frankly, so am I. What’s the problem? Judging from all the tabloid reports, you don’t seem to have a problem bagging them.”

Board? Worried, sorry I don’t understand. He responded tersely.

What are they worried about, the company was doing even better since he took over as interim CEO. What board? The board hung on every word from his dad. He was the board. What does his singleness have to do with the success of the company? He was getting worked up just thinking about it.

Elaine spoke up, “Tristan, we care about you a lot, and we want to make sure that you focus on what's important. Getting married would enable you to build for the future.”

She and William had talked about it and concluded that this was something important that had to be sorted out in their son’s life. He was doing quite well at the company, but the board was right in their concerns about having someone who wasn’t settled in marriage at the helm of affairs. In truth, this was a weakness that could be exploited by their competitors. Tristan didn’t make it easier for any of them as he had been photographed with various models at different times and gotten a reputation as a player. This she wasn’t too happy about and had let him know. She worried he was becoming cold-hearted and this she told her husband would not be ideal for his future and especially for the business which had always been a family-run business.

“Tristan, my boy. Happy birthday to you. You are now 35 years old, and I must say that your mother and I are proud of the work you have done at Wartons Industries. You have shown yourself to be an astute leader and someone I would be proud to hand over to.”

They were now seated at the table having breakfast. William’s speech felt to Tristan as if a but was coming. It hung in the air, and he wondered what it was. He knew it had to do with marriage, but knowing his father, he probably had an ace up his sleeve. Something that would turn the tide in his favor. He had learned about the business from the man. The man was not only a great salesman but a very cunning businessman and negotiator. Tristan had seen him handle meetings with the same jovial air which only helped to allow you to lower your guard before he struck with a knife twisting it deep and leaving no room for escape.

“Your mum and I have been talking about your future, and we have agreed. I will be announcing my retirement and handover at the board meeting.”

Tristan could barely contain his joy. This was the news he had been waiting for since he was a kid. The day he took over the company and here it was. His father was going to finally hand it over to him. He thought about all the sacrifices he had had to make to get to this point. The long nights and he was sure that he would do everything to make sure the company succeeded under him.

William Warton picked up his coffee cup and took a sip. He looked at his wife and then at his son.

“I will be handing it over to you in a year. That is if all things work out and if it doesn’t, I will be handing over to someone else.” He said with all seriousness.

Tristan could not believe his ears. What was he talking about? He did not understand. In one year. Why one year? His dad was as good as retired already. He barely came to the office except on certain days when he had to meet with the management teams and receive updates on certain projects.

“I know that you would be confused a little about this, so let me make it clear for you. Your mum and I are worried about you and have made a decision. I will hand it over to you on one condition. The condition is that you have one year to get married.”

He couldn’t believe what he had just heard.

“Dad! Mum! I don’t understand. But you can’t do that to me. I have done everything right. This makes no sense. Why would you have me get married against my will? I am perfectly capable of making that decision when the time is right.” He cried angrily.

He also knew that once a decision like this had been made by his parents, there was nothing else he could do about it.

William continued, “Also, I do recall you used to date Kim, Mr. Lee's daughter a while back. We would like you to restart that relationship, but this time hopefully it would lead to something favorable.”

“Am I hearing you right?” He asked, startled at what his Father was insinuating. “Are you suggesting I get married to Kim to satisfy your condition? Are you arranging a marriage between me and your business partner’s daughter?”

These were the thoughts that continued to disturb him as he arrived at the office. Jessica was waiting for him as soon as the elevator opened up at the top office.

Morning Tristan, she called out to him as he walked out of the elevator.

It was obvious in the way he responded that he was still not in the right frame of mind.

She followed him as they walked in silence towards his office at the end of the hall.

He opened the door to his office and was greeted with a Happy Birthday. He stopped at the door, and looked at the various people in his office who had been waiting to surprise him. He looked at Jessica, who he was sure had planned all this. He turned and walked back out of the door without a word to any of them and left the office.

The crowd was stunned; Jessica was embarrassed even as everyone left the room to head back to their offices.