Dynasty and Desire

Chapter three

The next morning had Jonathan storming his Uncle’s office as he held up the contract in his hands. “Is this some kind of joke? Please tell me this isn’t real.” he raged as he shoved the contract in his Uncle’s face.

“Calm down boy, lets sit down like two adults and discuss this.” Uncle Bernie said calmly trying to maintain his composure.

“We should’ve sat down like two adults in the first place before you decided what course my life should take.” Jonathan said, Anger evidently written all over him.

Uncle Bernie sat watching as he rambled on, “You have no right to give me conditions before I can inherit my company, I have…”

“It was your father’s dying wish” Uncle Bernie said in a soft voice, so soft that for a second Jonathan couldn’t make out what he said “what?” Jonathan asked in a whisper, when it finally dawned on him.

“Sit down Jonathan.” Uncle Bernie said calmly, but Jonathan stood there, rooted to a spot, his legs unwilling to move. Uncle Bernie stood up and came around the table, he held Jonathan’s trembling shoulders as he led him to the seat across from him. He turned and went back round the table.

“Your father saw to it that I included that last piece of information to the contract before his very eyes.” Uncle Bernie went on to say as he settled back into his chair.

“But why would he demand such conditions from me Uncle? Why?” Jonathan asked, in a cold voice.

Uncle Bernie knew the toll this was taking on Jonathan. Anything that concerns the past always had this effect on him. But this was something Jonathan will have to come in terms with himself. “I guess your father knew you too well son, He knew you needed a push to get married.”

“I don’t need a wife Uncle.” Jonathan said with an edge to his voice, his face getting hard.

Across from him, Uncle Bernie regarded Jonathan with what seemed to be pity in his eyes, he has watched Jonathan grow up into an intelligent young man with a drive for ordinance and perfection, despite coming from a broken home. He understood the reason Johnathan kicked against marriage and why his brother made it a condition that his son must find a wife and get married before he can inherit the family’s business.

Jonathan’s mother Naomi had been a call girl before she met Alexander. They met at a club and Alexander took her home where they shared a night of pleasure and passion. A year later Naomi showed up in his doorsteps holding Jonathan in her arms. Alexander had offered to marry her and she accepted. 5 years into the marriage she had asked for her freedom but Alexander was so in love with her to let her go, she started arguing with Alexander over everything, and rained insults on him about how poor and wretched he was. she brought home her male clients whenever Alexander was out and went ahead to service them, even in front of Jonathan. Jonathan was little then but knew what was going on, he always ran across the street to Uncle Bernie’s house where he found solace. Uncle Bernie had to step in and advice Alexander to let Naomi go because her actions were destroying Jonathan’s life. Alexander obliged and Naomi left him and her son and never came back, she wasn’t heard of since then. Her departure left Alexander devastated and miserable which eventually led to his death. With that, Jonathan swore off women, he promised never to get married and pass through the same faith as his father.

“Jonathan, I don’t know if you know this but your father was really sorry about putting you through that trauma.” Uncle Bernie said.

“ Father did nothing wrong, his only mistake was marrying the devil.” Jonathan said in a defensive tone.

“I know, and that was the reason he refused to remarry because he was scared of making the same mistake twice.” he hesitated, “look Jonathan, you're 32 already and the only one left to carry on the family name, and keeping this company in the family is solely up to you. Seeing that I have no children of my own.”

“That can easily be arranged Uncle, I can find a woman to bear me children without having to get married.” Jonathan said.

“And what happens then? we go over this again? Are you willing to bring a child into this world without a mother to come home to? You want him to grow up like you did?” Uncle Bernie asked with unsaid words flying across the room.

Uncle Bernard’s words seemed to have piqued Jonathan’s conscience because his features softened a little.

“Alright Uncle, I will do you and fathers bidding.” Jonathan said, unwilling to prolong the issue further.

“That’s nice to hear son, now…” Uncle Bernie said, opening his topmost drawer, “I have a list of eligible young ladies I’ll like you to go on dates with.” he stretched out his arm, handing Jonathan the file containing different ladies and their profiles.

“I don’t have time for that.” he said waving the file away from his face, “just pick the one you think is the most suitable, and arrange a meeting, I want to get this over and done with immediately.”

He stood up. looking down on his Uncle, he said, ”Be rest assured that I’m doing this for duty and nothing else. My devotion will only be to my children and not to some random chit.”

He turned and headed for the door.

“One more thing Jonathan” Uncle Bernie called out “how do I introduce you to the prospective lady? Nobody knows your true identity yet.”

Jonathan hesitated at the door, his hands stilled on the door knob “Tell her its one of your workers.” he said with gritted teeth as he turned the knob and stepped out.