The Billionaire's Son Ultimatum

CHAPTER 2

As the day brightened, Benjamin hastily got ready for work. He couldn't shake off the heaviness of his father's words, a burden that weighed on his mind. At work, he sat in his office, lost in his thoughts, the air around him filled with tension as he wondered where his mother had gone early in the morning, oh her morning jugs he recollected as he was hoping to talk with her before leaving for work.

A slight knock on the door interrupted his engrossment. "Come in," he called, turning his attention to his secretary, a tall brunette who had worked with him for years. "I called, sir, but there was no response," she said, her tone respectful.

His gaze fell to the phone beside him, realizing he had missed two calls. "What is it?" he inquired, expecting the usual business matters."Your father wants to see you in his office," she informed him.

Benjamin let out an exasperated sigh. His frustration is evident. He had left home today with the hope of ignoring his father, but now his father was summoning him again. With a nod, he stood up, his steps purposeful as he made his way to his father's office.

Upon entering, he found his father, David, seated behind his desk, his expression unreadable. "You wanted to see me?" Benjamin asked, his tone evident that he wasn't happy to be in the same room with his father.

David regarded him for a moment before speaking. "Benjamin, why were you absent from the meeting scheduled to be held today?"

Benjamin's eyes lit up."The meeting?". He had completely forgotten about it, lost in his thoughts.

"How could I have forgotten such an important thing?", Benjamin thought to himself

David was fully aware that Benjamin had been absent-minded from work because of the conversation they had

David's gaze remained fixed on him, his voice carrying a hint of authority. "Go home, Benjamin. Clear your mind.

Benjamin was taken aback. Sent home like a scolded child. But he knew better than to engage in another conversation with his father.

Leaving his father's office, Benjamin struggled to grasp the reason behind being sent home. After all, it was his father who had placed him in this predicament in the first place.

With a heavy sigh, he made his way back to his own office to collect his bag, his mind filled with thoughts and emotions. Without a second glance, he left and headed back home.

Back at the Grant family mansion, Benjamin's steps were restless as he paced back and forth within the confines of his bedroom.

The ultimatum, the missed meeting, and now being sent home — it all felt like a suffocating weight, pressing down on his chest. He had always been the one in control.

His mind drifted to his mother again, Eleanor Grant, a woman of quiet strength and unwavering love.

"Could she be aware of this?" he thought again as he hadn't heard anything from her since the conversation with his dad yesterday.

With a frustrated sigh, he pushed himself off the bed and hesitated before entering the cozy garden where he found his mother engrossed in a book. She looked up with a warm smile as he approached. With her silver hair pouring downwards gracefully and hazel eyes that held the wisdom of age, Eleanor was in her mid-fifties and was the epitome of elegance.

Eleanor Grant's love for books was a cornerstone of her identity, an enduring passion that painted the landscape of her life. From the moment Benjamin was a little boy, he had been captivated by the sight of his mother engrossed in the pages of a novel, her eyes reflecting the worlds she explored. Her shelves are lined with volumes from diverse genres. This shared affinity for books became a cherished connection, one that bonded them throughout his childhood.

"Ben, dear, you're back early. Is something the matter?" she inquired, closing her book and placing it aside.

He came to a halt, his agitation barely concealed. "Yes, thanks to your husband's mom."

Taking a seat beside him, he sighed heavily, a mixture of tension and anger in his voice. "He decided it was a good idea to send me home from work early and why didn't you tell me about this ridiculous marriage demand? Hoping his mother had no idea about it.

Eleanor's expression stayed calm, her gaze understanding. "Ah, the marriage issue."

Benjamin's frustration surged forth and his heart sank." You know about it and you're okay with it?"

Eleanor's eyes held a mixture of empathy and regret. "Your father has his reasons, Benjamin. He believes this is the best path for you."

His voice grew sharper. "The best path? To force me into marriage? By threatening me with the thing I'm most dedicated to? Is that what you support?

"I support your father's intentions. She responded in a low tone. He's concerned about your future." You're my son and I worry about you, Ben.

Benjamin stood up, his anger palpable. "So, you both decided to make life-altering decisions without even consulting me? Without considering what I want?"

She sighed in response, empathy in her tone. "He's concerned about you."

Eleanor's tone softened. "He cares about you, even if his approach isn't perfect."

He turned to her, a trace of resentment in his eyes. "And you're just going to let him?"

Benjamin's irritation flared. "Yeah, I'm concerned that I'm not following his idea of a perfect life."

Eleanor stood and approached, her hand resting on his arm in comfort. A reassuring pat and her support were clear. "Your frustration is valid. But maybe he's thinking about your happiness."

He looked away, his gaze fixed on a distant spot. "And what about what I want? What about my life?". This demand of his is unreasonable Mom and you know it.

His Mother remained silent, His frustration surged, and he burst out, "So, you're not going to say anything right?

Eleanor's voice remained steady, her eyes unwavering. "I'm on your side, Ben. This situation is tough, but maybe it's a chance for you to grow."

His anger grew and his voice deepened. "How are you on my side and w chance for what exactly?"

Eleanor said calmly. "I understand your anger, Benjamin. But please know, we only want what's best for you."

"What's best for me?" Benjamin said with a fierce look in his eyes and stormed out of the garden, his footsteps echoing his turmoil leaving his mother standing there.

As Benjamin approached the door of his room he struggled with the revelation that his mother was aware of his father's unreasonable ultimatum and supported it. "What will I do now?" He said, closing the door behind him.