DAMIEN.
1350 Words
DAMIEN.
“Master Blackwell,
” a servant called from the doorway.
“Breakfast is served.
”
I nodded from my desk as I dismissed him.
I didn’t want any disturbance that day, and breakfast was not my problem.
I stood from my swiveling dark chair.
As I reached to close the door, other pressing issues crowded my thoughts.
Over time my mother had grown obsessed with the idea that I should have an heir to take
over when I’m gone.
She would always say,
“I gave your father an heir, which was you, hence you are obligated
to have an heir,
” in that same grumbling voice.
My mother was advanced in age, which I understood.
But one thing she refused to accept about her only son was that I wasn’t cut out for that kind
of life.
I would rather bury myself behind my screen, signing contracts, speaking to foreign
shareholders, thinking how to improve the company my father left me, than get involved with
some woman.
I had no interest in them at all.
But my mother wanted none of that.
Sometimes she went as far as sending women to my office to try to seduce me.
They always left disappointed.
Thinking of company shares; I had a meeting with the board today, and I was already
running late.
My father taught me that time was a currency, once spent, couldn’t be recovered. I had none
to spare.
“Sir Blackwell,
” another knock disrupted my thoughts. I was sure it was one of those new
housekeepers my mother employed every month to disturb my peace.
“Your mother awaits
at the table,
” he added.
“I’ll be there shortly,
” I called.
Knowing my mother, she would be at the door if I didn’t move quickly.I closed the door behind me and walked past the servants, acknowledging them as they
formed a line from my home office to the veranda where I sometimes had breakfast with my
mother.
Needless to say, she was the only woman I felt emotionally attached to.
She’s my world. When my father left, she was always by my side, encouraging me every
step of the way.
She has never left me for thirty-six years, and I pray death doesn’t take her soon.
My mother has a natural warmth about her that gives her a glow from within.
Staring into her wrinkled face, graced by dark olive eyes, makes me feel a sense of security
no weapon in my house could give.
Today the servants had styled her hair in an updo braid with bangs to frame her face.
Undeniably, my mother is a beautiful woman.
“Mother,
” I greeted, kissing her cheek before taking my seat.
It’s a ritual I perform every time I see her, and no matter how old I get, I won’t stop it.
I would burn the world just to please my mother.
“Damien,
” she started, and I knew she was about to complain about something “How many
servants do you want me to send to you before you acknowledge my call?” Her voice was
faint, almost on the edge of tears.
“You kept your poor mother waiting, and you know I won’t
take a grain of rice unless you sit.
”
“Sorry, Mom,
” I mumbled.
morning.
”
“I was sorting out details for the shareholders’ meeting this
“It’s alright, Damien,
” she said.
“What time will you be back home?”
“I don’t know. As soon as I’m done, I’ll let you know,
” I answered.
“There’s this new place downtown. They sell really nice jewelry. I was wondering if you would
be free so we can visit,
” she offered.
I set my fork down, took a sip of water, and asked the obvious question.
Mom?” She already had more gold than she needed.
“Jewelry for who,
She’s never lacked anything, so this was an odd request.
“Oh, you know. I just wanted to try out some new things,
” she said without meeting my eyes.
I could tell she was lying. She always looked uncomfortable when she started to bend the
truth.“Mother,
” I began,
at… jewelry. I’m busy.
”
“the driver can take you anywhere you want. I’m not going with you to look
“Damien,
” she huffed, getting agitated.
“You obviously know who the jewelry is for. You can’t
tell me you don’t plan to give your new girlfriend some kind of gift when she arrives…
”
“She’s not my girlfriend, Mother,
” I cut in.
don’t turn it into something else.
” I was curt.
“You know what this is. I informed you earlier, so
“But Damien, you can’t leave it at that,
” she continued.
“That’s exactly what I plan, Mom.
” My glass hit the table with a loud thud.
nothing less.
” I meant it.
“Nothing more,
“Damien…
” she pressed on, but I had had enough.
“Enough, Mother,
” I snapped.
Agreeing to breakfast with her had been a mistake I could see coming but couldn’t avoid.
“Master Blackwell,
” a servant interrupted our fragile peace again.
“What?” I snapped, anger boiling.
Could my day get any worse?
“Miss Crane is here to see you,
” he said, voice trembling.
“Let her in,
” I bellowed.
He almost ran. Good. I didn’t need anyone around me.
“Blackwell, I see you’re not on your best smile today,
” Vivienne said, pulling out a chair.
“Mrs. Blackwell,
” she nodded at my mother.
Vivienne Crane has been our family lawyer since my father founded the company.
She’s cheerful, with dark-brown skin—easy to mistake for an almond in bright sun. Slim,
she’s maintained a perfect figure over the years with dieting and intense workouts.
Vivienne is advanced in age but unmarried with two kids.
Her reason is unusual: she claims good men no longer exist, and those she met wanted her
to give up her career for family life.
Today she wore a dark blazer tailored to her, looking sophisticated without a word.
Her pants allowed her to cross her legs, revealing the back of expensive Louis-button heels
she probably bought in one of her expensive trips.“Damien,
” she snapped her fingers in front of my face, dragging me back from my thoughts.
“What?” I kept a straight face.
Although Vivienne is close to the family and has known me since childhood, we fall out on
bad days.
“I delivered the letter to her,
” Crane continued,
“but I still haven’t gotten a response.
”
“Follow up, then,
” I said, looking at her.
“My family doesn’t pay you for excuses. I need her
written consent to the agreement before the week runs out.
” I handed my briefcase to the
butler.
“We’ll see it through, Damien. I’m sure she’ll give a positive answer. She doesn’t have a
choice—she’s financially handicapped as we speak,
” Vivienne said.
“Even if she’s hesitating,
her father’s situation will push her. She loves him.
”
“She better,
” I said, leaving the table.
meeting.
”
“Feel free to join my mom for breakfast. I’m late for my
“Have a lovely day, rude asshole,
” she called after me.
I grinned slightly. Vivienne is one of the few who can tolerate my attitude without taking
offense, that’s why my mother keeps her close.
I believe.
“Should I turn on the AC, sir?” the driver asked shyly.
I nodded just enough for him to get the message.
I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. I let myself sink into thoughts of a stranger I was about to
welcome into my world.
An unsettling feeling rose inside me. This wouldn’t be just another fling.
I would be giving her the responsibility to mother my child—the heir to my empire.
- Writer
