The Billionaire's Torment

Father-in-law

Nora

I sat on the living room floor, my back against the couch, earphones in my ears, eyes closed. Majority of my peers listened to hip hop and reggae. l preferred soul music, it soothed my spirit.

Hands removed my earphones, a face appeared in my sight. “Come, let's go to my home office.”

Max helped me to my feet. I followed him into his office. My wondering eyes saw a family portrait on the wall, “ who are the others, l recognise Mrs Ratliff, Martha and you.”

Max came and stood behind me, his cologne swirled around me, “ the silver fox is my father, on the chairs are my grandfather and grandmother.”

“ Do you have to always look fierce? You are scowling in the photo.”

Max massaged my shoulders, when did he develop the need to touch me? But deep down l liked it, it was better than our usual cold treatment that we subjected our lives to.

I turned and peered at him, “ so, what is it?.”

Instead of answering he caressed my cheek, his eyes intent on my face. “ From now on keep a calender of your menstrual cycle. Dr Ralph has to have it so he will know when you are ovulating. I'm ready to have a child.”

I moved away from him, sat down and waited for him to do the same. I scowled at him. “Max, l'm a Dr, l know when l'm ovulating.”

“ Ok, when are you ovulating?.”

I sighed, exasperated. “ On Monday.” He grinned like a fool, “ get ready for the insemination then.”

My mind worked overtime. My school results just came in, l was not ready for a child yet. I tried to appease him. “ How about l work for six months, get the experience before l forget what l studied, then have a baby?.”

He shook his head, “ it won't work, have the baby first.”

I got to my feet, “ ok.”

I headed to the door. “ Mrs Ratliff, we talked about this, don't walk away from me, do you need to be punished like a baby to get it?.”

A hand encircled my waist. The other’s fingers pinched my n****e through my dress. My head lolled on his broad chest.

“ My grandparents want to meet you tomorrow. We have to be there by lunchtime. From there l'm taking you to The Falcon. My friends can't wait to meet you.”

My heart thumped in anxiety. I was uneasy around rich people except my friends at university. Some rich people found it hard to contain their disdain for the poor. “ Are your grandparents good people? Do they discriminate against the poor?.”

"Nonsense, my grandparents are the sweetest people on earth."

Max kissed my ear and let me go.

On Saturday we headed to Max’s grandparent’s. The sprawling mansion came into sight as the gate opened. The lush green lawns made me want to roll on them and loose my inhibitions. My anxiety reared its head.

The car stopped at the steps of a wide porch, three people watched us as we stepped out of the car. Max whispered into my ear, “ easy, l got you.”

He squeezed my hand. We ascended the steps and halted in front of an elderly couple. “ Grandpa, grandma my wife Nora Reidy Ratliff. Nora my grandparents Reuben and Susan Ratliff.”

Max's grandparents spread their arms, l got confused, who do l hug first? I eased into Susan’s arms, her husband came and stood behind me, patted my back and his booming voice reached my ears.“ Welcome home granddaughter, let's head in before the food congeal.”

"Wait granddad, l'm not done yet. Father, my wife Nora Ratliff. Nora, my father Pat Ratliff.”

I eased out of Susan's arms and my gaze fell on the black eyed man who made me feel like l was under a microscope.

So that is where these black eyes came from. Pat Ratliff nodded. His piercing dark eyes unsettled me. His still demeanour told me l was not welcome in his presence.

He looked down at me from his great height, “ whose child are you again?.”

Again? When did he ask me? I found the question insulting but for Max’s sake l swallowed my irritation.

"My mom's name is Venolia Reidy.”

His gaze never wavered, l began fidgeting, l wrung my hands.

“ And your father?.”

“ I don't have a father, l have never seen him in my life.”

Jesus! Such sensitive information in front of strangers. I felt he was going to find out anyway, l might as well tell him. There was a deafening silence.

“ I see.”

He intoned before turning on his heels and entered the house. Well, that was awkward.

Max whispered into my ear again, “ don't mind him, he is a grumpy old racoon.” I stifled my giggle with my hand.

The atmosphere at the table was lively and cordial, except for Pat Ratliff and his daughter, Martha Ratliff who kept their black eyes on me like l would steal a spoon.

Marylin was absent. Her absence upset me, where was she? I loved her because she liked me on sight. I was afraid to ask about her whereabouts.

Lunch over, we headed home. My nerves needed to settle before we hit the club, which was not my scene at all. Books and music were my thing, sometimes we are forced to do uncomfortable stuff because of the loved ones in our lives.

In this case my husband wanted to introduce me to his friends so l was obliged to go otherwise my ears would burn for weeks.

I took a nap, at eight o'clock we sped to the club. Max's friends welcomed me with open arms. I got to meet The Falcon’s famous owner Shadrack Rolan, his beautiful wife Penelope Mansfield Rolan, Robert Reece, another famous friend of Max, a badass farmer from Soulbare city. We had lots of fun, some drinking and dancing.

We arrived home at three o'clock in the morning, slightly tipsy. I bade Max goodnight or was it morning? Who cared.

I opened my bedroom room door, tried to closed it, a presence prevented it from closing, l looked over my shoulder. Max Ratliff came in my bedroom, closed the door, his dark eyes pinned me to the spot, he strode towards me, his eyes flashing.