The Dying Soul

Chap 2 - My Struggles

EKON POV

            It wasn’t long after my dad hang up that I was seating on my chair staring into the void. I was preparing myself to face my mother. I already know what she is expecting of me but, it is just impossible for me to just settle down with someone. I have gone through enough to know that I wasn’t fated for love, marriage and family. I was more number or statistic oriented.

            I need to see proof of confirmation. I can’t just jump into a relationship upon my mother wishes for me. I have never been able to see myself in the shoes of a family man. A domestic animal to be precise. I like where I stand. Exclusive and untouchable.

            I was pulled out of my self-induced monologue when I hear a loud commotion outside my office. Indication number one, the arrival of Mrs. Keats better known as Mrs Emma Lovina Keats, my mother.

            “Ma’am, please let me inform Mr. Keats on your arrival.” I hear my secretary Liya talking to whom I assume is none other than my mother. 

            My door swings open as she continues her way into my office with Liya on her tail, “I am his mother. He doesn’t need to be inform of my visit.” I looked at my mother expressionless whereas she had a million of emotions running through her face and frustration is one of it, the exact reason I stay away from any romantic relationship. DRAMA. Woman and drama go hand in hand. 

            “Sir...” Liya looks at me apologetically. I nod to her curtly as I stand up and make my way to my mother “It’s ok Liya, I will take it from her. I have a meeting in 15 minutes. Just buzz me a reminder just before it starts.” I told her with a subtle raise of an eyebrow. Understanding my hidden message to her she nods with a confident “sure sir” without giving away our unspoken agreement on my hoax meeting to get rid of my mother. “Sir this came for you just a few minutes ago” Liya says handing me a book I have been waiting for. Receiving it as I nod at her while placing it on my table.

            I turn to my mother, who is already comfortable with her position on the couch looking at me. “Mother” I greet with a slight tilt of my head. That was her cue to start rambling on and on about my life, commitment, job, friends and her favourite topic ‘Rebecca’. I mindlessly kept checking the time as she kept talking. After a long one-way conversation from my mother, she gets fed up and settles to summarize her visit. 

            “Ekon, your friends have settled down. I don’t comprehend your reason for not getting married. It is not like you need to find for someone. You are already seeing Rebecca. She is a very beautiful and sweet young lady. She understands you well and she is of the same status as our family. So, I don’t understand why you can’t tie the knot with her and give me grandchildren?” she says.

            “Mother, Bec is only a friend and that’s is what she will ever be. You know I don’t have an interest in settling down. So, I suggest you leave this matter as it is. I can’t take another one of these pointless topics with you again. I have an empire to handle and I’m glad to do it with pride. I have no intention of being a ragged doll in the hands of a mere woman. I don’t want to be a putty in the daily games of husband and wife” I say with finality. 

            At the 14th minute of my mother’s visit, Liya calls me through the intercom and I intentionally answer it on the loudspeaker. “Yes?” I answer sternly. 

            “Sir, we are ready for you. The meeting is about to start.” Liya says. Thank you Liya. I inwardly smile as I see my mother start picking up her things getting ready to leave. “I’ll be there in a minute and call the driver for my mother” I responded to her. She replied with a crisp yes and hangs up. 

            “Well that is my cue to leave but this conversation is far from over” she says. It is over to me. She straightens my tie and dust my shoulders before making her way to the door throwing her last sentence over her shoulder “you are not getting any younger. Your 29. I think you should give Rebecca a ring soon.” And she is out the door. 

            I let out a breath of relief and plummet into my chair, running my hand through my hair, I look at the book that has just arrived earlier. ‘Surviving One More Day’ by Luna Reece. A new age author that has created a niche for herself. I have read 2 of her other books and she seems to have a fresh perspective and a positive motivation in life. I pick up the book and turn my chair to face the glass wall while studying the cover of the book in hand. 

            I leaned back and look out my glass wall. ‘I need to get away’ was the first thought in my mind. I dropped a message to both of my best friends, Owen Smith Mclean my companies’ Finance advisor and Micheal Jonah Clive, a proud club owner to meet me at Xtacy Club. A club owned by Micheal. Getting a positive reply, I grabbed my jacket throwing it over my shoulder and make my way out of my office. 

            I give a curt nod when I crossed Liya at her desk. Understanding my appreciative acknowledgement, she smiles with a small nod in return. I make way to my car, drop the book on the seat beside me and drive away into the evening hours.

Time to wind down

            I parked my car and make my way to the entrance of the club where a long line awaits their turn to enter. Ignoring the number of woman and girls flirting and calling for my attention, I make my way into the club and up to the loft where the VIP lounge private booth is situated. I order my drink and now it is just a wait game while I look over the crowd down below dancing. I gulped down my drink the moment it arrives. Well my solution for today is drinking away my struggles tonight.