ENRIQUE
I looked up in surprise as Mother dumped a tablet on the sofa in front of me. The fury on her face prompted me to look down at the screen. I saw that it was one of those popular blogs she loved to read. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. What had they said this time? I peered down at the headline: World Class Businessman Enrique Monteiro, Gay?
I cocked an eyebrow. Gay? Seriously? That was a new one. I wondered when the media would finally stop trying to poke their noses in my damn business. It wasn't like I was the only billionaire CEO that never pranced around with a female on his arm. But oh how they loved to place all their attention on me. I shut my eyes tightly. If I could have everyone responsible for this arrested, I would. But I was helpless, it was the internet after all.
I looked up at Mother who was still glaring at me intently. "It is just another rumor, Mom. You know how these things—"
"No, Enrique! Not this time!"
I stared at her in astonishment.
"How long? For how long have I begged you to find a suitable young lady and settle down?"
I rubbed my forehead, beginning to feel irritated. "We have discussed this time and time again, Mother. I have no interest in getting married right now."
She shot me a glare so sharp it would have sliced anyone into two clean halves if she had her way. "So all these rumors are okay by you then?" She asked. "You are okay with these people making such absurd assumptions about your love life, and now your sexuality? You would allow shame to befall your family?"
"Mother!"
"No, Enrique! That's exactly what you are doing, bringing shame upon us. How old are you now? And you haven't even given me a grandchild..." Her voice began to break. "Is it when I am dead that you would finally do it?"
My heart clenched. I hated it when she started to use this against me. It wasn't the first time we were having this conversation. And like always it was triggering for me.
Fed up, I stood up, grabbing my phone from the sofa and made to leave.
"How dare you walk out on your mother?" I heard a voice thunder. I turned to face my father who had just walked in.
My jaw clenching, I stopped in my tracks.
"Your mother is right, Enrique. You are old enough to have a bride by now. Unless of course, the rumors are true this time..." He raised his brows giving me a knowing look. I heard Mother let out a small gasp.
Realising what he meant, my cheeks flamed. "Of course not!" I defended. "I am definitely not gay."
"You don't sound like you're sure, Enrique," Father said, watching me carefully, while Mom looked like her world was about to come to an end.
"I'm not!"
"Then what's the issue?" Father fired back. "Your mother and I just want you to settle down with a nice young lady, and hopefully see our grandkids before we die. Is that too much to ask?"
I raked my fingers through my hair. They didn't get it. I wasn't ready for that kind of commitment. And I don't think I'll ever be. Forcing it on me only increased my aversion for it.
The silence in the air was thick as I let myself brood over the whole thing. Frankly, I was tired of having the same conversations over and over again. Lately Mother had become even more persistent than before. And it was worse now she managed to win Father over to her side.
Clearly, Mother mistook my silence for acceptance because she quickly stood to her feet, walking over to touch my shoulder gently. "Everything will be okay, baby," She cooed, rubbing my shoulders.
When I didn't say a word, she continued. "I know that maybe Rebecca wasn't your type. But there's this really sweet girl that—"
I forcefully swung her hand away.
"Stop it! I am not interested in meeting any one right now! Every time you force those girls on me and it's so fucking tiring! I am tired of having this conversation. I'm sorry but I'm not ready for marriage right now. And trying to force me into it won't change anything!"
Ignoring the shock on both their faces, I stormed out of the room, clenching my phone in my hand. I was completely fed up.
"The gates!" I yelled to the servant in charge of the gates, getting into my car as he scrambled over to carry out my command. When the gates were fully open, I drove away at breakneck speed, not sure exactly where I was going. I needed a fucking break.
As I drove, I toyed with the idea of moving into my penthouse, away from home for a while. I was supposed to be there but Mother had pleaded with me not to as she wanted me close to her. Now was the perfect time to move there. But deep down I knew it would break her.
She and Father had longed to have more children after me, but try as they would, they had been unsuccessful. After unending trips to different hospitals they had finally discovered that Mother had a condition that prevented her from having more children. Which explained why she was so close to me. Sometimes I found it unfair that I had to make sacrifices to please them. I had my life too. But I knew that leaving would affect her so much.
Why couldn't they just let me be? Renewed anger surging through me, I sped up dangerously, my mind running a mile per minute. I needed to occupy myself. I needed something to take my mind off all of this bullshit.
Something clicking in my memory, I turned the car around and proceeded to my favorite bar.