Graham has almost given up on his plan of delaying his marriage and also on finding somebody to love.
There's no way he can find someone he likes before the deadline established by his father. On top of that, he won't get enough money to pay his debts any time soon and, honestly, he can't picture a life without all his luxurious belongings.
Would it really be too bad if he continues living his father's life for another year?
The only thing that really bothers him is having to drag someone else into this nonsense. If it depended on him, the answer would be easy. However, he has to take in consideration everything about the woman he'll decide to marry in the future.
While pacing in his quiet office, Larson tries to remember some details of the women he's dated in the past weeks.
He didn't really like Sarah Swanson at all. Her urge to always interrupt silence made him feel very uncomfortable to the point that he prefered drowning his consciousness with alcohol.
The brown-eyed man shakes his head, deciding to skip the rest of that night.
Rhea was also a talkative person. However, he enjoyed listening to her numerous journeys a little more. The only downside would be that she could feel as caged as him if they ever get married. She would want to continue traveling, while Graham doesn't have much interest in that.
The next one would be Mindy Vera. Unfortunately, the thing he remembers the most about that date is how excited he was to meet Aiden later.
Graham shakes his head one more time, still walking circles inside his spacious office in an attempt to keep his mind clear.
He feels disappointed for a moment. He learnt throughout his entire life to focus on the most beneficial thing for him and his family. It is a disgrace that his thoughts keep bouncing back to someone who would bring the exact opposite.
If the situation continues, he'll have to give up on his friendship too. Larson can't live with a burden that's constantly threatening him to lose everything he has worked for.
But, why does he feel so miserable with the idea of pushing Aiden away forever?
The businessman stops in his tracks and massages his temple as his eyes look up at the city through the window just meters away from him. He has to focus once again.
Elyse Walker.
A very pretty, young woman who seems to be more comprehensive than all the other ones. Instead of talking continuously about her experiences, she mainly listened to him and paid attention to what he had to say.
Graham thinks she'd be perfect for this because Elyse didn't seem like the kind of person who is easily driven by her emotions. Her background is also in her favor. Among the rest of the women in the list, Walker's family is the one who could bring more benefits to Larson Enterprises. Thus, it's useless to even try finding a better wife.
While remembering the date, he realizes that he promised to arrange their next date at Indigo. Since it would look like he's chosen her future wife, there shouldn't be a problem with them going to that restaurant.
Actually, it seems like there's only one real problem. And it's funny that no matter what trail of thought he chooses to follow, every single one goes back to Aiden
The brown-haired man takes his phone from his desk, immediately opening the conversation he's refused to continue after whatever the hell happened during the weekend.
Aiden sent him a text to check up on him two days ago. Graham had decided to forget about him completely. Even though he's now convinced that it's impossible, he knows that no love is forever, and that his feelings for him will disappear eventually.
"Ms. Jordan!" The businessman calls, loud enough for his secretary to hear from outside the office.
The woman is quick to get up from her desk and open the door slowly to meet with Graham.
"What can I do for you Mr. Larson?" She asks calmly without letting go of the doorknob.
Aleena Jordan has worked for the company for years. She was Salvatore's trustworthy assistant before, which explains why she is the only employee in the building who knows that Graham has been involved in blind dates to save the family business. In fact, she's the one who gathered all the information for the list, and the one who's been organizing every single one of his dates.
"Cancel all my dates", he instructs firmly, his eyes still looking outside the window.
Understanding that this must remain private, he walks inside the room and closes the door behind her back.
"Excuse me, sir. Your father's instructions were clear. I can't cancel your future dates unless…"
"You didn't let me finish", he interrupts her annoyingly, hating how everyone is loyal to his father even when his actions aren't the right ones. "Cancel all my dates, and book a dinner at Indigo with Elyse Walker, my future wife."
Instead of feeling surprised after hearing that statement, Aleena is evidently happy. Finally the son will be redeemed by his father.
"I have to tell your parents right away!"
"No!" Graham orders while looking over his shoulder. "I'll tell him after my next date with Elyse. After all, she hasn't said yes."
"Oh, I see. In that case I can check out some rings and you can choose one to give her when you propose."
Graham looks at his feet, knowing that this is just one of the multiple things he will have to endure until the wedding happens.
"Just don't say a word to anyone, please."
Aleena nods in agreement.
"Don't worry, sir. You can trust me", she reassures, already planning to betray that trust by organizing a very indiscreet dinner for the couple. "I'll make a reservation for next Thursday, is that ok?"
"I'm ok with any day that Ms. Walker chooses."
"Alright. Anything else?"
"No, that's all for now. Thank you."
With that, Ms. Jordan leaves the room excitedly, deciding to make their next date a night they'll never forget.
Graham lets out a heavy sigh before walking towards his desk to save all his belongings in his briefcase. Now it's the first time he's wished he had done his jobs less efficiently. Mainly because working on something keeps his mind calm and quiet. If he had been busier today, he probably wouldn't have ended up thinking about a possible wedding yet.
He believes that going home is the best option, since there's nothing else to do in his office anymore.
Thus, he turns off his computer and makes his way to the parking lot that is several floors below his office.
The traffic doesn't bother him this time because he has nowhere to go and no pending tasks. He has actually finished the work he was supposed to do tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.
For now, all he can do is relax and let the consequences of his decisions unfold.
While proposing during a second date is rushed, he is aware that all the women he has dated knew why Graham Larson was suddenly interested in knowing them. He even thought that some of them would try to take advantage of him because of the power and money he has. Sadly, none of them seem to be interested in the business of their parents. It's evident to him that all they want is a handsome, rich husband; even when that's not entirely true.
"What a waste of time", he mutters to himself, pondering once again his options and concluding that he made the right choice for his family, and for him.
His whole world would fall apart if he disobeyed his father. And he would have faced the same future if he had confessed his feelings for Aiden because he's extremely sure that Aiden doesn't have the same interest in him.
The rumor about Graham's true sexuality shouldn't be spread unless it's for a worthy reason.
After a long ride home, Graham is finally in his bedroom hearing the news while getting undressed to sleep comfortably.
The cold sheets of his bed welcome his warm body as he adjusts the pillow below his head.
Just when he was starting to doze off, his phone rings with the notification of a new message. Graham frowns but takes the device from his bedside table thinking that one of his employees texted him with something urgent.
He can't think of anyone else who would send him a message this late at night until he accidentally opens the chat.
"I understand that you don't want to talk to me anymore. I just wanted to apologize if I ever made you feel bad or uncomfortable. I never meant to hurt or offend you."
The brown-eyed man closes his eyes after reading Aiden's words. He hates that Millers is blaming himself for his attitude but knows it's better off this way.
They'll both have to make their separate lives now because Graham can't live with a friend he secretly loves. Not when that friend's name seems to be tattooed in his mind.