Rachel sat beside Christopher after dinner, glancing over at Aurora's children playing nearby. "Diana and Charles remind me of you and Aurora," she said, hoping to strike a chord of nostalgia and connection.
Christopher sighed, clearly irritated by the comparison. "That was years ago, Mami. We're all adults now. Aurora is married with her own life and kids."
Undeterred, Rachel pressed on, determined to break through his walls. "But what about you? What about your life, Christopher?"
Christopher looked away, his discomfort evident. "Can we please end this conversation?" he requested, his voice tinged with frustration.
Rachel wasn't going to let it go that easily. She wanted to understand her son, to bridge the gap that had grown between them. "I just want you to be happy," she said softly, her voice filled with genuine concern.
Silence fell between them as they both sat there, lost in thought. Rachel's heart ached as she watched her son struggle with his emotions, knowing that he carried a burden she couldn't fully comprehend.
"You can talk to me, you know," she said gently, reaching out to touch his hand. "I'm here for you, Christopher."
Christopher remained silent, his gaze fixed on a distant point. He wanted to open up, to share his innermost thoughts and fears with his mother, but the weight of his own reservations held him back. The wounds of the past ran deep, and he wasn't sure if he could let her in.
Meanwhile, in his father's study, Christopher felt a familiar sense of trepidation as he entered. He knew that when his father called for him in this manner, it was never a pleasant encounter. As he settled into the chair opposite his father, the atmosphere grew tense.
"What happened between Gonzales Enterprise and Alpha Technology?" his father asked in a stern voice, his eyes piercing into Christopher's.
Christopher replied confidently, "It's just a breach of contract on their part. I'll have it handled. My legal team is already working on it. Alpha Tech will be pleading soon enough."
But just as he thought the conversation would end on that note, his father surprised him with an unexpected question. "How long will it take you to get a wife for yourself?"
The mention of marriage sent a wave of discomfort through Christopher. "Father, please. I do not intend to marry," he responded firmly, hoping to put an end to the topic.
His father's anger flared. "Christopher!" The shout reverberated in the room, causing Christopher to flinch. It had been more than 10 years since he had seen his father lose his composure like this.
"You have until the end of the month to present a suitable candidate," his father declared firmly, his voice carrying a tone of authority. "Have I made myself clear?"
Christopher took a deep breath, attempting to compose himself. "I'll try my best," he muttered, hoping his father wouldn't push it further.
"Trying your best is not good enough. You need to present me with a suitable candidate by the end of this month," his father asserted before storming out of the room, leaving Christopher with a profound sense of despair.
As the weight of his father's expectations settled upon him, Christopher felt trapped and overwhelmed. The pressure to conform, to meet the societal expectations of marriage and succession, suffocated him. He knew that finding a wife within such a short timeframe would only lead to a loveless and hollow union.
In that moment, Christopher's heart yearned for freedom and understanding. He longed for a life where he could pursue his own passions and find happiness on his own terms. But breaking free from the expectations