You want to take your what?" I leaped out of my chair, hoping my ears were playing a trick on me. The booze was clearing from my eyes. My head was ringing loudly.
" You heard me, Vincenzo. I'll take my life since you've refused to give me an heir."
My grandmother Sarah repeated slowly allowing it to sink into my head.
" That's ridiculous, grandma. I have told you that I would get married at the right time." I muttered
" That was what you said two years ago." She retorted.
" I am nearing my grave everyday, don't you want me to see my grandchildren?" She asked with her voice cracking.
" You are just sixty years old, you are not going anywhere just yet." I replied, rolling my eyes at her theatrics.
" Oh, but no one knows when death could come knocking." She said, and I shook my head.
" Grandmere, I have told you that I would give you a child soon." I tried to pacify her.
" I am just 24 for goodness sake." Heaven knows I hated this line of. conversation
" At this age I was done bearing children." She retorted. There we go again.
This story was played in my head like a broken record. She gave birth to my father early, and was done with childbearing at 26 years.
" You cannot compare those times to now."
" What changed? That a marriage still occurs between two people? Or that Love is a very important factor in marriage?"
" See, don't you want to be like Alfred?" She asked.
" I'm not cut out for love, marriage, and the likes." I explained, desperate to make her see things from my own perspective.
Love required hard work, and I did a lot of that at the office. I need nothing to compound my work.
I've never felt an emotional connection with anyone except....
" That's what my friend's grandson always said, till he got married to the love of his life. I assure you that when you meet the one, you'll eat these words." She promised.
They were both in the business of hounding their grandsons to get married. They had even tried to set him up with different dates till he finally agreed to settle down.
I hope this is not a bid to even whatever score in their friendship. Because I assure you mama, you've set out to fail.
"Grandmere, maybe we can extend the time for the baby. It's a bit rushed....." I tried to buy more time.
" You must think I'm joking."
"Give me a heir or I take my life. Mind you, my lawyer is aware of this." She warned.
" Grandmere, what do you want?" I asked. This woman was out for my blood.
Now I see why Alfred succumbed to their pressure. Anything to keep her off my back.I need no blood of an old woman on my hands.
The wicked gleam in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by me, but I ignored it.
" What I've been saying for years, my boy.Find a wife and give me a heir."
She said, she was a traditional woman.
Things are different now, granny." Let's take one step at a time, grandmere. You've always wanted a heir, and you'll get one." I agreed begrudgingly. She wasn't going to switch things up. We are sticking to the course. A heir she wanted, and she'll get.
" But...."
" No, no, it's either that or nothing." I warned sternly.
" You know what? Since you're the one in desperate need of a heir, you'll do the choosing." I said. I smiled inwardly.
She was very picky, it would be hard to come by a girl that is fit to bear her grandchild. I pity whoever she chooses, for she would be frustrated.
" Is that all?" She asked excitedly. Maybe this was a bad idea. I thought saddling her with the responsibility will tire her, but it seems it made her more energized.
" Yeah." I replied.
" We have a deal." She stretched her hand. Wow this is more serious than I thought.
" Great." I clasped my hand in hers.
She whistled happily on her way out of my study.
Well, let's see how this pans out. I was ready for any challenge that came my way.
My grandmother was just being dramatic about this issue.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hi, Winston speaking."
" Baby, you left me last night." A screechy voice said. Irritating my eardrums.
It must be one of those girls from the club.
" This is a wrong number." I said, and hung up.
" Winston." I spoke into the receiver.
" Good morning sir, you have a meeting with Remco investors slated for 12pm today sir, at Blue Square." Gerald, my Personal Assistant informed me.
" And you're just telling me now? This is almost 11:45am." I thundered. I was still in the pyjamas, I changed into when I returned from the ball last night.
" I'm sorry, sir. Your mobile was not going through." He stuttered.
" You could have called my home phone."
" I did sir." He defended. "I am sorry." He added.
"If I lose this deal, Gerald. You're fired." I threatened.
When I got into my room, I saw many missed calls from Gerald. He was telling the truth.
I took a very quick shower, and got Gerald on the phone again.
" Brief me about the investors."
" Remco is a multimillionaire oil magnate. They've been operating for thirty years in Russia. However, they want to expand to the United States.They need us to brand them to become one of the most talked about in the United States."
" So where are the drafts of my notes?" I requested.
" I'm sorry, I'm not with them now." He said and I cussed.
" I hope you're on your way to meet me there?"
" I am actually there right now sir." He replied.
" Good."
I hung up, as I signaled the drive to take another route.
" Thanks for coming gentlemen." I muttered.
" It's my pleasure to meet you." A man spoke and his companion smiled, as they stretched forth their hands for a handshake.