Mr Harrison cleared his throat loudly as a form of an intro before he proceeded to speak.
"I want you to get married, son. I want you to begin your own family. It might be a little too late to ask for a grandchild but I'd like to see you get married at least before I die," his father deadpanned. At first there was no reaction from the stone cold man whose face remained expressionless and composed. But shortly, his father heard a snicker which sounded more like a scoff that erupted from his throat.
"Do you think you're in a position to make jokes right now?" Nate asked incredulously as he gazed at his father who didn't even remotely look like he was kidding.
Of course he was serious.
"In what tarnation do you think I'm interested in something as lame and ridiculous as marriage?" Nate threw a glance towards Gil, who seemed to be a little baffled by his father's sudden request, as well.
But he met Nate's gaze and tore a small chuckle as he said,
"Come on, man. That doesn't sound like such a bad idea, you know." Gil trailed off as he felt Nate's gaze dissecting him into many pieces.
Not minding what he was used to he continued.
"I mean, even if it is. Can't you do your old man one last favor before he… you know, bite the dust?" Gil threw Nate's dad a cautious look as he tries to euphemise his words.
Mr Harrison drew in a deep breath as he focused back on his son. This was going to be tough but he was more than willing to push.
Nate had been with a lot of women…well, it always has been a repeated circle of those women breaking down in tears as he rips their heart out. It had always ended like that and he had a very demeaning concept and perception about marriage.
Marriage was a lame and weak attempt and he wasn't going to indulge in such devotion, where his life would be centered around a woman, showering her with affection and tending to her needs and feelings. Emotional availability was one quality he solely lacks…it is quite lousy for him. And he had never really cared deeply about any woman in his twenty eight years of his existence.
"Marriage is a sham," he'd say.
This made Audrey all the more worried about his son. Would his son really end up alone? Was there no hope for him and what about his name? Nate was his first son and he loved him dearly.
He wasn't going to let him lead this life.
"Listen to this, son. I don't care how you feel about marriage. I know you don't have a woman in your life right now since apparently, you've broken a lot of hearts, more than I can count…which is really terrible, by the way. I don't want you to keep living like that. It's unhealthy," his father's croaked voice uttered.
"What is this? Are you giving me lecture on your deathbed?" Nate grumbled.
"That's harsh, man," Gil instantly cut in with a wince as he snapped him a cautioning eye which Nate obviously didn't care about.
"You can call it whatever you want, punk ass, but hey. There's this close friend of mine I used to partner with back then. We go way back, I used to know him even before I became this famous and wealthy. Things went south for him and he suddenly dissapeared and we lost touch and our paths have never crossed ever since then. But I know his family. He has such a sweet girl as a daughter," Audrey took a pause while observing Nate as he remained silent and calm while listening to him intently.
He knew his son was smart enough to deduce what he was driving at. So he maintained a brief silence as he waited for a sign of protest from him or to hear one of his sarcastic remark, but it never came. So he went on.
"She's beautiful, smart and lucrative like her father. I found out that she runs a small business of her own, isn't that nice? You both would make a great couple," his father's eyes squint as his voice sounded elated and hopeful.
Now, Audrey was worried about his prolonged silence. He wondered what was going on in that mind of his.
He cleared his throat further.
"It's not up for a debate son, I…"
"Alright," Nate cut in softly, causing even Gil to crane his neck dramatically as his gaze fell on him in disbelief.
"What?" His father needed to be sure he was not hearing things.
"I will do your bidding, Dad," his father was suddenly scared.
"Uh–son, it's not just about doing my bidding. I'm not forcing you to marry her to make her miserable like the other girls. I need to be assured that you'll be decent enough for her because she's special. I know you don't regard marriage as anything but I'm really really hoping you'll make this work for my sake…and yours," he stated with hope and redemption flickering in his blue eyes. He watched as his son's cold features broke into an unfathomable smirk. It looked like trouble.
"Is that all? As long as I wouldn't have to contend your will with anyone. I'm good," Nate accepted and then he inched closer placing his arm on his father's shoulder where he exerted a little painless grip. Like he was willing to support his father with whatever he wanted, right now.
"I have a board meeting to conduct now, Dad. I'll catch up with you later," he announced as he began to make receding steps with Gil tailing behind him.
*********
After two more splash of cold water on her face, Sophie heaved a deep breath as she pulled the face towel to wipe her wet face.
Her eyes raised to look at her reflection.
She had ruined her light make up with the water but she didn't mind. She still wasn't looking bad.
Her short white gown which had pearls embedded in it glistened through the mirror.
"You've got this. You can do this," she chanted as she pulled up her signature smile.
The door to the bathroom creaked open.
"Oh, believe me you've got to got this, honey pie. Because there's a whole bunch of people waiting out there for you and I'm wiped out," the male who just walked in unannounced bantered between pants. He wore a blond wig and he had a tired make up decorated on his face.