The Idea

Stephen 

I had zoned out. There was no use listening to their constant ranting. I shouldn't have come back home. 

“Stephen, are you listening to me?" His aunt asked.

I looked at her and blinked. I had a long day already and I wasn't in the mood to speak to anyone. To make matters worse, I had to do almost everything by myself today because of my incompetent secretary. 

“I know you don't see anything important in what we're saying but it's a serious issue. You're not getting any older. Your dad already broke family rules just to make you CEO-"

“There you go again. What sacrifices did he make?" I looked at all of them “Dad?"

My aunt was the one that answered me. 

“It's a rule in our family. It's been used for generations. No one must take over the company without first getting married. It helps keep them responsible. Your father skipped that rule with you. He let you take over because he felt you were old and responsible enough. That's why you have to get married before other elders in the family remember that you're not married. It could cause a war." 

My dad remained silent in all this. There was little to nothing that he could say. He looked like he was lost in thought and I didn't even want to think about what was going through his mind. 

I could see the look on my father's face that there was nothing for him to say. The look said more than enough. 

“Okay" he sighed “What do you want from me?" 

“We want you to get married. That's what we want. Asides the fact that you've taken over the company, you're not getting any younger. You need to get married so you can have kids, Stevie." 

This wasn't going to be an easy conversation that would end in my favor. It had never ended in my favor. 

“Okay, you want me to get married, right? Fine, I would. Is that all? I have to go upstairs, I had a long day." 

“It's not over Stephen. There will be a dinner tomorrow night.. bring your wife or I will disown you in front of everyone." 

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. With the look on his face, I knew he wasn't joking. 

There was no use arguing. It would just prolong the conversation and I wanted to get out of here. 

Marriage. They talked about it like it was something so easy to accomplish. First of all, I had to find a woman that I would have to fall in love with. 

That in itself was something I had promised myself that I would never do. After what happened to me, there was no way that I would trust a woman enough to get married to her after what happened. 

I hated women. Each and every one of them. They were low class, gold diggers who were only interested in your money and looks. They had no heart and couldn't even value a true one when they saw it. 

As I thought back to the years past, my heart broke as I relieved myself walking into her room and seeing something that would shatter me for life. 

My best friend, under my girlfriend in a position I never imagined. I almost lost it after the incident. I fell into depression and I cut myself from everyone. 

There was no one I could trust. I couldn't date anyone after that, and wasn't ready to deal with that pain again. 

My dad knew of everything that happened, my entire family did because they wanted me to get married to Esther and when they didn't see her around anymore, they began to ask questions. 

I guess they've forgotten what happened and need me to move on. 

My door swung open with force and my cousin Blake walked in. I wasn't surprise he didn't knock, Blake was the only one who could enter my room without knocking and the only one in the house who didn't understand courtesy or the need for personal space. 

“What do you want?" I asked him, taking off my shirt. 

“No need to be hostile, man. I'm not the one forcing you to get married. But I feel for you, though." 

I sharply turned to him. 

“I really don't want to do this but I actually don't have a choice. I stand at risk of losing the company once the Elders find out that I'm not married and I'm already the CEO." 

I plopped down on the bed and Blake came to sit beside me. Why did I have to come back early today? I should have just stayed at the office a little longer until my aunt left. 

To make matters worse, the peace of the family rested on my shoulders and heaven knows I didn't want that much of a weight.

“I have an idea. It's crazy but it may be the only thing that will help."

I rolled my eyes at Blake. I appreciated the fact that he wanted to help but growing up, none of his ideas have ever turned out good. This one won't be any different. 

As if he could read my mind, he spoke up.

“ Listen, I know all my ideas don't work out but just hear me out. What I did to get my mum off my back was ask my best friend to pretend to be my girlfriend. I introduced her to my mum and that was it. 

My mum would never know that I have no interest in getting married. "

As he finished talking, my mouth hung open as I tried to process the words. Getting someone to pretend to be my girlfriend and then, my wife… 

But for the plan to work out, I was going to have to find someone who didn't care about me or my money. Someone who was reasonable enough to differentiate feelings from business. 

Most of the women I had come in contact with only wanted money or the fame behind being my girlfriend. Besides, I wasn't about to trust anyone with my heart, not after what had happened with Esther. 

“So, is it a good idea or not?" Blake pulled me out of my thoughts. 

“Oh, it's a perfect idea and I know the perfect lady for the job. "