Chapter 14
Aidan''s POV
I walk up to my father''s study upstairs after leaving my mother''s room. When I get to the door, I hear
I knock on the door softly, pushing away the thoughts of the topic of marriage my mother had imnted
in my head.
I hear a loud e in", before pushing the door open to enter. Father is sitting on hisrge mahogany
desk filled with books and files and another man is sitting opposite him. They were talking andughing
before my knock interrupted them.
"Son", father beams and stands up to meet me. The man turns around in his chair to catch a glimpse of
me. Father gets to my side and pats my shoulder in a friendly manner.
I seethe and grit my teeth, stopping myself from punching him. His touch irritates me. I hate the fact
that we look alike because I feel everyone will think we are the same. I am the younger version of my
father, but I am more sympathetic than he is.
"You must be Aidan", the man moves to me, stretching his hand for a handshake. I watch his face and
find him familiar but I can''t ce where I know him from.
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Mother said he is father''s friend, I guess that is why I find him familiar, I say inwardly as I take hisrge
hand. After shaking his hand, he walks back to his seat.
"Sit", father guides me to the seat next to the man. Iply obediently because of the presence of the
man and because of the reason for my visit.
I am beginning to think this man is part of our n because my father isn''t asking him to excuse us, so
we can talk privately about his so-called ns to make me get the award.
"Meet Julian, Tessa''s father", father introduces him to me. Reality dawns on me, Tessa takes her eyes
from her father.
The man smiles while I nod.
"This is Aidan Alvarez, my son", my father is back in his seat and he points at me while talking to
Julian.
"We were just talking about you and the marriage with his daughter, Tessa",
Father informs me.
"Marriage?" I question them in confusion.
What the hell is wrong with father? I already told him I can''t marry Tessa.
Is this why this man is here?
"Yes, marriage." He replies firmly.
"I told you already that I am not interested in any marriage, didn''t I?" I can no longer show the good
side of me in the presence of Julian. Father is always doing things to upset me.
He looks at his friend whose smile has vanished before ring at me.
"We are here for business, aren''t we?" I question impatiently. I want to know what the n is so I can
get the hell out of this house.
"This is the business", he say back in reply.
"How?" I ask, with open arms.
"I saw you with Tessa two days ago in your office, didn''t I?"
I am fuming in anger. He wants me to dere that Tessa and I have a thing.
"Yes, you did but....."
"What then is the problem? I caught you two kissing and she even called you her love in my presence
before leaving", he remarks.
He is making it look like I didn''t exin things to him before now. He is making it look like he is just
getting to know that I don''t like her.
"Tessa and I aren''t in a rtionship", I announce, not willing to let father make me fall into his trap once
more.
"That is in opposition to what my daughter told me", Julianments, making me shift my gaze from
father to him.
"What did she tell you?" I throw him a cold re.
"She said you are her boyfriend", he answers, with a cold expression.
"No, we aren''t", I stand up abruptly. "I can''t marry your daughter", I finalize and walk out.
Before I can get to thest staircase, father catches up with me. He blocks my way.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Don''t be stupid!" He yells at me.
"I am not stupid", I retort back at him.
"Really?" He folds his arm. "Do you even know why I am doing this?"
"What else will it be other than one of your selfish desires to gain something profitable from this", I
voice out my thought.
"One more word from you and I will......", his fist is already in the air.
"You will do what, father?" I cut him short. "Beat me up as you did years ago which resulted in......"
"Shut up!" He shouts. His eyes are zing red in anger and we are watching each other, in anger and
hatred for each other. I don''t know if he hates me the way I do but I know my hatred for him is beyond
measure.
"This is...", he points to the door, still shouting and breathing heavily. "the n I told you about."
"Getting married to his daughter will help yourpany. Just the idea of bing his daughter''s
husband will help you get the award. Damien''s father''s Influence is nothingpared to his. You need
him and you need Tessa."
I get his point now and the reason why he said this is business-based.
"You deserve this award, Aidan, not that foolish boy", his voice is low now.
I am wondering why he still cares about me and thepany when all he has ever shown me and my
mother is hatred.
Father taught me what it means to despise someone.
"These people have the right influences to make things work in their way. We can only get what we
want with his help. Tessa is a good girl."
"I don''t like Tessa," I confess strongly.
"You will learn to like her", he opposes me.
"Just like how you like your wife?" I smirk and fold my arms. Father used to love mother and that love
turned into something unspeakable.
His anger is back as he scowls at me. "Will you listen to me?!"
"No, I won''t. My decision still stands. It''s either you look for another n or you let me do things my
way." I dere with confidence. I really have no idea what to do to win Damien but I feel losing is better
than letting father use me.
"Really?"
"Really, if you will excuse me", I walk past him, bumping my shoulder with his because of how tiny the
staircase passage is and how he is standing in my way.
"Do you know what you are doing?" He shouts at me.
"Yes, father, I do. I can''t marry Tessa", I say to his hearing once again, still walking towards the exit.
"She is a slut."