CHAPTER TEN

WRITER'S POV

The Smiths' family home, to the workers and maids, is regarded as a place of intense drama, especially during family dinners and/or parties. The drama was even more chaotic due to the pending marriage issues that have still not been decided on. Although Damien had his own luxurious apartment, still in Manhattan, he spent most of his time in his parent's home, more so as he got some sexual rumors going on about him. He wasn't back from work and the maids were serving Me and Mrs Smith as they had their dinner.

"What if he doesn't accept to marry her?" Mrs Smith broke the silence, staring right at her husband for answers as she gestured to the maid to stop adding to her salad plate.

"He will, don't worry about it." Mr Smith responded with a half smile, immediately burying the spoon in his mouth as he chewed, rather noisily.

"And what makes you so sure?" She wasn't ready to back out as she knew her son too well and how stubborn he could be. She had already found herself getting excited over the probable news of a daughter in law, and possibly grandchildren. As much as she didn't want her happiness to be short lived, she also loved her son too much to want to cause him pain and discomfort; one of the reasons he was able to get away with absolutely anything, no matter how grave it was.

"Because Damien is a younger version of myself, and I know for a fact that I would not turn down the proposal and risk getting myself into financial ruin." A sort of evil smirk crept up his (Mr Smith's) face as he took a long sip from his juice. He glanced over at his wife who still held that worriedly concerned look, and although he continued smiling reassuringly at her, she felt things were bound to not go as planned.

"If I were in his shoes, I know for a fact that I was going to see everything as nothing more than just a business plan with a juicy reward at the end. All I'd end up doing is holding out in the marriage up until I get my own father to sign and seal the transfer of power at least."

He explained with a satisfied grin, pleased with himself for having got everything figured out and proving he was not going to be caught off guard by Damien's cleverness.

"And what if he takes a step ahead of us and plans with her to just stay married for the period the transfer is issued?" His wife asked, no longer interested in the hot deliciously smelling meal in front of her.

"That's why I took two steps ahead and changed the terms of the agreement."

His grin was growing wider by the second; he seemed to be enjoying it too much that it felt annoying to watch. All she wanted from her husband was a straight, well defined and detailed response but instead he chooses to break everything he has to say into bits and pieces.

"To what?" She impatiently asked.

"Something he can't outsmart us with nor can we lose from." He muttered to himself but loud enough for even the maids to hear.

As though summoned, Damien walks in quietly into the house and upon seeing his parents, tried sneaking his way to his room, not willing to have the only conversation they now seem to have with him.

"Have you finally decided on what to do?" Mr smith asked, loud and audible enough for his hearing but at the same time, not sparing him a glance as he continued enjoying his delicious dinner.

"As much as I have no intention of getting married, I have decided to make a wise financial decision." Damien said after a long sigh, probably unsure whether or not it is truly a wise decision to succumb to their wishes.

"Which is?"

He asked, although he already knew what Damien wanted to say but he wanted to be sure it came directly from his lips.

"I'll marry Sophia as you both wish but be rest assured I do not owe her my love, affection and loyalty." This, he (Damien) said while staring right at his mother as he knew this would be the part she might decide to contradict.

Just as he (Damien) had expected, "For the period of the contract, you actually do owe her these and more. Everything a husband is expected and required to do, you are obligated to do that." his mother chipped in, staring at both father and son who still hadn't looked at each other since their mini conversation started.

Damien remained quiet for what felt like a minute, as though considering and weighing his options carefully before finally saying, "Okay then, it's also fine."

"And upon the birth of your child, you will officially become the new chairman of all of the Smith's companies, directing and managing each and every one of them as I step into the shadows and enjoy my old age." Damien's father said, all in one breatg, as though scared he might overlook certain things if he hesitated.

"You've got to be kidding me right?" Damien gave an awkward chuckle, hoping he had nisheard the entire statement he (his father) made, "Did I just hear child?"

"Yes, you heard it loud and very clear too."

"And what makes you think I'm ready to father a child?" His giggles were growing louder, though it was very obvious how unreal they were, "Do you think I'm ready for a child?"

"We are ready to be grandparents and babysit the legitimate grandchildren till whenever."

Mrs Smith said softly, hoping her soft voice would calm the unspoken tension between both men.

"This is so freaking hilarious. Mum!?"

He half yelled, looking towards his mother for help.

"Your mum is not going to save you from this, so you can give up on that dream."

"If that's the case, forget about everything then. I'm no longer interested."

Damien said sternly, turning to walk back into his room.

"It's okay to no longer be interested. I'd just assume I didn't give birth to a child and adopt one who would continue my lineage and secure my future." His father called after him.

"Dad!!"

"And I'm extremely confident that you know how easily possible it is for me to do exactly what I just said."

His father said sternly, leaving the table angrily and Damien followed some few minutes afterwards, leaving the table for his room.

He was right.

Damien was everything but stupid. He knew his father too well to know he ain't bluffing, especially when it comes to issues such as this.

But a child?

That in itself cancels out the entire plan he had already cooked up in his mind, or did the old man figure it out?

Damien was suddenly reminded about the countless times his father joked about them sharing the same thinking capacity and how safe he (Jeffery Smith) felt having Damien make work decisions because he (Jeff) knew he wouldn't have done it any differently.

"Did that blessing suddenly turn out to actually be a curse?" Damien thought to himself, pacing across the room he owned in his parents' house.

The Smiths had houses, or to be more precise, beautiful mansions, across New York but the family house was situated at Manhattan. This was because it was the home to the founding father of the global chain of companies; the starting point of everything. From here, their wealth had grown, penetrating the United States of America and securing a slot as one of the richest business tycoons in the country.

As much as Damien hated to admit it, the family home is Damien's favorite place to be and he'd use just about any excuse to stay.

"Well, if she has decided to turn my life into a living nightmare, then she should be rest assured that hers is going to be even worse." Damien muttered to himself, gulping down the remaining contents in the glass. A sudden noise followed by the glass cup shattering into tiny pieces was what made him (Damien) realize he had been holding onto it (the glass cup) too tightly. Maybe it was just his body's unconscious attempt at letting out the anger flowing endlessly through his veins.

The sound of the glass breaking must have been loud enough to call for the attention of the maids as a gentle knock landed on the door.

"Come in." He said absentmindedly as the door immediately creaked open, allowing a maid with cleaning utensils entrance into the huge executive suite-like room.

Without paying her much of an attention, he found his way away from the mess as the maid got with cleaning, and as quietly as possible, taking extra precaution not to offend the really sensitive boss.

Helping himself to another glass of drink, he suddenly remembered about the personal phone he had abandoned for the whole of the day. Reaching for it, his eyes caught the monitor notification of his house in Brookhaven; there was someone seated in his room and he knew exactly who it was.