CHAPTER TWO
LOGANᥫ᭡
WESTMINSTER, ENGLAND.
9:00AM.
I'VE NEVER really noticed any of this, this calm and peaceful side of the world which was my garden. The blissful scent of tulips, chirping of birds, soft drops of water from the water fountain and a breath of fresh air.
My mornings were usually rough with cars honking loudly, traffic jams, keyboards clicking, long and frustrating meetings plus bland black coffee.
About four months ago, my mornings were blank and void, darkness enveloping my eyes as I was in a coma and today, a wheelchair which was probably going to be my permanent companion for life.
The thought of being helpless and publicly vulnerable was infuriating. I detested the sight of pity in the eyes of my family members.
"I could work from home, you know, " I earlier offered to my mom last night but she objected immediately with a sniffle.
I let out a sigh as I slowly absorbed the sounds of nature with my eyes closed. It's so hard to convince her.
"Logan," A familiar voice called and I opened my eyes to see my younger sister, Lily-Jane. Her eyes are still bloodshot from crying.
I can't believe she flew in last night all the way from Massachusetts because of me, her grades had dropped poorly all because of a minor accident.
It was quite understandable to everyone as Lily and I are very close so much that we are mistaken for twins regardless of our six years age gap.
I loved her with everything and it hurts me that she jeopardising her future all because of me.
"Is anything the matter, Lily?" I asked, turning my chair to look at her.
"Family meeting. Mom just came back from the company," she informed me, struggling to hold back her tears.
"Let us go then," I urged and she approached me to aid me with the wheelchair.
I must admit, adjusting to certain policies like; frequent drug intake and dozens of medications from my new nurse,being assisted in the shower, helped to change and lastly, using this wheelchair wasn't an easy task.
My wife, Lois was still away at Rome for a business trip so hopefully I would be seeing her soon and relief the nurse from her duties.
However, I must try to be positive in order to respond quickly to treatment.
I've done my research and I've discovered that depression caused by an ailment kills faster than the ailment itself.
Hence, I will stay positive and optimistic to hasten my recovery.
Lily and I went through the backdoor into the vast living room of our family house.
My grandfather was a sophisticated millennial who loved things the traditional way, it was his wish that we all lived together.
My uncles, Uncle Harold and Luke are each seated next to their wives, Aunt Heather and Evelyn.
My cousin James and his wife, Sarah are also present with their twin toddlers playing with their tablets at a corner of the room.
Last but not least, Penelope and Jesse, my teenage twin cousins born to Aunt Evelyn who never seem to get along.
My mom is heading the meeting as always and she's seated on her special chair where she can get a full glimpse of everyone.
A maid walked in and served her a cup of tea which she sipped after inhaling the contents for a calming effect.
I can tell she was tensed so I'm bracing up for worse.
"I hope I didn't keep you all waiting," I smiled, trying to lighten up the gloomy expression on their faces the moment I came in.
"Not at all, Logan," Uncle Harold said with a wrinkled smile.
"So, what seems to be the matter?" I asked as Lily-Jane took her seat beside Penelope and Jesse.
"I'm going to go straight to the point right away," Mom started. "It isn't news of Logan's current condition and the wobbly management crisis at Effie, the company—"
"About that, I could possibly manage it while Logan is away," Uncle Harold proposed.
He has got to be kidding.
"And what do you know about management, Uncle Harold? You're the head of the graphic design, it's best if we don't ruin the balance," Lily-Jane countered.
"Well, she does have a point," Auntie Evelyn backed her up.
Glad someone said something, if I wanted an administrative head for my company it wouldn't be uncle Harold.
He pulled out from the group multiple times while my mom was still chairwoman with the goal of starting something on his own and it ended with him returning shamelessly with nothing good to show for it.
He rubbed this trait on his son who ended up as a stay home dad whilst his wife strived in her job as a member of our legal team.
"You've heard them, Harold. Now as I was saying, I want to hire a surrogate for you, Logan," Mom spat, like her words weren't heavy to the listeners.
"WHAT?" Everyone chorused.
"What? How's that going to help the company?" I further questioned as the parents in the house signalled their kids to go upstairs,this was definitely a talk for the adults.
"Logan Adrian Wellington, you have a nerve damage and short term memory loss," Mom seethed as she dropped the tea cup on the table. "The investors are in need of reassurance that the company would remain the hands of the family, some of them are planning on pulling out from already planned projects. We need to work smart,"
"Work smart? I have a wife for Christ's sake," I objected.
"So? Lois is clearly incapable of bearing children," my mom fired back.
"Mother, if they want surrogacy it should be a decision that they should make and not you," Lily-Jane chirped in.
"If the decision affects the family's source of income then it's definitely a decision that I can make,one more word Lily and you'll be back to Harvard this instant," She warned with a stern tone.
"Don't be too hard on her, Theresa," Aunt Heather finally spoke.
"I'm sure there has to be another way," I muttered.
There has to be another way, I've been married to Lois for three years. Although I loved the idea of having children, I can't change the fact that she has Premature Ovarian Failure.
I'm going to let her decide if we want a surrogate or not instead of giving that choice to my mother.
"Logan you have to listen to your mother. The surrogate mother would have the baby and leave, then we announce that you have an heir while your mother stand in as acting chairperson—"
"Why does Theresa get a shot at leadership again, isn't she retired?" Uncle Harold queried, cutting his wife off.
"Because they're the only ones who can wing the company better than anyone else, dear. A moment from now, Logan you'll probably start loosing your memories. You've always wanted kids, haven't you? Enjoy the bliss of fatherhood and I'm sure that Lois would understand,"
I parted my lips to speak and just then, the sound of something clashing with the marble tiles filled the room. And everyone whipped their heads to see Lois, standing at the door with tears flowing down her cheeks. Oh dear.