Chapter 16

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Silas's POV

"Mother, I'm not having this conversation again," I heard a familiar voice say. Turning around I spotted Marissa and an older couple, who I assumed were her parents, deep in a conversation. I could tell from her body language that she was uncomfortable, and they seemed to have pinned her in with the arrangement of the chairs. She looked like either she had been crying or was about to as she spoke harshly. "I can't just up and find someone to make babies with. This isn't the old west where you marry off your daughter in exchange for some cattle, Father," she sniped.

"Well you aren't getting any younger, Marissa," he barked, "Just how long do you think you can live off your good looks. You need a man to get that attitude under control. A firm hand would do you some good," he continued.

I'd heard enough. Stepping to the table, I spoke loudly, "Marissa, what a pleasure to see you again. I hope I'm not intruding." She gave me a grateful smile and stood to shake my hand, but I quickly pulled her to me, pressing a friendly kiss on her cheek, "The cavalry has arrived," I whispered. "Invite me to stay."

With a slight squeak, she pulled back, "Silas, have you met my parents? Mother, Father, this is Mr. Silas Korba. Silas, these are my parents, Dalton and Sharon Ryland. Would you care to join us?" Her father scowled but extended his hand, realizing he'd been outwitted.

"I'd love to," I said and sat next to her, gently tugging her chair away from them and closer to me. "So Mr. & Mrs. Ryland, how are you enjoying your visit to the city?" I felt Marissa's body relax a bit as her parents shifted their attention to me while they asked about my company and our family. She kept fidgeting with her hands on her knee until I slipped my hand under the table and intertwined our fingers, gently rubbing my thumb across her hand. The waitress came by and took our orders and as her parents fussed about choices, I ordered for the two of us, "We will both take the sirloin, rare with steamed vegetables." Her father's eyes snapped up, inspecting her reaction to my decision.

"So, Mr. Korba, do you know my daughter well?" he asked, taking a large gulp of his drink - whisky by the smell of it. I wrinkled my nose slightly, wondering why anyone would be drinking heavy liquor this early in the day.

"I'm beginning to," I answered, feeling her hand clench in mine. "Marissa is overseeing our company contracts personally and we feel a solid relationship is best in business. I think she knows almost as much about our companies as we do, and most of our employees know her as well." He smiled, nodding as if my answer pleased him.

"Good to know my daughter still knows how to run a business," he said. That was a backhanded compliment if I'd ever heard one. We continued to make small talk until the meal was served. I noticed the women both waited until Dalton had taken a bite before eating. Well, that explains why she was hesitant that night at the restaurant. "So, Mr. Korba, do you have any children of your own?" he asked.

"No sir, that is a blessing I've not experienced yet," I said honestly.

"Probably for the best," he snorted, emptying his third tumbler of whiskey since I'd joined them. I cocked my head to the side as I felt Marissa stiffen. "Children have a way of disappointing you. Always expecting too much, never taking enough responsibility, isn't that right, Sharon?" His wife sat with a deer-in-the-headlights look, glancing between her husband and daughter, unsure how to respond until he grunted and pressed on her arm.

"Yes dear, I suppose that can be true," she said, trying to be somewhat neutral.

"Somewhat, ha!" he growled, "Take my own child here. Gave her every damn thing the girl could want - best schools, new cars, designer clothes, trips abroad and what does she do? She runs off and marries some low-life law clerk without two nickels to rub together. Says it's love." He shook his empty glass at the server who quickly came with a new glass.

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