*~editing~*
"You need to prove that you are committed to something", the old man sitting across him said.
"What do you mean", Nicholas stated. He was about sealing a business deal and now there was a clause to the deal. Show his level of commitment... to what or whom. He did not understand.
"What he is trying to say Mr. Roxton is that we need to be sure that you won't wake up one day and decide that you don't want to work with us anymore." The old man's PA said.
"That's why we would sign a contract." Nicholas said. He was trying really hard to control his temper. He would prefer if they were being clear with him rather than beat around the bush.
"Do you have a wife Mr. Roxton?" The old man asked, going straight to the point.
"No", Nicholas said frowning. "Where are you going with this?"
"Well I must say, you don't have the best image in the aspect of being committed. Seeing as you grace every lady's bed whene--"
"Enough!" He snapped at the old man before he could finish his sentence. He was losing his temper. He needed to control his temper. "This meeting is over. I'd let my assistant let you know when the next meeting would be. Good day." He said with a stern voice.
With that he stood up and walked out of the restaurant to his awaiting tinted Rolls-Royce. When he got into the car, he shut his eyes and told his driver to take him home. He was done for the day. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and called his assistant.
"Julia, I need you to clear the rest of my day."
"Ok sir." With that he ended the call.
He could feel the telltale signs of a headache. He used his thumb and his index finger to crease in between his eyebrows. He felt his phone vibrate beside him. It was his grandmother calling.
"Nana. How are you?"
"Oh Nicky, it's been forever since I saw you. I've missed you so much. When are you going to come see me and your mother? And I really do hope you won't be coming home alone. Your not getting any younger Nicky. I need great grandchildren sooner than later. I'm not getting any younger..." his grandmother ranted.
"Nana I'd come see you soon enough, then we'd talk about this issue." He was more than frustrated. First Mr. George and now his grandmother, Hannah. Could this day get any worse?
"I don't want to see you if you are not going to bring your girlfriend to me. I need great grandchildren! Nicky I just want the best for you. I need you to be happy." Hannah said. "Bring a lady home by this weekend. That's final." With that she ended the call.
Nicholas grunted out loud. It seemed like the universe was playing some sort of trick on him. Beyond frustrated at this point, he instructed his driver to take him to his best friend's penthouse. Ben should have a solution. Ben has always been his voice of reasoning in times like this.
***
Nicholas wondered what was taking Ben so long to open the damn door. He had called Ben just before he got to the hotel, to confirm if Ben was home and he assured him that indeed he was. So Nicholas didn't see any reason why Ben was wasting time to open the door.
Just as he was about to press the bell a last time, the door swung open. Stood right in front of him was Annabel, Ben's female 'best friend', although Ben preferred to refer to her as a sister he never had. She was beautiful no doubts about it. Her long chestnut brown hair framed her oval face. She looked simple in her black jeans and red short sleeved turtle neck shirt. He didn't know how long he stood there just looking at her.
"Come in. Ben would be with you shortly", she said whilst stepping to the side to create space for him to pass through.
He nodded his head and entered the living area. He walked straight to the minibar and started to pour himself a drink. He couldn't help but wonder what she was doing at Ben's place. He decided to just ask Ben when he saw him rather than pondering on the thought. He had too much on his mind already.
"Did you come to my house just to get drunk?", Ben's voice sounded from the staircase. Nicholas looked towards the stairs and saw Ben descending from the stairs. He simply ignored his best friend and poured himself another glass of wine.
"Nick what's wrong? You said you had something important to discuss about when you called", Ben said walking towards his friend. He wondered why Nick was getting himself soo worked up. "Now you better talk to me before you're too wasted to remember your name, at this rate, that's sooner than later."
With that Ben snatched the bottle from Nick's hand before he could fill his cup again.
"You know I don't get drunk. EVER... I have to prove I'm committed to get George hand me the deal." Nicholas said with irritation. "That doesn't bother me because I know I can get the deal at the snap of my fingers."
"So what's the matter?", Ben asked still not getting why his friend was so worked up. He knew what Nicholas said was true. The guy could get anything he wanted at the snap of his fingers. He had that much power. So what could be bothering him. He seemed out of his element, and that bothered Ben.
"The problem is that shortly after that, I got a call from Nana. And right now I'm beginning to believe that she had something to do with this. "
"No way." Ben looked at Nicholas with a questioning look.
"Yes way. She said I had forgotten about her and my mom... you know the rest. The same old talk", Nicholas ran his hand through his hair out of frustration. "Well now she wants me home with my "girlfriend" this weekend. How coincidental that this events happened almost simultaneously", he said emphasizing the word girlfriend.
"Well the whole situation sounds fishy and screams Nana's name all over it. Let me guess, you need a girlfriend before Friday and I'm to help you get a girl that would understand that it's just an arrangement to get your family off you neck", Ben said with a knowing smile.
"Yes." Nicholas said looking at the brunette engrossed in whatever it was she was doing.
"I see...", Ben said following Nick's eyes to the direction of Annabel.
***
