Max's father in the picture.
-----------------------------
Max Thompson
"Son you're almost two hours late." I sat down in my chair and scooted in. "I'm sorry I got caught up in a few department meetings."
"I know. I sent Javier to go see where you were. And your assistant said we had just missed you. I'm glad you could join us."
I looked around the table at my siblings and said hello. I'm the third youngest out of all twelve of us.
There's Daniel, Andrés, Issac, Miguel, David, Esteban, Antonio, Ivan, me, and then the twins Bernardo & Brandon. And then we have a little sister named Alessandra she's six months... Let's just say my father is a busy man.
"We haven't seen you in months. You do run our family business, you could at least give one of us a call. Why have you canceled on us so much?" I knew I couldn't just come here and sit down without getting asked something. "We can talk about all that later. How have all of you been?" I sat back in my seat and looked at eveyone as they looked at me.
"We've been good little brother. Father has put us to work as usual but we're good. How are you?" Daniel asked patting my back. He's my favorite out of all my brothers. Even though hes 12 years old than me we are very close. "I've been good as well. I've just been busy juggling everything on top of planning this wedding."
"Yes the wedding." My father sat back and combed through his beard. Which is usually something he does when he's about to start some shit. "So tell me Maxxy... Why this wedding is costing me more than it should?"
"Look you told me to let her have what she wants and I have. I told you this girl was going to blow a hole in our money but you never listen to me." I don't feel like talking about this. We can never just come together and have a good time. And they wonder why I never come around.
"You can't tell me shit. You marrying this girl this is supposed make us money not make us broke." He slammed his hands on the table making the ashes from his cigar fly everywhere. "Let's give them some space guys." Daniel said and they all got up and left. As soon as we were alone he leaned in on the table to put his cigar out on the ash tray.
"Listen hijo. All of your older brothers have already gotten married. All arranged to women with rich families-"
"But I don't love this girl."
"Do you think I loved your mother when I first met her? Just like you all had to do I met her when I was 15 and spent everyday with her for five years. And when we both turned twenty we got married and do you think I loved her after that? I loved her like I loved my dog. It wasn't until two years later when she gave birth to Daniel that I fell in love with her. She had blessed me with all my beautiful children and my love for her grew. I know this is rough but this is how things have been in our family for years. Now it's your turn."
"But I don't think I can ever love Olivia. I tell her I love her in hopes if I say it enough I'll convince myself that I do. I've known her since I was fifteen and there's nothing between us. She's annoying and complains to much and we have nothing in coming." I slouched in my chair realizing what I was saying held no value. I'll still be marrying her soon.
"Son, is there... Someone else? Because you know if there is that's a problem. I don't need anyone getting in the way of this wedding Maxwell. If I find out that you have someone on the side... Just know it won't be good for them or you. And with them out of the way you can focus on learning to love Olivia." He stood up and buttoned his suit jacket.
"Thank you for showing up Max. I hope I get to see you soon. Try not to cancel on us next time." He got up and left the restaurant leaving me here with my own thoughts.
