"Rowan." I groaned at that. These days, my name feels like a curse to me, especially when I hear from my dad. "When are you going to stop mourning over your loss?" Well, for one, he should stop misinterpreting the situation and make me feel like she is dead, which she isn't. And two, when he stops giving me the damn reminders of the same. "It's been years," I told you so, he keeps saying this. I don't know who exactly didn't get over the breakup, him or me. His reminders started with days and turned into months and now years. I am fine with everything, but not my dad and his back-to-back reminders. "You should start giving your 100% toward the company." These days he is getting into me in the wrong way. "You are turning 25 in a few days, Rowan." Here we go with the reminders once again.
My mom sat on a couch with a grim expression; she badly wanted to speak, but my dad was dominating the environment. My sisters are on the same couch, wearing different expressions, but a sad expression is common among them. This is a family meeting. My dad made sure to give 10 days' prior notice so everyone could schedule their time for this meeting. I don't know what's so important, but whenever this shit is held, I will always be the centre of attraction. These past years, I have become the talk of the family for bullshit reasons. Breakups are none of their business, nor my mourning, and I am doing my best in that damn company, which is not enough for anyone's eyes. It's also my problem, exactly how.
"I am doing my best, and you know that." I voiced it with little range in my tone so that it reaches my dad and, once and for all, he stops accusing me. "Once again, the company lost a few million because of your negligence," I exhaled in irritation. "Dad, you can't blame me for this. The information was true, so I quoted the price, but inside, someone played." He was irritated. "This is how things work, Rowan; you can't be relaxed till you get the project, and you can't rely entirely on the information without cross-verifying." He spoke in agitation. "But it always worked before." He sighed in exaggeration. I am not getting why. "Rowan, I thought you learned something by now. You can't rely on the information; they play both sides and jump to the side where they get maximum profit." We both sighed at that. "You were good and improved a lot, and I thought no one could stop you from taking complete charge." That only gives me a headache. "You should stop doing this, Dad," I shouted, and everyone was taken aback. My dad stood in shock, and everyone's eyes went wide.
"Stop giving me false hope. It's been years, and I am acting CEO under supervision. Everything is questioned and monitored. My juniors, the guys who have completed their education yesterday, are already ruling their company. The guys who didn't gain any knowledge or make any effort were also successful in leading the damn company. I am not getting what the exact problem is in my case. The directors and you keep waiting for me to commit any mistake, and that would be glorified in the damn meeting. That mistake will be uplifted in different ways, and 'I am not ready' sticker will be plastered on my forehead by the end of the meeting." I stopped to catch my breath and to control my emotions. I didn't intend to sprout these words, but I couldn't stop; it's time that I keep everything in front of them. I was buried and neglected, but things are not stopping and are coming back differently just to taunt me and make me feel like a loser.
"I feel like a loser," I slowly spoke; the idea to give up on this bullshit has been crawling in me for the past few months, but I never voiced it out. Everything is shitty, and I am not fit for it. "Rowan." My dad was in front of me, equally feeling what I am feeling at present. He is the best and doing everything, but nothing is enough. "CEO or not, that doesn't matter when it comes to my family; you better know that." That came in a stoic tone, and I felt more depressed by hearing that.
"Look at my sister, Mom, and you. I am around successful people. I am the one with everything, but not able to earn my rightful title. What do you think that would label me as?I bet, loser." My dad sat in front of me, sighing heavily. "You are not; stop saying that." That came in a humble and pleading voice. "The voting ratio against me is more dad, and they are winning till today." We stayed silent at that. "Someone is stopping me from Day 1, and it's high time; you should choose someone else." He scoffed at that, like, really? "Do you want them to win? It's impossible, Rowan, not while your grandfather is still alive. He would never die, mark my words. He is holding his breath to see you as a full-fledged CEO, and I am, too.Everyone over here, Rowan, everyone." I leaned on the seat, as I was out of options. "Dad, do you want me to speak with Zolensky once again?" My sister Ameria spoke in a desperate voice. "We tried that, dear. His network is not that high enough. Please don't mind my words, but it's true. We need a strong alliance right now, which would seek everything out in a flick." I don't think I am going to like where the hell this is going.
"Your birthday is in a few days, Rowan. Any plans?" I also didn't like this sudden change of topic. Something is not clicking here, and that cautious and relaxing tone is irking me. I cleared my throat a few times. As an alarm, my body went on high alert, suspicious and waiting for something to hit me. "I haven't planned anything; another 10 days are left. I may plan next week." The whole sentence came in a panicked voice and was shaky for no reason. "Good, don't plan anything on that day. It's your silver jubilee, and you are going to celebrate with us. Your sisters will arrange everything; you can invite your friends." Nothing too suspicious. They have thrown a party before, so ok, I guess. I can relax while I can. "And any plus one?" "Han?" "Are you bringing any special person?" Ok, he is up to something.
I was sad; we were on my career-collapsing topic, and I think I also shared with them how depressed I was because of everything. We should be there, at that level, discussing that, but why all of a sudden does the situation turn into something else? I want to go back so badly and want to get deep into that topic, but this turn of events is making me wary and guarded.
I scratched my forehead to control my anxiety and also loosened my tie just to ease the body temperature, which started burning for no reason. "No, no one." "Let me clarify, you are not dating anyone?" That's that, right? "No," I said meekly, and immediately averted my eyes. There was a triumphant signature smile on his face, and I just wanted to disappear from the spot.
The room went silent. My mom and sisters were eyeing each other, which means they know something. They have discussed something behind my back, keeping me in the dark. I am not exactly angry, but why keep me in the dark if it's about me? Why the hell did my dad discuss it beforehand, and it looks like he has convinced them, too? "Rowan." Well, if he keeps calling my name in that tone, I am going to change it soon enough. "You are meeting someone." Well, here we go, which totally grabbed my attention. I glared at my father, who didn't flinch at that and continued. "Her name is Shreya Mendath, daughter of Azimra Mendath." He slowly spoke, testing the water, and I don't know two of them except that I have heard that surname before, somewhere. "Who is a billionaire who runs a hotel chain business, and also his companies handle most of the construction across the country and also in other countries too." Construction! Right, his company took one of the important construction deals that was worth millions under my nose. This is the reason why I am miserably failing in anchoring my professional life. I should have been cautious from then on and should have kept an eye on that company, but I failed to remember the damn name. I should really pour water on being CEO if this were the case.
Why do I have to meet her? "What are you planning, Dad? Why do I need to meet her?" He smirks at that. "Isn't it obvious, Rowan? She saw you at a party and was drawn toward you. Her dad approached me and set a date for the meeting. If you want, you can meet her before, too." My anger spiked after hearing that, like, seriously. "Please tell me you are kidding right now." He met my glare with his own, and with determination, he spoke. "No, and you are going to meet her; that's final. I gave you chances to move on from your ex, but you are stuck. I didn't leave with any choice other than pushing you harder in my way." I stood from the chair, making it fall louder. "I am not a kid anymore, and it's my damn life. You can't make decisions, especially related to my partner." He also stood by, meeting my furious gaze, and he spoke. "I can, I will, and if it's necessary, I am going to push you. I am done with your stubbornness and your stupidity." We were facing each other, head-to-head, not backing off with the same fierce gaze.
My mom ran toward my side, and, with a pleading face, she looked at her husband. "Richard, please." "Don't, Adri." My dad shouted those words. "Don't portray me as a bad guy over here. We talked about this. Do you think I like doing this to him? I love him so much, and you know it. He is stuck, stubborn, and still hanging over his ex. Whenever there is a dating rumour about her, he will get upset, and that reflects on his decision-making. I let it slide too many times, cautioned, guided, and gave him plenty of time, but look, he is stuck where she left him. He needs a strong push, and Shraya is the one."
My sisters also joined us. "Dad, it's about his future partner. We can't force him, right?" My sister Amelia, in her soft voice, spoke to my dad while rubbing his shoulder. "Do you think I am an idiot and have not cross-verified anything about the girl or his dad? All I am asking is to meet her." I groaned at that and backed a little away from the crowd.
I rubbed my face to calm myself and exhaled strongly to get a grip on myself. He wouldn't do this. My dad was never narrow-minded, typical, or pushing me to do anything, but now he is. "Richard, let him take his time." "Adri, I gave him plenty of time, and do you think Mendath is going to wait for him forever? She is getting so many damn offers from different affiliates; we can't lose this opportunity. His dad's connection is vast. We need a strong alliance at present for his future; I am doing this for his future and to secure his future. We can't gamble on any choice now and let his future crumble. I need to secure his future, and I am going to do everything." He has already decided everything and is making me follow a few routine things; that's it.
My dad was harsher and pushier related to a few things, but never forced his decision on me. Did I really touch his patience level? On the ground level, I could say yes, but if I dig a little, I could come up with a few narratives. For example, that person on that deathbed who is not fucking leaving the world and making hell, especially for me. This whole thing is his playing; my dad's frequent visits and their one-to-one conversation—well, that old man has plotted everything, and my dad is executing it at an accurate time. Sometimes, I curse my faith. I should have dated someone just to appease my dad and my family. I should have acted, at least, rather than loathing my fate and swimming in my misery. Now, I just dug myself into an unwanted situation; I am in deep shit.
"Was this alliance suggested by my bedridden grandfather?" I slowly turned and faced my father. "A few years back, you had a one-to-one conversation with him; was it about this?" I questioned, meeting his eyes, daring him to lie to me. He grumbled some incongruous words and went silent for a while. "Yes." When I saw him, after so many years, I sort of registered somewhere in my mind that he would not leave me in peace. He is on his deathbed for sure, but I would be the one who suffers. "What exactly did you speak about for 20 minutes, Dad? Please don't lie. Already, he has formed a web, so let me jump into it after knowing everything." He sighed at that, scrubbing his forehead in the process, due to frustration. "He asked whether the news about your dating was true, and I said yes, and also I added that you were serious. He chuckled at that and also nodded in the process. He told me to maintain a good relationship with Mendath and his daughter, too. I agreed to that without knowing what he was aiming at. On that, he told me more information about their business chains and every other detail of them. He went silent, pondering the remaining things and catching his breath.
And also, he added, if things went well with you, it's fine and good. If you, by any chance, broke up, I should keep Mendath as the first option and give preference to them. So, your future will be safer in both ways, personal and professional. I didn't push the idea till today, and you made sure that I pushed the idea. So, here we are." It's like he predicted, and he's also building my future as he wants by lying on his deathbed. Rather than seeing to die in peace, he is making sure his bloody company is safe and sound. "Rowan." My grandfather made sure to dig a hole for me thoroughly, only making sure I jumped in at his will. "This is the best choice, trust me. I have made sure of everything." I chuckled at the ironic words. "You are turning my marriage into building an alliance," I said matter-of-factly. "I am your son." I once again probed to bring some effect on my dad's decision. "Then trust me, Rowan. We need this; the company will crumble if we don't seize this opportunity. You need a strong backbone for your future, and Shraya is the one.
Everyone was silent; no one was speaking for or against the idea. It seems like everyone surrendered, expecting me to. This is my fucking life; I am not letting that old man play a game, not over his damn dead body, either. "No," I spoke calmly in a resolute voice. "She is good or not, I don't care, but I am not going to date or marry someone for the sake of building an alliance." My dad sighed at that. "I didn't push the idea till today for a reason, Rowan. I didn't want this, either; I never wanted this for you. I gave you time, but you took it for granted. You didn't date a single girl, Rowan, as you are damn stuck on one person." Is he serious? Come on, that doesn't give him a reason to decide about my future. "Dad, I am not letting that old man play in my life, nor am I letting you." He groaned at that. "Your grandfather told me to keep this option as the final one, not to use it anytime soon. I am using this, see my damn desperation, Rowan. I am worried about you and also about Desmond Co's future." I scoffed at that. "I am not seeking your opinion, and it's an order. You are meeting her on your birthday. If you want her to meet before, please let me know." Like a kid, I stormed out of that hall, straight to my bedroom. That's all I could do for now. What could I possibly do? My whole family is against me and encouraging my dad, including my mom. My survivor.
I was under the shower letting some steam out, the hottest shower, just to ease my muscles and to relax. For 20 minutes, I stood without moving or scrubbing; I just stood thinking about a new turn of events in my life. I feel dejected and feel like a loser. They are doing this to prove the point that I am a loser to the world. I never hated anyone so much, but my grandfather has a hot spot in my heart. I am not letting that old man win. I will wipe that triumph feeling from his face.