Never Let You Go

"Break off all your lover from now on," William said in a sharp tone. "Man or woman."

"He's not my boyfriend, you know I never interested to that word," Dave said with a chuckle. "Only one of the staff is facing to submit a report."

"Then don't tease him. I know he's to your taste, but from now on you have to stop playing around."

"Oh come on, Dad, my work has always been above par. My romantic life has absolutely nothing to do with my job."

"You're getting married, Dave. Gotta get married!"

"Ha? Married? With whom? This is a joke?"

"Evie Leoanard?" Dave's eyebrows shot up high.

William nodded firmly. "Yes. She will be back in three months, after completing her masters in London and after that you will be engaged and married very soon."

"Why?" asked Dave in a flat tone.

"Why?" his Father replied. "You will be my heir, Dave. I need to introduce you to all our connections and business associates, just like your grandfather did me. It's tradition."

Dave snorted in annoyance. "That's not what I meant. I was wondering why I should marry Evie?"

"You didn't like Evie? You were very close when you were little and she was very enthusiastic when her father proposed your wedding plans."

"That's what I mean, Dad. I've always considered Evie like my little sister. It would be weird for me to marry her because I never had romantic feelings for her."

"Nonsense. Evie is the perfect woman for you. You two are getting married and I will process my name change to yours after that."

Dave got up from his chair and came out from behind his desk to sit on the sofa in front of his father. He looked at the man's face with questioning eyes.

"What's the rush, Dad? I wasn't ready for everything you said just now."

William threw his back against the back of the sofa. "I took this business transfer from your grandfather when I was a two younger than you, Dave. There's no reason for you to feel unprepared."

"I don't want to marry Evie. Never!" Dave argued stubbornly.

"You must marry, even if not with Evie, you must still marry. But, Evie is the best for our family. The heir to the Jan family must be sure to be married and have the certainty of being able to produce the next generation, before accepting the transfer of names from the previous generation. It's a hereditary tradition," William snapped impatiently. "You've played enough during this time, with your very carefree and reckless life. It's time for you to grow up and take over the leadership of this family!"

"Just point to Gary, then," Dave muttered half grudgingly. "Just because he's not your biological son doesn't mean he can't be the heir to this business. He's proven capable and reliable, is married and his child is due in five months. Beside, he is your golden child. You always love him more than me, so why don't you choose him as a heir instead of me? Be clear and fair, Dad!"

William took a deep breath and stood up from the couch, supporting himself with the dragon-headed staff in his hand. "He is indeed capable and reliable, even more than you are capable of, but after all blood relations are thicker than water. There have been instances where a Jan in the past gave full trust to his intelligent stepson rather than his stupid biological child to accept his legacy. It took only five years for that brilliant stepson to destroy the Jan name and build his own. Since then, it has taken decades to restore the Jan name to our country's business scene and there has been a lot of sacrifice."

Dave was silent, not daring to say anything else. He knew his father was harboring disappointment because of his refusal, but he also did not want to take the conditions put forward for him.

"Then give me five more years, Dad. No, three years I think will be enough. I will find a woman to marry me myself, not in an arranged way like this."

William's brows knit together. "I don't have three years."

"What do you mean, Dad?"

William didn't answer, but walked straight to the door and out of Dave's study. "Just be ready for Evie! I had talk to her Father about this."

Dave stared out the window at the city streets 13 floors below, trying to imagine what Evie Leonard's face would look like now.

He had known Evie since she was five, whiny and sulky. He often teased and made Evie cry, but the girl kept clinging to him.

Evie and her family moved to Manila when the girl was twelve and they have not seen each other since. So, how could his father think of setting them up now? Dave sure, there is something hidden by his father.

Dave's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his office door. "Come in!" he exclaimed.

The door opened and a man with a stack of files in his hands trudged in, trying to keep the files from falling.

Dave stared at the man who entered in awe. The man is very pretty. Yes, pretty, although it is not customary to describe a man with that word.

Why was his skin so white, that had crossed Dave's mind, when the man got closer to his desk, he shouldn't take a bath often because his skin might become transparent.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Dave, I brought the file you asked Mr. Kim before," said the pretty man.

Dave's brow furrowed looking at the pile of files placed on his desk. "Why did you bring him? Where is Kim?"

"Mr. Kim had to meet a client who came suddenly and it just so happened that I just finished compiling the files you need."

"What's your name? I've never seen you before."

"My name is Tristan. I just transferred from the North branch two weeks ago, Mr. Dave and I actually had your weekly meetings with you."

Dave tilted his head to observe this man named Tristan more closely. How could a man like this escape his sight? He is bisexual and he likes both handsome men and beautiful women. However, Tristan is someone different. He is handsome as well as beautiful. A unique blend.

"I'm going to go through this file and please tell Mr. Kim to come face to face with me again after he's done with the client. There's something I need to discuss with him."

"Yes, Mr. Dave, I will. Excuse me."

Dave watched Tristan's back disappear behind the door, but the soft vanilla scent he left in the air made Dave's blood boil.

Dave picked up the phone on the table and dialed a number. "Neena, can you bring me a copy of the latest staff data? I need to see something."

Dave put the phone down and waited. Tristan, hm?

***