Paid to love

I looked up from where I was reclining on my VIG Chesterfield couch in the middle of a shift. I’d taught myself to do this, to avoid indenting the material. My mother stood at the foot of it. She gave me such a deep disapproving look that I almost made an effort to sit up properly. Her look was the epitome of dissatisfaction. Her slim nose cocked, devilish red lips twitching. With a sigh, I let my face fall against the soft leather, knowing where this talk was going.

"This again?" I inquired.

"You're nearly thirty, Mateo," she murmured, putting her arms over her chest. Her numerous diamond-studded bangles jingled as she moved.

I cocked my brows at her. "I'm twenty-five years old. That's not even close to thirty."

"It's past time for you to quit causing controversies and making our family look bad."

"I don't ruin our family's reputation—"

"—And it's time for you to have your own family so we can give the next generation of our company a head start," she said.

Finally, I forced myself into a sitting posture. I made sure to smooth out my waistcoat; so she wouldn't have anything more to complain about. "So you're expecting me to meet someone today, fall in love with them, marry, and have children? That is not how it works. Maybe it does today, with all the dating apps available, but I'm not like that."

"There are several young ladies who are interested in you. Since you were five years old, Cecil's daughter requested your hand in marriage. She's also rather lovely."

I cocked my brow at her. "Legal arranged marriages are no longer practiced in the United States. The year is 2015, not 1765. I don’t want to marry someone for only business.

"You want a marriage built on love?" she questioned, her voice hardening. "To retain their fortune, wealthy families marry into other wealthy families. It's what our forefathers did before us and what we shall do in the future. That is how we keep our company going."

It was pointless to argue with her. "I'm just not interested in marriage right now."

She approached the little gap between us, hanging intimidatingly over me. "I've granted you twenty-five years of liberty. I've provided you with everything you've ever desired. All I want is that you compensate me by promising to keep our company running."

The company was not going anywhere for a long time. We were like the new Hiltons. What was it that was bothering her? Why was she now attempting to impose this on me?

"You no longer have an option in this situation. If you don't calm down, I'll take your vehicle and home."

"This home and this automobile are mines. You can't intimidate me in that way."

My mother's wicked grin sent shivers down my spine. "Do you think I won't figure anything out?"

I knew she wasn't kidding, as much as I hoped she was. I sprang from the couch, my hand over my pocket, where the keys were. "Wait a minute."

"What are you waiting for?" she asked.

"Isn't this a bit sudden? I will need time to think. You can't simply go in and expect me to agree to this."

"It shouldn't surprise you, Mateo. That is something you can thank your brother for."

My body was flooded with heat. I clenched my fists so tightly that my fingernails dug into the flesh of my palm. I cautioned myself not to fall for it. She only desired that I back down.

And she was aware of where it stung the most.

"Your brother wouldn't bother me like this."

"How are you going to use Lee against me?" I said firmly.

"It's all up to you, Mateo."

"I'll... I'll find someone…." I didn't have much choice.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Good." She nodded with some satisfaction.

"However, I'd want you to give me a year."

Her pupils constricted. "One year? For what purpose?"

"I'd prefer to meet someone on my own. After a year, I'll bring her to you and speak about marriage. You can't expect me to meet someone and marry her on the spur of the moment, can you? Allow me to meet with a couple of the other prospects first."

As my mother considered my suggestion, the room became quiet. If she'd only agreed to my plan, I'd have had more time to figure out what to do about the request she'd issued. What could I argue against her if she said no when using Lee as leverage?

"Six months," she answered eventually. "Not another day extra. When the time is over, you must bring the girl of your choice before me, and I will determine whether or not she may marry into our family. If she fails, you'll marry anybody I choose."

Of course, there would be requirements. Conditions were always present. "Fine," I said, knowing she'd get her way.

She smiled as the lines on her brow softened. "Good. You are free to keep your automobile. Make certain that you arrive at work today. There is someone you must fire."

"I understand," I said as I saw her turn on her heel and click away from me.

I sank back onto the couch as soon as she departed, feeling a headache building. Why was she so set on marriage? I was delighted with how I was spending my life—satisfactory and alone. I had no desire for a relationship. Even if I had those requirements, I could find a willing companion at the neighborhood pub.

For the time being, I needed to find someone who could fool my mother into believing she was my girlfriend. It wouldn't be too difficult. I didn’t lack the physical attractiveness to persuade someone to do it. I knew I was an excellent catch because of my conditioned, friendly, and pleasant nature. If that weren't enough, I'd show them my bank account.

Then it struck me.

The strategy was straightforward. Find a lady, pay her to date me for six months, stage a break-up just before introducing her to my mother, and then pretend I was too distraught to go on. That way, I wouldn't be compelled to marry a stranger and could remain single until I found the one I was destined to be with. My mother would pity her son, who was experiencing his first heartache. It would be simple.

I smiled.

Let the games begin.