NO STRINGS ATTACHED

The electronic door hummed from the porch, followed by the sound of thick footsteps of loafers, thudding against the marble floor. It was Reynaldo. Mr. Davies had invited him over for dinner, but he had arrived earlier than expected.

“Rey, is that you?” His mum’s voice echoed warmly from the top floor.

“Hey, Mum!” Reynaldo responded, tilting his head to see his mum’s figure descending the stairs.

“Come on in, son.” She smiled, heading towards the large brown dining table. He joined her, following suit. They were seated when the cook began serving dinner, neatly arranged for a table of four. Sabrina soon joined them, coming down the stairs.

“Good Evening, family.” She said.

“Good evening, Sabrina, how are you doing today? Her mum asked.

“I’m good, Mom. Hmm… dinner looks so yummy!” Sabrina exclaimed, breathing in the savoury aroma.

“How have you been, bro?” she asked, looking at Reynaldo, whose eyes were fixed on the meal in front of him. Although, Rey and Sabrina were siblings, two years apart, they rarely spoke. They spent most of their time apart, from High-school to college days, attending different schools.

“I’m good, Sis.” Rey responded, digging into his appetizer.

They all ate silently and slowly, with just the sound of their cutlery clinking, breaking the silence until they were full.

Sabrina was the first to leave the dining table. She received a call about a package she had ordered yesterday.

“Okay, I’d be on way! Yes... yes.” She said this into the phone, pushing her seat back and signalling to her parents with one finger.

“I’d be right back!” She whispered before leaving.

Mrs. Davies was the next to leave.

“I have to go take a warm bath.” She said, smiling. The comfort of her Jacuzzi, was that one thing she looked forward to at the end of each day. She left, calling the cook to clear the dishes.

Soon enough, Rey realised it was just him and Dad left on the table. His father was staring at him intensely and he knew there had to be more to it. Rey dropped the phone into the pocket of his blue jeans and waited.

He knew there was something behind the dinner invitation which was unusual.

“Reynaldo, son.” He called.

“Yes, Mr Davies.” Rey responded.

“How’ve you been, son?”

“I have been well, Mr. Da...”

“I’d prefer Dad, if you don’t mind.” Mr Davies interrupted.

“Okay, Daaaad.” Rey answered, with a hint of sarcasm.

Mr. Davies sighed and continued, “You know, I invited you over for a reason, of which I’m very much certain you do not care to know but I will say it anyway. I’m turning sixty soon. I’m growing old and so are you. Time waits for no one, son. I’m growing too old to manage business projects, and I need to rest. I have built this fortune for you. You and I understand both understand that.

I need to hand over the company to able hands— hands that would be able to handle the value I have placed in time and hard work. I know you have been doing pretty good, son, but there’s more to life than just making money. You need a partner through the ups and downs of life, you know.”

Mr Davies paused, watching Reynaldo’s stern expression.

“Reynaldo, you’re my first son. You are my successor and heir. And to be honest I can see you did a good job working yourself into a better man, I’d commend you for that.

But I want just one thing from you before my sixtieth birthday in a few months.”

Rey knew where this was headed, and he absolutely hated it when his father brought up the topic of marriage. It made him distant from his father. It angered him and boiled his patience away.

“I want you to get married.” Mr. Davies said. “You can only take over the company and its asset if you find yourself an eligible bride before then.” He finished, letting his words delve into the tension filling the room.

“What?” Rey’s voice thundered.

His nostrils flared as he fumed; his eyes darkened, holding his father’s gaze, unblinkingly. He clenched his jaws and gnashed his teeth.

“Is this some kind of black mail? And why do you think you can decide that for my life? What makes you think, Mr Davies, that you can dictate the terms on which I should live?”

“And right now, I think you should mind the manner of your speech, Reynaldo Davies!” Mr Davies’s voice grew annoyed and his eyes grew cold.

“Oh please drop that childish longing in the past! I know you loved Vanessa but that doesn’t mean you’d remain bachelor. I need a generation that can carry on my legacy.” he continued.

“Did you just call it childish?” Rey asked, his eyes narrowing.

“What else is it called when you can’t simply move on from a relationship that ended seven years ago?” Mr. Davies’s words cut deeply. They were like acid, burning down Rey’s throat.

Mrs. Davies, who had been listening from afar, was teary-eyed but refused to intervene.

“Father, there’s is no need to bug me like this. Besides, I’m not even thirty-five yet. Your threats won’t change my feelings about women. Except for mum, all they care about is money and that is exactly what Vanessa did. So, you won’t determine or teach how to live my life, Mr. Davies!” Rey retorted.

“If that is what you want, then, so be it.” He paused searchingly.

“But be ready to watch your sister become the next successor.”

Rey felt a chill run down his spine at the ultimatum. He looked away fighting the urge to lash out further. “This isn’t fair.” He muttered under his breath.

“Life isn’t fair, Rey,” Mr. Davies replied his voice a little softer now.

“But it is the reality we all must face.”

Rey’s breath laboured with the urge to hit something. In a swift movement, he bumped his fist into the mirror beside the dinning table; Its pieces splattering, sinking into his skin of his tight fist.

“Rey!” Mr. Davies shook in horror and just then, the door bell rang interrupting them. Who could it have been?