C2

CHAPTER TWO

" I'm getting married."

Silence engulfed the room for a while before the deep chortle from his uncle took over the silence.

" Kid, you suck at making jokes."

He said after a while, before laughing once more.

" I'm serious. I don't know how, but I need to get a wife."

" So you don't even have a fiancee, yet you are talking about marriage . And since when did a misogynist start thinking of marriage?" He said mockingly.

" For the umpteenth time Roberto, I am not a misogynist, I just don't want any woman holding that much power over me."He said feeling angry.

" Because of what happened to Andrew? Destinies are different kid and........."

" I really don't appreciate the fact that you are trying to change the subject of discussion " Luciano interrupted looking at the old man seriously.

" Okay fine, you are getting married. So where is the bridal train coming from? The north or the east?" He said with feigned seriousness.

Luciano could see a mischievous smirk playing at the corners of his uncle's mouth.

" There's no bridal train cause I don't even know of anyone willing to marry for the sake of business in this city. Our once beloved New York has been tainted with people hoping to find the fairy tale like love, and I need to find someone who has not been corrupted with this belief as soon as possible." He finished off, cutting a burrito to eat.

" Let me get this straight, you want to get married for business sake not because you've found the ONE?" Asked Roberto.

" Exactly."He affirmed.

" But you don't know who is willing to attempt such marriage?"

" Yes that's right" he nodded.

" Then you don't have a problem, I know of a man in the gambling den who is willing to marry all three of his daughter to clear all his debts." He said after considering for a while.

" Really?" He inquired.

Roberto could see how almost immediately his nephew face lit up like the fourth of July.

" But only if you are willing to pay off his debts, that's the clause kid." He said hating to burst the bubble.

" I don't care whatever debts he has, I'll clear it up, if it means I'm going to get this contract." Luciano said confidently.

" I heard he was going to marry his daughter off to a drug baron." Roberto said, battling with his food.

" And was she willing to become the wife of a drug pen?"He asked surprised.

" Not like she has a choice, her old man is owing a huge sum you know? " he said.

" Well I'm saving her from that. I'll divorce her right away after the contract has been finalized as quietly as I can " He said indifferently.

" You can't do anything quietly kid, the tabloids are just waiting for you to make the headlines."

Roberto said, feeling the need to remind his ignorant nephew.

He knew his uncle was right, there had never been any quietness between the rich men and the media in this city. It was almost like they were right outside your door waiting for you to move and you'll find yourself in the center spread of the newspaper in the morning.

They always had their way even with Marie not being in the city, she still found it to the city newspaper now and then.

" I'll do the speaking on your behalf and have Bob wed his daughter to you, but there's a catch." He said smiling ruefully and rubbing his hands together.

" What catch?". Luciano looked at his uncle suspiciously, somewhat knowing what was coming.

" You'll hand over all acquisition and ownership of my penthouse back to me." He told his nephew squarely.

" You drive a hard bargain, Roberto. Isn't that too much of a reward for just talking to your friend. I could do the talking myself, you know?" He said not surprised at his uncle's request.

" But the point remains I told you about this, young man." Roberto said not having it.

" Not withstanding, I'm going to be the one paying off his debts with my MONEY." He said placing emphasis on the last word.

" That's right, but that is only because you want his daughter, this has got no business with me. You give me the penthouse and you marry Bob's daughter in peace else I'll come crashing your wedding."He said with seriousness.

Luciano burst out laughing.

" Only if you get an invitation, Roberto, only if. Enjoy the rest of your meal I'm done here." He said, as he stood up from the chair, heading to his room.

" Get back here, Luciano!" Roberto thundered angrily.

" Good night." He said, hurrying past his uncle mounting the flight of stairs.

★★★

Laying on his bed.

For whatever reason, he had a good feeling about this person who would soon become his contracted spouse. Even though he hadn't even met her, he could feel some excitement.

Perhaps his emotions may only be playing a trick on him or this feeling could be as a result of the huge amount he would make from this deal. For whatever reason it was , he felt good and slept with a light heart .

..................................................,................

In her bed.

Karen kept tossing from side to side unable to get a wink of sleep.

How would life be as a married woman?

Leaving behind her mother and sisters whom she so loved dearly to live with a man she didn't want. A marriage based out of her father's selfish desire was not in any way her wish.

She had always dreamt of having a happy home, one built on equal love and respect, where she would have and raise her children together with her spouse, who would love her and be willing to go above and beyond for her sake.

There was no way she was going to sacrifice her entire life to a loveless marriage. She would speak to her mother in the morning and have her change her father's mind.

She didn't want a marriage of discomfort like the one her mother had.

She still wanted to be of help to so many people, and not encaged to a man who didn't love her and may not even love her.

Marriage would be able to give her a better life, and an improved standard of living but what about her happiness and dreams.These thought kept going through her mind till she finally fell asleep.

...................................................................

The next week.

"Amanda, please set up a meeting with the sub-contractors from the other firm"

Luciano said looking worriedly at the figures on the screen in his computer.

" Yes Luciano, I'll do just that." She said smiling sweetly.

Amanda was an older lady, in a very neat ponytail and well ironed dress. She was petite and a brunette, always smiling.

She has been bearing the pressures of being Luciano's assistant for the past nine years. A title she always had a reason to brag about. Apart from being his assistant, she was also a good friend to both him and Marie.

"Here is also your schedule for the rest of the week. I must say, you'd be very busy even to the weekends."

She said giving him a sad smile and squeezing his left shoulder.

" I have to, for the success of my company." He said feeling silly that she saw the need to comfort him.

" Here's a piece of advice for you, you should get a break from time to time before you really break down." She said with voice laced with concern.

"Then it only means all the healthy drinks you've been feeding me with, are not really as effective as you praised them to be, they should be able to keep me from breaking down." He said giving her a disappointed look.

" Goodness Luc, you don't get use that against me. You and I as well as anybody else know that this organic drinks only help to maintain your energy level and don't have the ability to stop your stress level. You can take as many drinks, but as long as your stress level is high then you are bound to break down." She said in her defense.

" Then you should stop giving them to me. I have no use for them" he said.

" I'll take that as appreciation for my kind gesture, and that's your way of saying you want more of them." She said chuckling, before saying.

" I'll take my leave now"

" Thank you, Amanda." He replied.

" You are always welcome, call me when you need me." She said just before leaving his office.

Amanda and her the twins boys, would always feel like family to him. Despite her qualifications, she still prefers her job as Luciano's assistance, especially now that her boys are in their last year in high school.

Luciano kept on looking at the figures displaying on the screen of his computer.

Just then his phone buzzed, looking at the screen of his phone and seeing it was his uncle, he grabbed the phone, wondering what the old man was up to this time around.

" Hola!" Roberto said from the other end of the phone.

" Get to the point Roberto, I'm very busy right now. Infact I've been for the past few days." He said not having it.

" Well I thought so and that is why I took some loads off your delicate shoulders and spoke to Bob on your behalf."

From the other end of the phone, Luciano could almost see the proud shoulder of his uncle thinking of how much of a favor he had done his nephew.

Shit.

He had almost forgotten about the issues of the marriage. He has been busy with other projects and had not even given the GIP contract condition a thought.

" I forgot." He simply said.

" Then I'm guessing it's not as important as you told me it was."

" It is urgent Roberto, I've just been swamped with work." He said in his defense.

" Anyways, Bob has agreed and wants the marriage to proceed with immediate effect. He is also wondering when you'll be setting his debts." Roberto said.

"Is he that's desperate?" Luciano asked fondling the pen in his hand.

" Yes!" Roberto replied simply.

" I could imagine, I just hope he won't be handling me with an immature woman for a wife." He said.

" That shouldn't be a problem, any of his daughter should be willing to fill in the spot." Atleast that was what he thought.

" In that case, I'll have Amanda discuss any further arrangements and financial matters with him on my behalf."

" Ok then, so that means I'm getting my penthouse back, right kid?" He asked.

" No way in hell is that going to happen. I'm busy, bye." He said and hung up immediately, not giving the old man any opportunity to speak.