Chapter 8

• “But that's ridiculous! Why would your father do that? Sincerely he didn't even carry me along in all of these plans,” was all Mrs. Hilton could say.
• “I’m surprised and disappointed as well, I am beginning to regret all my efforts in that company.”
• She could not help but calm her son down, “No, don't say that, we would do all it takes to make sure everything is in your name at last.”
• The attorney had given Jay a period of six months to settle down in marriage otherwise, the shares and benefits from the company would be withdrawn from him and given to the manager, Mr. Hiton’s paternal uncle who was married with kids.
• “You know what? I have a suggestion,” she said as she gave him a tap on the back like a gossip about to disclose a hidden secret.
• Looking uninterested and unconcerned, “Mum, I hope you are not about to ask me to accept Rose back?”
• “No! Hell no, my dear.”
• “Okay so what do you suggest I do?” Jay asked as his focus was now drawn to the conversation. He was ready to listen and hoped it would be something that would help.
• If she was not going to talk about Rose, then he was ready to listen, as long as it was going to help him out of his troubles and solve his problems.
• He won't sit and watch someone else take what was meant to be his. The company only became known after he started running it, he deserved nothing other than to own it.
• Mrs. Hilton took a deep sigh as she began to speak, “I know finding someone who is genuine and ready to settle down in marriage in such a short period is quite impossible. So…” She paused and rested her hands on her shoulder to get his attention.
• Jay was anxious to hear it, his eyes could tell. He had this deep connection with his mum which he loved so much. She was easy to communicate with and she understood even the slightest thing about him.
• “I’m all ears,” she was taking too long to speak and he did not like the suspense.
• “You already know the goal and it’s simple. Why don't we pay someone to help us out and as soon as the company shares and all necessary properties are in your name we could pay her off.”
• Not like he wasn’t impressed with the idea, after all it would only be between himself, his mum and certainly the third party.
• In order not to assume he understood what she meant, ”By paying her off, isn't that like an agreement or a contract?” He asked.
• “Yes! Exactly! People do it, Jay. However, you have to make sure it does not go beyond it, except if you want to attach your emotions to an unknown woman,” she answered.
• If he was going to even get himself into such an agreement he had to know someone first. He rarely had friends, all his life had engrossed himself into studying and working for the company, more reasons why he could not afford to forfeit it all.
• His mother could tell his mind was at race and he was unsettled, “Look son, you have to take the risk if you want to get what's rightfully yours.” She adjusted to him and gave him a pat on the knee, “Nothing tangible comes easily.”
• Jay could not utter a word, he was short of words, as to what to say and felt cheated within.
• When his father died, he never thought such an issue would come up as it was clearly obvious he was doing well in running and handling the business.
• On a second thought, he had his mind on Rose. If he could get back with her and act cool till he gets what he wanted, moreover it was only going to be for a few months and she did not necessarily have to know his plans. But then, he realized that would be bad and he would not want to be tagged as a user.
• Rose might have hurt him a couple of times but he won't do the same to her by playing around with her feelings and keeping her since he doesn't want to end up with her anymore.
• Noticing the silence, Mrs. Hilton stood up and made to leave, “Jay?” calling his attention.
• He was already carried away. More than ever, he was uneasy as he swallowed hard on the saliva in his dried throat before he could respond,
• “Yes mum.”
• “The ball is in your court, make your decisions and act on it as fast as you can.”
• Definitely, she was suggesting if he wanted to work with her idea, he should get someone as soon as possible so it would look real as time goes up, at least before the six months.
• At his age, he needed a serious relationship, one that would lead into a lifetime union and not getting himself entangled in a false relationship and marriage. He wanted to love and be loved.
• Jay obviously had plans to get married but not with a time frame like the world was about to end soon. What was he supposed to do it under duress?
• “Are you okay? Did you hear me?” Mrs. Hilton asked as she saw that he was pretty unconscious and didn't respond to her.
• “Y—Yes Mum. Pardon me, I was a bit carried away. What were you saying?”
• “I said the ball is in your court,” she repeated, picking up her handbag to leave.
• “Oh yeah!” he replied even though his mind was roaming in thoughts.
• He saw her off to her car then went back in to fix something for himself to eat.
• Just as he was about to get started, an idea that he presumed might be the way out, only if it’s properly utilized, struck his mind.
• However, with the kind of person he was he wasn't sure how he could go about it so he doesn't appear to be desperate.
• But undoubtedly, Jay was as desperate as ever!