Chapter 2

• Roy Holden’s POV
• I paced around our huge living room, feeling a little uneasy as I waited for Mum and Dad to come down from their bedroom after I told them that I had something to say to them.
• I lifted my gaze immediately after I heard someone coming, thinking it was Mum or Dad but it wasn’t. It was Mike, my younger brother. I am two years older than Mike and he looked nothing like me even though some people would say they could see a resemblance.
• “Hey Roy, what’s the pacing for?” Mike asked as he walked up to me, wearing that cocky expression that always seemed like he was going to do or had done something mischievous.
• “What is taking Mum and Dad so long?” I asked, ignoring Mike’s question as I do not take him very seriously.
• “Relax Roy, they should be down any moment,” Mike said, taking a seat on the couch and I could feel his gaze on me even though I wasn’t looking at him.
• “What are you going to say to us Roy?” Mike asked again, causing me to stop pacing and turn my gaze on him. I was about to say something when I heard footsteps again. It was Mum and Dad this time.
• “You need to make it quick Roy, I do not want to be late for my appointment,” Mum said, walking past me to take a seat on one of the couches in the living room. Dad took a seat too without saying a word but peered seriously at me and I know he wanted me to speak up.
• ”Looking good as always Mum,” Mike said to Mum who flashed him a smile before turning her gaze on me.
• “Okay, I do not want to waste any of your time,” I said, taking a seat myself and peering at their faces. My family always looked so serious and I often wondered why. It is a good thing I met Amber, she brought beautiful colors into my life. I smiled from the corner of my lips at the thought of Amber but quickly pulled myself together again seeing the eyes that peered at me.
• “I am getting married,” I said the words as fast as I could, peering from Mum to Dad, waiting to see their reaction.
• “Congratulations,” Mum said almost immediately, glancing at my Dad who just leaned back on the couch after what I just said.
• “Is it Susan Foster?” Mike asked in a rather deep tone, peering at me in a way I cannot explain.
• “No, why in the world would I marry Susan?” I said in response to Mike's question. Susan is Amber’s best friend and even though she had made some advances at me, I already made it clear to her that the woman I love is Amber and she is cool with it.
• “I am asking because she is the only woman I have seen you with,” Mike said, sounding a little relieved, I think and I guess he didn’t like Susan.
• “So who is this girl you are going to marry if not Susan and what is her family name?” Mum asked, peering at me. She must have thought that it was Susan. Susan often visits me at home so their thoughts are understandable.
• “Her name is Amber Chaim, Mum, she is very beautiful, you would love her when you get to meet her,” I said in response to Mum.
• “What is the name of her Dad and what does her family do?” Dad asked in an authoritative tone, causing me to rob my palms together as they suddenly felt sweaty under the cool living room. I knew I had some explaining to do since Amber’s family were below our class.
• “Her dad’s name is Dennis Chaim, he works at Nichole industry, Dad,” I mustered up the courage to say to Dad.
• “Excuse me?” Mum asked, leaning out on the couch, her brows furrowed as well as Dad’s. “Is he working as a staff at our competitor's company?” Mum added immediately.
• I nodded, in response knowing this was bound to happen. Nichole industry is a clothing industry like the one our family has, House of Jakes industry. Only it was bigger than Nichole industry and co-owned by Jake Miller, a well known billionaire in the city, dad’s business partner. Dad has been striving in business and was aiming to be the second wealthiest man after Jake Miller.
• “You are going to marry the daughter of a nobody?” Dad snapped, standing up on his feet, his brows furrowed at me. “You called me here to listen to this nonsense.” he added, adjusting his suit after moving a little frantically causing my heart to pound in my chest.
• He peered hard at me for a while even though I lacked the courage to look into his face, “tell your son never to bother me with something like this again,” Dad said to Mum and almost immediately, he started walking out of the living room, cursing on his way out.
• “Mum, you are going to like Amber, I promise, please talk to Dad for me,” I told Mum, clapping my hands in front of me and hoping she would help but Mum’s gaze and facial expression suggested otherwise.
• “You better forget about that girl, whoever she is, I am sure I am not going to like her, if you really want to get married, I can arrange for you to meet some of my friends daughters I am sure you are going to find a good match,” Mum said sharply and I could also hear the anger in her tone.
• “Talk some sense into your brother, Mike,” Mum said, standing up on her feet too.
• “I love Amber, Mum, and I am going to marry her whether you and Dad like it or not,” I told mum, standing on my feet too and shrugging my shoulders. Deep down, I already know that they are not going to accept Amber but I had to tell them anyway.
• “Then, you are going to choose between living in his house and enjoying all the luxury that comes with it or that Amber girl of yours,” Mum said bluntly and started walking away before her words could sink in to me.
• “What was that?” I asked, peering confusingly at Mike who was still seated on the couch and peering at me.
• “It is a no, Roy,” Mike replied, spelling out Mum and Dad’s refusal for me to marry Amber. “You better forget about that girl and focus on our family, there are more important things to think about now than that girl,” Mike said standing up and ready to leave me too.
• “I am going to marry her, Mike,” I told him bluntly as my mind was made up.
• “Do not tell me, you are going to let go of everything because of a girl,” Mike said, his brows raised a little at me.
• “Yes Mike, my mind is made up,” I said, turning to leave.
• “You heard Mum, you are going to be on your own Roy,” Mike said, rushing to walk beside me. “And what about House of Jakes industry, Dad’s been working hard to make you the successor of the company,” Mike added, reminding me of our family’s plan over the years.
• “You can have it Mike,” I replied as that was no concern of mine at the moment.
• “Is she what it?” Mike asked, still walking beside me.
• “She is worth it, Mike,” I replied.
• “Don’t leave me to deal with Dad and Mum alone, Roy,” Mike said, rushing to stand in front of me and peering rather pleadingly into my eyes.