My epithet is master. My forefather is a self-made millionaire. He is also a tyrant and a tightwad. An ultraconservative in his politics, he rants about large-minded reason, taxes and political science outlay. That didn't stop him from building up a remunerative business relying in bombastic contribution on government contracts. One of his favorite rants is about American language Kid being spoiled rotten.

"They all ought to be tossed out on their own as soon as they reach the age of majority,"he declared loudly and often."Let ‘ em cesspool or swim."

Knowing that, it still came as quite a blow when Dad turned me out of the planetary house with not much more than the wearing apparel on my back on the day after I turned 18. I'd just graduated from gamy school the week before.

"Why ? What have I done wrong ?"I asked him.

"You haven't done anything amiss,"he replied."I've just decided to practice what I preach. Please understand it's null personal. I'd like to see what kind of man this makes out of you."

"This is kind of sudden, Dad,"I said."What about my college design ?"

"chassis it out for yourself. Just assume that I died suddenly and left you penniless."

"What does Mom think about this ?"

"I think you'll discover your mother agrees with me completely on this so it'll be a waste of time to go crying to her."

Well, Mom didn't really accord with Dad on this. She just didn't argue with him which she knew would be pointless. She slipped me some cash Dad didn't know about along with a telephone number of a personal contact. I still had to give up program to attend the university I'd been accepted to.

I got a job through Mom's friend, rented a two bedroom apartment with three other guys and enrolled in the local junior college. I had zero tangency with my father. It was okay if I never saw him again as far as I was concerned.

Mom called me a dyad of months later and advised me to beg, borrow and slip whatever money I could drum up and induct in a particular neckcloth. It was obvious she had some at heart information learned from her influential social circle but I wasn't about to rat her out to the Securities and Exchange Commission. She even hocked a bunch of her jewelry so I'd have plenty of money to invest. I did pretty well by that selective information and was able-bodied to pay her back so she could get her jewelry out of hock. I didn't suddenly start living it up though. I began to seriously study the stock market and found I had a endowment for picking undervalued store. I reinvested my profits and continued to last a Spartan macrocosm. Also, Mom continued to send me stock steer whenever she could so that helped, too. Fast forward two years. I received a call from my mother.

"Your father wants you over to the house,"Mom said when I answered the phone.

"That's a surprise. What's the social occasion ?"

"I don't know. He's being very mysterious, but he says it's crucial and the sooner the better."

"Do you mean I should accept ?"

"I don't see the harm in listening to what he has to say. Maybe it's ripe news. I'd love to see you back home."

"In that case I'd be more than happy to accept."

Dad greeted me as if he really missed me when I arrived yet he seemed kind of nervous. I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been around for a piece but this was a marked change from his common ego positive atmosphere.

"I'm really majestic of what you've accomplished, Vic."

"I really haven't accomplished anything, Dad, other than to support myself."

"well, that's an acquisition in itself in this day and age. For a while I thought your mother was somehow supporting you on the sly, but I would have found out if she did."I wondered if he'd been having me spied on. I was gladiola I kept a low profile ; very little social animation and no girlfriend.

"I think it's time I brought you into the company, son."

"I still want to get my academic degree, Dad."

"You don't need no stinkin'degree when you have an executive position waiting for you in the menage business. There's money to be made and I'll appearance you how to make it. Of track, the study is hard and the hours are long but the rewards are well worth the effort."Well, this was a change of spirit. Dad was of the ruling that bringing me into the company was outright nepotism which he thoroughly disapproved of unless I had proven myself elsewhere first. I wondered if he was ill.

"I'll certainly consider it,"I replied. I didn't really want to make for my dad. He was a tot tug in my notion. With my own fortune, I wouldn't have to work for anyone.

"What's to believe ?"He took a long pull on his drink and then said,"Come into the subject. There's something I want to discuss with you in private."I shrugged my shoulder and looked at Mom. She responded by shrugging her shoulder, too. I followed Dad into the study and closed the door behind me.

"What I have to say has to stay on private between the two of us,"Dad said."Agreed ?"

"Agreed."He picked up a black and white photograph up off his desk and handed it to me. It was a photograph of a young and beautiful woman.

"She's gorgeous,"I said."I think I'm in love."Dad smiled at that.

"She looks even better in someone. Her name is Ana and she's 19 years old ; a daughter of a moneyed Mexican client. Not only is she gorgeous, but she's smart and charming also. She speaks five languages fluently. Any man would be lucky to have her as a wife."

"You want me to satisfy her ?"

"I want you to marry her."

"You want me to what ? Uh, I haven't even met the lady friend, Dad."She was a beauty all rightfield but what if we didn't get along ? I wasn't fix to go down down anyway.

"You'll meet her as early as tomorrow. You'll be a married man by this time next workweek. Where are you going ?"

"I'm leaving and I'm not coming back."

"This is issue of life and death, son."He sounded panicky.

"Whose aliveness, Dad ? You wagerer stop dancing around and commence being uncoiled with me."

"I, uh ... had a legal brief affaire with Ana on a Holocene occupation trip to Mexico. She's carrying my child. Her father was about to bear me tossed into a vat of acid when he found out. The solitary thing that saved my life was me agreeing to this match."I nodded my caput. It began to make sense.

"well, I didn't agree to anything."

"He'll have me killed if you don't go through with this. He's a man of his word."

"Money talks. Pay him off."

"He's not worry in money. He has plenitude of wealth. He's interested in his sense of honor and saving face."

"So, in order to save your ass, I have to conjoin some bimbo who doesn't know the watchword ‘ no'in five speech communication and erect your shit as my own ?"

"You won't regret it. You'll be well compensated."

"But you've always preached that a man has to conduct responsibility for his natural action. And I know you're a man who practice what he preaches. Don't take this personally, but I think you won't have me to bank on."

"But—

"Just assume I died suddenly and left you childless."

"Goddammit ! This isn't funny !"

"I'm not trying to be funny."

"I'll make certainly you don't get a dime bag of my money."

"read your money and shove it ! I've found I can get along quite well without it."

"What the heck is going on here ?"Mom was standing at the open door looking at us. We'd been raising our voices and that attracted her attention.

"We're having a secret discussion, dear,"Dad said. Mom looked at me. I shrugged my shoulders.

"I'm pledged to secrecy, Mom. I'm leaving anyway."

"Talk to him,"Dad exclaimed.

"Talk to him about what ?"

"Go ahead and tell her, please, Vic."He seemed resigned.

"Your husband knocked up a client's daughter and I have to marry her so her father doesn't have him tossed into a vat of acid."

"And just when was I supposed to be told about this,"Mom asked.

"After everything had been agreed to,"Dad replied.

"I wasn't to take any say in the matter while you ruined our son's future ?"

"I assumed your accord. I don't think you would have thought otherwise given the consequences."

"Oh, I don't know. I think I'm beginning to like the melodic theme of being a plentiful widow."Dad looked stricken.

"Even my wife is against me !"

"Don't headache about being cut out of the will, Victor. Everything goes to me anyway."

"Thanks, Mom."

"You two are talking like I'm already dead,"Dad screamed.

"You made your choice, dear. Victor and I have made our choices."

"The company won't be worth a dime without me."

"I'm not naïve, near. I know I can sell it for quite a lot based on the existing contracts the companionship has."Dad sat down and covered his face with his hands.

"I might as well blow my brains out to get it over with."

"Could you do it outside ? Then I won't have to ask the housekeeper to clean up the blood and psyche splatter."

"Too bad you can't run the company yourself, Mom."

"Oh, I think I could do it and quite well, too."

"You were a cocktail waitress when we met."










"I was working as a cocktail waitress when we met. I was also a fulltime educatee finishing up my business organization academic degree. You seem to have forgotten that share. You also seem to take forgotten about me helping you out in the too soon days of the byplay. And don't think I don't have my reference within the troupe that keep me up to day of the month on what's going on."The short man looked as if he was in shock. My dad wasn't used to not getting his way and it was going to be him his sprightliness.

"I'll marry Ana and join the company,"I said.

"That's large,"Dad shouted. He was grinning from ear to ear. Mom didn't look too happy.

"So you're going to sacrifice your future in ordination to hold open your father's life story, Victor. That's very praiseworthy. What happens the next fourth dimension your father knocks up another girl ? We don't have another son to deliver his worthless hide."

"That will never happen,"Dad swore."I've learned my lesson."

"Well, I do cause an important stipulation,"I said."And it's a non-negotiable issue it or leave alone it proposition."

"Anything !"

"Mom will take over the company's performance. You and I will be working for her."

Mom liked the estimate. Dad ranted and raved and claimed it couldn't be done. My parents were the sole shareholder so that was bullshit. I reminded him there was a vat of acid waiting for him if he refused. We called in the troupe lawyer to get the correspondence prepared and Mom called another lawyer to reexamine the early attorney's work to condition for loopholes.

Mom and I wanted to waitress until everything was signed, sealed and delivered before confluence Ana and her sept. Dad claimed there wasn't any time. Ana's father wanted to assemble me right-hand away.

"Don't trouble,"Dad said."I'm going to signalise the damned contract bridge. I mean, what choice do I have ?"

The declaration arrived the very day I was to meet Ana. Dad immediately found faulting with the wording even though both lawyers had approved it.

"Your mother and I will discuss it further while you're on your honeymoon."

"Your father won't mark that contract once you're safely married to this fille,"Mom told me privately."He's counting on your family relationship not to let him get hurt."

"I shouldn't have given in so easily. I guess I screwed up."

"What are you going to do ?"

"I'll think of something."

Our guests arrived. Ana's forefather, Mr. Gomez, was shown into the study where Dad and I were waiting. Mr. Gomez was accompanied by a giant who looked like he'd feel right at domicile in a professional grapple ring. Mom was tasked with entertaining Ana and her mother. Mr. Gomez shook custody with me and ignored Dad.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir,"I said. I didn't tactile property that way but formalities must be observed. He didn't respond in kind nor did he smile. He also didn't waste any time.

"You are to marry my daughter. Are you aware of the circumstances behind this union ?"

"I am mindful of the portion and my female parent and I are deeply embarrassed by my begetter's irresponsible doings. I offer my earnest apology on behalf of my mother and myself."Mr. Gomez nodded. I could feel Dad's blaze on me but he remained silent.

"Are you prepared to marry my daughter without delay and without arriere pensee ?"

"fountainhead, there is a causa for wait but I assure you the case isn't of my doing."

"Please explain."

"My male parent agreed—

"Now just one minute,"Dad interrupted.

"Shut up !"my future beginner in law shouted. The elephantine bodyguard made a rumbling sound and Dad shut up.

"My father agreed to certain management alteration in the ship's company in ordering that my mother's interests are protected from any of his reckless behavior in the future tense. He's hesitant to signal it now and I fear he won't sign once I'm married to your daughter."

"Where is this accord now ?"

"On top of the desk."Mr. Gomez nodded.

"Which is your signature hand, my friend,"he asked Dad.

"Uh, my right ?"

"You had better be certain because my associate will snap off every off-white in your left bridge player if you haven't signed that document within the next one-half bit. He will leave your right helping hand alone but he will get down on early bones after that."

"But—

"Twenty-five seconds."Dad's eye were full moon of reproach, but I just raised my hands palms up in a helpless gesture. He reached for a pen on his desk and signed.

"volition you please witness his theme song ?"

"I will be pleased to do so. You will let me know if he tries to dispute this agreement."

"I'll do that. I guess I'm now quick to run into your daughter, but may I ask you a question ?"

"Of course."

"How does your daughter feel about marrying a man she's never met ?"

"You may ask her yourself when you meet. In any event, whatever she has to say won't stop this marriage."I shrugged my shoulders and led them out to the bread and butter room to meet my fiancée.

Dad was flop. Ana did depend better in someone, a lot better. A brunet beauty, she was about 5'6"in pinnacle. In her 3"heels she could look me straight in the eye which she only did for an heartbeat ; deep Brown eyes fully of gloominess. Her center remained fixed on the storey after that. Ana didn't offer me a smile when we were introduced. I knew flop away none of this spousal relationship business organisation was by her option. Ana was dressed stylishly but conservatively. That outfit couldn't hide a very aphrodisiacal trunk though. There weren't any outward signs of maternity yet.

"May I speak to you in private, please ?"She had a soft melodic voice.

"waiting until you are married,"her father snapped.

"The impairment has been done, Fatherhood. What can he do that will make things worse ? I will speak to this man in private."Ana seemed defiant despite her predicament. This was a charwoman used to getting her way. They had a staring competition for a while and I guess Daddy blinked.

"Don't go far,"he said finally.

"We can talk in the work,"I suggested,"and keep the door unlocked."

"Very well,"said Mr. Gomez. I handed Mom the signed declaration and led Ana to the discipline. As soon as I closed the room access she began to speak.

"We were attending a feast and I was having my first taste of alcohol ; real Daniel Chester French Champagne-Ardenne. I felt so grown up. I drank Thomas More than I should have and began to flirt with your don, teasing him actually. I can only fault the alcohol because I was never attracted to him previously. We found ourselves alone and then one matter led to another. I woke up the next first light with a splitting headache and sore all over. I vowed right there to never again come to alcohol nor again affiance in premarital sex. I didn't realize at the metre that I was already fraught. Two months later I knew I was pregnant.

"My parents were raging when I finally confessed to them. My father's plan to get married me off to a robust and brawny man had been spoiled. He vowed to kill us both for besmirching his honor. He called me a slut and former ugly gens. I didn't care if he killed me then. I wanted to die. My mother calmed him down some and they hatched this plan to marry me off to you. Your father readily agreed for my parents would have gone ahead and had him killed if he had refused. I begged them not to call for you since you were blameless but I couldn't convince them.

"I'm sealed you agreed to conjoin me only to economize your father's life sentence. I don't blame you. I don't harbor any ill will toward him myself. I know I'm as a lot to find fault as him. Consequently, I've resigned myself to a loveless and sexless marriage ceremony with you. I swear to honor and obey you in every way. I will always respect you. I know I don't any right to be respected by you in return and I won't object to you having a kept woman or schoolmarm. The lone thing I beg of you is to never publicly humiliate me."

"Is it my turn to speak ?"Ana nodded and continued to analyze the floor.

"It's true I agreed to marry you to save my founding father's sprightliness. Even though he's a add together jerk almost of the time I do fuck him. I did get some measure of payback against him because of this predicament he found himself in and that was very satisfying. However, we might determine ourselves back at square one with my male parent in big trouble because I can't accept a loveless and neuter marriage with you."Ana looked up in surprise.

"You could love me after what happened with your Father-God ?"

"Only if you can love me in return. Look, nonentity's perfect and everyone make mistakes. In any event, we never would receive met if this hadn't happened. I find you caring as well as charming and beautiful. What else can a man ask for ?"

"Oh, winner, I feel like my nightmare is ending instead of just beginning if we can begin this union with love in our hearts."It was alike euphony to my ears when she said my name.

"You have a nice smile."

"You have given me reasons to smile. I think it will be very easy to love you."

"The feeling is mutual."I stole a kiss then. Ana blushed and then returned my kiss.

Ana and I were married in a quiet civil ceremonial occasion. She gave birth to a girl that we named Ana Victoria. Mom tried intemperate to dislike Ana but she couldn't do it. I think Mom decided that since I was happy it wasn't worth holding a grudge. The company has thrived with Mom at the helm and Dad out drumming up business. I never did join the company. I make deal of money playing the stock market and have lots of clock time to lay down love with Ana. She's significant again. Ana and her parents have reconciled.

Dad has toned down his fustian quite a bit. His but critique of my action mechanism was that if he were in my place he would have driven a much intemperately bargain. That's good to lie with. Live and learn .