My name is Victor. My father is a self-made millionaire. He is also a autocrat and a cheapskate. An reactionary in his political sympathies, he rants about freehanded causes, taxation and government disbursal. That didn't stop him from building up a remunerative line of work relying in bombastic part on politics contracts. One of his favored claptrap is about American kids being spoiled rotten.

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

Knowing that, it still came as quite a daze when Dad turned me out of the household with not much more than the apparel on my spinal column on the day after I turned 18. I'd just graduated from high school the hebdomad before.

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

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

"This is form of sudden, Dad,"I said."What about my college architectural plan ?"

"Figure 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 wastefulness of sentence to go crying to her."

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

I got a job through Mom's friend, rented a two bedroom flat with three other guys and enrolled in the local Jr college. I had zero contact lens with my beginner. It was sanction if I never saw him again as far as I was concerned.

Mom called me a couple of month later and advised me to beg, borrow and steal whatever money I could cram up and invest in a particular gunstock. It was obvious she had some interior information learned from her influential sociable traffic circle but I wasn't about to rat her out to the protection and Exchange committal. She even hocked a bunch of her jewellery so I'd have plenty of money to invest. I did pretty well by that entropy and was able 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 ancestry marketplace and found I had a natural endowment for picking undervalued parentage. I reinvested my winnings and continued to live a Spartan existence. Also, Mom continued to send me pedigree bakshish whenever she could so that helped, too. Fast forward two years. I received a birdsong from my mother.

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

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

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

"Do you reckon I should accept ?"

"I don't see the hurt in listening to what he has to say. Maybe it's serious news. I'd making 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 variety of anxious. I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been around for a while but this was a marked modification from his usual self confident air.

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

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

"fountainhead, that's an accomplishment in itself in this day and age. For a piece 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 gladiolus I kept a low visibility ; very little social liveliness and no girlfriend.

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

"I still want to get my grade, Dad."

"You don't need no stinkin'degree when you have an executive director position waiting for you in the class stage business. There's money to be made and I'll show you how to build it. Of course, the study is hard and the hours are long but the wages are well worth the effort."Well, this was a modification of heart. Dad was of the opinion 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 operate for my dad. He was a totality dork in my ruling. With my own fortune, I wouldn't have to work for anyone.

"What's to see ?"He took a farsighted puff on his drink and then said,"Come into the subject field. There's something I want to discuss with you in private."I shrugged my articulatio humeri and looked at Mom. She responded by shrugging her shoulders, too. I followed Dad into the discipline and closed the door behind me.

"What I have to say has to ride out 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 picture of a new and beautiful woman.

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

"She looks even better in soul. Her figure is Ana and she's 19 twelvemonth old ; a girl of a wealthy Mexican node. Not only is she gorgeous, but she's smart and charming also. She speaks five linguistic communication fluently. Any man would be lucky to possess her as a wife."

"You want me to meet her ?"

"I want you to wed her."

"You want me to what ? Uh, I haven't even met the girl, Dad."She was a beauty all right but what if we didn't get along ? I wasn't ready to conciliate down anyway.

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

"I'm going away and I'm not coming back."

"This is matter of life history and decease, son."He sounded panicky.

"Whose sprightliness, Dad ? You considerably barricade dancing around and take up being straight with me."

"I, uh ... had a brief function with Ana on a late business trip to Mexico. She's carrying my tyke. Her Fatherhood was about to own me tossed into a vat of superman when he found out. The only thing that saved my life was me agreeing to this match."I nodded my headland. It began to throw sense.

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

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

"Money lecture. Pay him off."

"He's not interested in money. He has slew of wealthiness. He's interested in his sense of accolade and saving face."

"So, in order to economise your ass, I have to hook up with some bimbo who doesn't know the Scripture ‘ no'in five languages and raise your SOB as my own ?"

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

"But you've always preached that a man has to accept responsibility for his actions. 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 rely 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 of my money."

"Take 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 vocalization and that attracted her attention.

"We're having a private 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.

"public lecture to him about what ?"

"Go ahead and secern her, please, Vic."He seemed vacate.

"Your husband knocked up a client's daughter and I have to wed 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 have any say in the matter while you ruined our son's future tense ?"

"I assumed your concord. 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 idea of being a productive widow."Dad looked stricken.

"evening my wife is against me !"

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

"Thanks, Mom."

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

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

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

"I'm not naïve, dear. I know I can sell it for quite a lot based on the existing contracts the company has."Dad sat down and covered his look 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 make clean up the line of descent and head splatter."

"Too bad you can't run the ship's 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 student finishing up my business degree. You seem to have forgotten that part. You also seem to ingest forgotten about me helping you out in the too soon years of the job. And don't think I don't have my beginning within the society that keep me up to day of the month on what's going on."The poor man looked as if he was in shock. My dad wasn't used to not getting his way and it was going to cost him his life.

"I'll marry Ana and link up the society,"I said.

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

"So you're going to sacrifice your hereafter in order to relieve your male parent's life, Victor. That's very laudable. What happens the next time your begetter knocks up another girl ? We don't have another son to save his worthless hide."

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

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

"Anything !"

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

Mom liked the idea. Dad ranted and raved and claimed it couldn't be done. My parents were the sole shareowner so that was bullshit. I reminded him there was a vat of loony toons waiting for him if he refused. We called in the companionship lawyer to get the correspondence prepared and Mom called another attorney to review the early attorney's work to assure for loopholes.

Mom and I wanted to expect until everything was signed, sealed and delivered before merging Ana and her family unit. Dad claimed there wasn't any clip. Ana's father wanted to converge me aright away.

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

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

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

"Your Father-God won't sign that declaration once you're safely married to this girlfriend,"Mom told me privately."He's counting on your 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 client arrived. Ana's founder, Mr. Gomez, was shown into the survey where Dad and I were waiting. Mr. Gomez was accompanied by a goliath who looked like he'd feel right at home in a professional wrestling ring. Mom was tasked with entertaining Ana and her mother. Mr. Gomez shook hands with me and ignored Dad.

"It's a joy to encounter you, sir,"I said. I didn't feel that way but formalities must be observed. He didn't respond in sort nor did he smile. He also didn't waste any time.

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

"I am aware of the circumstances and my mother and I are deeply embarrassed by my founder's irresponsible behavior. I offer my sincerest apology on behalf of my female parent and myself."Mr. Gomez nodded. I could feel Dad's glare on me but he remained silent.

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

"Well, there is a cause for time lag but I assure you the causa isn't of my doing."

"Please explain."

"My father agreed—

"Now just one minute,"Dad interrupted.

"Shut up !"my future Father of the Church in law shouted. The jumbo bodyguard made a rumbling sound and Dad shut up.

"My father agreed to certain management changes in the company in rules of order that my female parent's interests are protected from any of his reckless behavior in the future. He's hesitant to ratify it now and I fear he won't sign once I'm married to your daughter."

"Where is this agreement now ?"

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

"Which is your key signature manus, my champion,"he asked Dad.

"Uh, my right ?"

"You had near be certain because my associate degree will break every bone in your left hand if you haven't signed that document within the next one-half minute. He will leave behind your right hand alone but he will set forth on early os after that."

"But—

"XXV seconds."Dad's eyes were full of reproach, but I just raised my hired man palms up in a helpless gesture. He reached for a pen on his desk and signed.

"volition you please witness his signature ?"

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

"I'll do that. I guess I'm now gear up to meet 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 full point this marriage."I shrugged my shoulders and led them out to the living room to run across my fiancée.

Dad was right. Ana did look better in soul, a lot better. A brunette beauty, she was about 5'6"in height. In her 3"heel she could look me straight in the eye which she only did for an instant ; deep browned eyes broad of sadness. Her eye remained fixed on the level after that. Ana didn't fling me a smile when we were introduced. I knew correctly away none of this marriage business was by her choice. Ana was dressed stylishly but conservatively. That outfit couldn't hide a very sexy body though. There weren't any outward preindication of pregnancy yet.

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

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

"The legal injury has been done, Father. What can he do that will prepare thing uncollectible ? I will speak to this man in private."Ana seemed defiant despite her predicament. This was a woman used to getting her way. They had a staring contest for a piece and I guess Daddy blinked.

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

"We can lecture in the study,"I suggested,"and observe the threshold unlocked."

"Very well,"said Mr. Gomez. I handed Mom the signed contract bridge and led Ana to the subject. As soon as I closed the door she began to speak.

"We were attending a fete and I was having my firstly mouthful of alcohol ; real French champagne. I felt so grown up. I drank More than I should have and began to flirt with your don, teasing him actually. I can only find fault the alcohol because I was never attracted to him previously. We found ourselves alone and then one thing led to another. I woke up the next morning with a splitting headache and sore all over. I vowed right there to never again jot alcohol nor again take in antenuptial sex. I didn't realize at the prison term that I was already significant. Two months later I knew I was pregnant.

"My parents were savage when I finally confessed to them. My male parent's plan to get hitched with me off to a rich and powerful man had been spoiled. He vowed to down us both for besmirching his honor. He called me a slut and other frightful name. 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 don readily agreed for my parents would ingest gone ahead and had him killed if he had refused. I begged them not to involve you since you were blameless but I couldn't convince them.

"I'm sure you agreed to wed me only to keep your father's life. I don't blame you. I don't haven any ill will toward him myself. I know I'm as a great deal to blame 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 mistress or fancy woman. The merely thing I beg of you is to never publicly humiliate me."

"Is it my turning to speak ?"Ana nodded and continued to study the floor.

"It's true up I agreed to marry you to save my founding father's life. Even though he's a tot jerk most of the time I do make love him. I did get some mensuration of payback against him because of this quandary he found himself in and that was very satisfying. However, we might bump ourselves back at feather one with my father 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 founding father ?"

"Only if you can jazz me in return. Look, nobody's perfect and everyone make fault. In any outcome, we never would have met if this hadn't happened. I find you caring as well as charming and beautiful. What else can a man ask for ?"

"Oh, victor, I feel like my nightmare is ending instead of just beginning if we can begin this marriage with sexual love in our hearts."It was like medicine to my ear when she said my name.

"You have a prissy smile."

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

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

Ana and I were married in a hushed civil ceremony. She gave giving birth to a girl that we named Ana Victoria. Mom tried heavy 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 ship's company has thrived with Mom at the helm and Dad out drumming up business. I never did join the company. I make plenty of money playing the origin market and have gobs of time to nominate passion with Ana. She's pregnant again. Ana and her parents have reconciled.

Dad has toned down his ranting quite a bit. His only unfavorable judgment of my action was that if he were in my place he would have driven a much hard bargain. That's good to know. Live and learn .