Miguel's POV
I was exhausted.
Thoroughly exhausted.
My mum was at it again.
I tore free my neck tie, as I stepped out from the elevator.
Mum had requested an audience with me for the hundredth time of which I'd been avoiding for quite some time.
Although, I had avoided meeting her, she had cajoled up a scheme and that had thrusted me into coming to see her.
"How is she, doctor?" I asked, stepping into the ward.
"She's quite okay," the doctor responded.
Mum swirled her face to the wall quickly, shutting her eyes firm once she had sensed my presence in the room.
I noticed that the grey haired doctor ran one last check on her before leaving the ward. She was a VIP, so she had the full ward to herself.
I walked myself to the opened window, staring into the open sky before turning back to face my mother.
"Mum, why are you doing this?" I asked, softly.
Mum opened one eye, turning to observe the room. Then, she pushed back her wavy hair, gave a wry smile then suddenly grew serious.
"Mum, I'm a busy man. Why not call the rest of my siblings? Why me?" I was truly frustrated.
"You should be glad that I call for you. You're the heir to the Empire. Why are you distraught that I strategize a way in pulling you out from your cave?" Mum asked me as she sat up.
I looked back at her, watching her intently.
Mum was pretty, had younger features. She had refused to take a husband to herself after my father's fatal accident which had taken his life.
Her long, thin hand stretched out towards me, her fingers motioning me to come. I took a deep breath, then started towards the bed.
I knew why she was doing this, I just have to wait for it.
I sat down beside her, looking back into her colourful eyes.
She reached out to touch my hands, forcing me not to look away.
"You won't come to see me, so I'd to devise a means for you to come see me," mum said.
"Mum, what is it this time?" I threw the question.
"I had arranged a date between you and Ashley by two this afternoon.....,"
"Ma!" I interrupted, shocked by the news.
"Listen to me, Miguel. You're not getting any younger. You should be grateful that I'm doing this all for you. I need a grandchild," she said.
"But Lolia already has a grandchild for you," I interjected.
"Lolia belongs to another family now. You're the heir and first son of the Lyons' family. Your path is different," ma explained.
"I've been reminded a million times, mother." I stood up, but she held on to my hand.
"You remember Ashley, right? Ashley Maloney. She has grown much more fairer and prettier, you need to just have a look at her. The Maloneys are quite hospitable," mum went on explain.
I brushed a hand through my hair, disbelieving what my mum had just done. Of course, I remember Ashley, the little girl which I'd been friends with while my father was yet alive.
But I was the least curious about her. She wasn't one that I would never think of dating.
"Ashley, ma?" I questioned, aghasted by her thought of reasoning.
"She's a great prospect, she would also make a lovely wife. It isn't even strenuous, you guys would just relish about the past, it will be easier that way, believe me," ma said.
I laughed, a low rumble.
I couldn't count how many dates my mum had arranged for me for the past three months. This was why she had faked a sickness which did pummeled me into seeing her.
Lord knew that I've been trying to avoid her calls, texts or even having to see her. She was always up to something.
"You will love Ashley. Just get to meet her, know her...then preparations for your wedding can start taking place...,"
"You're really serious about this whole thing?" I was stunned.
Ma stopped, then threw in a short laugh. "Miguel, you're my son. I will do anything for you. My only wish is that your father would be glad to see you settle down, with not just anyone but an influencial family at that," ma smiled, pulling off the string of drip away from her hand.
I scoffed, "this is all an act?" I enquired, indicating the string of the drip.
"You know me too well," she laughed, combing down her hair with her fingers.
I gasped, ruminating over the past months, how long would this go on?
I was plagued by the mere thought of it.
Hands akimbo, I asked her, "what if I don't want to go?"
Ma laughed again, "You can't be serious, you're not thinking of leaving Ashely all to herself waiting for you in the coffee shop."
I shut my eyes for a split second, "ma, for how long do I have to do this? Cause I'm done with all this."
"You should know too well why I pressure you into getting married, and having children of your own. You are not a boy anymore, Miguel."
"Ma, I know that, I know that. But I don't need to be reminded every damn time," I paused, looking back at her.
She had the sweetest smile plastered on her face.
"Alright," I said with a tone of finality, "I'll do it."
"That's my boy." She said.
"But I'll only meet her once. If she's good, I will consider marrying her," I thought to play along.
"Ashley is the sweetest girl I know. She's homely, and you'll love her," ma assured me.
I started towards the door, glancing over at my Rolex wristwatch. "Your driver needs to come pick you up. You can stop with the act, mother."
She rolled her eyes, "don't worry about me, Miguel. Start thinking about Ashley."
"Damn Ashley," I muttered under breath as I opened the door to walk down the passage.
I got into my black bmw, told my driver of where he would drop me. And, he started the journey to Royale's coffee shop, a place where Ashley had loved as a teenage girl.
I barely knew much of her. We were unusually close while we were kids, and I'd known how she smelt like disaster wherever she went.
"Fabiano?" I called my driver as I looked through the window watching the scenery as he drove.
"Yes, boss," he answered.
"I might come in late for tomorrow's meeting," I reminded him.
"That won't be a problem."
I caught his reflection through the rearview mirror, "I'm sorry to be much of a burden to you. I should find a secretary already. At least the workload would ease off your shoulders," I muttered.
"I'm glad to be of service to you, boss." He said.
I watched him still, recalling how he had started with me. He had been loyal since date, even while running some errands as my personal assistant.
He was family, I told myself.
The car steered into a stop, parking in a garage. I don't think I remember how Royale's shop was once was.
"I'll be going home from here, that would be all for today, Fabiano," I told him.
He smiled at me, stepping out of the hcar while handling the car's key over to me.
"I'll see you tomorrow, boss," he bowed.
"It's not a problem. Will you have trouble finding your way back?" I was concerned.
I looked up at the shop, noticing for the first time how the bustle of activities sparked the scenery.
I scoffed.
I haven't been out in the open, I guessed.
I navigated my way through the aisle of steel chairs once I got into the building, found an empty seat by the glassy window.
The shop was full with people, I took a quick scan, wondering if a familiar face would creep out in full glare.
A waiter walked up to me, took my order with a smile and returned with my cappuccino drink. Glancing back at my wristwatch one time, I began to wonder why Ashley would keep me waiting.
It was fifteen minutes past two, I didn't want to keep her waiting, so I'd thought to drive straight here from the hospital to meet her.
But she wasn't one who kept to time.
I crossed both legs of mine, shut my eyes for a minute and began to tap my fingers in sync with the hands of time.
No woman should be keeping me waiting, I had things to do.
One might consider me the ladies' men, but such frivolous creatures were vain to me.
Women were a thing of distractions, they were never ever my thing.
I heard the door of the shop pushed opened, and I opened my eyes to catch the sight of an elegant lady.
She was polished, dressed in an elegant peach, body hugged gown and thick, dark jacket. Her brown hair cascaded down her shoulders.
"Very lovely creature", I thought to myself.
That must be Ashley.
Life hadn't been harsh on her.
She had grown up to be this pretty.
Her steps were prim and majestic in a sort of way.
I caught myself smiling to myself, her heels only made her looked taller.
Most of the waiters who knew her were bowing their heads down in respect to her.
This was a branch of their company, alright, so she was well known.
When she spotted me, her eyes lit up.
I caught myself smiling again.
Ma sure has great eyes, I commended.
Maybe, marrying Ashley was not such a terrible idea, I told myself.
I stood up when she got to my table.
She was all smiles, "I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting. I had a breakdown with my car," she said, reaching in quick steps to kiss my cheeks.
Her rich cologne stung my nose, and I couldn't help but say a lie, "you're quite early," I told her.
"Look at you, you look ...pretty," I said, stepping over to push back her chair to allow her sit.
She smiled sweetly at me, watched me go over to my seat. "You don't look too bad as well. How has it been for you, Miguel?" She momentarily paused, meeting my gaze.
"Is it alright that I call you by your first name, as we're soon to be married?" She asked me.
Prudent, I thought to myself.
Isn't she just wife material? I'd already concluded in my mind.
I shrugged, "that's fine by me. Atleast, we've had an idea of each other's childhood days. Getting to know each other wouldn't be that strenuous," I smirked.
She laughed. "Did you order anything for me?"
"My bad. I didn't. I'd thought you wouldn't like my choice," I told her.
She gave a curt nod.
Next, she snapped her fingers.
That had me surprised as I noticed one of the waiteress racing towards our table.
The waitress caught my eye, she was a blondie, blue eyes, and fine manicured fingers.
But, she fidgeted.
I didn't get why she was nervous, but she seem radiant and bright as the morning sun.
She was sharp and brisk with her words, making us forget for an instant how nervous she was.
"Good morning, what will you like, ma'am?" She asked Ashley.
"I don't think I've seen your face here," Ashley put in.
"The clear cuts for shifts requires new hands," her dentition was darn perfect, as the waitress shot a quick smile.
I had to sit upright to catch the full view of her.
Her smile was so infectious.
"The usual," Ashley sat back comfortably.
I'd to grudgingly push my eyes away when the waitress caught sight of my eyes on her.
It was darn rude to stare at someone like that, I told myself.
"Will you also like an order for yourself, sir?" the Blondie threw at me.
I looked away, throwing back my focus on Ashley.
"Not to bother. I have mine already," I took up my cappuccino drink, sipping it while I watched the lady over the rim of the cup.
Ashley hissed, rolling her eyes then suddenly beamed up when she focused on me. When I caught sight of the blondie again, I knew something was wrong.