MIGUEL’S POV
"Just inform them that we plan to convene another board meeting to deliberate on the possibility of forming a partnership with the other company!" I exclaimed in exasperation during the phone call. Despite feeling exhausted and hungry, the work-related matters seemed unending.
I rolled up the sleeves of my shirt and wiped away the beads of sweat from my forehead as I made another phone call. The atmosphere in my office was relatively cold, but the eagerness to finalize this deal had me perspiring.
"Lorenzo, what is the latest update on the new software?" I asked my IT personnel, even though I anticipated a negative response. "I swear, Lorenzo, if you fail to provide me with that application to operate the software by the end of this week, consider yourself dismissed!" I shouted over the phone once more. Normally, I was not a difficult person to work with, but the pressure of closing this deal had me appearing like a monster to my employees.
I concluded the call and mentally noted to augment the remuneration of all staff members involved in this transaction. They were putting in an immense amount of effort to ensure its success, a fact that I could not ignore. I exhaled deeply and settled into my chair. Closing my eyes for a brief moment, the image of a particular blue-eyed girl with chestnut hair and rosy cheeks flooded my thoughts.
"June," I softly murmured her name, reveling in how effortlessly it rolled off my tongue. I attempted to search for her online, yearning for even a glimpse of her presence, but lacking a last name made the task quite challenging. It felt as though she was a figment of my imagination, an image I was reluctant to relinquish.
Just then, my phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, I let out a grunt. I pondered what she could possibly want now.
"Hello, mother," I greeted, making no effort to conceal the weariness in my voice. Suppressing a yawn, I attempted to rub the remnants of sleep from my eyes with my fingers.
"You sound fatigued, Miguel," my mother observed.
"I am! I've been striving to finalize this deal but..." I trailed off, realizing that the conversation was veering towards work, likely boring my mother in the process.
"Why did you call, Mum?" I inquired tentatively.
"I simply wished to invite you to dinner, son. Your sister will be joining us with your nephew. Please do not decline," she implored, prompting me to release an exasperated sigh.
"Will Bryan be there?" I inquired, curious about my brother's availability for dinner.
"He has yet to provide a response, but he assures me that he will inform me if he cannot make it. That is why I need you here tonight, Miguel. I cannot bear to have two of my sons absent from dinner," she coaxed, evidently attempting to guilt-trip me, a tactic that proved successful. I did miss Lolia, my sister, and her son, Jason.
"Very well, I shall be there," I acquiesced, eliciting cheers of excitement from her. We exchanged a chuckle before bidding our farewells. Another yawn escaped me as I packed my suitcase.
"I am famished anyway," I mused as I exited my office, stifling yet another yawn. I bid farewell to my secretary as I left the building and proceeded to my car. Once settled inside, I rested my head against the steering wheel and contemplated whether this was another one of my mother's schemes to discuss finding a spouse. My stomach emitted a low growl, and the desire to eat overpowered my apprehension of being interrogated about my lack of a wife or girlfriend. With a heavy sigh, I drove away.
"Hello, mother," I greeted moments later as she opened the door for me. I bent down to kiss her on the cheek, offering a cheeky smile.
"You're tardy!" Lolia exclaimed loudly from the kitchen, where she was setting the table for dinner.
"It's a pleasure to see you too, Lolia," I replied with a smile, entering the house.
"I also stopped on the way to pick up some flowers for Mum. Here you are," I added, handing her the bouquet of lilies I had gathered earlier.
"Thank you, Miguel," she expressed her gratitude. She lovingly pinched my cheek and accepted the flowers.
"Now, where is my favorite nephew?" I inquired of Lolia as I approached her and enveloped her in a warm embrace. She giggled softly and returned the hug.
"Oh, please, he's your favorite simply because he's your only nephew," Lolia remarked with a smile, rolling her eyes. I chuckled softly at her comment but persisted, "But where is he?"
"He's in the nursery, napping. He's teething, which leaves him irritable most of the time, thus stressing me out!" Lolia groaned in frustration. I squeezed her shoulder firmly, aiming to convey silent comfort.
"That's enough from you two. Let's dine," Mother interjected, joining us at the table.
"You appear to have acquired a few grey hairs," Lolia observed as she ran her hand through my hair and over my face.
"And there are dark circles beneath your eyes," she remarked, scrutinizing my appearance.
"Mother, could you kindly ask her to stop teasing me?" I implored as I picked up my fork.
"She's not entirely wrong you know. You seem to have been neglecting your meals!" Mother stated indignantly as we began to eat. "I have been eating adequately," I retorted defensively, thoughthe way I devoured the food hurriedly suggested otherwise.
"Don't judge me! I've had a strenuous day at the office and I’m ravenous," I defended, with remnants of food in my mouth.
"It's because he's single, mother. If he had a wife, she would prepare nutritionally balanced meals, not just Diet Coke and pizza," Lolia remarked as she took a bite of salad. I glared at her venomously for broaching the topic of a wife and silently hoped she would choke slightly on her food.
"For the record, I do not appreciate your presence," I stated plainly as I swallowed a bite of food. She shrugged nonchalantly with a mischievous smirk, and I face palmed, dreading the direction the conversation was headed.
"Why would you assume I desire a wife solely for her culinary skills? If I meet someone who is ambitious and business-minded, I would not mind. Women are not confined to the kitchen!" I declared, attempting to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Speaking of which, why are you still single? As the heir to the Lyons empire, should you not desire your mother to witness her grandchild?" Lolia inquired, gulping down her juice.
"God, Lolia! What is your issue?" I demanded angrily. Why was she vehemently pursuing a topic that Mother had casually avoided since my arrival?
"She's not incorrect, Miguel. You ought to consider acquiring a partner at least. I am not getting any younger, and I yearn to see my grandchildren," Mother interjected, prompting me to concentrate on chewing my food to prevent a snarky response. I closed my eyes and exhaled wearily.
"Jason is your grandchild!" I declared, devoid of any amusement in my tone. I glanced at Lolia, who seemed to relish the unfolding drama.
"He certainly is, and I adore him dearly, but he is the heir to his father's company, not the Lyons," Mother asserted, pounding her fist firmly on the table, causing the cutlery to clatter.
"I will eventually marry, Mother, at my own pace. I do not wish to mirror Lolia's husband and be absent when I do commit to marriage," I stated with a mischievous smirk, watching Lolia's smile fade into a frown. I felt somewhat gratified for having served her a taste of her own medicine, hoping she comprehended the sentiment.
"How is Richard, my dear?" Mother inquired genuinely, concern evident in her eyes as she gazed into her daughter's eyes.
"He is well. We converse daily," she replied simply, avoiding divulging further details. I began to feel remorse for mentioning her absent husband.
Lolia wedded Richard when she was only nineteen, a hasty union due to her pregnancy with his child. Mother wished to expedite the wedding to preempt the media from spinning the news out of control. Richard, also a billionaire, was frequently traveling for business, seldom present with his family. Lolia rarely saw him, and Jason had a faint recollection of his father.
"You could reside here with me, dear. I reside alone with numerous maids, and your company would be greatly appreciated," Mother proposed with a smile, attempting to persuade Lolia to stay for a while.
"I would cherish that, Mother, but I prefer to be in my own home. I am no longer a Lyon, remember?" Lolia responded plainly, staring at her empty plate. I pondered what thoughts occupied her mind.
"You are almost always here, so why not stay permanently? Jason would benefit from the companionship, you could use some rest, and I would be delighted to accommodate you both. After all, once a Lyon, always a Lyon. You are my only daughter, and I would always relish your presence," Mother spoke soothingly. Lolia smiled, "Thank you, Mother, but I am content."
Lolia lifted her glass of water, savoring the refreshing taste of the sparkling water.
"Why is Bryan absent? Have you attempted to contact him?" I hastily redirected the conversation away from myself and Lolia's troubles.
"I have. He claims he cannot make it but assures he will make amends," Mother stated solemnly, desiring a family dinner.
"It is alright, Mother," I comforted, extending my hand to clasp hers.
"You know what would truly make me happy?"
"Do not say acquiring a wife..." I began, but she concluded, "acquiring a wife." I groaned in exasperation, setting my fork down on the table. It clinked gently, and I closed my eyes momentarily.
She resumed speaking, but I tuned her out as my thoughts involuntarily drifted to June. Her visage lingered in my memory, and truth be told, I wished it would not fade away.
"I wish she were my girlfriend," I murmured softly.
"You have a girlfriend?" Mother exclaimed. I opened my eyes, feeling perplexed.
"What? No, I do not..."
"Come on, Miguel, we heard you. Who is she?" Lolia inquired curiously. I furrowed my brows in confusion, glancing at my mother, who awaited my response eagerly. They seemed convinced I had mentioned having a girlfriend, and if playing along with this minor white lie would ease the pressure, I did not mind.
"It is nothing serious. I met her at a coffee shop, and we are still acquainting ourselves," I affirmed. Although, that wasn’t a lie.
"You could have at least mentioned it," Mother huffed. Just then, Jason's cries echoed through the baby monitor, and Lolia hurried to tend to him. Mother retreated to the kitchen, leaving me to contemplate in solitude. I sighed heavily, pondering how long this facade would endure before I disclosed the truth..
As I drove back to my house later that night, with the stars twinkling above, I could not help but think of June and the illusion I had created to my mother.
I wondered if this charade would eventually lead to something real, or if it was merely a fleeting fantasy. The image of June's captivating blue eyes lingered in my mind, a stark contrast to the reality of my current situation. The pressure to find a partner, to settle down and start a family, weighed heavily on my shoulders. Yet, the thought of June brought a sense of lightness and hope to my heart.
As I pulled into my driveway and stepped out of the car, the cool night air enveloped me, offering a moment of clarity. I knew that the path ahead was uncertain, filled with challenges and expectations. But for now, I allowed myself to bask in the memory of June's smile, the warmth of her presence that lingered in my thoughts.
Closing the door behind me, I entered my quiet house, the silence of the night wrapping around me like a cocoon. With a deep breath, I resolved to face whatever lay ahead, knowing that the journey to finding love, to finding myself, was just beginning. And perhaps, in the midst of all the chaos and expectations, there was a chance for something real, something true, something like the possibility of June.