The Billionaire's Unwanted Bride novel Chapter 13

Aidan's POV

"What?" I exclaim with a short laugh.

Mother's wish for me to get married sound ridiculous to my ears. I don't see myself ever getting married. I hate being commitment to someone.

I don't want to be like my father. I don't see myself getting dressed up to be wedded to some girl. I guess this is because I don't believe in people's thinking that marriage is a happily ever after thing.

No, it isn't.

It isn't for my parents and I feel it isn't for everyone. We all think it is because of the unrealistic dramas we watch on TVs or read in books.

Marriage they say is not a bed of roses, but to me, marriage is a bed full of thorns for both partners.

I can't get married. I have enough troubles already, getting married is like adding to the list of problems I am trying to tackle.

"You know I don't believe....."

"Why don't you believe in love and marriage?" She interrupts me. The smile on her face is no longer there, it has been replaced with a worry-laced expression.

I shrug. "I don't know."

"Of course, you know", she counters me.

"Are you scared of marriage because of me? Or is it because you don't want to turn out to be like your father?"

I am silent. I don't want her to know my reasons for hating anything that has to do with having a partner. I don't want fate to repeat itself, I don't want to ever raise my hand to beat the woman I call my wife and I know that will happen because of how ill-tempered I am. I don't want marriage because of this. And I don't want to love or be loved.

Love turned my mother into a cripple, love causeed her nothing but pain and sorrow. I don't want it. I want something different, an entire fate from my parents, which is why I decided that I am never going to get married.

"Aidan", mother calls. Her voice is shaky and I look up to see tears swelling up in her eyes. "I know why you don't want to be married." She declares.

"Mother, I am just 26", I try to convince her to stop talking about the topic. I am still young, I can start thinking of marriage after 10 years when I have accomplished a lot in my company and established more branches all over America as planned.

"You are going to be 27 soon. I am getting old, Aidan. I want to see your children before I die", she blurts out to my amazement.

"What do you mean you are getting old, mother?" I question in annoyance. "You are just 50 years old."

She smiles weakly. "Yes, but I am old and bedridden. Death will come knocking soon but before that, I want you to have a happy family. I want you to be happy."

"I am happy, mother", I argue.

"No, you aren't." She counters me.

"How do you know I am not?"

"Because you are my son and I know you are not happy. That is why I want this for you. You need a good woman in your life to bring back that happiness we both lost years ago."

"No, mother", I shake my head in disagreement.

"Yes, Aidan. Not everyone is a monster like your father. You are different from your father, Aidan, you have nothing to worry about." She assures me.

I am asking myself if what she said is the truth. Father gave birth to me and I have his type of anger.

How sure am I that I won't treat my wife the same way he has been treating my mother? I stare at mother, wondering if father still beats her, whenever she does something wrong.

"Do this for me, son. I love you and I want the best for you." I nod, even though my mind isn't made up yet. I am not ready yet.

I have to work on my mental health and anger issues before thinking of marriage and that will take years. I intend to tell my mother I will be married by 30 but I know she will be against it.

"Will you bring me a woman soon?" She asks, jerking me out of my reverie.

"No, mother", she looks sad. "Not this soon. Maybe in two years." I say, even though I know it won't be possible. I stand up.

"What if I die before then?" She questions me. "I want to see you happy before dying. That is the only thing I am......"

"Mother", I almost shout. "Stop talking about death. You will live long", I guarantee her, even though I keep asking myself if death isn't better than the torture she is going through.

"Alright, you can go", she waves me away and looks out of the window. I know she is angry at me. Mother barely gets angry and I feel unhappy for making her upset.

"Mother, are you mad at your son?" I demand, squatting down again. She refuses to answer me. I sigh.

"Mother, I am sorry", she isn't saying anything.

After a moment of thought, I decide to give in. "Alright, fine. I will do as you say."

"Really?" Her face beams in excitement.

"Yes", I smile. "Maybe next year, is that ok with you?"

"Yes", she smiles again. "Thank you, son. I love you."

"I love you too, mother." I hug her, thinking of the promise I had made.

How do I go about it? I ask myself.

I don't even have a girlfriend, talk more about a woman to make a wife.

"You should go see your father, now. I think the visitor is here because of you", she push me away. She knows I can spend the whole day in her room, without seeing her father.

"He has a visitor?" I ask.

"Yes, the maids told me his friend, Julian, came to visit." She answers.

"Oh!" I mutter. I am thinking it is business-related. After all, I am here because of business, I want to know dad's plan on how to make sure I get the award, instead of Damien.

I just hope his plan is a good one and not the one he will use for his selfish reasons because this time around, I am ready to defy all odds, even if it means losing, just to get back at my father for all he has done.

"Alright, mother." I stand up again. "I will get going."

"Will you come to see me before you leave?" She inquires of me.

"Definitely, mother. I will."

"Thank you, son", she flashes me a smile. I bend to peck her two cheeks before moving out.

I will get you out of here soon, mother, I thought to myself. But first, something needs to be done to father, I smirk.