The Billionaire's Unwanted Bride novel Chapter 21

Aidan's POV

The private jet lands in New York at exactly 8:10 pm. I remove my seat belt and move out of the jet. I walk briskly to the Limousine waiting for me. I am really exhausted after a long day in Chicago. I have been gone for three days.

I went there for a business meeting and the launching of my new hotels in Chicago. I was supposed to arrive in New York earlier this morning but I had to stay back to close the deals I have in Chicago. I got the deal and after signing the contract, the jet took off from Chicago at exactly 5 pm.

The driver comes out and takes the suitcase from me. He opens the door for me and I hop in. He drops the suitcase beside him as he gets in. We drive off.

All I want to do now is to take a hot bath, eat and go to bed. I have an appointment with Alexander tomorrow morning by 10 am, so I need to be up early to prepare the contract before his arrival.

I am also hoping to talk to him about the award, to see if he can help in any way. Anytime I think of what Damien is capable of doing, it scares me to know I might lose the award.

Father hasn't called me since the other day and it is unexpected. I wonder why he isn't blowing my phone off with his calls, to persuade me to agree to his stupid plan.

I breathe out air and close my eyes. I feel myself dozing off when the Limousine stops right in front of my apartment. The driver moves out and opens the door for me. I get out and take the suitcase from him.

"Thank you, Hunter", I say politely to the middle-aged man.

He is my driver but I like driving myself to work most of the time. I always require his service whenever I am going on a trip. I like him because he is honest and loyal.

As I begin to take long strides towards the house, I notice there is a strange car parked close to the house. Before I can make a statement about it to Hunter who is already getting into the car, I see someone coming from inside.

"Mother?" I say as someone wheels her out. She is sitting in her wheelchair, looking tired. I can now see the face of the person behind her. It is one of her maids, Lucy.

"Where have you been, Aidan? I have been here for several hours waiting for you because you refuse to pick up your calls." She does not look happy.

I squat and touch her lap. "I'm sorry, mom. I just got in from Chicago. Is everything ok?"

She isn't smiling and I wonder what is wrong. "I came to see you."

I stand upright and move to the door. I slid in the keys and open it wide for Lucy to wheel her in.

I am leaning on the door frame, watching Lucy help her in. When they are in, I get in and close the door behind me.

I take the wheelchair from Lucy and push mother close to my favorite sofa. I sit in and place my hand on her lap, waiting for her to tell me what is the matter.

"Your father sent me", she begins. I am not expecting her sudden visit to be about father but I am not too shocked that father has taken a step now like I was thinking of earlier in the jet.

"And I'm also here about the marriage we talked about the last time", she adds. Lucy is standing silently behind her.

I have a feeling now that my father sent her to persuade me to marry Tessa. The thought saddens me because I know my father is doing this on purpose. He knows I always obey my mother and he wants to use this to his advantage.

"Mother, I'm sorry but I can't marry Tessa", I declare openly, shutting my eyes, not wanting to see the hurt in her eyes for rejecting what she is proposing.

I wish I could do what she is asking me to do but I can't. I don't want Tessa as a wife, she is a bad choice, and getting married to her will be hell on earth.

I do not know much about her but I feel she is no good for me. The way she threw herself cheaply at me speaks a lot about her.

She behaves like a slut and that is what I see her as. I am sure I am not the only man she has slept with in three months since we met.

"I am not asking you to marry Tessa", she holds my hand and I flutter my eyes open. I am a bit relieved that she is not in support of the marriage with Tessa.

Why is she here? I wonder.

"Your father pleaded with me to convince you to marry her but I don't want her for you. I want your happiness, not just any woman. Tessa is not the woman that can guarantee you the happiness I want for you."

"Yes, mom. That's why I don't want to marry her. She is a bad choice. I wonder why dad is still insisting on it if it is only for my benefit."

"Your father is irresponsible and desperate", she mutters. No matter how bad she speaks of my father, I can still see how much she loves him. Sometimes, I wonder if mom hates him as I do. I hate my father because of her.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "He is not the reason why I am here. I have been wanting to come to visit but his suggestion that I should visit is working to my advantage. I am here to hear your response about the marriage we talked about the last time you came home. Have you found anyone yet?"

"No, mom." I tell her. "I've been so busy, I barely have time for myself."

She nods in understanding. "Should I find you someone? Probably one of my friend's daughters?"

"No, mom. I don't want a spoiled brat as a wife. I will think about it and do something concerning it very soon", I promise her.

"I want you to get married before the award night", she announces.

"What?" I exclaim. The award night is in a month. How can I find a woman before then?

"I thought we concluded on next year, mom?" My eyes are bulging out.

"I know but something might happen on that day. I want you to present your wife to the world that day to steer Tessa and her father away."

An awkward silence falls upon us. She looks thoughtful for a while and I am also thinking of what to do. I have a lot to do and finding a woman this soon is a big job to do. I need to find a way to convince mom that I will find someone after the award night.

"You don't even need to be married then if it's too soon. But you should be engaged to her so you can tell them she is your fiancee", she completes.

"What is going to happen, mom?" I ask her out of curiosity.

She shrugs and keeps quiet.

"Tell me mom", she smiles as I caress her hands. My hand is still in between hers. They are still as soft as ever.

I wish to find someone like my mom. She is calm and beautiful, loyal and honest, sweet and generous. I love her.

"For you to be considered seriously for the award and even after the award night, for you to be considered responsible for different business deals coming from new clients you will meet that night who will be interested in signing a deal with you, you need to stick to one woman and eliminate the rumor of being a Casanova. You aren't one, I didn't train you up to be a playboy so I want you married for your own good" She explains.

I nod. I don't want to argue with her. I have my own opinion of the whole thing but I will rather keep it to myself.

"I want grandchildren, they will keep me company, you know?" She has an amusing look on her face.

As she made mention of grandchildren, I remember the girl that claimed she is pregnant for me and how her mother has been pestering my life.

'You have what you need already', my subconscious screams.

I can barely remember how she looks but I feel she is ok for a wife. She doesn't look wild like Tessa.

All I need to do is find out if the baby is truly mine and introduce her to my mom. I don't even need to get married to her. I will get her engaged and after she has given birth to the baby, I will pay her off and take the baby from her to make my mother happy.

'This is a good idea', I grin inwardly.

"Aidan, you aren't saying anything", mother says.

"I hear you, mom. I will give you a positive reply next week", I assure her.

"Really?" She beams.

"Yes", I reply with a smile.

"Thank you", she pecks my forehead. I can see the happiness radiating all over her.

She is genuinely happy at the thought of getting me married and having children. I know she will be more excited when I tell her I am expecting a baby from someone but I don't intend to tell her now, till I have everything confirmed.

"Thank you, mom. I love you."

"I love you too, son." She replies.

I sit back and watch her face. She is looking at me too.

"Mom?" I call after a moment of silence.

"Son?"

"I have a feeling dad isn't doing this for me to get the award alone, I feel there is a different motive behind all of these."

She smiles sadly. "Your father is a smart man and he always makes sure to get what he wants."

"That's why I keep asking myself what he stands to gain from making me marry that whore."

"A lot", she says sharply. I gaze up at her.

"Your father has a lot to gain from having Julian as his in-law. The award is one of those things but it is just the least of the benefits."

"Benefits?" I am puzzled. I have been asking myself what he stands to gain, ever since he informed me about the so-called plans they were making for me to marry Tessa, but I have been unable to find an answer, till now.

Father has lots of companies and even connections all over South America and England.

What else does he want? More power? More companies? More money?

Everyone craves more money but getting it the wrong way is what makes it unfair. I am also craving to have more money and establish new companies.

"Your father wants you to marry her because of one major thing." She utters, increasing my curiosity.

"What is that thing?"

"He wants to take over Julian's companies and take Tessa's inheritance from her. He can only get the inheritance by making you her husband and getting Julian's wealth can only be possible if Tessa becomes family", she mumbles and my mouth drops open in awe.