CHAPTER 13 – HIGH MAINTENANCE
Chase opened the door to his penthouse and saw his father and wife eating pizza in the living room while laughing over something they watching on the TV. They didn’t notice him until he got inside and closed the door.
Was this why his father made him abandon his work and hurry over like something serious was happening?
“There you are!” Chase’s father said, his face still round with laughter from what he was watching with Selene a few moments ago.
Richard was dressed in a brown and black camouflage t-shirt and black belted trousers with a pair of black leather shoes. His face looked incredibly pink and brightened up, like a healthy man.
His wife, Selene, on the other hand, was dressed in a hot pink dress with a pair of red Gucci slippers and she was wearing full-face makeup.
Holding back an annoyed grunt, he moved further into the room and Selene got up from the sofa next to his father to hug him, to prove to his father that she and Chase were a very ‘happy’ couple.
Chase caved into her idea and hugged her back, but only for a few seconds before turning his attention back to his father.
You mentioned having something important to discuss?” Chase inquired as he nonchalantly undid the first few buttons of his suit and draped it casually over his shoulders.
“Sweetheart, shall I fetch you some juice?” Selene chimed in with affection.
“Water will do,” Chase responded with minimal acknowledgment.
“Alright,” Selene headed towards the fridge at the corner of the living room.
Chase settled onto the sofa beside his father, crossing his legs and placing his jacket beside him.
“So, Father, I gather this is about our family business?” Chase casually unfastened a couple more buttons on his shirt and reclined on the couch, feigning an air of relaxation.
“Always direct, just like your usual self.”
“I learned from the best,” Chase retorted playfully.
After his mother’s passing years ago, his father had promptly enrolled him in various master classes to groom him for the family enterprise. One of the lessons included appropriate conduct for a businessman.
“Well…” his father hesitated, shifting gears, “Your wife has probably informed you about the interest from Indigo Magazine to feature both you and her. Accepting this opportunity, as I assume you will, Axford Inc’s hotel stocks are likely to experience further growth.”
Chase scoffed, so this was what his father was trying to do.
Selene came back with a tray of cold bottled water and a glass cup.
As she helped serve the water, Chase said, “Selene, you already asked me to accept Indigo magazine interview and I already said no, why did you have to bring my father into this?”
After filling the cup with the bottled water, Selene sighed and stared down at her feet feigning guilt. “I just thought it would be a good opportunity for you, honey. I care so much about you and want to help you in any way I can.”
Chase sighed, knowing where this was heading.
For a model, his wife seemed to have a few acting tricks up her sleeve. Not that his father could see through it of course.
“Actually,” Selene said a bit loudly while looking up, her eyes filling up with tears. “Every day, after you come back from work, I find it hard to cheer you up, and you go to bed with pent-up annoyance from talking to your incompetent workers. Because of that, I thought of many ways to cheer you up but you were so busy and wouldn’t even spend time with me. So I accepted the offer from Indigo magazine, so we could spend some time together, even though half the time we’ll be working.”
“See? Chase?” Richard said aloud out of disbelief that Chase was not spending time with his beautiful and thoughtful wife. Chase decided to give in knowing he couldn’t win against his persuasive wife and adamant father.
“Fine, I’ll do it.”
“You should have just said so earlier! So I wouldn’t even have to come here, you know? Gosh, you’re so high maintenance but that’s why you’re my son.” Richard said with a playful laugh.
“If you’re done then you can leave,” Chase said.
Richard looked between Selene and Chase before standing on his feet, “My business here is done anyway, I’ll be going back home to my beautiful wife.”
“Suit yourself,” Chase muttered under his breath.
“Father, please stay longer,” Selene told Richard with a pout.
“No, you should use this time to have fun with Chase. You haven’t seen him for some time now, have you?”
“Well…” Selene said shyly.
“You two should use this opportunity to make me grandkids, okay?”
Selene’s blush became deeper. Moments later, she cleared her throat and said, “But Chase… he doesn’t want kids. Whenever I try to bring up this topic, he brushes it off.”
Surprised, Richard said, “Chase, is that true?”
Chase was at a loss for words but he soon regained himself, “I’ve just been really busy is all. But since Selene has mentioned it, I’ll pay more attention.”
“That’s more like it,” Richard said with a chuckle, impressed to hear this response from his son.
“I’ll get going now, no need to see me off. Just stay here with your wife and… ahem, get busy.” Richard rubbed his fingers excitedly as he headed for the door.
Chase stood on his feet and helped his father open the door. He glanced at Selene briefly, holding back his annoyance.
“Bye, father!” He said as he watched his father’s driver open the car’s door for him.
In all honesty, it wasn’t that he didn’t want children. Selene had always been the perfect model so she had once told him that she couldn’t bear to ruin her body for pregnancy. Not that it was a proud thing for her to say to his father. So it was best to let him shoulder responsibility for her fault. It was easier that way, it always was.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.