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•Seth•

The last time I felt such tightness in my chest was during my mother's funeral. It had taken a great deal of self-control to keep me from flinging myself face-first into her open grave. The memory of my brother's numb face and the many sympathetic looks thrown at us remained vivid in my memory. I couldn’t afford to betray any emotions that day. All I could do was stand alongside my brother as her coffin was lowered into the ground.

“In hopes that you find happiness…”

My patience was growing thinner with every passing minute as I watched the man seated in front of me repeat words I am already familiar with. My mother's lawyer, Samuel Joyner, had decided to pay me a surprise visit in my office to supposedly have a little 'chat' with me. The man was well into his forties and a rather bubbly fellow. I was more or less compelled to listen to him read out my mother’s will. Again.

If there was anything I had come to hate these past years, it was talking to people. There were only a few individuals I could tolerate and my mother who happened to be one of them was gone. Samuel’s ‘visits’ always evoked a certain feeling of numbness inside me. Memories of the time spent with my mother would always flood my mind like a stampede.

“I don't think you understand.” The man sighed, his lips pulled into a frown. He opened the small bag on his laps and pulled out a small handkerchief.

“I have a broader understanding than you think, Samuel.” I levelled a glare at him as he wiped a thin line of sweat of his forehead. He shook his head as if to disagree with what I had just said.

“That doesn't seem to be the case because if you did, you would understand that your time is ticking and this inheritance is slowly slipping through your fingers." 

After my mother's funeral, Samuel had read the contents of the will out to me and my older brother, Tristan. The will contained everything my mother had left behind for her children. Most of the Rowan company shares were given to Tristan. For me, she had left 50 billion dollars and some shares in the company on the condition that I could fulfill one requirement; have a family. Failure to do this would mean Tristan gets all my inheritance along with his. Like hell I’d let that happen.

“It's not as easy as you think it is.” I tried to reason with Samuel. 

For all I knew, he seemed keen on me getting my share of the inheritance. It did please me a bit that he was concerned about me though it was annoying sometimes. 

Samuel flipped to another page. “I understand, Seth. I just don’t want you to end up losing everything.”

“That won't happen!” 

My words came out almost immediately, the stern tone of my voice stunning the lawyer a little. He relaxed a little after some seconds, leaning back on his chair.

“I have a lot of faith in you, Seth. What rightfully belongs to you will never escape your grasp.” He sent me a smile, which I couldn't quite return back. I gave a nod before glancing at my watch.

“Thank you for your concern towards me.” I tried to smile, despite the growing discomfort in my chest.

“It was a pleasure, Seth. I hope to see you attain greater heights in the future.” Samuel sent me one of those wistful smiles again.

 He extended a hand towards me and I begrudgingly reciprocated his handshake. The longer he remained in my office, the more the discomfort seemed to claw at my throat.

“Well.” Samuel stood up from his seat. “I think I'll be taking my leave now.”

“Thank you once again for the advice.” I added, watching him walk towards the door. 

He turned to look at me briefly before giving me a small nod. My assistant, Levi moved to show him out of the building. Now that Samuel was out of my office, it felt like I was able to breathe again.

A few minutes later, Levi walked back into my office. Levi was my bodyguard and assistant at the same time. Blessed with both brains and brawn, he always managed to do all his given tasks efficiently. He was a tall, light skinned man with enough bulk to look intimidating; the perfect candidate for a bodyguard.

“Mr. Joyner has left the building sir.” I barely heard Levi's voice over my thoughts. 

The need to find a perfect candidate for a wife as soon as possible plagued my thoughts. Being in love with her was definitely out of the question. All I needed was for her to agree to be my wife.

 “Sir.” Levi's gruff voice rang in my ear.

“What?!” I snapped at him. He looked unfazed which only infuriated me more.

“Sorry for the disturbance.” Levi bowed his head apologetically. “I just want to know the plan regarding the issue of a wife.”

“I’m working on it.” I clicked my tongue in frustration. Everything was starting to irritate me.

“My apologies.” I narrowed my eyes at his bowed head for a few seconds before shaking my head.

“Clear my schedule for the rest of the day. I have a meeting with some people that'll help kick the project into full swing.” 

After my mother's death I had detached myself from the family company and decided to run my own based on a project I've dreamed on starting for a long time. Getting the inheritance would guarantee a high success rate for this project.

“Understood.” Levi headed out of the office.

   My eyes subconsciously travelled to the framed photo on my desk. It was a picture of my mother with a huge grin plastered on her face. I'd rather die than let my asshole brother obtain my share of the company. Because if I've learned anything from him, it’s that hate is a much stronger emotion than love.