Jayden's POV
The car stops in the driveway and I open the door myself to come out of the car before Fred could get the door.
Today's work was hectic and I wouldn't be here if my mother hadn't invited me to dinner. She is persistent and would do anything to get what she wants.
I know she wants us to talk about the wedding preparations. Coupled with the fact that I have been meaning to come to see her, I decided to come over today instead of tomorrow.
I could remember the look of shock on her face when I announced to her that I was getting married to no one but my Assistant. I don't think she knows Isabella but the thought of being married to my employee was a huge killjoy for her.
Today, I will know what she thinks of the match and I will convince her to let me do what I want.
If I don't do this, if I don't marry Isabella, I won't be able to prove to her that marriage isn't meant for everyone.
Getting married to her choice of woman will make everything hard and I am not in for any lifetime commitments. I don't have the time to handle any woman who would give me a hard time. The thought of that only scares me about marriage.
Despite all the hurdles that come with marriages, people still get married daily, making me wonder why people still go ahead with this like it is a priority.
It isn't an achievement but that is what they make it look like. What good comes out of being married and getting separated at the end of the day, whether due to divorce or death.
Nothing!
Absolute nothing.
The footman opens the door, making me venture into my parent's English country home.
"Good day, Mr. Russell", the footman greets politely with a bow.
Before I can answer, Mother's lady maid appears, flashing me a smile.
"Ms. Susan", I regard her with a smile as she approaches.
She bows respectfully. "Welcome, Master. Ma'am is already in the dining area."
"Thank you", I say and walk past both of them.
Instantly, my stomach rumbles, and I realize I haven't had a good meal since yesterday. I am not a fan of breakfast. I am used to drinking coffee every morning and I don't bother to take lunch.
Last night, when I got home, I was extremely exhausted and I went to bed after taking a hot shower, without dinner.
I hear chatter from the dining area as I approach. The dining area comes into view and I see Mother and Father already eating without waiting for me.
Mother looks up and her face lights up in joy when she sees me.
"Jayden", Mother calls, looking happy to see me. Father hoists his head up to see me approach and smiles at me too.
"You came?" He asks, looking down at his meal as the maid begins to dish out my food for me. Father is sitting at the head of the dining table while my Mother is right beside him. The other seats are empty until I drag one out.
"Yes, Father", I answer, sitting down. "How have you been, Father?"
Ever since he had a stroke five years ago, he had stopped working, giving me all of his companies which I added to mine and which turned me into a multimillionaire.
Even though I didn't want to take it because I wanted to do things my own way, Mother interfered and I had to give in.
"I thought you were going to come with your bride-to-be", her eyes twinkles with mischief and I nod, before digging my cutleries into the food after the maid dished it out.
"She is busy preparing for the wedding", I say in between mouthfuls.
I haven't spoken to Father about the wedding yet and I intend to do that today after dinner, even though I know Mother won't keep such a thing from him.
Father isn't as difficult as Mother and he would support me. The problem is convincing Mom.
"Uhmm", she sighs, with a frown replacing the smile on her face. We continue to eat in silence.
I miss eating here. I miss the smell of the spices and the taste of Eva's delicacies. It reminds me of so many things about home.
The mother finishes eating first and clears her throat, signifying that she has something to say. I don't look up until I am done with mine.
"Your Mother told me you are getting married", Father begins. I know this is the reason for the invite and here we are.
"To Isabella, yes." I nod, pushing the plates away and gulping down the remaining content of the fruit juice in front of me.
"Your Assistant?" He questions and I nod intermittently. "The one I met the other time?" I nod again, leaning back on the seat more comfortably.
Mother is still frowning and this time, it shows her disapproval.
"Have you thought of what people would say when they get to know you are getting married to your employee?" He interrogates, with a more serious expression, making me wonder what this woman must have told him.
"Former employee, Father. She no longer works with me", I defend objectively, not liking the way the conversation is going.
"It doesn't matter whether she is your former or present employee. What matters is the fact that she works with you or she used to work with you", he shakes his head as he speaks.
"It doesn't matter", I utter firmly, spreading my arms out wide in demonstration.
"It does."
"It doesn't." I insist.
"It does' ', Father objects again. "Have you thought of what the public would say? She works in one of your companies. If the other employees understand, what about those in the other companies? What do you want them to think of you? What happened to the rule of a-no-to-employee-employer-relationship? You brought that rule yourself, remember? What happened?"
"Love happened", I feel my anger rising. Mother must have fed him with a lot of bullshit for him to be this serious about convincing me to marry someone else.
I want Isabella and no one else. No other woman can give me the peace which I deserve except her. No wonder women will understand the conditions of this facade of a marriage except Isabella. No woman will accept and stick to all the rules guiding the contract we signed except her.
Lastly, no woman would want to leave after a year except Isabella.
She didn't want to marry me. I used her situation to my advantage.
"I love her, Father", I break the silence, looking from my mother to Father. Mother looks surprised and Father's face is devoid of emotions. "The same way you got married to my Mother simply because you love her for no reason. That is what is happening. Aren't you both supposed to be happy for me? It's been two years already. Two years of nothing but pure torture. I never knew I would fall in love again after what happened but shit happens. I fell in love with her modesty and humility. You both want me to be married, right? That is what I am doing. Why then does it seem like I don't have your support?"
Everywhere is silent for a while until Father breaks the silence.
"We are going to support you. We just want to be sure that you are doing the right thing. What if this woman is a pretender and a gold digger?"
"What?!" I exclaim loudly. "A gold digger?"
"Yes. She has been working with you for over a year now and…"
"Dad, this girl is not a gold digger. She is decent, honest, humble, hardworking and a f***ing virgin", I grit my teeth in annoyance.
I didn't mean to add the last statement but I find myself doing that. Maybe it will convince them that she is different from the rest of the girls out there.
They exchange glances and I clear my throat, and take a deep breath, making an effort to calm my nerves.
"You saw her, didn't you? You saw her on two occasions and you had a conversation with her" I stare at Father. "What do you think of her?"
He shrugs indifferently. "I don't really think much of her but your Mother has a bad view of…
"Anna is a better person", Mother cuts him short sharply.
"Anna?" Father and I both turn to her with questioning brows.
"Yes, Anna Nicole, your new Assistant. Her mother owns Emily's Fashion House and her Father has a large law firm…"
"Are you trying to matchmake me with your friend's daughter?" I interrupt her sharply. It is obvious she didn't tell Father the reason for her disapproval of my bride. She only told him what she thinks of Isabella.
"Of course not", she rolls her eyes at me. "I am just looking out for my son."
"This was the same thing you did with Helena, Mother. I just told you I am in love with someone and you are talking about matchmaking me with someone I don't even know. How do you want that to work?" My voice is a bit raised at her and silence ensues.
Father isn't saying anything and it is adding to my anger. This is what I hate the most about him. He is not good at decision-making. He lets my Mother control almost everything. Even if he makes a decision, he doesn't stick to it till the end.
"I am not in support of matchmaking our son to Roger's daughter", Father murmurs indignantly, as though he can hear my thoughts.
"Why not? Isn't he your friend?" Mother counters him, my anger intensifying at her refusal to understand me.
"You know what?" I drag my seat out, rising abruptly. Mother and Father turn their gazes to me. "Since this is about you and what you think, then I am no longer going to get married."
"What?!" She exclaims in disbelief, her eyes bulging open.
"Yes", I say to her. "I am no longer going to get married to Isabella or Anna or whoever it is you want me to be married to. I am going to remain single for life!"
I twirl back without waiting for a reaction or response from them and stride to the door.