Chapter Twenty -Two: It is my life

Jason hung up and fell back in his chair, his heart still beating. He was taken away by how strongly talking to her had touched him. A one phone call ruined all of his efforts to avoid her and manage his love for her.

He began to have ideas about a prospective relationship that went beyond a scheduled marriage. But, he swiftly discarded the thought as he didn't want to wish for the unachievable.

And what the heck did he just do?When he phoned her first, he advised that they live separate lives from one another. F*ck. This lady!

Jason's brain was racing as he started to roam around his office. He could not keep motionless, his brain whirling with questions and fears.

What if his judgment was off? What if he was risking everything for something that would never happen? What if she was merely playing him, just like everyone else in his life? But what if she wasn't? Just view her as someone else. What if she was not his identical twin? Shaking his head, he attempted to clear his thoughts. He had to examine his alternatives and make a conclusion based more on reason than emotion.

His line of thinking was disturbed by a knock on the door.

Jason's secretary Lisa entered the room with a troubled expression on her face. "Mr. Smith, there's someone here to see you," she said. "It's your mother." Jason's heart fell.

He had been evading his mother's calls, not wanting to answer her queries or engage in her business. But he had no option but to confront her now that she was here. His voice trembling, he continued, "Send her in." He adjusted his tie and attempted to relax as his mother appeared in the open door.

"Hello, Jason," his mother responded in a stern, professional voice. "I've been attempting to contact you, yet you haven't been noting my calls."

Jason answered, "I've been occupied," meekly disregarding his mom's scrutinizing.

His mom responded, "That is not a reason," in a stern voice. "I will not tolerate your rude and disrespectful behavior."

"Please accept my apologies, Mum," Jason added, it being hard to appear like a youngster.

Mom said, "That's not good enough." "I want your undivided attention as I come to talk to you about something important."

Jason took a big breath, knowing that this would not be an easy chat.

Trying to sound calm under pressure, he said, "What is it, Mum?"

"It's about the last discussion your dad and I had with you," his mother added, giving him a serious look.

Jason closed his eyes and tried to recall what he'd said to his folks. But his mind was a hole in the wall.

Jason remarked, "I can't seem to place the specific discussion you're talking about, mum."

"The one we came to discuss very early in the morning with you very recently," his mother remarked.

And his thoughts went back to the morning, when they'd come to speak about some important business stuff, the morning after Emma had discovered Lisa in his bedroom.

"Oh, that? Mom. Why are you guys still debating this subject when I thought it was resolved?

Concerned now, his mother urged, "You have to produce an heir as soon as possible. This is nothing to put off or take lightly."

And there she goes again!.. It looked as if Jason had lost his wind. He felt positive it was white on his face.

"I'm not sure I understand," he remarked

His mother replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "You need to provide an heir to the family business."

"I'm not sure if that's something I can handle," remarked Jason's fears.

His mother's face took on an expression of perplexity, as if she had never thought about it. With an astonished tone, she asked, "You're not sure you can do it?" You have the duty for this as the company's successor! This is what you were intended to do."

"I'm not sure about that," looked to be on the point of losing his head.

Red flush raced to his mother's cheeks. "You are not the one to determine that! It is your obligation as the heir to take over your father's estate following his death. It is you who will continue on the tradition we have devoted our entire lives to assuring the firm's success."

Jason felt like he was drowning. He wanted to flee, run from this discourse and the anxiety that came with it. But he knew he couldn't. He had to confront this, even if it was the hardest thing he had ever done.

He responded, "I'm not sure if I can handle it," seeming uncertain. "I doubt I could carry it off. Do I have to continuously make decisions in life by mimicking you and Dad? He refrained from speaking. "God willing, I am an adult! I pledge not to start a family until I'm ready.

His mother looked astonished, as if she had never thought to question herself if he may be planning anything else. "You have to understand, this isn't just about you," she continued in a quiet voice. It has to do with the company's future and the hard-earned reputation we've developed. Nothing could harm it."

He felt a bit more calm now that they were truly conversing. "I am aware of that," he responded. But I also have to select for myself. I can't simply do as Dad and you say without asking questions.

For a minute there was awkward quiet.

He continued, mustering all his fortitude, "Mother, I have to be honest with you." "I am in a relationship, as you know. She has played a huge part in my life for a time, so I don't believe I can simply walk away from her."

His mother's eyes widened as she fled as if she'd been struck. "You mean to tell me you still communicate with Leah even after getting married to Emma?" she added, her tone skeptical. "How do you manage to achieve this? You know how your father and I feel about this type of action."

He added, his voice shaking, "Mum, I know that you and Dad have certain expectations for me. But this is my life, I have to live it as I see fit. Even though I know that you and Dad only want the best for me, I still have to make my own decisions."

His mother turned to gaze at him, her face both regretful and furious. She then yelled, "But you're making the wrong choices!" in an angry voice. "You're throwing away everything we've worked for!"

Remaining calm, he continued, "I'm not trying to throw anything away."

His mother rose to depart and added, "Think about having an heir as soon as possible." "I don't care about your friendship with Leah," she yelled back, slamming the office door shut.