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.