POV: Narrator
12 December 2022
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, California

"So shall I take it that it all started at that party?" the doctor inquired while being actively engaged in making a note of Clazer's statement.

"Yes or No? Umm. I don't know. It started way back" Clazer answered vaguely.

..............................................

13 September 2021,
At that business party in Washington, D.C.

"Wow, dad! It looks so Classy! A seven-star hotel! But I told you, I am not comfortable in such parties and formal wear and all the business-related things." I began complaining soon after walking in through the entrance with my dad, that's my nature.

The business suit was as crisp as a new banknote and dyed to a uniform shade of black. Above the white-collar line, it was as if my face had been fashioned from those inky dots.

"Don't act like your mom now, she used to behave this too. Don't forget you are my son and the successor of this business. Keep your standards high. Also, don't go on talking rubbish, make sure you construct the statement in your mind before speaking and face to the left side, that's better." Dad whispered in my ear, adjusting my suit from behind.

"That's why I am her son, not yours!" I jerked his hand off.

"Listen, it's our success party, don't you dare do anything that will embarrass me!"
Dad held my hand tightly, widening his eyes. I began rolling my eyes around to avoid contact or I was surely going to get a lecture.

"Ours? It means two people right?" I said with a dramatic face trying to forget what he just said.

"We sold almost 90% of engines to this company at a rate much more profitable than I had earned in the last 10 years of my business, I think that the Secretary's decision to shift to Washington, D.C. was a good idea. We are billionaires now!"

"We are billionaires, huh? Wait.... what?Really?"
I said shocked. Dad nodded his head for a yes. I was on the seventh cloud,

"Oh, dad, you are so great"
I hugged him with joy and was so proud of his achievements.

"Let's go, it's our success party. Why are we standing here at the entrance?"I held his hand and dragged him inside.

Both of us entered the hotel, it was covered with an all-party theme style with a little business touch to it. Every man was wearing a suit or tuxedo. Women in beautiful gowns and expensive drinks in hand. The conversations about shares and business deals could be heard all around.

Shortly after a while, a man in an eccentric designer suit arrived at us.

"He is Mr. Deroz, the owner of the Deroz Car company."

Dad quickly informed me about him.

He was the owner of the company who traded deals with us this week which was very successful. The stock prices went sky high and our pockets began filling like anything. In other words, both parties became billionaires.

"Oh, Mr. Oath, welcome to our amazing success party, have you taken any drinks yet?" he laughed creepily.

I have never seen such a greedy smile before.

"Yeah, it's my pleasure to be here, and yes meet my son, Clazer Oath, the hottest topic between us these days," Dad said, laughing loudly.

I was listening dubiously, cursing myself for sleeping that night. I wish I could've listened to what dad had to say

"Clazer Oath, nice to meet you," Mr. Deroz chuckled.

He grabbed a glass of wine from a roving waiter's tray with a lithe, giving it to me. I accepted the glass of wine.

"Hello, Mr. Deroz nice to meet you," I replied curtly in a heavy voice because dad was Judging me and the result will be announced when we reach home.

Mr.Deroz looked around and gazed back at me, coming close to me he whispered "Call me dad from now."

I was speechless, so I tried a fake smile at him.

"You look the very attractive and shrewd, almost perfect choice of my smart daughter." he acknowledged me but I felt disgusted.

Was I supposed to drink that wine too with his low-class joke on backfire?

Dad continued grinning "He looks so much like his mom."

"So, Clazer do you have any girlfriend? Even if you have one that didn't matter now"

"Not really," I said, blushing and confused

"Have you done it before?"

"Pardon me?" I asked, my voice shaking with embarrassment like someone was bullying me.

I want to go... I want to leave this place. I would gladly meet my relatives instead!

"I mean have you drank wine before, your dad said you didn't," he said laughing

"I will be back with Sirania, just wait for a few moments," Mr. Deroz announced and walked away.

"What was all this dad? Is that man an idiot or what? "

"I told you yesterday only in brief that it's going to be a blind date for you, and the owner of this company's daughter, what's her name......Ahh... Sirania...Sirania Deroz is curious about you." he recalled her with great difficulty and want me to date her like it's nothing.

"I don't exactly remember you telling me something so important."

"We have decided to get you and his daughter Sirania date for a year and get engaged next year on Christmas Eve of 2022. You don't even have anyone else in your life and you are 21 now, my son, soon you will graduate, so take this as a gift from me you know I can't see you this lonely, weeping for things you know and you aren't willing to admit and she is a kind, prosperous, and very adorable girl, just like your mom used to be."

"Have you ever asked me, dad? You should have told me before! This is all of sudden! And don't you compare any girl with mom, I've told you countless times already!" I muttered.

"Just date her for 1 year, you still have time to think. We are not forcing you or her to get engaged. This is just a matter of time so that if you two are ideal for each other, you can tell us your decision to us next year. No one is forcing you, my boy, Sirania herself informed me and she is going to explain everything to you like all your questions and concerns "

"I am a man. It's okay for me, but for her? Maybe her father forced her..."

"She came to terms and it's her plan, so we agreed to take this further on. Her dad seems to be happy about this."

.
.
.

(Inside A dressing room)

"You know what to do well and good. It's like a good opportunity for you to turn your dependent life independent" an extravagant lady in her forties locked her phone screen and got up on long shiny black heels moving close to Sirania, she placed her hand slowly on her shoulder, her lipstick made her red long one-piece look more exquisite with her blonde hair fastened lavishly and lowered to lay on till her back.

"Ain't I using him, how's that independent anyway?" Sirania replied, the girl with no flaws, beauty she inherited from her mother with those lustrous cheeks and baby pink lips enough for men to fall for her at first sight.

"Don't ever mention anything to your dad remember that"

The door was knocked and it was Mr. Deroz, he looked around the room to see his lovely daughter all dressed up seating in front of a mirror with her mom standing aside.

"Oh my God " he screamed "Clazer is going to fall for you no not just fall he is getting a mini heart attack I know for sure "

He gave her a right hug as she stands on her legs

"Ain't she the most gorgeous?" he questioned his wife holding Sirania's hand with warmth.

She nodded

"Come on let's make him fall for you, the boy you were crying eyes out to is out there"

"I was surely crying for him, but don't mention it over, again and again, especially in front of him, it's kinda embarrassing you know that naa," Sirania said puffing her cheeks.

(Need to Know by Doja Cat Playing in the background)

To be Continued