The night air was cool as Nolan's car glided into the large garage, built within his grandfather's palatial newyork estate.
As he parked the car, he could see his grandfather’s butler, Gareth, standing by the large doors, waiting for him, he briskly walked towards the vehicle, his eyes shining with a warm welcome.
"Master Nolan, it’s been so long.” Gareth greeted, smiling from ear to ear.
“Gareth, how have you been?” Nolan asked as he stepped out of the car.
“I’ve been well sir,your grandfather awaits you on the Tennis course." Gareth said, walking towards the mansion.
“So he still hasn’t gotten over his Tennising habit.” Nolan said, staring at his wristwatch, it was almost eleven midnight.
Gareth smiled.
“I can’t question the master’s hobbies can I?” he replied.
“Allow me escort you to the course.” He added walking forward.
With a nod, Nolan followed Gareth through the palatial mansion.
The mansion had just undergone a recent renovation, as Nolan stepped into the mansion his gaze fell on the huge crystal chandeliers, its beautiful diamonds shinning across the polished marble floors, a few famous artworks hung on the walls, Nolan recognized a few of the artworks, he could remember his grandfather purchasing them from an auction a few years ago, the cheapest one had cost fifteen million dollars.
His mother had called him that she was in New York and she wanted them to have dinner together with his grandfather.
He had come because he was a little worried about his mom, she never travelled without telling him, so he knew their must have been something she wanted to discuss.
Gareth led him through a large wooden French made door, stopping at the door.
“Master Nolan, my escort ends here, I will call the next butler to escort you to the main Tennis course.” gareth said, his voice polite.
Nolan shook his head.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” He said, walking away, he could already see the Tennis course, it was his grandfather’s personal owned course, and it held a lot of memories to him.
Nolan's footsteps echoed through the mansion as he approached the Tennis course. As he stepped into the course, he could hear a few familiar voices, he recognized his mother’s voice and his grandfather, it seemed like they were having an argument.
He could see his mother, Lucy standing beside the Tennis cart, her face red with anger, while his grandfather, lucian Van-Louvre, stood calmly, his eyes fixed on her, a sly smile on his aged face.
"Father… you are already old, and I’m also old why do you want to be so hard on him.” His mother hissed, her voice shaking with anger.
"I've dedicated my life to the company and everything you wanted me to, so please let me raise my son as I please and not as you please, he’s my son! Mine! I carried him for nine months…. And he will get married to whoever he wants to.”
lucian Van-Louvre's expression remained uninterested.
"Lucy, my dear, this is men matters, and Nolan may not act like it, but he’s already a man, and the shareholders at the company are not delighted about me stepping down for my grandson who is still a bachelor with no experience in the industry.” He said, his voice calm.
“I make decisions based on what's best for the company, not personal relationships." He added, focusing his attention on cleaning his Tennis balls.
Lucy's eyes flashed with anger.
"Personal relationships? You're talking about family, Father! I'm your daughter, and I've been by your side since I was a child. I've earned the right to treat my son as I please.” She snapped.
As Nolan approached them, Lucy's gaze shifted to him, she immediately shot an accusing finger towards him.
"And are you even thinking about Nolan? He's your grandson, and he's been working tirelessly for the company.”
“You should give him a chance to choose what he wants for once in his life and not force him to do as you please.”
“He’s not some toy or some game, he’s my son with his own life, his own mind, his own type… why should he still give up everything for those old goons at the company!”
“Those old goons own fifty percent of the company’s shares!” Lucian shouted a little.
Nolan stopped abruptly, he felt a tiny surge of discomfort at being drawn into the argument.
He didn’t like being in the middle of family drama, especially one that involved his grandfather.
He forced a smile, trying to appear neutral, but inside, he boiled with anger.
He couldn’t believe his grandfather wanted to perform an arranged marriage for him just to please the other share holders of the company, he watched his parents loveless wedding after his grandfather had given his daughter in marriage to the son of a big finance firm so he could secure almost ten billion dollars in investments, the marriage didn’t even last for six years before they divorced, his grandfather was old school and he had been so angry at the thought of his daughter divorcing that he didn’t speak to her for almost two years.
Nolan knew that if he refused, his grandfather would either not speak to him till he died or he may even disown him, but he didn’t care, he didn’t want to marry just anyone.
He wanted to marry someone he loved, someone that would love him as much in return.
"Mother, can we not discuss this now," Nolan said, attempting to distract her, while avoiding eye contact with his grandfather.
Lucy's turned towards Nolan.
“I know you don’t want to get married to just anybody dear, I’m sure you must have a special someone in your mind.” She said, her voice was a mix of frustration and disappointment.
She knew her son had ended numerous relationships due to his grandfather not wanting him to associate with just anybody.
lucian Van-Louvre gently placed the Tennis ball on the table, his eyes narrowed slightly as his gaze turned towards Nolan, studying him silently for a minute, he slowly turned towards Lucy.
"Enough, Lucy," lucian Van-Louvre said finally, his voice firm and cold.
"I've made my decision, and it's final. Nolan will get married to Juliano Moncler’s daughter.”
“Moncler’s shares are skyrocketing, and if Nolan can get married, it would create a good deal for us.” Lucian added.
Everyone was quiet as the air was filled with tension as Lucy's face sank, her anger and disappointment were very obvious.
Nolan looked away, tightening his fist in anger, he felt sympathy for his mother, but he dared not show it.
Instead, he maintained his neutral face, he was aware of his grandfather's watchful eye on him.
Nolan slowly backed away from his grandfather and mother, plopping down on the soft leather chair, he stared at his wristwatch, time was already twelve midnight.
“Young master, don’t think too much of it.” He heard Lance say, as he walked up to him, sitting down beside him, he placed his hands across his shoulders pulling him closer.
“The chairman has good taste in women, I’m sure he’ll make the best choices for you.” Lance said, chuckling, his breath smelling of alcohol.
“I know you may feel angry, but the chairman knows what’s best for you, after all you’re his grandson.”
Nolan rolled his eyes, as he pushed off Lance’s hand from his shoulder.
"Shut up, Lance.” He snapped.
“You don’t have to always kiss that old geezers ass.” He muttered underneath his breath, low enough for only lance to hear.
Lance laughed, patting Nolan on the back. "I’m sorry. Whatever you say, young master."
Nolan shook his head, his gaze falling back on his grandfather’s small frame, he was still busy cleaning his Tennis balls.
His mother’s word still in his head.
He deserved to love someone for once in his life.
He deserved his own happiness.
He wasn’t some toy to be used whenever his grandfather wanted.
He had his own life to live, and he wanted to live it on his own terms.
He immediately stood up, briskly walking towards his grandfather, who was still focused on cleaning one of his Tennis balls with a soft white towel.
"Grandfather, can I talk to you for a minute?" Nolan asked, trying to sound casual.
lucian Van-Louvre looked up, his eyes piercing as he examined Nolan's face. "Of course, Nolly, What's on your mind?" He asked.
Nolan took a deep breath, hesitating, unsure on how to start the conversation.
He glanced at Lance, who was sitting at the edge of the leather chair, trying to listen in on their conversation.
"It's just that...I was wondering about your decision to choose my marriage and everything," Nolan said finally, trying to sound nonchalant.
lucian Van-Louvre's expression turned surprised, his eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. "Ah, yes. Juliano Moncler’s daughter, Avana, she’s going to be a perfect wife. She’s such a talented young woman, don't you think so, Nolan?" He asked.
Nolan nodded.
“Yes I do grandfather, it’s just that.” Nolan trailed off as he rested on the table lucian was arranging his Tennisballs, the table swerved forward, sending his grandfather's meticulously cleaned and arranged Tennis balls rolling to the ground.
The sound of the balls bouncing and scattering across the floor was followed by an uncomfortable tense silence, everyone around silently staring at him.
lucian Van-Louvre's face turned blood red with rage as he stared at Nolan, his eyes filled with anger.
"You clumsy disappointment!" he thundered, his voice echoing across the Tennis course.
Before Nolan could react, lucian Van-Louvre’s hand shot out, striking him across the face with a resounding slap.
"You failure!" lucian Van-Louvre spat, his voice filled with anger.
"You have nothing to offer, Nolan. Nothing!"
Lucy's eyes flashed with anger as she rushed to her Nolan’s side, her face pale with shock. "That's enough, Father!" she exclaimed, her voice firm. "You have no right to my son like that! You have no right speak to Nolan like that!" She hissed.
She immediately grabbed Nolan’s arm dragging him away from lucian.
"Come, Nolan. Let's get out of here. We don't need any of this in our life.” She snapped, walking away.
lucian Van-Louvre let out a chuckle, as he watched them leave.
“I want to hear your report as you resume work at the company! You must create a new brand, one that hits number one on the sales chart before I see you as my grandson!” Lucian yelled as they walked away.
Nolan closed his eyes in anger, he could still feel lucian Van-Louvre’s eyes burning with contempt, the pain of the slap still fresh on his cheek. He knew he had to get out of there before things escalated further.
One of the standby butlers immediately rushed forward to pick up the scattered Tennis balls, but in his rush, he accidentally stepped on one, causing it to roll further into the mud.
lucian Van-Louvre's face turned blood like red with rage in a swift motion he snatched his Tennis club, swinging it down hard at the butter.
The sound of the Tennis club striking the butler's back and shoulders repeatedly, accompanied by the man’s cried filled the air, making Nolan's stomach turn. He could feel Lucy’s grip on his arm tighten, her eyes fixed on the scene in horror.
"Look away, Nolan," she whispered, her voice shaking.
Nolan immediately looked away, his heart racing with discomfort.
The other staffs were all going about their duties, each of them pretending to not notice anything.
Nolan stole a peek in the direction of his grandfather, he was still beating the butler.
Sometimes, he just couldn't believe his grandfather's cruelty, sometimes the man was a nice and jolly as Santa Claus and other times he was this menacing demon.