Chapter 3 SIMON

Simon was laying on his bed, thinking all kinds of possibilities that, the night could have turned out like, like maybe if he would talk to her, or much less even looked at her. with her noticing it. Sure he looked at her tonight, she was looking beautiful in that black dress, he noticed her every move, when he entered the house, the first thing he saw was her, sitting beside his sister, fidgeting with her fingers, the glow on her face when she saw him, that smile, maybe ....... maybe If he could get over himself, he would have heard her beautiful voice and laugh.

Alas, the time had passed now.

His phone vibrated, it was about some important meeting he had to attend tomorrow. After seeing the message he kept his phone aside, he glanced at the jug kept on his nightstand and to his surprise he found it-empty, too lazy or tired to get up and fill it, he rather ignored it and lied down again, staring at the ceiling above. At stars.

His room has painted all dark and grey, almost black with a hint of glitter, the room held no colour just dark, even his bedcovers were black and grey and he preferred it that way. On the opposite side of his bed at a distance, he had a sitting area along with a tv and opposite to that he had his closets and washroom. On the right of his bed, he had a bookshelf and beside it was a portrait of his family which he painted. No one was allowed to see it, for he never allowed anyone in his room, though he lived separately. He would even clean his room himself because he never liked anyone doing his work and never liked the idea of someone invading his privacy. He only had a home cook, Dahlia previously his nanny, he requested her personally to come with him and stay with him, when moved into his house.

He was not that close to his family, just formal for, he had a rough childhood. He was a man of few words. In his childhood, he was neglected. Though, He has an elder sister and he never had felt the need to share anything with her. His sister was always busy with the makeover with her friends or a shopping spree or the pedicures or with the manicures. She would always say that " if you want to play go find somebody else, I am busy now." or would say " not now Mimi I am tired" if he ever asks to play. Most of the time he was lost in his books or would be painting in the studio. His parents never had time for him, his father would be busy handling the company and his mother would be busy tailing behind her husband. He always felt that he was unwanted, always under the shadow of his sister. Everybody would shush him away saying he had a nanny, he could spend time with her.

With all the constant fights of his parents, he just wanted, a change of environment. Bored constantly feeling the same, he wanted to escape. But alas he was never given a choice. He was given everything in his childhood, every toy, every video game, you name he had it, except the love and attention he wanted from his family. When he grew up was told what was expected of him being the only boy in the family. He grew strong, he learned never to share his feelings, never to love and never to expect anything in return from anybody, he thought this was how a man is supposed to be.

But oh! how wrong he was until he met a certain girl.

**FLASHBACK**

He was sitting on a bench, in the city park waiting for her. Today was his 11th birthday and yet again his parents forgot to wish him, except Lia. It was around half an hour and he was still waiting, but it was normal for him to wait. They would always meet in the park at sharply 6 pm as their trimming were different in school. All the wait is worth it, he thought to himself. After all, he would be celebrating his birthday with her, for the first time in years. She was a friend from his school.

It was during a fight when he saw her for the first time. There was a crowd in the hallways of the school. She stood in the middle, crying silently, it was a boy from her class who was teasing her and calling her names. He stood afar watching, finally taking pity on her, he interfered with the fight, sending a death glare to the boy making him quiet. And threatening everybody included in this fight and those standing in the crowd, to tease her again and he would beat them to a pulp. He then gently took her hand and wiped her tears. And he even, to make her smile, gave her a cupcake from his lunch. At that, she smiled and hugged him and in a meek voice said

"Friends". From that day they were best buddies.

He felt a small hand on him and immediately knew who it was, He whipped his to the side and smiled at her, cheekily. She hugged him sideways and sang the birthday song. He felt happy. She gave him his gift and...

"Happy Birthday Mion," she said, as her 6-year-old couldn't pronounce his name properly. He hurriedly opens the gift, and saw a black and golden set of Parker pens, with a circular keychain attached to one of them, probably one with a thick nip. The keychain had his name carved on it. Although, he didn't like pens that much but gave her a toothy smile and thanked her. A gift is a gift, might it be a paper or a pen, he thought.

"Mamma said that you should get big things on your birthday so, I bought you this. " She took a deep breath and continued, " and only big boys use pens. Soo thoughtful of me I know," she said smiling at him lovingly.

" Haww!! you called me old, you ruined my birthday am not going to talk to you now " he said faking the sadness, she still amuses him that way. Putting his hands on his face he faked crying and sobbing now and then, just to see how she reacts.

"No! I am sorry I don't say it again", she said with tears in her eyes, she then saw his teasing smile, she hit his arm and ran to her mother crying, with Simon along with her.

Her mother was now busy chatting with Dahlia, who had their hands filled with all kinds of junk. The little girl hugged her mother's legs, putting her face between them and started crying, with inherent words. Simon stood beside Dahlia with a smug look on his face, the little girl pulled out and said, " Mion bad, he made me cry, mother," at that Dahlia twisted Simons's ear.

" oww! lia don't do that, she called me old first " Simon said, trying to free his ear from the death grip and pointed at her.

"No, I called you big, " the little girl shouted angrily.

"Okay, both of you stop fighting and Simon, this is your gift, and it's time for some food and then we will play," Her mother said as she handed Simon his gift. This woman always had a soft space in Simon's heart. For she would always listen to what he has to say. She was a mother figure to him and he loved her and respected her.

They all gathered around and had their dinner, filled with laughter, joy and peace.

This was how their evening was spent.

**END OF FLASHBACK**

All memories flooded back as he looked at the stars, on his ceiling. Yes, this was a gift from that woman. She had said to him, that she knew he liked stars and dark skies and gifted him the celestial stickers that glow in dark.

He was almost lost when his phone chimed again and this time it was not his assistant.it was his father. He tensed and hesitantly opened the message. It said.

Father:

I have to discuss, something important. I hope you think this through. Come home, straight to my study.

He frowned kept the phone aside and changed into his regular t-shirt grabbed the keys and drove to his fathers. He had a vague idea of what this talk is about.

---------------------------

There was a knock on the study of James Clifford, with small 'come in ' he replied it. Simon entered the study with a curious face and eyebrows raised, he sat on the chair nearby. There was a long silence between them and then James asked...

" would you like some coffee? " Simon exhaled an irritating sign and he replied, "father no need for formalities and please don't beat around the bush,"

James seemed calm and gestures towards the only file kept on the table. Still confused, Simon asked, " what's that " keeping a cold face.

"That's the will of your grandfather, which is now, passed on to you. But there is a condition, it can only be done when you are married..." he was cut short when Simon said

" By the age of 30, I am very well aware of it. " Simon took a pause and continued, " if this the discussion all about, I would very likely to go home and take a much-needed bath and go to sleep, father"

"No, son your company is at stake here, You have a big opportunity in front of you. The Williams industrials And Co. have offered you a deal, in which the only benefit is ours. You are being ignorant. " his father said

Simon was well aware of the deal, in fact, the dinner a day ago and the important meeting he has tomorrow is all about the deal. Even though the only benefit from this deal is his, he wants to do things the other way. For his reasons. He sighed, massaging his temples.

What his father was saying is true. He could get the will before-handed, Just by....... but this was not about money. He could get the will one way or another, It's about the company, he has worked his ass off in past years. Thinking all about the pros this could bring him, with this deal, his company gains worldwide recognition and more clients. Giving it a last thought.

"So, what now," he asked his father. James had a shocked expression on his face, he didn't know that his son would agree to it.

He recovered and said.

"Now you agree to marry her, Marry Serena. Although it is not a contracted marriage, you both can divorce after some time. " James started.

"Ok, but mind you father this is not about the will, it is because of the company that I built, working my ass off, building its branches, selling and launching. which you couldn't do." He said maintained a cold demeanour.

'Watch your tongue boy, I am your father." his father shouted.

"I am not a slave, you can order around. I am not ma " Simon said calmly.

"Simon, he is your father, " His mother said in an authoritative tone. She came running she hearing the noises.

"No, ma he is not. I am not a dog he uses and throws on the streets when wants. Like he did to you " he said with tears in his eyes. He does not forgive his father, for what he did to his mother.

"Simon," she whispered and went near him, she caresses his face gently. He backed away from her not wanting to break down. He kissed her forehead and went off, leaving a mess behind. All the while James was quiet, sinking in the reality of his life. He was still paying for his mistakes. Whatever his son had said was true, He left his wife, his love, all alone in times of need. I can't even love her or ask for her forgiveness properly, he thought to himself. And cried all night.

It was at that time when Simon went away for further studies, his family realised their mistakes but it was too late. He had become and strong, a man but grew distant from society. His heart softened when heard his mother call him "Simon, my child, Mimi I am sorry, please forgive me, dear," in a very breaking voice. But didn't show. He would over and over again to hear his mother call him so lovingly. All his rage is gone. He decided to them a chance. But not his father.