Chapter 5 Roller coaster

After returning to America, Oliver continued his University studies. He also went to his father's Company to learn how things work around the company. Being the only male and heir to the James' family, so much pressure is being put on him by his parents to prepare him for succession.

Oliver is the next person in line to take over the oil company should his father decides to retire or passes away. Since their return his mother had been acting reluctantly with him but he never cared. She has always been hostile with him. His female siblings tend to get more attention from his mother than him.

The kind of family Oliver found himself made it difficult for Oliver do do the things he really wants. His family's reputation is a burden on him that he has to carry just like his father is carrying his cross too now. The James' have been known for their generational wealth for over seven decades. He has to choose between his family and his life. And this means even if it has to cost him his Love for Lilly.

Since Lilly informed him of the pregnancy, He has been living with the guilt of what he has done to her and he always feels the weight of his promises to her just like a donkey would carry a hip of goods. But Oliver really had no choice at that time than to accept his parent's demand.

Back when they were in Mexico, his mother sneaked around him and Marietta without living an iota of suspicion. Until months after they returned to America, Oliver's mother Rosalie called him and said as she shot her sharp eyes at him" I know what happened between you and that girl in Mexico!" Oliver's legs buckled as a terrifying shock ran through his body.

Knowing the kind of mother he has with sinister moves however he was very convinced that she actually knew nothing about his relationship with Lilly. " What girl Mom?" He said. Oliver's mind was in frenzy. He never thought anyone could find out about him and Lilly. "Stop being pretentious boy" she said in a powerful,deep and scornful voice. " You are so dump dear.

Right from the first day she set her step into our apartment I saw how you looked at the maid's daughter. Well! You should know that as long as this family is concerned, she has no place here. She said to Oliver with a threatening voice and sprung out of the couch she was seated on. That girl is nothing but a gold digger. She only wants you money and would later betray you. She growled. " What the hell are you saying mum?" Oliver retorted" She doesn't even know if we are rich or not". He added. Rosalie pretended as if she heard nothing. As she turned her back to leave, Oliver grunted in response and gritted his teeth. " But I Love her, she is the Love of my life" He said. " That's yours to deal with" she said as she was elegantly walking without looking back. Oliver was terrified and at the same time sad.

He has to save his Love and his child too. He knew exactly the kind of personality his mother carries. She gets whatever she wants at all cost. And that's why she has an undefined dominance over his father. He mustered courage and said to her " Lilly is carrying my child! I can't abandon her and my child ". Rosalie had a dramatic stop as she couldn't believe her ears. "What did you just say? She is what.....?" " She is carrying my child" he repeated. Rosalie turned like an injured tigress and walked up to Oliver with her eyes like a bottomless black hole that could swallow a person whole. Oliver on the other hand was shivering and couldn't stand firm on his feet. " Get rid of the mother and the child. They are both not welcome here." She said as she raised her eye brows. Oliver's knees were in intense pain and he stumbled on a large Chinese vase that was lying beside him. She didn't care what Oliver was going through at that moment.

She had so much disdain for the lower class. Oliver was heart broken and don't know exactly what to do. He is literally dependent on his parents. He is the only son and heir to the family. His parents want an alliance with a friend to strengthen their buisneess . Even though the James' are known for their generational wealth, it was also not spared in recent economic decline and inflation that bedeviled the Country.

So new partners and investors are needed to bring the family's net worth back to it's position at least. And to achieve this the James' family needed to make pragmatic move that would snap them out of the current reality. The saviour turned out to be Oliver. Months after he returned from Mexico, He graduated from Harvard with a first class in petrolchemical engineering. He attended the buisneess school in Georgia University and so many fellowships.

This steps were pre meditated for him to be ready to take over the responsibility of the family's buisneess as his father grew older. Oliver was in a kind of quagmire. He has Lilly and his child on one side and his family on the other side. He has to choose whose side to be on.

Oliver's mind was a mess and he wanted to be calm to be able to make the right decision. He stepped out of the mansion. He felt lost as he don't know where to go nor did he know who to talk to. The blazing sun made it difficult for Oliver to open his eyes as he stepped out of the mansion. His back was drenched in a cold sweat and his legs felt heavy. He hailed a cab and made his way to a bar . He called his friend Eric to meet him up at the bar. Oliver explained the situation to Eric as they drank on. Oliver had several bottles of beer and was behaving recklessly at the bar that Eric had to stop him and took him to the car.

Eric drove Oliver down to his own apartment to pass the night before morning. He took off Oliver's shoes and tossed him to bed. Oliver in a drunken state kept mentioning Lilly's name. " I love you Lilly. I am so sorry." He said with a sleepy voice as tears roll down his eyes. Eric looking at Oliver felt so much pity for him and what his friend was going through. Early in the morning at about eight O'clock, Oliver got out of Eric's bed and went downstairs.

Eric had already prepared breakfast for him. " I am sorry for my emotional outburst last night. "I can't bring myself to think of how I can do this to her. She is so sweet and she is carrying my baby. How can I abandon my child Eric?" Oliver went on a roller coaster of emotions once again.

Eric held his hand and said everything would be fine. Eric had always been with Oliver right from time. They have been the best of friends and find solace in each other whenver trouble calls. " But I have to make a decision right?" For Lilly and the child's safety he needed to stay away from them.