Page 16 of Crazy in Love

“Don’t start this again.”

“Aiden.”

“Mum, I really don’t want to talk about this tonight.” I look over at her, and I feel Vic staring at me, and no matter what I say, she is going to start this conversation again. She’s the one that gets into my mum's ear about Cathy, and about how I don't spend enough time with my family. She’s like the devil on her shoulder.

“My daughter won’t wait forever.” Vic stops as the waiter asks for our drink orders. A double whiskey is what I need, and I tell the waiter to keep them coming because tonight is going to be a long night.

“I’m not telling her to wait.” I turn to Vic and Rick.

“Is my sister not good enough for you?” I wish I could punch him in the face. The only reason I haven’t is because my mother has asked me not to.

I ignore him and take my drink in one go, and count to ten before I say anything else. Cathy is the female version of Bruce. Never worked a day in her life, and they only want her to be with me, so that she can live off my money. That’s not happening.

Now, I’m not saying Cathy is ugly, because she’s not. She is a pretty woman, but does nothing for me, and I mean nothing. And now that I’ve had Saylor, I don’t think anyone will do anything for me.

My parents have money, but I refused to use it. I wanted to make my own life. I wanted to work for the money I earned, and every day my dad tells me how proud he is of me.

So I want someone that works for her money, and not just someone who sits at home, spending mine.

“Aiden.”

“Mum, if you like Cathy so much, why don’t you ask Lee?” I turn to her.

Lee is my younger brother, by two years, so still in Cathy’s age range, but like me, he hates the Adams as much as I do.

“I would if I knew where he was.”

“He’s in China,” I tell her.

“Happy to know he's talking to someone.” The annoyance in her voice comes out strong, but I choose to ignore her.

I don’t tell her that I talk to him every day, sometimes twice. He started travelling because mom was always telling him the same as she does me. Get married, give her grandkids, Cathy is beautiful. In the end, he said he was going to travel. Sometimes I wish I went with him, a lot more when these dinners come around.

“If this is going to be the whole evening, I’m not hungry.” I glance over at my parents.

“You’re nothing special for my sister.” I turn to Bruce. “I mean, I’m sure-”

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here.” Cathy slaps the back of Bruce’s head. “I’m sorry, Aiden.” It's good she stopped him, because I might have punched him. It’s really only a matter of time until I do.

I don’t know what Cathy’s role in all this is, but I know she wants to marry me for my money. At the moment, I don’t know if she is doing this because of her parents or because she wants to be with me. If I don’t have to spend time alone with her, I won’t.

“How is work, son?” my dad asks, changing the subject.

“Good, busy with a few meetings.” I never talk about business with anyone but David and Lee. Now I trust my dad with my life, but I know he will tell mum, which he should, she's his wife, but my mother will be telling Vic before my dad even finishes the sentence.

Even when I get a team together for the app, they will all have to sign a confidentiality contract.

“Looking forward to the new app, when will it be out?” Cathy asks.

“Not sure yet, still working on getting a team together.” I stop as I dig out my phone from my pocket, looking at the caller ID. “Excuse me for a moment,” I say, leaving the table.

“Late, already got the marry Cathy speech,” I tell my brother, as I stand outside the restaurant. “And will you please call mum. Just to tell her you’re not dead.”

“Sorry I called too late, and I will call mum in the morning. When is she going to stop with the whole marry Cathy shit?”

“When we both find a girl, and get married,” I tell him and smile at the girls walking past blowing kisses at me. Now if this was a week ago, I would have ended the call with Lee and spoke to them, but not now. Saylor only has to start checking me out, and I get ready to fuck her against the wall.

“Well, talking about finding a girl. I’ve met a girl, and her name is Zhi. I will send a picture.”

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