A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE TWENTY FIVE

Theme: Outcome of his proposal

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

CRAWFORD MANSION

Christopher walked into the huge dinning hall, sighting all of his family members in one place. Ever since Mr James Crawford got discharged from the hospital, Christopher hadn’t caught up with them. He was too busy nursing his broken heart and trying to find a replacement as soon as possible.

However, Christopher couldn’t escape the family dinner slated for tonight. And deep down in his heart, he had dreaded the question of his wife to be which his father was sure to ask tonight. Thankfully, he has good news to share.

And with that Christopher grinned widely, mouthing a greeting to his family members.

“Good evening mom. Hello dad.” He kissed his mother on both cheeks while he gave his father’s shoulder a mild manly massage.

“How are you doing?”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Hey Chris, how are you?”

His parents said at that same time.

“I am doing well. Thank you.” Christopher smiled widely, taking a seat next in between his father and his younger sister Ava.

“How is everyone doing?” He threw the question in general to his two sisters and Matthew.

“I am good.” Ashley replied.

“I am fine.” Matthew said.

“Don’t I deserve a kiss like mom or a massage like dad?” Ava whined, making a puppy face at her brother.

Christopher chuckled as he smooched her small frame against his broad chest. “You should know your treatment is special.” He threw kisses all over her face while she giggled in excitement.

“So childish.” Ashley mumbled. “So Christopher, how is work in progress?” She queried in a more serious tone. She was always direct with her words and didn’t care if she sounded rude because she is the first child.

Christopher shrugged as he smoothened out his shirt. “Very good.” Trying not to delve into the topic he knew she obviously wanted to discuss. So he decided to change the topic before she uttered more words.

“Can we get some food now? I am super famished.” Christopher looked around the table only to find out that his nephews and niece weren’t there. “I almost forgot about my precious gems. It is no wonder that the gathering is so quiet. Where are the kids?”

“They are at my mom’s place.” Matthew replied.

“Oh ok.” Christopher muttered in response.

The maids brought in lot of food. General dinner in the Crawford’s house was like a buffet with so many delicacies to pick from. You would get over fed, especially when Mrs Hope Crawford decides to indulge in cooking dinner.

“Oh! Wow! Mom, did you participate in the kitchen duties tonight?” Christopher asked with his mouth watering at the aroma coming from the table. He didn’t realize how hungry he was until his belly growled at the sight of the table laden with different kind of food.

Hope chuckled. “Yes son. It has been a while since I had my whole family together like this. Especially since your father bounced back from his recent illness and him deciding to retire finally. I had something to celebrate so I couldn’t keep my hands to myself. I hope you have enough room in your belly to eat?”

“Trust him to always have enough space mom.” Ava teased as she also ticked her brother at his side.

Christopher and Ava are always playful with each other. He pulled her hands. “Don’t mess with me young lady.” He threatened and ticked her back.

James Crawford laughed heartily at his children’s playful attitude. “Let us not get distracted and get down with all these delicacies before it gets cold.” He suggested.

They all returned their attention to the food. Christopher was enjoying the meal so much, he had almost forgotten how distressed his heart was. Being in the presence of his family always had that great effect on him.

“Have you proposed to your girlfriend?” James asked out of the blue.

Christopher almost choked on the piece of well seasoned beef he had rammed into his mouth. “Dad!” He exclaimed after pulling himself back to order.

His father blinked at him innocently. “What did I do?” James queried.

“We could have this discussion after dinner dad.” Christopher answered.

“And what’s wrong if we have the discussion now? We are all curious to know the outcome of your proposal.” Ashley supported their father.

“Really sis? I just want to enjoy this dinner in peace.” Christopher groaned out in frustration.

“But you already have a woman to be with so what’s all the fuss about? Tell us about it and don’t keep us waiting.” James Crawford pestered his son.

“I just wanted us all to be in a more relaxed mood before talking about it.” Christopher replied as he tried so hard not to roll his eyes.

“Fine. Alright. We would all hear how it went over a bottle of wine after dinner.” Hope said, ending the conversation.

The food went sour in his mouth after being accosted by his father and sister. He had thought he was ready to give them the news they needed to hear but he wasn’t in the least delighted to share it. Well Christopher thought he was happy to share it until they asked him about it.

Christopher wondered how elated he would have felt if he had, had to talk about Jessica accepting his proposal. But having to give his ring to a total stranger and living under the same roof for the next six months wasn’t something he would have ever dreamt of indulging in few days ago.

Now he has to lie to his whole family with a straight face. “Relax. Calm down. Chin up, Christopher. It is only a matter of time.” He consoled himself internally.

*************************

“So tell us, I am really dying to know how you proposed to the love of your life. Did she say yes?” Ava stated excitedly as they all sat in the living room.

Ashley was resting in the arms of her husband on a two seater couch. James and Hope were curled up in the same position on a different couch. Ava was busy stroking her Caucasian dog named Molly on her laps in a loving way. And Christopher was sitting all along on a beanbag, wishing he could have something or someone to hold on to at the moment. He felt exposed and his heart constricted at the thought.

Christopher braced himself up and he took a sip from his glass. “Well she did say yes. And I am telling you that this is the best decision I have made so far!” He grinned too widely, trying to look convincing to them as much as he is trying to do the same within himself.

“Wow! I can’t wait to see Jessica again!” Hope clapped in excitement.

Christopher’s ears rang loudly at the mention of her name and he almost face palmed himself. He has forgotten to mention the part that they weren’t together anymore and he was engaged to another woman.

“I am not engaged to Jessica. It is someone else.” He announced in an unusually raised tone that silenced the congratulatory words from his family members.

His words got all their attention causing them to sit up abruptly. Especially Ashley who has some kind of close relationship with Jessica.

“Why? What happened?” Ashley threw the question at her brother without wasting time.

“I forgot to mention it that we have broken up a long time ago. And I have started dating the woman I proposed to now for about three months. I wanted to be sure she is the right one for me before telling any of you. I am convinced that she is the right woman for me. And since there was a need to get married soon, I popped up the question and she said yes to me. I am glad she said yes.”

“Unbelievable. You are joking right? This can’t be happening. I mean, how did you break up with Jessica and I didn’t know or notice you brooding over it?” Ashley muttered still in shock by the revelation.

“Let us hear him out, Ashley. So Christopher, what’s her name and what does she do for a living?” James asked his son in a calm voice that sent a cold chill down his spine.

Christopher sat up properly with a feigned bright smile on his face. “Her name is Raven McKenna and she works as a chef at the Golden Restaurant. You know-”

“That’s Benjamin’s favorite spot. Seriously! I live for their food! I love it!” Ava smiled heartily.

“Well a part of that compliment should go to my woman.”

“That’s a good profession.” James commented.

“And she is single mom of one.” Christopher dropped the final bombshell. He only wants their love story to be a fallacy not the identity of each person to make it all look sincere and true.

“A single mother! Like she already gave birth out of wedlock or she is a widow? Is she a single mother by circumstance or by choice?” Ashley retorted.

“Raven has a son… that’s all you need to know.” Christopher smiled.

“Listen Christopher, are you certain about your engagement to this woman?” Ashley demanded.

“He looks excited and he is obviously not a kid anymore. I am certain my son knows what he wants.” Hope defended him.

Christopher threw a grateful look at his mom. “Thanks mom.”

“So how did you both meet?” James asked out of curiosity and with mischief glowing in his eyes. He intentionally wanted to tease his son.

It wasn’t hard to cook up a lie of how they had met and it seemed like the most deliberate thing to say.

“Raven and I met at the restaurant. I had loved the order I made one time and had asked to see the chefs to appreciate them. Actually, I made use of the charm of being a Crawford on the manager. My request was granted and then I caught sight of her. I couldn’t take my eyes off her and I had to keep going back to see her. She didn’t want to give in to my advances since she is a single mother and she also thought I was in for a joke. But when she saw how persistent I was then she had no choice but to give in. Seriously, it was hard convincing her to go out with me because she was a bit scared of my status.” Christopher resisted the urge to applaud himself for lying so smoothly. And the look on their faces proved they believed every of his words.

“I can’t believe you fell in love with her food before you met her. Just like your mom and I!” James Crawford laughed in delight.

“You should invite your fiancée over for dinner on Sunday. So we can meet up and have a good chat before the wedding. I hope we get along well.” Hope said. She was extremely happy for her son’s engagement.

Christopher’s eyes rounded like saucers. Sunday was just two days away. Would the woman in question even match up to the taste of his family? He knew how much they went after sophisticated individuals, one reason why he had fallen so hard for Jessica.

But judging by the plain look Raven gave off today then he would have to give her some sort of make over. He groaned at the thought. He wanted her to be presentable and acceptable to his family. He took note of texting her after he left for home.

“Sure mom. That won’t be a problem.”

“This is the best news I have heard in days!” James commended as he raised his glass up. “To the future of Crawford!”

They all clinked glassed and cheered happily. “To the future of Crawford!”

Ashley and Matthew were the first to call it a night, then Christopher. He made the drive to his home in less than thirty minutes. As soon as he entered the living room, he texted Raven. He had called her earlier to inform her of his contact. Knowing he had acted in a rude manner by hanging up the call on her, he didn’t want to be at the receiving end if he called again. She might still be angry from his attitude the other time.

Christopher had noticed her fierce spirit when they met in the morning. She didn’t seem like one to take nonsense.

‘Do you have a dinner dress? If you don’t have one then we are going shopping tomorrow!’ He had texted, sending it and regretting not being courteous with the words as he read through it again.

‘My son is having his surgery tomorrow. Don’t be so self conceited. Good night. I will see you when I can see you.’

Her reply came in and Christopher could feel her angry glare boring a hole into him.

“Goodness! This is going to be tougher than it seems.” Christopher groaned in frustration as he motioned towards the bedroom.

“I am so tired!” He fell face down on the bed and threw his phone to another part of it.