EZRA
I stare at my mother from across the table as she places her order with the waiter. "Ezra love, what would you like?" she looks at me and even the waiter looks at me awaiting my response.
I clear my throat "Whatever you're having Mother" the waiter nods and leaves. Mother raises a brow. "You usually don't like to eat whatever I'm having, you say it's grass. Are you okay honey?" she touches my hand.
"I'm fine mother. I just wanted us to have this brunch because I wanted to talk to you about a couple things and besides, you're never in the house" I tell her.
"Well, you know what they say. If you seek entry, you got to book an appointment." She jokes. I chuckle dryly. I have no funny bone in me this week. I'm getting married in three days and I'm a wreck.
"So, firstly. The… money laundering issue has been resolved at the Company but I realized you are yet to tell me your side of the story yet and I believe I deserve to hear it."
She sighs and folds her arms on the table. "You really want to hear it?" I nod and move closer as well.
"Well, your father had to make sacrifices for us and for the sake of the company. Obviously, it turned out well but it wasn't easy. You remember your Uncle T, my brother?" I nod. Mom's half-brother who was Italian. "When he was alive, he and your father were very close and then your dad was staying in Italy; You know that's where we met. He and your uncle started a small business together but then it led into a lot of things like drugs, arms and a lot of… let's say illegal cartel businesses. And your uncle was the man who came up with it. It grew eventually into what you could call a "mafia" and there was a lot of money in it. Uncle T was very popular then and people would be terrified of him, but he couldn't hurt a fly" she smiles as if remembering. "But then, things slipped and the police started getting involved so, your dad… came up with Briggs, poured a good amount of the money they made into there until the police left the case when they couldn't find anything and till your Uncle T later died. But before then, your uncle wanted me to get married to your father; he said it was to ensure that I had a stable life even after he died. And that was where the investment deal came in; that the highest investor to Briggs should be maritally connected to ensure the business keeps growing. So, your dad left the 'business' for his son; your cousin and we moved to Germany to solidify Briggs. And that's what happened. I always like to think we wouldn't be who we are today without your Uncle T" she smiles and touches my arm again and takes a sip of her wine.
I though, I am utterly shocked. How exactly does one divert from a mafia to an entertainment industry? And money laundering might be an understatement for what actually went on. I ruffle my hair and think about it.
"Ezra love, don't think too much about it. It's not like we turned the mafia into Briggs. Briggs is a by-product and should only be seen as such. Without it, you wouldn't have a company to manage. I told you because I think it's time you knew and your father wanted me to tell you myself."
"Okay Mother, I understand. But don't you think it's a threat that the press released that article and it also happens to be true?"
She sighs. "It is. But I pity whoever thinks they can win with that flimsy evidence. Please, name one billion-dollar company without money laundering by the side of their name. It's how shit is done, and we're ready for whoever. So don't worry love. They underestimate the name 'Briggs.'"
If this is how shit is done, then maybe I don't wanna do shit. The waiter brings our orders and as correct as I always am, mom's order is grass in a plate. But at least there's chicken with the grass. I poke and prod the food as we eat in silence. Then, I remember the second thing I'm here for.
"I can't get married to her." I glance at my plate to my mother and it's like someone pushed pause on her. She looks disturbed and worried, which is a rare sight for Mrs. Roth.
"Why on earth not darling?" she puts her fork down and stops eating, giving me her full attention.
"I don't love her and I don't know her and… she's not a good person" I say avoiding her eyes. She touches my arm, her main form of affection, and I look at her.
"But I thought you wanted it? I thought you two got along?" I scoff. Yeah, we got along great, in bed.
"Yes, I agree, we messed around once or twice but it wasn't real. It never was. I thought I could handle it you know, like you and dad. But I don't see that happening in our case and I don't want to try. Which is why I can't marry her" I look my mother in the eyes.
"There's someone else." she states simply. My eyes widen. "What? No, there's not. I'm too busy for that" I say and stab a piece of chicken in my grass. She squeezes my palm.
"You're my son. I know you. You never had this fire in your eyes, like you do now. It was almost as if you didn't even know what fire meant. Which means; someone is fuelling the fire. What's her name?... Or HIS name?" Oh my God. Kill me now.
"Mother, for God's sake, I'm not gay." She looks at me inquisitively. "You didn't deny it. Which means it's a woman" Okay, mothers are terrifying.
"I don't know what you're talking about. All I'm saying is that I cannot marry Kandra." She sighs and I see that she's dropping it but not fully.
"So, what do you want to do? Because as far as I'm concerned, this deal was signed on paper, a long time ago before you were even born." True. It's the highest investor law and how my parents got married even though it wasn't my mom's parents that asked her, but Uncle T. She was already in love with my dad by then, but it can't work for me.
"I'm going to override it" I tell her. She looks surprised. "Sweetheart, I hope you're making the right choice, because overriding a law or deal means you're going to offer something of value to the party involved. There are consequences." The consequences are not as bad as they sound. Besides, if I have to do it to avoid this marriage, I would. In fact, I'm sure this is what I want to do.
"Yes, Mother. I am. So, if you will excuse me, I have a deal to override" I get up grabbing my coat and leave, not before I peck my startled mother who looks so confused and I drive off. I have never been surer of any decision in my life.