Without the marriage? Enthusiasm pumped into his bloodstream. “I’m for it, but we still have to convince your father to sell me the stocks.” And would her traditional father agree? Hell, the old man had been keeping those stocks for a long time. “He won’t give in easily.”
Talia grabbed a file folder and handed it to him. “One caveat—you won’t be the only president. We’ll be co-presidents, sharing equal power. We can draw up a contract saying we can’t vote unless we agree.”
Taking charge of our future. He opened the folder and glanced at the several pages of contract she had drawn up. Of course, he had to ask his lawyer to take a look at it, but the idea released a warm sensation inside him. He’d been busy with his father’s recovery, missing Amaya, and trying to get evidence to send his uncle to prison. He hadn’t had time to come up with a wonderful idea such as Talia’s—who would be an invaluable partner.
“I like your idea. I need to read the contract, but I agree with what you’re proposing. We’d be lousy spouses, but amazing business partners.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” She stretched out her hand. “Deal?”
Theo knocked again at his parents’ front door. He was about to knock a fourth time, when the longtime housekeeper opened the door.
“Oh, Theo, hi,” Basilia said, a smile forming on her lips. “So nice to see you.”
“Thanks.” He gave her a quick hug and marched into the foyer then living area. “Are my parents home?”
“Your father has left with the driver, but your mother’s home.”
“Good.”
“She’s working on some pottery in the studio. Would you like me to call her for you?”
Theo turned left, in the direction of the studio. “No, I’ll surprise her.”
His mother had always enjoyed learning new things: sewing, drawing… Pottery had been her latest idea, and he didn’t waste time barging into her studio. Ever since he’d talked to his father and Amaya had left, he hadn’t had a conversation with his mother. Come to think of it, it was a great thing his father wasn’t around.
“Mother,” he said, walking into the studio.
Clay statues in various forms were lined up along a white table. His mother gave him a guarded smile, then washed her hands in the stainless-steel sink. “I was wondering how long you’d take to come say hi.”
“I’ve come with much more than that.”
She reached for the towel, dried her hands, then placed it on the counter. “Did she tell you?”
“What?”
“Amaya Lopez. Did she tell you what I’d asked her? I’m assuming that’s why you ignored me and didn’t respond to my calls the past few days.”
Theo walked in his mother’s direction, confusion fogging his brain. Did his mother contact Amaya after the breakup? “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve come to tell you I’m not marrying Talia, officially,” he added, emphasizing the last word. Surely his father had already told her about Theo’s decision. Theo, however, had waited until he talked to Talia to make it public.
“Are you sure? That’s a big decision.”
He paced the studio, popping his knuckles. His mind spun. Shit, he shouldn’t blame his mother for his problems—not her fault. But he had to make her see his side. He didn’t need her approval, but he wanted to show her his train of thought. “You married my father out of obligation. How did it feel back then?”
She widened her eyes for a moment, probably surprised. She touched her pearl necklace. “It didn’t feel good. I did what I had to do, and even if my marriage isn’t from some fairytale book, we’ve made it work. We learned to care for each other. I was hoping you and Talia could too.”
“I don’t want to marry someone just to make it work, Mom. I need to be happy,” he said, and memories of the times he’d spent with Amaya popped in his head. Coming home to her, spending time with her and talking had made him more satisfied than he had been in years. Why should anyone pass up that kind of joy?
She glanced at the door and clutched her necklace. “Of course.”
He let out a long sigh. Shit. He didn’t want to hurt his mother—she was the result of a repressive, sexist, uber traditional household. “I know how you think, and it isn’t your fault. I respect your views, and only ask for you to respect mine.” Since it’s my life.
When her gaze found his, a pang of sadness hit her hazel eyes. “I’ve been a bad mother, haven’t I? Just assuming you would turn out the way we expected.”
He rubbed his forehead. His brother, Kostas, had probably turned out much more lenient and agreeable than he. Theo had never once worried about his parents not loving him enough because he internally disagreed with their views regarding marriage.
“You turned out much better,” she said, her lips breaking into a smile. “Confident, successful, and yet…you care. You care enough about what’s right to want to take your uncle down,” she said, probably referring to the lawyer he’d contracted to look into Amaya’s parents’ records. His father probably told her about that, too. “You care enough about this girl to withdraw from an agreement made a long time ago.”
“An agreement made without my permission.” Because I was a child.
