Playing the Marriage Game with Mr Billionaire

Xander Black's POV

"Mum" I called as I strode into the house, my eyes searching for the 4'7 woman, who acts like she's 6'5

"In the kitchen," she said in a singsong voice and my lips tugged up into a smile. I changed the direction of my steps and walked into the kitchen.

I shook my head when I saw the mess the kitchen had turned into from the numerous dishes she already prepared, and the others that were still cooking. I shook my head again, rolling up my sleeves, I walked into the kitchen and began to clean up.

"You prepared a whole feast when it's just the two of us having dinner?" She let out a laugh and from my peripheral vision, I saw her shrug.

"What can I say? I still enjoy cooking and gladly eating the meal after." The memory of her forcing Dad to eat the random dishes she'd make flashed through my mind, and I smiled. "And you know, it wouldn't just be the both of us if you just..."

"Mum" I cut her off in a warning tone

"Get married" she finished and I let out a sigh. "You're getting old, Xander, and so am I. I want to see my daughter-in-law, and carry my grandchildren before I die"

"You're not dying anytime soon" I sharply cut in and she dropped the spatula on the desk, the clanging sound of it echoed in the kitchen and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.

"You don't know that for sure, Xander. I can die any mi..."

"Mum!"

A deafening silence settled in for a few minutes before she broke it with a loud sigh. "All I want is to carry my grandchildren, Xander. That shouldn't be a big deal"

"Let's have this conversation later, Mum," I said and resumed my work silently. Once I was done washing the dishes and cleaning up the counters, I crept out of the kitchen to my old room.

I always spend the night here whenever I visit for dinner, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that I wouldn't be spending the night here today. I massaged my temples and collapsed on my bed.

Marriage has been the cause of bickering between my mum and I ever since my dad died, but her tone today felt different. She spoke as if she was daring me to say no.

"You are most likely imagining things, Xander." The words had barely left my lips when I heard her beckoning me to come down for dinner.

I deliberated on just staying in and giving her an excuse as to why I can't come down, and just bury myself in work but this is the only time I get to see her. Heaving a deep breath, I stood up from the bed, mentally preparing myself for the bickering I was sure would happen as I walked downstairs, however...

We had a silent dinner.

My mum didn't say a word to me except when she would ask me to pass something or ask me if I wanted more, and the silence was scarier and more uncomfortable than the back and forth I expected.

"Mum, are you okay? You haven't said a proper sentence to me." I started once we were done cleaning up.

She stared at me blankly but the corners of her lips tugged up in what I guess was a smile as she placed a brown envelope on the table.

I raised a brow while my eyes darted from the envelope to her face, and when I made no effort to open it after a while, she pushed it closer to me.

My brows scrunched together, forming crease lines on my forehead as I reached out for the envelope and opened it. My eyes took in its contents, and when I was done, I dropped it back on the table.

"Why?" I asked and her smile widened, this time with a hint of genuineness in them.

"Those are my company shares, 25%, making me the 3rd highest shareholder of the company"

"I'm aware, Mum"

"Good. I'm sure you are also aware that they are meant to go to you after my...." The sentence trailed off and I bobbed my head. "Well, I've changed my mind"

For a solid minute, all that rang in my ears and my head was the sound of an annoying bell. "What!?"

"You heard me right, Alexander Pope Black." My eyes widened and an involuntary scoff escaped my lips. "I am only to give you my shares if I deem you worthy of them. You don't automatically get it just because you are my son"

"Mum!" She raised a brow, and I ran my hands down my face. "What do you mean mum? I have single-handedly handled the company since Dad's death, I reinvented myself and the company. The company's profit has increased by 95% since Dad's death and is currently one of the top companies in the country. Have I..."

"As the CEO and the highest shareholder, you are simply doing your duty. As for my requirement, you are yet to fulfil that"

"Mum, you can't be serious," I said, leaning towards her but she stared back at me blankly. "You can't possibly be blackmailing me right now to get married!"

"You will keep your voice down when you speak to me, and I am in no way blackmailing you. I am simply stating my demand, which I expect to be fulfilled within 3 months, and if you are thinking of an excuse along the lines of 'Where will I find a decent girl within this time frame' you can stop that now, there is a perfect candidate for you."

"Mum!" She stared at me unblinking and I threw my head back, breathing out through my lips. "And if I fail to meet your demands?"

"I will sell the shares to your cousin, I'm sure you wouldn't mind losing your title to him"

"You can't possibly be serious mum, Draco and his father have had their eyes on the company for ages. You can't give it up to them..."

The creaking sound as she stood up from the chair cut me short, and I instantly stood to my feet. "I am quite tired, Xander, and I will be retiring for the night."

"Mum!" I called after her as she turned her back on me.

"You are dismissed. Come back when you have my daughter-in-law, good night" I couldn't get another word in before she walked out on me.