Brix was speechless. It took time for his mother’s words to sink into him entirely.

“What is it now, Brix? You can’t just assume that I will sign this paper without asking anything in return. You know how much effort and hard work it took for me to get to where I am right now. Yes, I’m doing everything for you but you can’t have your way so easily like that. I want to secure your future and that includes the woman who you should marry.

You need a backup in case things go wrong. Look at your father for example. He chose a woman without a background and when he went bankrupt what happened? There was no one to support him. We were so poor Brix. He is lucky to have a brother like Jack but what if Jack was not around or he didn’t have money as well? Where would we have ended up?

This is all I’m asking of you. Agree to marry the woman I choose, then just like what you want, I will stop everything and let you do what you want with the company shares and position. I will not hinder your way even if you want to support Kenzie or your Uncle Jack. I will just stay put and let you support me as your mother, a mother-in-law, and a grandmother in the future.”

There was a long silence and Lenny waited. Others might think she was a selfish mother for putting a condition like this but she only wanted what was best for her son. Love? Love will not feed you or your family if poverty comes knocking at your door! Love disappears whenever you and your partner quarrel about money! She’s been through it all so she knew it better than anyone else!

It is always better to have a backup or a plan B. Brix must marry an heiress with a good family background who will be able to support him at any moment and not someone like Cris where he would be the one supporting her for the rest of his life!

“What do you choose, son?” Lenny asked.

“I guess you need more time to think about it,” Lenny said as she stood up and walked towards her son.

She placed the envelope on the table and said, “Come back with these documents once you are ready to accept my terms, Brix. Don’t worry, I will give you a lot of options so you can choose who you think you can live with for the rest of your life. You can go on a date with them to get to know them better. Just tell me whenever you are ready. I’ll be leaving first since I need to go to the office and attend some important meetings.”

Brix was inside the study room totally dumbfounded. He did not know what to do. He was feeling conflicted. He looked at the envelope and grabbed it.

He did not know how to face Cris who was waiting for him. He grabbed his mobile phone and dialed Kenzie’s number.

“Hello Brix?”

“Kenzie…” he whispered.

“Yes, what happened. Are you alright? Why is your voice like that?” Kenzie asked in one breath.

“I’m here at the mansion. I brought the envelope to mom and she saw it and said that she would sign it. But she also told me that she has one condition before she signs it, Kenzie,” Brix confided because he did not know what to do. He did not want to tell Cris about this for the fear that Cris would back out and dump him for the sake of peace in the Cha Family.

Kenzie sighed. She saw this coming. Knowing her aunt Lenny, she would definitely not make things so easy for anybody.

“What is her condition?” Kenzie asked.

“She said that she will decide who I marry,” Brix whispered and slouched his shoulders.

“Ah, goodness. Aunty is really something hmmm. Don’t tell this to Cris okay? Oh wait, I’m pretty sure Aunt Lenny will tell this to Cris herself. Oh gosh…Why does Aunt Lenny want to give us so many headaches huh?” Kenzie complained on the other line.

“I’m sorry Kenzie,” Brix whispered.

“Ah, it’s okay Brix. It’s not your fault. For now, go to Cris now and let me think of a solution for this alright? Tell Cris that I will solve everything soon so you two don’t have to worry about it. Daryl and I will come up with another plan,” Kenzie reassured before the call ended.

Like Kenzie had predicted, Lenny did not go to her car directly but intentionally passed by the garden where Cris was drinking her coffee.

“Madame,” Cris greeted when she saw Lenny walking towards her.

“Hmm, I guessed you are aware of the documents my son showed me?” Lenny asked and Cris just bowed her head slightly.

There was a loud exhale before Lenny said, “I’m willing to sign it but on one condition. My son is undecided so I told him to just contact me if he agrees to follow the only condition I have. It’s very simple and yet my son seems to be conflicted. I’m willing to sign it and give to him all authority if he agrees to marry the woman I chose for him.”

Cris was frozen in her place when she felt a gentle pat on her shoulders.

“Brix is having a hard time deciding Cris, so I’m hoping you will help him. Make it easy for him. Everything seems to be in your hand now. I’m willing to back down as long as my son will marry an heiress, a woman with good family background. Someone who is able to back him up anytime. As a mother, I only want what is best for my son Cris, so I hope you won’t have any hard feelings against me.

I was just like you Cris. Brix’s father fought for me and set up his own company. He wanted to stand on his own feet without the support of his parents. But he failed miserably leaving me and Brix with nothing at all. And now, I have to fight for the right my husband has in the family business in order to secure my son’s future. Yes, he will secure the shares and the position for now but no one knows what the future will hold. So as a mother, I want to make sure he is well secured and I hope you understand that Cris.”