CHAPTER 2

People's mouths and brains were too simplistic when it came to telling him to get married. He had told his parents many times that marriage was a waste. Many of his friends had failed in their marriages, and now most of them were divorced, either widowed or separated. He had witnessed firsthand how troublesome divorce and asset disputes were, not to mention child custody battles.

His friends, who were once deeply in love with their partners, had turned into discordant couples. Hearing about his friends' experiences was so perplexing. He always felt there was a trigger, and his own brain sent strong signals to avoid what they called marriage. Running a marriage wouldn't be as beautiful, extravagant, and glamorous as pre-wedding photos.

He had to emphasize to his father that getting married back then was very different from getting married now. "Dad, you married Mom just fine. You were happily married until death do you part." If that was the concept back then, why get married now? Just because of boredom and loneliness. Who had influenced his father to remarry? He wanted to know who she was! His father wasn't like this before!

His father might not be able to distinguish between marriage back then and marriage now because the conditions were so different. People back then were forced to grow up quickly. They lived a hard life and had to work hard at a young age. Migrating at a young age, doing heavy work, learning to cook from a young age, and selling at the market. Marriage itself was a way to lighten the burden. Love was a secondary matter; what mattered was helping and working together. That's why their lives with their partners were more enduring because they matured at a young age.

But now, at seventeen, people were still laughing while watching YouTube. Moreover, women today could work and live independently. They didn't really need men anymore because they could be self-reliant. How would it feel to be married, meeting your partner 24/7, doing the same things every day? It would definitely be very boring.

"Damn it!" Alex cursed again.

****

Alex took another slow sip of his wine, gazing at Nara and Rikas. He let out a long sigh, knowing that his two friends were just as surprised to hear that his father was getting married again.

Rikas and Nara knew his father well; he was already 60 years old and should be enjoying his retirement, yet here he was, wanting to get married again. It didn't make any sense.

Alex nodded, "Yes, I'm serious. Why would I joke about it with you guys?" Nara stared at Alex, almost unable to believe his words.

"Uncle Peter is getting married? Seriously?" Nara repeated her question, genuinely shocked by this news.

"Why would I lie about it?"

"What about Dario and Malvyn? Do they know your dad is getting married?" Alex shrugged, "They're in New York right now. Maybe he told them over the phone," Alex said.

"Tomorrow, Dad wants to introduce his future wife to me. Honestly, I'm upset about it. If my dad gets married again, it's ridiculous. He's way past his teenage years. He should enjoy his life, eat, travel, not get married again. This is not a solution for him. His future wife just wants his money. He's stupid!"

"I know, which girl wouldn't want to be with your dad? Even the younger ones would line up, no matter how old he is," Nara chuckled.

"What's your opinion?" Rikas asked.

"No comment. You both know what my dad's like," Alex said, taking another slow sip of his wine. Rikas sipped his wine slowly and then looked at Alex.

"I just want to know who Uncle Peter's future wife is. Is she young? Or is she a widow? How old is she? If she's my age, it's obvious she's after your dad's money. If she's a widow with kids, she's just looking to live off your dad's wealth, and you'll have step-siblings."

"Well, if you ask me, don't be so selfish as a son. You're not always with your dad. You can't fulfill all his needs. You don't know what he wants," Alex wanted to protest against Rikas's words, but Rikas patted his shoulder before he could object.

"But if I were you, I'd try to stop their marriage. It's so annoying, dealing with someone who just wants to freeload," Rikas said.

"Remember, your dad's future wife only wants to live comfortably!"

Alex's mind paused for a moment, and Rikas' words rang true. He disliked people who only sought to take advantage of others, those who wanted something without making an effort. The women who got close to his father were just flatterers who coveted his father's wealth. Despicable! People like that were not worthy of being his stepmother.

Rikas patted his shoulder, looking at Alex. "I know you. You have power," Rikas reassured Alex because he had everything.

"If you need help, I'm here. I'm ready to be of assistance," Rikas said as he sipped his wine, smiling meaningfully.

Alex burst into laughter, leaning back in his chair. He could do whatever it took if he didn't like something. He looked at Nara, who was dancing and sipping her beer. He got up from his seat and approached her, the beautiful woman was right in front of him.

"Wanna hit the dance floor?" Alex asked.

Nara nodded, "Sure."

Alex and Nara hit the dance floor, swaying to the rhythm of the music. Alex watched Nara dance; she knew how to have fun. She had worked hard all this time, working from morning till evening five days a week.

Nara and Rikas were no less busy. Their routines were incredibly monotonous, the same thing over and over again. What they were doing now was about regaining the lost youth and energy that had been hidden under the fog of their busy lives. They were people who needed something to relieve the burden on their shoulders.

Alex looked at Rikas, who had also stood up. They started laughing, forgetting the heavy burdens of life. They began to sway, move, and dance together, with a few foreign men approaching them, enjoying the atmosphere where the bitterness and the weight of life were forgotten.

"Who are you close to now?" Alex asked, looking at Nara.

"No one. Why?" Nara replied.

"Just asking. Aren't you interested in a foreigner?" Alex glanced at a foreign guy nearby.

"Not for now, I've had enough of broke foreigners," Nara chuckled.

"Don't you want to be with Rikas?"

Nara looked at Rikas, observing her friend. She admitted that Rikas was very handsome, the younger brother of Dr. Steven. And Rikas himself was a surgeon. Oh well, she was not at all interested in dating a doctor, it was so boring.

Nara laughed, "What's with you, trying to matchmake me and Rikas?"

"Come to think of it, you two are a good match."

Rikas heard Alex's words. "If I date Nara, I predict that our relationship will last only a week."

"Do you want to be with me?" Nara exclaimed in surprise.

"Of course, I do. Just a total player, too lazy for that. It only leads to heartache," Alex replied.