Chapter 1: Dictated 

Chapter 1: Dictated 

Matthew Sinclair Chan is personally driving his car heading to his parents house at  Kings Grove  Residences on the coastal area in the southern part of  New Territory, Hongkong . It was Sunday , and it is his chauffer's day off. It could have been easy to ask him for an overtime but his request would have come late. That is why when he got his mother’s message yesterday afternoon to have lunch with them today, he made sure his head was clear of alcohol the night before or he might end up with a hang over the following day. He doesn’t want to give his mother any discomfort. 

Matthew  sat lazily on a long sofa in the vast living room. Not long after he arrived, her mother told her that they have something very important to tell. He was face to face with his parents and he felt a little bit uneasy. They were looking at him as if he was some kind of experiment that is about to undergo changes. That made him frown, but waited for them to speak first. He wondered  what could be so important that they cannot tell him over the phone?

“Matthew, your father wants to tell you something.” His elegant mother, sitting regally from an armchair across him said. His mother though looked beautiful and vulnerable, inside she possessed boldness. You can’t make her step back once she is challenged. Unlike Chinese women who are traditionally submissive, her mother retained her western personality. Born in a family in the mining business. The Sinclair  are English who travelled to the U.S during the California Gold rush.  Her father in the 80’s ventured into other businesses and succeeded. And  grew up in a kind of family who kept climbing up the ladder of success. Maybe that was her character  which made his father love her. So he wondered. Isn’t it that opposite  attracts, in his parents situation  they are completely the same. Yet they don’t repel each other. If his mother is bold his father is controlling. That is something he witnessed professionally.

“What is it, mum? “he started to ask.

“We want you to marry Cindy soon,” his father replied.

This time he straightened up, seated. The surprised look on his face was so visible. Those words from his father were like a bomb dropped straight to him and blew him to pieces. Seriously?! All he could think. This is something about Chinese fathers that he cannot fathom to understand. They talk their minds and straight to the point without prelude.

“What?! Are you serious, Dad?!” he exclaimed, confused and shocked.

“She is your girlfriend, right? So, I see no problem.  Both our families are expecting this. You have been dating for a while. I believe it is time you settle down. What you have to do now is arrange date for your engagement party and settle date of your wedding anytime on the second quarter next year.” His father said as if organizing  a business calendar.

“What?” Matthew exclaimed in disbelief  “whoah,! Hold up. You are talking about my life dad, not some kind candy factory deciding what flavour to add in.”

“Well, what do you have to say?” his father asked insensitively.

Matthew  ignored his father, worried that they would end up in a heated argument. He turned to his mother. Calmly he told his mother, “I am sorry but I can’t. I am not ready to get married.”

“Son, Cindy told us that you two are in a committed relationship?” his mother  looked confused.

“mother, you know  I have never been  serious with any of the women I went out with. And they know that. If I am, believe me, you will be the first to know.” he replied.

“Nevertheless, son, I so much wish that you will think about this. Cindy’s family is a close family friend. We can’t think of any other better choice.” His mother said .

Matthew shook his head. He can’t believe this is happening. Clearly, Cindy went behind his back and set him up. That is something he disliked most on women. That is also the very reason why he never dive in into a relationship without mutual understanding. He always made sure that any affair he is in should not go beyond dating. But Cindy is a spoiled brat, and marriage with him is just one of her whims. But he also knew that her parents are desperate  for a family merge, and his father thought of it  as a good idea. 

‘I do not care what our parents were thinking, but if they think that they can outsmart me, that is their biggest mistake. I will never be Cindy’s  subject of manipulation and trickery.’ he thought to himself.

“Surely you did not believe her, mom?”

“What is it that you do not approve about her” his father said sounding irritated.

Matthew is starting to lose his composure already and turns sharply  to his father. “You are talking about my life, dad. Not some kind of business proposal”. 

There was a moment of silence until finally, “mom, dad, thank you for your thoughts, I respect that. But please, try to understand , on this matter ,I am asking you not to interfere. This is something I alone can decide, when and to whom.”

Matthew did not stay to dine with them. He left immediately after.

From his point of view, marriage is absurd and a ludicrous idea at the moment. It is true that at his age he is now successful and his firm is doing better but professional success  does not equate readiness to marriage. Besides he is just starting to enjoy his life , why would he throw himself into the pit of marriage. He was only thirty- two years old. 

The other reason why he can’t get himself to believe that women were serious with him is  that  they were only after his name and wealth. Every time he looked into those girls' eyes he saw nothing but hypocrisy. Women were literally  throwing themselves to him, do not love him but his money. So why would he exchange his freedom to the likes of these women?

‘No way!’ He uttered in disgust.