“I’m sorry Mr. Blackwood, her pancreatic cancer is too advanced, our only option is palliative care to manage her pain and symptoms. We believe we can give her another two or three years at best.” Doctor Vance said in a soft, somber tone, his gaze was steady and his voice was low.

I tried to say something but my words hung in my throat, this was a feeling unfamiliar to me. I have never been lost for words, I always know what to say but this time it was different.

The doctor’s words pierced through me like a knife through my chest. My mother, Eliana Blackwood, is my only family and now she is dying. Eliana raised me alone as a single mother after my father denied the pregnancy and explained that he wanted nothing to do with it.

“Thank you, doctor” I finally let out as my eyes slowly dimmed and my face which was once bright with hope became dull. I gently stood up and left the doctor’s office on my way to my mother’s private ward.

“What did the doctor say?” Eliana asked as she let out a cough.

“Nothing mum” I said as I squeezed her hand tightly.

“I’m not a fool, Nathan. I know I don’t have much time. You can tell me” She said with a sad smile.

“Besides, what good is life if I have to suffer this much?” She teased but I didn’t find it funny, it only made me feel worse.

My only purpose in life was to provide for my mother and repay her for all her years of suffering. I wanted to give her a good life to make up for all the times we had suffered in poverty and now just when she had started to enjoy life, it was ending. It just seems so unfair to me.

“You need to accept that this cancer has won. It’s going to kill me” Eliana started as she released herself from my grip.

“But I don’t want you to be alone when I leave” She continued as she rubbed my cheek “Find a nice girl and start a family with her”

“Mother-“ I tried to contest.

“No Nathan. That is my dying wish. You must honor it” She said with a firm tone.

“Mum, all the women I meet are only after my money”

“You’ll find one who’s not.”

“I’m not interested in getting married.”

“Sweetheart, I want to see my grand baby before I go.”

******

The ride home was silent, I had hoped I would come home with my mother today but reality was far from it. She is still on admission in the hospital and she is dying.

And now I have to find a wife and have a child before she dies. I’ve never wanted to get married, I’ve never really been interested in marriage. But now I have to commit for my mother’s sake.

“Do you think I can get a wife before the month ends, Benard?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“Mother says she wants to see her grandchild before she dies. That gives me 2 years to get married and have a baby.” I explained looking straight ahead and avoiding eye contact with Benard who was sitting next to me in the back seat as the driver drove us home.

Benard is the adviser to the Blackwood Enterprise. He is an old man with wisdom as much as the grey hairs on his head and beard. Benard has been with me since I started the business, he’s my most loyal and trusted employee but most importantly he’s like a father and a friend to me.

“I’m truly sorry to hear that, Nathaniel” Benard said with his strong British accent.

“Just as life was getting good. I’m a billionaire, I can get her anything she wants, she can finally live a good life but instead she’s stuck on a hospital bed waiting for her inevitable death.” I said with pain in my voice.

“My money can’t buy her life” I said as I sobbed gently.

“Don’t cry boy, she’s still here. You should try your best to make her happy in her final days.” Benard said.

“She wants a grandchild.” I started “I don’t want a child, not right now”

“You just need to make your mother happy in her final days” Benard started.

“Too bad I can’t rent a wife and a kid” I laughed gently but then an idea came to me.

“But what if I could” I said

“I don’t like where this is going.” Benard said

“I’ll hire a woman to pose as my wife.”

“Eliana is too smart to fall for a scheme like that” Bernard said

“What if it’s a woman I’ve been with in the past. She’ll believe it”

“Nathan-“

“No, it’s going to work. She’ll believe it”

“And the grandchild?”

“We’ll keep ‘trying’ till mum dies”

“You are cruel, Nathan”

“I’m not ready to be married yet, Bernard. I’m just not. But I still want to make my mother happy before she dies, in any way possible.”

“Who do you have in mind?” Bernard said as he sighed in defeat.

“I knew you’d understand.” I smiled patting Bernard on the back

“I’m thinking Rachel, because she was the most recent and mother liked her.”

“That was four years ago”

“Speak of the devil and she shall appear. William stop the car!” I said as he spotted Rachel’s beautiful figure sitting in the balcony of an apartment and reading a book.

“Park the car, I’ll be back in a second” I said as I jumped out of the car.

“Wait! Let’s think this through first!” Bernard called but Nathan was already long gone.

I stood in front of Rachel’s door without knowing what I was going to say. I hesitated for a bit but eventually pulled up my hand and knocked twice. I ran my hands through my hair to make sure it looked good and I used my hand to straighten my white shirt and my suit. I didn’t know what I was going to say but I knew I cry had to try.

After a minute or two, the wooden door flung open and Rachel stood in front of him. The second her eyes landed on him, she slammed the door without letting Nathan say a word.

That was expected, I can’t say I’m shocked. I raised my right hand and knocked again, I didn’t expect her to come back but I wanted to know I tried.

After two minutes or three, the door creeped open again but this time there was no one there or so I thought until I looked down and saw a tiny creature, a beautiful young boy. He looked no more than 3, he was handsome and his eyes shined like diamonds.

I was shocked, Was this Rachel’s child? Is she married? Is that why she slammed the door on me?

“Hey little fella” I said

“Get back in here George!” Rachel screamed as she stomped towards the door. She carried him up and tried to slam the door again but this time I anticipated it and used my foot to stop the door.

“Go away Nathan” Rachel said as she dropped her little boy and faced me.

“Please just hear me out” I pleaded.

“Alright, what do you need me for?” She started “Because I know you well enough to know that you would never show up at my door unless you wanted something.”

I was tongue-tied, I couldn’t speak. Her words pierced me like a knife because it was true.

“I thought as much” She said before slamming the door again but this time, I didn’t stop her.

I went back to the car.

“I take it that was a failed attempt” Bernard said dryly

“After all the years we’ve spent together you still haven’t learnt anything from me. Plan before you execute, it doesn’t only apply to work” Bernard said.