5"Vance, this is not going to roll over well with Zachary."
"Martha, I think it hardly matters at this point," Vance said to his wife. They were sitting in a private sitting area of The Tea Room, a tea house that hosted diverse events throughout the year. They waited for a couple whose daughter would soon change everyones' lives.
"Still, should we be meddling like this?" Martha worried, like she always did, about their son and his future. He was a brilliant CEO; however, his personality at times seemed like the hard biscuits sitting on the table in front of them.
"Honey, let's focus on this right now. We want to make sure Valerie is the one. That her parents understand what we're asking of them, of Valerie. There's no time left to worry about his reaction. I fear it will not change from what we first discussed." Vance knew his son well. This would not roll over well. However, he couldn't stand by and watch his son destroy his own life. This situation required action and that is exactly what he and his wife were doing; Taking action. They had watched Valerie, knew he from all the meetings at their house, at the company. She played a big role in Zachary's life at work. They wondered what kind of role she could play in Zachary's life outside of work.
Martha sighed, "Yes, dear, you're right. We made the decision, now is the time to act. How shall we bring up this topic with the Parv's? Do you think they have any idea what they are about to hear?" Martha almost giggled. This whole idea seemed preposterous all of the sudden. As if they were living in the 1800s and marriages were pre-arranged by the parents. Too bad it didn't work that way anymore. And too bad that their son was so disagreeable!
"Let's pitch the idea slowly. I don't think they know fully what they are about to get themselves into. I only worry their greed may over-power their love for their daughter."
"I don't think that will be the case. I know we don't know them that well, but I've asked the ladies and they all agree the Parv's are family first."
Vance shook his head. He never understood his wife's little group, the 'butterflies', as they were commonly known. They did great things for the community, but the social side seemed a little vague to him. On the other hand, he wasn't exactly a social butterfly.
They chatted about the situation at hand for a few more minutes, then settled into a nervous silence. They were nervous for multiple reasons, however, the uneasiness they felt topped the list at the moment. A question remained and both could look into each other's eyes and see what that question was: How will Zach react?
Twenty minutes later, there was a soft knock on the glass door.
"Enter," Vance replied to the knock.
The hostess opened the door and let two people in. The Parv's. The couple thanked the hostess and entered into the room. The Valencio's stood up and greeted their guests. One could have guessed this was a business meeting. However, inside the room, one could definitely smell the tension.
"Please have a seat," Martha was the first to speak.
As everyone settled in, the hostess came in to take the tea order.
"Thank you for coming out today," Vance spoke to Stephen and Carol, "I understand you have a busy schedule."
"Of course," Stephen replied, looking at his wife he continued, "Though, we were a little surprised by the phone call."
Vance shook his head, "We wanted to," he paused, "speak about a delicate topic."
Stephen and Carol remained quiet to urge Vance to continue.
"Martha, why don't you explain," He leaned back in the dark blue sofa he sat in.
Martha sighed, "This is a litte difficult to explain, but here goes. Our son, Zachary, has worked his adolesence away and seems as if he will not stop. The prospect of settling down is so far from his mind that at this rate...I don't think we will be grandparents at all!"
Carol's gaze drifted towards Stephen. She wondered why they would request their presence for an issue like this.
"We know your daughter," Martha continued.
However, Carol's head whipped back around at the name of her daughter, "Valerie? Is she not performing well at her job?"
"No- no, she's fine with her job. This does not have anything to do with her job or her job performance," Martha shook her head with a smile, "This is more personal. We have gotten to know Valerie over the years, as she comes and goes from the house for meetings and such. She is a fine woman."
"Oh, thank you," Carol replied quietly, still wondering why Valerie was brought up.
"And, as we've gotten to know her, we think someone like her would be perfectly compatiable for a man like Zach. Wouldn't you say so?" Martha asked the crowd hesitantly.
Stephen opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. It seemed both Stephen and Carol were both at a loss for words. And so it was Carol that replied, "Pardon?"
"Well...," Martha paused. "After seeing them interact, it seems they would make a good fit."
"Are you suggesting your son is interested in our daughter?" Carol replied.
Vance shook his head, "I don't think he is interested in any female. He's too busy working his life away."
"I don't think I'm fully comprehending what you are saying Vance," Stephen spoke for the first time.
"Well, I understand this is not something any one of us expected to happen," Vance cleared his throat, "But, we," He looked at his wife and she nodded her head as if to encourage him, "like your daughter."
Both parties were silent for a moment.
"Thank you," Stephen said confused still.
"For our son, Zachary," Vance finished his sentence.
Carol sputtered on the tea she was sipping, "I beg your pardon?"
"Again, I know this is a lot to take in and the idea dates back centuries, however, we have really thought this through. Seeing them work together every day. They work well together."
Stephen and Carol just stared at them.
"You want my daughter to marry your son?" Stephen finally spoke ten minutes later to confirm what he had just heard.
"Yes," Vance replied instantly.
"Why?"
"We know this is very traditional and it is not how it works anymore. However, our son has changed a lot over the years and it seems he has gone one extreme to another."
"Zachary is a playboy. Why would I agree to this?" Stephen scowled a little and Carol put her hand on his knee to calm him down.
"I understand, and yes, he was unfortunately. And it seems that he has gone to other extreme. Any time we even bring up the topic he shuts us out. He is 31 now, it's time for him to settle down. But he continues to work day and night, just working his life away. If he continues this way, he'll end up like me," Vance said looking down, referring to his almost fatal heart attack almost a decade ago, "And I want something better for my son."
Stephen and Carol looked at each other silently.
"And we would be very willing to compensate for all of this. Stocks or cash or however you would like it." Vance said in response to their silence.
Howdy! So I have started the re-edit of the story. Keep in mind some things will change (Names, locations, a little bit of the story) so understand it's not the exact copy of the original story. The main idea will most likely stay the same, however, things may change as I start editing heavier into the story.
However, I know for sure the writing style has changed so please let me know what you think! Thanks everyone! :)
JD