Say You Won t Let Go

"Break off all your lover from now on," William said in a sharp tone. "Man or woman." 

"He's not my boyfriend, you know I never interested to that word," Dave said with a chuckle. "Only one of the staff is facing to submit a report." 

"Then don't tease him. I know he's to your taste, but from now on you have to stop playing around." 

"Oh come on, Dad, my work has always been above par. My romantic life has absolutely nothing to do with my job." 

"You're getting married, Dave. Gotta get married!" 

"Ha? Married? With whom? This is a joke?" 

"Sovi Leonard?" Dave's eyebrows shot up high. 

William nodded firmly. "Yes. She will be back in three months, after completing her masters in London and after that you will be engaged and married very soon." 

"Why?" asked Dave in a flat tone. 

"Why?"  his Father replied. "You will be my heir, Dave. I need to introduce you to all our connections and business associates, just like your grandfather did me. It's tradition." 

Dave snorted in annoyance. "That's not what I meant. I was wondering why I should marry Sovi?" 

"You didn't like Sovi? You were very close when you were little and she was very enthusiastic when her father proposed your wedding plans." 

"That's what I mean, Dad. I've always considered Sovi like my little sister. It would be weird for me to marry her because I never had romantic feelings for her." 

"Nonsense. Sovi is the perfect woman for you. You two are getting married and I will process my name change to yours after that." 

Dave got up from his chair and came out from behind his desk to sit on the sofa in front of his father. He looked at the man's face with questioning eyes. 

"What's the rush, Dad? I wasn't ready for everything you said just now." 

William threw his back against the back of the sofa. "I took this business transfer from your grandfather when I was a two younger than you, Dave. There's no reason for you to feel unprepared." 

"I don't want to marry Sovi. Never!" Dave argued stubbornly. 

"You must marry, even if not with Sovi, you must still marry. But, Sovi is the best for our family. The heir to the Jan family must be sure to be married and have the certainty of being able to produce the next generation, before accepting the transfer of names from the previous generation. It's a hereditary tradition," William snapped impatiently. "You've played enough during this time, with your very carefree and reckless life. It's time for you to grow up and take over the leadership of this family!" 

"Just point to Gary, then," Dave muttered half grudgingly. "Just because he's not your biological son doesn't mean he can't be the heir to this business. He's proven capable and reliable, is married and his child is due in five months. Beside, he is your golden child. You always love him more than me, so why don't you choose him as a heir instead of me? Be clear and fair, Dad!" 

William took a deep breath and stood up from the couch, supporting himself with the dragon-headed staff in his hand.  "He is indeed capable and reliable, even more than you are capable of, but after all blood relations are thicker than water. There have been instances where a Jan in the past gave full trust to his intelligent stepson rather than his stupid biological child to accept  his legacy. It took only five years for that brilliant stepson to destroy the Jan name and build his own. Since then, it has taken decades to restore the Jan name to our country's business scene and there has been a lot of sacrifice." 

Dave was silent, not daring to say anything else. He knew his father was harboring disappointment because of his refusal, but he also did not want to take the conditions put forward for him.