Dad, he never liked him from the start! Angela blurted. You can see it on his face hes only here for the cash! Not to work, but to latch onto a rich bride and rob her dry!
Mum, why didnt you say anything earlier? Weve been married two years! Olivia shouted, cheeks flushing.
I thought youd sort it out yourself, Angela waved her hands. Youve been completely blind about Greg you cant see whats right in front of you!
What was I supposed to see? Olivia asked.
Plain simple! Angela snapped. He turned up from the north, like hed driven across the whole country. Why? Jobs are everywhere, yet hes sprinted straight to the capital, straight into my husbands firm, straight into the bosss daughters eyes, and then married her! He acts all polished, sweettalking, like sugarcoated honey. In three miles you can tell that this lad would marry any rich guy for money.
mum, Im no crocbuyer, Olivia hiccuped.
And he doesnt care, Angela shook her head. All that matters is you have access to dads money, so youre the most precious thing on earth for him.
While Olivia was still stewing, Angela tossed another jab into the mix:
After your wedding he marched straight to my husband and demanded you buy him a flat. Of course dad paid hes a good man! I made sure he put the deed in your name, not his, otherwise youd have been kicked out already.
Hes even plotted his exit, Greg. Hell divorce you and try to snatch half the house! Angela warned.
We werent planning on that, Olivia muttered.
Nothing to worry about hes still emptyhanded. Once he lines his pockets, hell dump you.
I see that arrogance all over his face, Angela added confidently.
Dad, he doesnt even ask for anything. He works, earns his own money! Olivia protested, bewildered.
I have no idea what he earns, but think where he works! Angela made a dramatic face.
Not at dads place, Olivia replied. He quit right after we married.
Exactly! He was scared of the nasty relatives. Hed have a hard time hearing that he married the bosss daughter for nothing but a title, Angela agreed. He got the job through dads friend, a decent position, only because dad asked. He sees his own benefit, but to anyone else he looks all pristine and fluffy.
Oh, Mum, Olivia sighed, I never thought
Ive noticed, Angela grinned. And I wouldnt be surprised if hes got a sidewoman.
A sidewoman? Why?
For love, of course! Youre just his ticket to cash.
Olivias face turned beet red; she gulped a lungful of air and shouted:
Dad!!!
She always had that habit of yelling at the top of her lungs. Their family was welloff, the house massive, and wandering the corridors looking for a parent wasnt just laziness it was exhausting. So shed just holler and wait for an answer.
Dad, John Parker, was nearby and rushed in, eyes wide, breath ragged, clearly unaccustomed to his daughters dramatic cries after two years of marriage.
Darling, whats wrong?
Dad! You have to ruin him! Crush him! Leave him nothing but a wet spot! Olivia screamed.
Who? John blinked.
Greg! she shouted.
What did he do? John asked, a nervous grin tugging at his lips.
Hes cheating on me! He only married me for the money! Olivia spat.
Seriously? Thats news! Johns confusion turned to surprise. How do you know all this?
Mum told me! She sees right through him! Olivia replied.
Ah, Mum, John said. What do you see?
Nothing until Mum opened my eyes! Olivia answered.
John turned to his wife, Angela:
Thanks, Angela, for stirring the pot for our daughter, he said, bowing slightly.
Dont call me by my maiden name! Angela squealed. It makes me feel old!
If I knew what to call you to make you wiser, John shook his head ruefully. AngelaAngela
Dad? Olivia asked hesitantly. What does that mean?
Your mother, as usual, made up a whole drama and then turned it into gospel. Shes convinced you know nothing about your husband, except what shes whispered.
—
Greg, a bright young lad from Manchester, arrived in London with a degree in economics and big dreams of conquering the capital. He knew anyone could move to London, but only a few ever made it. His first goal was simply not to drown in the citys madness.
He rented a tiny flat, landed a junior manager job at a firm, and decided to soak up experience before aiming higher. Six months later he was still finding his footing amid endless temptations, careful not to lose himself.
His willpower was ironclad; he steered clear of trouble and quickly got used to the London pace. Though a managers salary didnt leave much room, he spent the cash he brought with him sparingly, saving for something serious. Work became his whole life.
Because he was diligent, the company promoted him to senior manager. It was a step up, but on the internal ladder he was still near the bottom. He didnt mind; it gave him a chance to prove himself.
Then the firm threw a New Years party, whisking the whole staff away to a resort for three days, complete with bar, restaurant, bowling, spa, pool and karaoke. Greg attended the main events, explored the amenities on day two, and soon grew bored he wasnt one for idle partying.
Among the guests he spotted a pretty girl hed never seen before. He didnt know which department she worked in maybe accounts, maybe the warehouse.
He walked over, introduced himself, and they chatted about music, books, film. Sparks flew instantly. He was shocked to learn her name was Olivia, the daughter of the firms owner.
Great, Im out of a job, he laughed to himself, or maybe Ive just found a new path. Olivia, aware that Greg was only a senior manager, took it in stride:
I like him! If anyone cares about his title, Ill ask my dad to give him a proper role.
Their relationship blossomed over a year. Olivia didnt demand pricey gifts or extravagant trips. She knew a senior managers salary was modest and that Greg hadnt yet earned his dads full blessing in her heart.
Soon the wedding plans were in motion.
A few days before the big day, John called Greg into his office to discuss Olivias future.
So, young man, what are your thoughts? he asked.
I think the wedding costs should be split, Greg replied seriously. And after were married, Ill quit.
Bold move, John chuckled. Whos paying for the wedding? Thats not my concern. But why quit?
The money will come from my mum, Greg said. Im leaving to avoid any gossip. My first promotion came before you even knew me. You promoted me before you knew I was involved with Olivia. Now, when we marry, everyone will say my rise was thanks to your protection, not my ability. I want to earn everything on my own.
Thinking big, I like that, John nodded. And with conscience! If you really quit, I wont abandon you.
Ill call a friend and ask if he has a vacancy. Ill go in as Greg from Manchester, not as your soninlaw, Greg grinned. Let him decide if he wants me. If you beg on my behalf, I wont stay.
Proud of you, John smiled. Respect!
Gregs hard work earned him a department head role, but he didnt linger there either he kept climbing on merit, not favour.
At the wedding John met Gregs mother, Mary Stevens, a widow whod built her own fortune after her husband died. She explained how her son, despite his modest start, had always wanted to stand on his own.
Greg wants to earn his fathers name, she said. Im backing him, but Im ready to step back once hes set.
Back in Manchester, Greg had three restaurants and a small chain of snack bars waiting for him. Money? Still a mystery.
Angela, who hadnt been present for the whole conversation between John and Greg, only caught the part where Greg asked, Will you buy us a flat? She missed his followup, Or should I buy one myself so we dont have two properties and waste money?
She pieced together what she heard and concluded Greg was a typical golddigger, marrying for cash, not love. She kept quiet, distracted by watching her own husband, suspecting he might have a secret lover. She was so busy trying to catch him that she almost forgot about her daughter for a couple of years.
John later confessed hed investigated Greg and confirmed every rumor. The thirst for someone elses money vanished. He thought of other women, but Angela insisted every man was a cheat, even her own husband, whom shed tried to catch cheating for twentyfive years.
He finished with a sigh:
Darling, Mum judges everyone by herself. Shes after my money, thats why she has a limiteduse credit card. Give her full access and shell run off to a warm beach. She thinks everyones the same. Love isnt the issue money is. Jealousy is justified when theres no love, so loyalty cant exist. He smiled wryly, Dont listen to her.
Gregs a good lad, sensible. When the time comes, Ill hand the business to him, so you see what I mean. Angela glared at John with hatred, then left the room with dignity.
See? She didnt even argue, John said, nodding toward his wife. Good husband youve got, dont mistreat him.
Oh, youll be a granddad soon, Olivia teased.
Thats wonderful news! John hugged his daughter. But still, dont listen to mum.