The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the Williams Mansion, spreading golden light across the dining room. The table was filled with scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice, and fresh fruit yet no one was eating.
Asher, dressed in a sharp blazer even though he was home, quietly checked his phone. Numbers, reports, restaurant updates his world.
Mrs. Williams slammed her coffee cup on the table so hard that Ariana flinched.
Mrs. Williams: "Asher, listen to me! I'm your mother, and I know what is best for you!"
Asher breathed in slowly, refusing to look up.
Asher: "Mum, please. Not again. Not this morning."
Mrs. Williams: "Then when? You're always busy! Hotels! Restaurants! Meetings! Do you want to marry your business?"
Asher rolled his eyes and continued scrolling.
Ariana, his younger sister, sat quietly beside him stirring her tea nonstop.
She didn't dare interrupt.
This was the same movie every day.
Aunty Rose, who managed one of Asher's restaurants, reached across the table gently.
Aunty Rose: "Sister, calm down. Let the boy eat first."
But calming Mrs. Williams was like telling fire not to burn.
Mrs. Williams: "I will NOT calm down! He is 26 and still single! People are asking me embarrassing questions!"
Asher finally dropped his phone and looked at her.
Asher: "So what? Should I pick a random woman on the street and marry her just to satisfy gossip?"
Mrs. Williams stood taller, hands on her hips.
Mrs. Williams: "I already arranged a blind date for you today."
Ariana froze.
Asher blinked twice.
Asher: "Excuse me?"
Mrs. Williams: "Her name is Angela. Very beautiful, from a good home. Her father owns a bank. Perfect match."
Asher took a deep breath like he was holding back a scream.
Asher: "Cancel it."
Mrs. Williams: "No. You will go."
Asher: "Mum—"
Mrs. Williams: "I SAID YOU WILL GO!"
Aunty Rose quickly stood and placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.
Aunty Rose: "Sister, please. You're pushing too hard. Let him choose his wife himself."
Mrs. Williams: "Choose? Choose what? If I leave him, he will remain single forever!"
Ariana sighed — deep, loud, fed up.
Ariana: "Mum, you're overreacting."
Mrs. Williams spun to face her daughter.
Mrs. Williams: "You too! You are 23 and no boyfriend yet! Both of you want to kill me with shame!"
Ariana shut her mouth again.
She was tired of this battle.
Asher pushed his chair back slightly.
Asher: "Mother… I respect you. But if I ever marry, it will be for love. Not pressure. Not fear. Love."
Mrs. Williams scoffed loudly.
Mrs. Williams: "Love? Love is for children! Marriage is responsibility!"
Asher: "Then I guess I'm still a child. Because I won't marry someone I don't love."
A few seconds of silence.
Mrs. Williams's voice suddenly dropped low, shaky with emotion.
Mrs. Williams: "Your father and I built everything we have with sweat and tears. You are the only son. I just want to see you happy. I want grandchildren to hold before I leave this world."
Her eyes became watery.
Asher's anger softened. He stood and walked toward her.
Asher: "Mum… I will give you that happiness one day. But let me find it myself. Let me choose who I share my life with."
Mrs. Williams wiped a tear and turned away.
Mrs. Williams: "Fine. But mark my words — if I don't see a good woman in your life soon, I will fill this house with blind dates every weekend! Morning, afternoon, and night!"
Aunty Rose chuckled and whispered:
Aunty Rose: "Asher, start running now."
Ariana finally took a bite of her toast, mumbling:
Ariana: "Same drama every day."
Asher looked at his family — the love, the chaos, the madness — and sighed.
Asher: "This house will give me high blood pressure one day."
Mrs. Williams sat back down like she won the battle.