FROM A BILITTLED SON-IN-LAW TO A MULTI-BILLIONAIRE

CHAPTER 5

Bryan was lost in thoughts when Anita called him. "Bryan did you hear my request?" She asked looking at him and wondering what he was thinking.

Bryan started into her eyes looking for any sign that this was a joke, but she seemed deadly serious, he couldn't believe what she was asking him, there was no way he was going to agree to this, he thought. It just wasn't right.

"What are you saying Anita, I can't believe this, you said I needed a job so I could provide for the family, and now you want to take control of all my money? That's not right", he said his voice rising. He couldn't believe she wanted to take advantage of him again especially as he had just gotten a job.

"Don't you dare speak to me like that!" Anita said her voice rising to match his. "just because I asked for a simple thing, and you're making a big deal out of it,  and now you shouting?" 

"I have been taking care of you since we got married, I've put a roof over your head, I've never asked for anything in return, and now you think you can talk back at me?, you think you now have authority just because you got a good paying job that I even helped you find?"

"For your information Bryan what I have just said is final, you would have to do as I have said. if you don't follow my instructions, I will call my friend and tell her you just stole from me and that you are unfit for the job. Don't test me, Bryan." She said with anger all over her face.

Bryan was shocked and afraid, he had finally gotten a good job and now she was threatening to ruin it for him. He knew that Anita was serious, and once she made up her mind there was no changing it. He needed to do something about this.

"Okay, Fine! I appreciate everything you have done for me, and am grateful for all your help, but please even if you want to be in control of the money I make, can we at least split it? That way you still have control over half and I can have some for myself too. please". Bryan pleaded hoping she could at least change her mind.

Anita remained resolute, refusing to budge on her decision."I have been providing for you, so at least this should be the reward I get for my hard work". I'm not going to change my mind no matter what you say".

Bryan couldn't go through all this, it was too much for him. "You can't do this Anita, I can't go on with your request,  please just think about something else than this" 

"You can't do What?" How…. Anita wanted to speak when a voice cut her off.

"You see it now, Anita?" her mother said, her voice dripping with scorn as she looked at Bryan. "This is exactly what I've been warning you about. He's not capable of supporting you, and he never will be. You made a terrible mistake by marrying this selfish pauper"

Bryan turned to look at his mother-in-law, and he saw the smug look on her face. It was obvious she had been standing there for a while, eavesdropping on their conversation. He knew that issue wasn't going to be less serious and he wasn't sure how it was going to end. 

"You're heartless and selfish, Bryan," his mother-in-law continued, her voice full of contempt as she faced him. "After everything my daughter has done for you, she asks for this one small thing and you can't even do it? You're so ungrateful!" 

"You know You're only getting this job because of her, and yet you can't even repay her with this little thing she asked? You're pathetic!" The venom in her voice shocked Bryan as he raised his head to look at her.

"I've been telling you for so long that he's no good for you," she said, her eyes fixed on her daughter. "But you never listened. One day, he'll use you up and leave you with nothing, and you'll have no one to blame but yourself." 

"You would have to do as Anita has just said," She said facing Bryan, her voice full of authority. "And That's the end of this discussion" Her tone left no room for argument. With that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room slamming the door behind her.

He steered at his mother-in-law as she disappeared from their sight and turned to Anita who was looking at him disdainfully before she left for her room.

Bryan knew his mother-in-law's outburst had just made things worse and that her demands were not up for discussion. He felt so helpless, with annoyance he left the room and headed for the privacy of his own space.

He reached his room, but he couldn't calm down, he paced around the room with no idea of what to do. The more he thought about his wife's request, the angrier he became, he was so tempted to throw and break things around, but he managed to restrain himself. He knew that losing his temper wouldn't help.

He regretted telling his wife what her friend had offered to pay, in excitement he had let slip the exact amount he would be earning and now he knew she would be in control of all his earnings, it was like he would be working for free, and even if he refused to work, he knew his mother inlaw would make his living unbearable. No matter how hard he tried to calm down, his heart pounded as his thoughts raced. 

The knowledge that he would be starting his new job the next day made Bryan angry, and the thought of working all day only for his earnings to be taken from him was maddening. Not only was he trapped in his home life and marriage, but now he was going to be trapped at work too.

In a fit of rage, he walked to his wardrobe and started angrily putting his clothes in order. After a while, he gave up and went to bed, but sleep eluded him. He tossed and turned on the bed consumed with worry and anger.