"Apart from the details you see there, Camilla and Zuri Vesta are both half-casts." Old Sir added. "I suggest you marry the one with ivory skin."
"I'm not marrying anyone from that family." He snapped. "And their family is not of our class. Why can't I marry someone else?"
"Because, you turn down all the proposals from the women who have taken interest in you." Old Sir explained.
"They have taken interest in my money, our money, not taken interest in me." Lucius pulled away from the Old Sir.
"I know, that's why I want the Ivory girl to bear your children. She is capable, responsible and independent." Old Sir tried reasoning with Lucius. "She even has two stable jobs, is about to go into college and has very high recommendations from her neighborhood."
"But she is black." He felt his heart ache. "How will she cope with the media? The harsh remarks? How will she cope with me?"
"She will deal with every problem the same way she has done for the past seventeen years of her life."
"I don't like her. I don't even have the tiniest but of affection for her." He snorted.
"Learn to love my son." Old Sir patted him. "Promise me, you will marry the girl. Let me see her even if I can't hold your children." "Promise me that if I die, you will let her stay here. My mother would gladly watch over you for me when I'm gone. Your grandma always loved you. Promise me, Lucius Damari."
"Promise me that you would love and cherish her as your wife and the mother of your children."
Lucius bit his lip. He couldn't escape this one. If you promise or swear with your full name, you are bound by this promise. That was a rule in the Damari family.
His dying father was begging him. He had to do it.
"I, Lucius Damari, swear to you, Reyes Damari, that I will marry the First Miss Vesta and make her my wife and the mother of my children." He bowed his head. "I promise to make her happy and to love and cherish her."
Old Sir Reyes smiled and tapped his head twice. "Thank you my son."
Lucius rose his head and saw the tears in his father's eyes. "I didn't think you would accept. I am blessed that I have such a son. You are a good child Lucius. I am tired and I have to rest."
Assistant Wang took out a poem by Wole Soyinka and began reading it for the Old Sir. Sawyer packed the files and followed Lucius out of the room.