"But I thought you said no."
"I said no because I'm not close enough to my friend that he'd just give me a car for free. We have to pay for it."
My father-in-law quickly grabbed my hand. Gratefully, he said, "So you're going to pay for the car, George?"

Dismayed, my wife muttered, "Where are we going to get the money?"
"We'll book the car. I just snagged a new deal. When I get the money, we can afford a house and a car."
Queenie was stunned, and she looked at me like I was a stranger. There was worship in her eyes, and they sparkled. "I didn't think you'd pay for it in full…"
"We're family. Family helps each other." I smiled gently at her, but there was only ice-cold calmness within me.
"Yeah, Queenie. Grow up a little. Look at George. He's going to pay for the car. You aren't going to stop him, are you?" My mother-in-law rolled her eyes.
Queenie quickly put her arms around my shoulders and came closer for a kiss. Cloyingly, she said, "You're the best, honey."

I patted her head like I loved her, but I sneered in my mind. 'I can give you the car and house, but I wonder if your family's tough enough to take the gifts and come out unscathed.'
The next day, my mother-in-law called me. She said she found a unit she liked and wanted me to pay for it. I sneered. They already had a house in mind. All they needed was my agreeing to pay for it, and they got it during lunch the day before.
I wasn't surprised they did this. I hung up and drove Queenie to the new unit. Her family was already waiting for us. It was a newly developed project, and the location was nice. The unit was about 1,600 square feet, and it cost about 5 million.
Queenie's family was ordering the waitress around, demanding tea, and complaining about how slow they were moving.

"I think this one's nice, George. Jack wanted a 2,000-square-feet unit, but money doesn't grow on trees, so we settled for something smaller. Down payment is 500 thousand though, so…"
Queenie's family was looking at me expectantly. I took a sip of the tea and said nonchalantly, "I still haven't gotten the money from my deal."
Queenie couldn't hold back anymore. "Then tell them to move things along. Maybe they'll pay up right away."
"We need to confirm the date of Jack's wedding soon. If we buy the house now and renovate it, I don't think we'll make it in time for the wedding."
"Think of a solution, will you? Since you already agreed yesterday, you have to pay up today, no matter what. I don't care how."
Her mother nodded quickly while her father and brother rolled up their sleeves. Maybe they'd beat me up if I said no.
I looked at them expressionlessly. "Calm down. Let me finish. The money's not in my account yet, but I have a banker friend. You can take a loan for now. When I get the money, I'll fill up the hole."
Queenie's family froze, and then they went away for a hushed discussion. I was in no hurry for an answer, so I lit up a cigarette.
A while later, Queenie came back, "You said you'd buy the house for Jack, so you're going to take out the loan instead."
I exhaled a stream of smoke. "Here's the thing about the loan. It only goes to the person whose name is on the deed. I can take out a loan for Jack, but the deed will be under my name. Don't worry. Once I get the money, I'll pay off the loan and add Jack's name to the deed."
I added, "But that also means his wedding will be delayed."
Queenie hesitated. Before she could say anything, Jack came back in a hurry. "No. The deed must be under my name. I'll take out the loan."