Chapter 1
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"My only condition is for your son to marry my grandchild," Robert Williams said from behind his desk with no doubt on his face.
"But, Mr. Williams, that's absurd. My son has a girlfriend, and he's getting married soon. They don't know each other or have met one another," Monica Thompson replied, trying to make sense.
"That doesn't matter. They can always cancel that engagement. It is my condition if you want me to save your company. If you agree, you don't have to pay me anymore."
Monica stared at her husband in shock, not believing what Mr. Williams said. How can she ask her son to leave his girlfriend and marry a stranger?
"We have a deal, Mr. Williams." Kevin Thompson stood up from his chair and shook the older man's hands, who smiled, saying they would have the money on the wedding.
"You three will have dinner tomorrow. I will give you the details about Sebastian tonight. I will take care of my granddaughter. Take care of arranging the engagement party, the wedding, and other things needed, please, Monica."
Monica nodded and gave him a slight smile. She looked at her husband, urging him to leave, not knowing how to tell her son the news.
ANNA
"Dany, please send these contracts to the lawyers so they can review them and add our new conditions."
I massaged my temple with my fingers and closed my eyes.
"Long day?" Dany asked me. "Just a little more and we can rest tomorrow. We will take care of the pending documents. It's okay to call it a night."
I nodded, got up, and grabbed my coat and purse. I went to the parking lot, thinking that it's been hard since my grandfather retired and left me in charge. I drove in the dark, enjoying the silence of the road. The mansion is outside the city, and I can't wait to get there and have a warm, relaxing bath.
A few minutes later, I finally arrived at the mansion, surrounded by trees. A white, classic-style stone path at the entrance. I grew up here since I lost my parents, and my grandfather took care of me. I studied with nuns and girls because he was conservative and wanted me to grow up with good manners.
I opened the front door to see the beautiful spiral stairs leading to the second floor. On the left side, there was a large room decorated with white furniture, a fireplace, and a giant TV that always had a beautiful scenery on the screen. At the end of the corridor, the kitchen was next to it, and it had a dining set good for ten people. It was surrounded by glass from the walls to the floor. What was right next to it was the office where the best grandfather in the world was. I knocked on the white double door gently.
"Come in," I heard Grandpa's voice say, so I came in and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"How is your day, my girl?"
"Tiring. I reviewed contracts, projects, and new investors, but there are still many things pending, but we are almost done."
"Dear, I think you need help."
"No, I'm fine; don't worry. I can do everything." I raised my arm to show my muscles, and he smiled.
"I think it's time for you to meet someone and form a relationship."
"Grandpa, you know I'm not good with people. I prefer to focus on the company, and men don't find me attractive. They completely ignored me, and I just gave up and focused on my studies, and look, I've been with the company for four years."
"Nonsense, you are the most beautiful woman in the world. You are beautiful just like your mother. In fact, you are even more beautiful than her."
A smile formed on my face. "Really?"
"Of course, my girl. The man who will have your heart is the luckiest man on earth because you are a wonderful woman."
"Grandpa, you are feeding my ego."
He lets out a chuckle. "That will never happen. You're not like that."
"Alright, I'm going to sleep now. I'm exhausted. Please don't go to bed too late. I love you." I kissed him on the cheek and hugged him.
"Relax, and I love you too," he replied. "Wait, Anna,"
I turned to look at him and said, "Tell me."
"We have an important dinner here at the mansion tomorrow."
"With whom?"
"Just some old friends."
"Okay," I smiled and went straight to my room on the second floor.
My room is painted, and decorated with nothing but white, my favorite color. The bed is king size, the bathroom is nice with a rain shower I love and a big bathtub. A closet full of formal clothes that is bigger than usual and a mirror that covers the entire area on the other side. I don't have a makeup space because I don't know how to use it. There are a few pairs of two-inch stilettos I am comfortable wearing. I removed my clothes and left my pants and bra. I walked to the mirror where I could barely see my reflection, so I used the one in the bathroom just to tie my hair in a ponytail or bun. My breasts are larger than normal, with a small waist and wide hips; my buttocks are round and taut; and my legs are in good shape. I have brown skin, a delicate face, a small upturned nose, expressive brown eyes, and full lips.
Since I was a teenager, Grandpa forced me to wear something bigger than my size, and I've gotten used to wearing them. I guess I feel safer when I dress like that and wear my big black-framed glasses. I took off everything and took a warm, relaxing bath. I then put on my pajamas and a sleeveless shirt. I asked Dolly to bring my dinner, ate, and read for a while before deciding to go to bed early.
SEBASTIAN
I came home tired as a horse. This search for investors was useless. I still don't know how my father and I got to this point, but I will not let myself and my future family be lost.
I opened the door and saw my parents sitting and waiting for me.
"Son, you've finally arrived," my mother said.
"Good evening, mom. Oh, I'm fine; thanks for asking," I sarcastically said.
"I'm sorry, son. We have... something important to tell you."
"Okay." I put my things on the nearest furniture and sat in front of them. "And?" I urge them to break the uncomfortable silence.
"We found an investor," my father said, and I beamed.
"That is great news! I need his information so I can talk to him tomorrow. But why are your faces like that?"
"He has a condition.'
"It's the most natural thing, Dad," I deadpanned.
"The condition had nothing to do with the business."
That made me frown. "So what is it about?" I asked, and they looked at each other. "Come on. Just tell me. I'm tired and I want to rest."
"The condition is that you will marry his granddaughter."
My eyes widened in disbelief. I looked at them, hoping they would tell me it was just a bad joke, but I couldn't see the slightest bit of amusement on their faces. I got up, absolutely furious, and I couldn't stop the words coming out of my mouth.
"What were you thinking?! You didn't even care about my opinion! I just got engaged to Danielle a month ago! What do you expect me to do? Cancel my engagement for a stranger?!"
"Son, there is no other choice. We've been looking for investors for six months but nothing. We are losing what is left of our money. At this rate, we have a maximum of three months left before we lose everything."
I know what he's saying is true because I have taken responsibility for the company, and it's getting hard to maintain it at this point.
"Then I have no other choice, do I?"
I left and went to my room without waiting for their response. I can't believe this is happening. I took a shower, put on gray sweatpants, and tried to get some sleep, but I couldn't.
Why me? What is wrong with that man's granddaughter that he needs to buy a husband for her? How can I live with a stranger? My mind calmed down a little, knowing there was a way to save my family businesses.
ANNA
The alarm rang, and I knew it was six in the morning. I put on my sports clothes and went to the gym on the guest house located behind the mansion, just past the pool and the beautiful garden full of flowers my mom planted. I do cardio three times a week for half an hour and work out my muscles twice a week. When I was done, I went to my room, took a shower, and dressed in a beige pantsuit and a white blazer with a button-down shirt inside. I paired it with my honey-colored stilettos. I'm not really tall, but I prefer to be comfortable.
"Good morning, Grandpa," I greeted and hugged him, sitting next to him to have breakfast.
"Child, there is something important you need to know." I sent him a curious look. "Those coming tonight are your future husband and his parents."
I choked on my toast as I looked at him, not understanding anything. "What are you talking about?"
"Anna, it's time for you to get married. I want to see my great-grandchildren with you while I'm still alive, and you need help with the company."
"Where did you get him? Did he just accept it? What is the reason?"
"He is the son of some old friends. He is a good man, and that is why I chose him for you. If he agrees to marry you—which I am sure that he will because he has no other choice—the reason? You will know in time."
"And... If I refuse?"
"Simple, my dear, I will sell the company you inherited from your father and me. And the foundations your mother opened will be permanently closed."
I couldn't believe what I heard. "You wouldn't dare, Grandpa."
He let out a shrug. "Try me."
"I have to go. It's getting late."
I was overwhelmed when I got in the car. It hurts me that he is doing this. How can he decide for me and ask me to marry whoever he wants? What if he is a womanizer? An undesirable person?
'And what if you like him? ' A voice in my head asked, and I denied it. A decent person won't agree to this agreement.
I can't concentrate on anything while I am working. My grandfather's words kept repeating in my mind. I don't know who the man he chose is; everything is so confusing.
A noise at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. "Come in, Dany."
"Anna, what is the matter? You look troubled."
"Long story," I replied.
"Why don't we go to lunch, and you tell me?"
"Okay, let's go."
I took my wallet, and we left the company. We walked to a nearby restaurant with delicious food. Dany is my only friend aside from being my secretary, and I trust her.
We ordered, and while we waited, they looked at me expectantly.
"I'm getting married."
Dany almost fell out of her chair when she heard the news. "What? How? You didn't have a boyfriend the last time I checked. Or did you hide that from me?" She asked me with a sad look on her face. "Do I know him?"
"I don't even know him."
"What?!"
"My grandfather convinced me to marry him. He refused to say anything about him but said he was a good man, and that's why he chose him. I will meet him tonight."
"This is absurd, Anna! Why don't you refuse?"
"I did, but he threatened to sell the company and close the foundations."
Her mouth formed a large. "That was unexpected from Mr. Robert."
"I know. I don't think I know him anymore, and I have no idea what he will do from now on."
We finished our lunch but I wasn't full. I don't feel like eating. I tried not to think and focus my energy on all the pending tasks of the company, leaving me tired as hell at the end of the day. I don't want to go home, not ready to face him yet. I covered my face and tried to calm my anxiety.
I left the company in my car and headed to the mansion. I was done trying to kill time to avoid the inevitable. I opened the door and saw three people inside. A beautiful, tall blonde woman oozing with a lot of class. Next to her was a tall, handsome man with an aura of elegance, and in front of them was a man my age leaning on the sofa. He was white as snow, with blonde hair, honey-colored eyes, a perfect nose, a symmetrical face, and thick pink lips. He had a towering height and a muscular body showing in his tailored gray suit.
"Child, it's good that you are finally home," my grandfather said, snapping me out of my thoughts as he walked over to me, and that made me nervous.
"Let me introduce our guests. This is Monica Thompson."
"I'm happy to meet you," she said, extending her hand.
"Likewise," I responded with a smile, and the same thing happened with Mr. Kevin Thompson, and lastly, the man who hasn't taken his eyes off me.
"And this is Sebastian, their son." My grandfather finished introducing them.
"Nice to meet you," I smiled at him, and he reluctantly extended his hand and nodded his head. That gesture irritated me somehow.
We headed to the table for dinner, and there was nothing but silence. I cast a few glances at Sebastian, finding him really attractive. The thought of him being my husband made me blush, although he seems arrogant, which I dislike.
After dinner, we went back to the living room. Monica expressed her excitement. I think it was only her and my grandfather who kept talking. Sebastian looked lost, while his father and I tried to keep up with the conversation between Monica and my grandfather. She was apparently in charge of the preparations. She will accompany me to buy a wedding dress. There is no engagement party, and it will only be announced in the press. The wedding will take place with only them and some others. The place would be in the garden.
I never thought that I would have a secret and rushed wedding. I had a dream wedding in a beautiful place with a man who loves me. It hurts me, but there is no turning back. In the end, my grandfather said other something that surprised me.