SECRETS AND SCARS

MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE

Benson let out a deep sigh and looked everywhere except at Laura, he ran his hands through his graying hair. "Do you think Leo would agree to this?"

Laura chuckled softly as if almost amused at the question. "Oh! He has agreed," she answered lightly.

Benson's eyes shot up, a mixture of surprise coupled with anger. "You discussed it with him first? Before letting me know?”

Laura shrugged, leaned back in her chair. "Well, he suggested it."

Benson's eyebrow twitched in surprise. "He suggested this?”

"Mmm…hmm," Laura nodded. "He has been worrying about you…you know. He told me he had a solution that might help. He thought this might be a good plan to save your shares."

Benson let out another breath, but heavier with resignation. "Yes, well, I guess I'll just talk to Ivory." He hesitated, rubbing his temples as though trying to relieve an unseen pressure. "I don't know if she might go for it."

Laura leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Besides, are you sure that Ivory doesn't like him? Did you ask her? Kids nowadays, they have minds on their own. She may surprise you."

Benson frowned, but his worry lines deepened. " She has always been so private about her feelings. I'll speak to her.”

Laura clapped her hands. "Yes, do it now.”

"Now?" He glanced at the clock for a moment and then back at her.

"Of course," she responded. "The more we deliberate, the sooner the board is going to hit us with some new request."

"That's true," Benson admitted. He looked around the room, his thoughts racing. There wasn't time to waste.

He walked towards his daughter’s room. Once there, he stood outside the door for a second and knocked, quietly.

Getting no response, he opened the door gently. Ivory was seated on the bed with her AirPods in her ears. Her shoulders slacked, and her eyes immovably fixed on one spot on the floor.

Quelling the throbbing in his chest, he shut the door behind him. "Sweetheart ," he muttered, restoring his voice.

Ivory gazed at him with some surprise. "Yeah…Dad?"

"We need to talk," he said. "It's urgent."

Ivory straightened, concern creasing her brow. She removed her AirPods "What's that dad?" She spoke cautiously, almost preparing herself for any news.

He walked over, sitting down on the bed close enough for him to hold her hand . He could feel the weight of his words physically pressing down on him.

"Just know that I'll support whatever decision you make, okay? I'll never force you into doing anything you don't want to.”

Ivory's eyes widened. "Dad, what's this about? What do you even mean?" She looked at him searching his face for clues.

He paused a second, collecting his thoughts. "Leo has a solution to the shares. But… it involves you getting married.”

Ivory's face fell and her eyes widened again in shock. "Married, to whom?”

Benson regarded her gravely. "To him…Leo."

She stared at her father, trying to absorb the news. "He wants to marry me?" she said it again.

Benson nodded, his gaze not leaving hers. "If you don't want to, it's fine. I'll understand. But… this is the only way we can have control over the shares. Are you okay with marrying him?"

Before Ivory could respond, the door shrieked and Laura came in. "You'll be taken good care of, Ivory," she said. "Leo is so good. I know you don't like the idea of me marrying your dad because of Leo and now—”

Ivory blushed, and in her head, memories of her recent night with Leo raced on her mind. She recalled the touch, the whisper of her name in the dark. All these brought a smile to her lips.

Well, maybe it wouldn't be so bad, she thought to herself. "Could be kind of nice, enjoying that every night."

She nodded slowly, her mind already made up. "Yes, I'll marry him."

Benson and Laura exchanged surprised glances. "You will?" they asked, chorusing.

Ivory's smile broadened, extremely sure now. "Yes, I will.”

Benson released a held breath, a sigh of relief visible in the expression on his face. "Well, it's good anyway. We move forward with the litigation, the quicker the better. We want those shares transferred before the board can do something rash.”

Laura clapped her hands, almost vibrating with excitement. "It's perfect!"

*

*

A few days later, in a small, quiet, private room at the courthouse, the tension in the air could be cut with a knife. Whereby Benson and Laura, along with a couple of close associates, stood by while Ivory and Leo were facing the lawyer.

It was just that—a simple room, a few flowers in a vase, and a rather plain table where the imperative legal documents sat waiting for them. The knot in Ivory's stomach was tight, her nerves on edge.

"Do you, Ivory Hawthorne, take Leo Brandon to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the lawyer's voice boomed all over the room.

Ivory looked around and her eyes connected with the father's. He gave her an encouraging nod and softened the look in his eyes as he whispered, "It's going to be okay, sweetheart."

Taking in a deep breath, Ivory lifted her gaze up to Leo. He had his stared locked on her face, not appearing clear. There was something that flickered across his eyes—nervousness, maybe even impatience.

She couldn't tell, but she wanted to believe that this was right. "I do," she said softly, her voice firm but almost to a murmur. Leo's eyes flashed something that looked like relief.

Was he happy? Or just eager to get this over with? Ivory pushed the thought aside, deciding to trust in the moment.

The lawyer gazed at Leo. "Do you, Leo Brandon, willingly marry Ivory Hawthorne—in holy matrimony? Leo didn't think twice. "I do," he said firmly.

"You two are now husband and wife," the lawyer proclaimed, closing his book with a smooth gesture.

"Congratulations." Polite applause filled the room as Leo and Ivory were ushered out. A proud smile on Benson's face, he quickly moved to his daughter's side.

He wrapped a gentle hug around her, holding her close for a moment longer than he usually does.