Billionaire Leader and his Dr Wife

Chapter 5- The press conference

Hazel Maria Mathews

It was the third day in a row I have taken leave from the hospital. My mom suggested to resign from my job as according to her there is no need to work after marriage because I am getting married into the Cooper family. I looked at my mother frustrated

"Then what about my career mom. I have worked really hard to become a doctor. It's my ambition to specialise in cardiology. You are telling me to give away my lifetime dream. How could you mom? You are the one who witnessed my struggle. Have you all surrendered in front of money and power of Cooper family? I don't like this marriage. It's only for my family I am doing this. It's only to keep the word given by dad." I said unhappily.

"Oh sweetie, it's not that we don't love you. We care for you. It's the best proposal you could ever get. You are so lucky that they want this alliance. After that news we were not even able to face the people. Your life was nearly destroyed but thanks to the Cooper family for their generosity to accept you. You are so lucky that they have accepted you as you are." She paused and looked at me and continued.

"I know how much you love your profession. I'm just telling you to take some break. You have been working hard for a long time. You have never enjoyed your life. Baby, just live your life happily. Enjoy your life to the fullest. Ok listen you are going to take at least a week off until your marriage registration. That's my order." my mom finished in a deciding tone.

"OK I will mail my leave letter to the director." I agreed.

Bell rang at that time and mom walked out of the kitchen to open the door. Sitting in the kitchen I could hear mom opening the door and then a voice of a man.

After around 5 minutes I heard the door closed and mom came in with a big packet in her one hand and a smaller one in the other. She seemed really happy. She was about to put the packet on the kitchen table. She hesitated for a moment and then asked me to take the packets to my room. She added that she'll join me in few minutes after finishing her work in the kitchen. I told her that I will help her but she refused. I took the packets and went to my room. Half an hour passed and my mom came into the room.

"You haven't unpacked it yet. It's from the Cooper family. You have to wear this for today's press conference." Mom said

"Why should I do as they say? I am not yet married. I am still a Mathews not a Cooper." I was feeling really angry.

"Ria, you are going to wear this. You are going to be in front of the media. You should look elegant and classy to match the Coopers. No more arguments" mom declared and began to unpack.

It was an off-white colour dress with golden lines and pearl work. A golden flower was sewed to the chest. It was obviously a designer dress and may cost almost my half year salary. In the other box was a high heeled off-white shoe with golden lines and a small golden flower in the centre which matched the dress perfectly. The dress will reach just above my knees. My phone rang at that time and it was Tessa. From her call I knew that mom had already informed her about the dress. She said

"Lil sis, I will be there by eleven and help you to get ready. I have taken a day off, after all now I am going to be related to Cooper family." She hung up. Harold informed that the press conference will start at 1.00 and they will send a car to pick me up at 12.00. By 10:30 my brother came home and he looked excited. He hugged me and said

"Thank you Ria. You have made my life. They have called off my probation and appointed me as the new marketing manager. It takes a lot of time and hard work to reach at this level. You have made it possible." I felt sad that my brother is after quick achievement and not hard work.

By 11.00 Tessa came and started to get me ready. She did my makeup first. In half an hour she finished and asked me to change into the dress. I changed and sat before the mirror to do my hair. She chose to tie my long hair in a loose bun and left strands of hair in curls on both sides of my face. She helped me to put my shoes on. I stood up and looked myself in the mirror. I looked more beautiful. In past I have never dressed like this even at the parties and get together. I always chose to keep simple.

At 12.00 a car stopped in front of my house. My mom pushed me to hurry up. I stepped out and saw a black Mercedes. I have never entered into such an expensive car. I know that my life is going to change either in a good or a bad way and I have to accept it as it is. Now I can't walk away.

Car moved and took a high speed. It ran through the Manchester City towards the north. I just watched outside as I didn't know where I am going. After half an hour car stopped in front of a tall building and it is the biggest auditorium of the city.

Driver got out and opened the door for me. I saw Mr Daniel walking towards me. He extended his hand. I hesitated first and then placed my hand on his. He took my hand and helped me to get out of the car. As I stepped out he kissed me on my cheek. I was stupified and went all red out of blushing.

He led me into the building and went in the east direction and reaching the end of the corridor opened the door on left. It was a big room which had all the facilities to fresh up. Daniel's parents were sitting there. Besides them there was 4 other person almost the same age as Daniel. They might be members of the Cooper family. Mrs Cooper came towards me and said.

"Before the press conference you should know the traditions of Cooper family. In our family women doesn't speak in public. Women follow their husband as shadow. Apart from her husband's identity she will not have any other identity. Whatever you are before marriage is over and after that you will be known as Mrs Cooper. You should always obey what your husband says. You are going to meet the press in few minutes. You only have to nod in agreement and smile for the words of Daniel. I think you got my point."

What the hell? She herself is a woman and she doesn’t even care for degrading women as a shadow. I am not going to do that. I was just going to deny all her demands when I heard a soft knock on the door. My brother came in and bowed politely in front of them. I was thinking why he was here and that's when Mrs Cooper again spoke to my brother.

“Your sister should act according to our wish or else you are finished”

“She will do what you want Madam” my brother answered in a low voice. I looked at him startled. He came to me and said in my ear.

“Ria, do as they say or else our whole family will be destroyed” and he left.

I stood there dump folded and that’s when a hand pulled me by my waist. I looked up in shock and found it was Daniel. Hatred rose in my heart not only for this man but also for the whole Cooper family.

Press conference started at 1:00 p.m. I was seated next to Daniel in the middle. Other members of the Cooper family were seated on both sides. An ocean of media representatives was seated in the vast hall and hundreds of cameras flashed. I just plastered a smile and nodded my head for whatever Daniel said. All I knew was I am now a face for the paparazzi. I have lost my freedom. Press conference ended after around an hour. All the questions asked were answered either by Daniel or by his mother. I just had to smile and nod in agreement. When the press conference ended I whispered to Daniel

“Can I have a word with you?” He just looked at me like I am speaking nonsense. At last he said

“I'll drop you to your home. You can speak to me then”

The four men who were seated in the press conference came to us and introduced themselves. They were Daniel’s cousins. All of them were elder than Daniel. At last we said goodbye and was now in the red Lamborghini with Daniel on the driver seat.

“What do you want to say” Daniel started the conversation

“First of all I am marrying you just for my family. But I don't want to ruin my life so easily. So I have some conditions that should be written and signed. I mean I want a contract to be signed before marriage approving my conditions.” I said and looked at him

“So you want a contract marriage” he asked

“Yes”