Arranged Marriage With My Ex-Boyfriend

Chapter 3: Little Revelation

Chapter 3: Little Revelation

Paris' point of view

I was here now in my Dad's office which all of my brothers and even our Dad is here. Since when he went home from the flight? I was a bit sulking. I think my Dad didn't miss me that much. He didn't even cry when I hugged him earlier.

“What do you want to tell me?” I asked as I sat in the couch. They all encircled me like I have been interrogated. Okay… what is happening?

“About this company,” Dad started.

My forehead knotted. “Why? Is something wrong about your company, Dad?”

“Yes.”

“What is it? I'm sure you can all solve it, right?” I asked and looked at them one by one.

“Yes, it is, Paris. We just need a new employer here in the Smith Corporation,” said by my brother, Dylan, the second born.

“Uh… Then why am I involve in this if you can solve it?"

“Ethan, tell it.”

“What?” Ethan asked. “Why me? Stephen, do it!” he said, talking to my third born brother, Stephen.

“What the… Shouldn't you ask Dylan about it?” he frowned and looked at Dylan. “Go, Dylan!” Stephen pushed him.

“Stupid. Go Ethan,” Dylan said. I almost from the boring enthusiasm of Dylan.

“Damn you, two.”

“Ethan Gabriel!” Uh-oh! Dad is getting mad!

Ethan scratched his nape as he found it all weirdly. “Fine.” He cleared his throat first before he looked at me. “Paris Ysabelle Smith, we have decided to make you as the CEO of Smith Corporation.”

My eyes widened. “WHAT?!” Wait! What the hell! “What are you all talking about?”

“You heard me, Paris. Don't make me repeat myself.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

“Yes, I heard you, brother. What I mean to say is… Why me? Why don't you be the next CEO or maybe brother Dylan or brother Stephen?” I am panicking… This is not good, Paris.

“We are refraining you to ask questions, Paris.” I glared at Dylan.

What? What did he say?

“Why not? Am I not allowed to ask?”

“Like I said… yes.”

“What? I don't understand. What are you all up to?” I asked, confused.

“We know you can do it, sis.” My eyes flew to Kuya Stephen.

“Stephen is right,” said Ethan and Dylan in unison.

“And one more thing, you are the only one of four of us who got the bachelor's degree in business. So, yeah, you can really do it.”

I snorted even though I'm still shocked. “Everyone can be a CEO, brother. With just enough proper training and---" They didn't let me finish what I am saying.

Ethan just spoke all of a sudden. “Yes, just like what you said. Enough proper training. We will give you that. We are hoping you'll be starting in the next couple of days.”

“HEY! THAT'S UNFAIR!” I said with disagreement. How could they do that to me?

“Enough!” We all stopped from Dad's stern voice. Then his eyes softened when he looked at me. “I'm sorry, sweetie but we already made our decision.”

I shook my head, not believing what was happening. “S-Since when did you all plan this?” I asked, wondering.

“A long time ago, Paris… We are just waiting for the moment you come home from being like a refugee.”

“What?” My voice is inaudible. I don't know if they even heard it. Then something popped out in my mind. “But according to great grandpa's rule, only the first born child can be the next CEO of Smith Corporation. And Ethan is the first born child!”

They all looked at each other. Why are they doing that? It's as if they are all talking telepathically.

“Wait… Is there something I should know about?” I looked at them one by one, expecting any answers from them. “Brother…?” I looked at Ethan. He didn't answer. He just looked away. Same goes with Dylan. Lastly, I looked to Stephen who was just also looking away. “Brother Stephen,” I called. He looked at me. I plead at him. I know he couldn't resist me.

He sighed in defeat. “Dad already changed that rule a long time ago, my dearest. So that the previous CEO can choose his next ruler to one of his offspring,” he explained.

I silenced. But my silence grew to how unbelievable this is as I think the conclusion to this explanation. “You don't want me to leave again that's why you have come to this kind of thing, am I right?”

“We respect your decision why you left, sweetie. You don't have to tell us why you left. We have to do this in order to prevent you from doing it again,” Dad explained.

I secretly gnashed my teeth. So, they mean this is just a trap. That's how they made this. They were schemers. “Is this the emergency my brothers are talking about?” I asked, feeling trapped.

“You can say that. It will be one of the reasons…”

That confused me. I don't understand them.

I stood up when I couldn't take it anymore. “Can I go home? I'm… I'm tired.”

Before I turned my back, Ethan spoke. “Dylan, accompany Paris. Make sure she would go home safe.”

I massaged my temples, distressed from this happening. “I can go home alone,” I insisted, clenching my teeth.

Dylan stepped forward. “Let's go home, sister.” He held me on my waist and guided me to storm out in the office. I didn't say any word and remained silence. He was the one who drove me home. The dead air inside of the car was so deafening. But kuya couldn't take my silence so he spoke. “I'm sorry…”

I glared at my brother when I sensed the guiltiness on him. That melt me. I know to myself that I couldn't stay like this to my brothers. “Brother…”

Dylan smiled and winced my hair. “It'll be alright, Paris. I know you can manage being the next CEO.”

I frowned a little. “I need some time to think, older brother. This is just so sudden I didn't get a chance to blink.” It's true to be honest. One moment I was just so happy roaming and shopping around the mall, met Stacey and her old brother… Ivo… that was so unexpected that I couldn't believe I met him again after four years had passed. He changed so much I almost couldn't notice him. That was so shocking which made my knees weak right at that moment. Lastly, them… announcing that I am the next CEO of our company, Smith Corporation. They were all happened in this day. Like what on earth, right?

Ivo's point of view

I knocked on my Dad's office and entered myself. “What is it, Papa?”

“I heard the Chairman and CEO of Smith Corporation, Gabriel Smith announced the next CEO.”

I sat in the couch and groaned softly from the tiredness I have felt this morning. I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Yes. I just don't understand why he would retire when I don't see it myself that he is in need of retirement, Dad.” I huffed as I found it boring. Not that I am bothered but I just couldn't help but to think about it. Mr. Gabriel Smith is one of a hell tycoon businessman and I couldn't see him in the future retiring. Like it doesn't him to be just staying at home unlike my Papa that I don't think he would ever retire from being the Chairman of Board Directors.

“That's fascinating, my son. That's so indulging that he would retire.”

“Huh?” I opened my eyes and looked at him in disbelief. “What are you talking about, Papa? Are you hearing yourself? Since when did you feel fascination of having a retirement?” I asked. That's new and odd. “Wait…” Is he thinking what I am thinking? “Don't tell me…” I paused, waited for Papa to respond.

He nodded. “Yes, my son. I'm planning to retire soon and give you the Chairman position.”

My brow arched. “O…kay. You're weird, Papa. I want you to know that.” It's true. I thought he has no plans for that. I had been insisting him to retire and enjoy to have vacation but he won't even listen to me.

Hmm…

“Ready to meet your soon-to-be wife, son?”

A shudder of coldness rushed in my skin. “Are you f*****g kidding me?” I couldn't believe this! I thought he already forgot about it. “Papa, I'm old enough to choose whoever I want to marry…” This gave me so much stress already by just talking about it.

“Well, I have a feeling you're not going to find a woman you want to marry with…” he said and hummed as his hand was on his chin, acting like he was thinking deeply.

I rolled my eyes. “Papa… I'm still not ready to marry. I am still enjoying my single life.” I groaned in distress because of this. I found Papa being so hilarious for this kind of arranged marriage. I am disagreeing from this!

“Didn't you have a girlfriend? I still haven't met her. You better break up with her now because you are already engaged with her.”

“Papa, damn! You are unbelievable! Are you f*****g serious about me tying up to an unknown woman I have never met?! You can't make me do this! I am not going to marry her! Also, I don't have a girlfriend anymore!” because she broke up with me and it was over between us. That pricked my heart a thousand times.

“I am serious about this, in case you don't mind, Kurt Ivo dela Fuente.” My brows furrowed upon mentioning my full name.

“You can't make me, Papa. I am not going to marry whoever that woman is because I am not f*****g to get married!” I raised my voice, feeling distressed from this thing.

“You're going to marry her whether you like or not! You have no choice but to marry her anyway!”

“No!” I am not going to do that. I am not! “You're insane for having your son tying up in a marriage he doesn't want to!” I am starting to get mad from this s**t. I am not happy from this.

How can a parent like him tying their children in an arranged marriage? We aren't lived in 16th century. I am not going to follow my father. Arranged marriage is not on trend nowadays. Papa needs to get himself in an asylum. For sure, he is insane now and in need of treatment. I huffed, annoyed.

“I can make you marry her, you stupid son. I am not getting older now, Kurt. Before I will die, you have to marry that person first and have family with her.”

“No, Pa. I am not going to do that. You must remember that this stupid son of yours is a hardheaded one,” I said calmly and sternly.

I am not going to let him control over and over and threaten he will take over the company. He would not seriously give it to Stacey because that lady doesn't still know how to run a million dollar company.

“No, no, no, no. I can make you marry that girl, Kurt. I swear. I can make you to marry her.”

I arched my brow. “What do you mean?” Like he has something under his sleeves.

Papa slowly creeped a grin. “Remember your ex-girlfriend?”

My heart thumped. “W-What about her?” Does he know about Paris? Why do I have a feeling that he knew her even though he hasn't met her? I felt agitated as I waited for his answer.

His smile grew wider and I found it annoying for my liking. “You're going to meet her again,” he told.

“What?” I asked, confused. Meet her? Why? Why would I have to meet her again? Yes, I know she is angry with me but how could I possible meet her although Papa is tying me in an arranged marriage? I gasped as my eyes widened when I realize something. My eyes found Papa's. “Don't tell me…” I paused, didn't know how to put words in it.

“Yes, son. You're going to marry Gabriel Smith's daughter, Paris Ysabelle Smith.”