Carter's Beloved

How to Save Yourself

Madison P.O.V

I gaze at the extensive field ahead of me as I climb out of the bus. After a 2 hour car ride, we have finally reached the place. It is a farm with many activities such as horse-riding and swimming. The employees rush ahead of me towards the fence to look over the narrow cliff and see the waterfall.

It is a beautiful atmosphere, and no one would regret coming here to relax. I have work to do; I remind myself and I beckon the employees over to me. They walk over and I take off my sunglasses.

“Yes, I know how this is such am exciting time for you to see the nature and connect with the workers. Senior manager has planned some activities for you later in the evening, till then enjoy!” I smile and the crowd cheers. Now to the pool.

Like most people, I enjoy laying in the sun so the first place I go is to the pool. I look over to see old ladies snoring next to me and I roll my eyes. Perfect.

The evening comes by soon, I’m standing in the farmhouse standing next to the manager while hearing the rules of the game. It’s easy. Two people pair up to solve a puzzle, and whoever wins earns a free trip. Fortunately, I’m not playing because I need to work on the project Father gave us.

He calmly steps to my side, and I watch rest of the people choose partners. Soon everyone is paired and we’re ready to go.  They receive their first clues and leave in a state of disarray. Carter stays back and I look up at him confused.

“I’m not great in solving puzzles. Plus, it’s raining and I’m not a fan of standing in the cold to win a trip.” He tells me. I nod and walk towards the hotel, a multistory building with many things to do. The stocks I had to look after and grow have accumulated 7 times the starting price.

I may have looked over to my beloved stepbrothers and seen them drop many times before shooting up again. I hope they drop once more before he asks us the results. I pray hard that I inherit this company, oh how much I would love to ruin it.

“Well, I was going to a farm nearby, there’s a fruit festival happening indoors.” I say looking out of the window. The rain has slowed down and a cool breeze is blowing. My eyes land upon a black figure in the shadows and I shudder. Maybe I’m seeing things, I try to reassure myself.

“I would like to join you,” he tells me but continues when sees me staring out of the window, “Is there something there?” He asks and I shake my head.

I look down again and see that the person has left. I should hire a personal security guard, I remind myself and nervously look back at Carter. We are soon on our way to the festival. It was near the hotel and it won’t take long to come back after the employees solve the puzzle.

I need to be back in time to say the speech. Being a director is hard. Many people have arrived and the stalls are filled with colorful fruits like watermelon and mangoes. I pour over each one and soon my stomach is filled by eating.

“Should we go back now?” I question Carter but notice he is looking somewhere else. I follow his gaze and see a middle age woman with bright red hair coming towards us. She greets him and looks down at me curiously.

“It’s been so long! Where have you been?” She proclaims while hugging him. I won’t admit, but then an inkling of jealousy develops inside me. The proximity between the two makes me reminisce about the past when I had him. I had him but I didn’t have good mental health, I reiterate to myself.

“No, just finishing studies. I got a job recently, how’s your mom?” He looks the happiest that I have seen in a long time. I wonder what relation the two have.  Hopefully, I don’t look like a creep staring at them.

“Thank god! I was wondering how long your Father would work after retirement.” She playfully hits him on the shoulder and he laughs. Her eyes are almond-shaped and dark brown, with red hair and eyebrows, a combo I have never seen.

“I’ll talk to you soon!” The conversation ends and before long, we are on our way back. Although I desperately want to ask him who she was, I fear I’ll look meddlesome. She seemed nice enough and pretty.

I spend the rest of the evening in a blur, and soon we are departing for the city. By the time I reach my house, it’s late at night. s**t, I had to go see Father.

Getting ready again seems too energy consuming, so I head to his house in the same clothes I wore all day. The lights never go out in Father’s house, someone always seems to visit. Father has many friends and coming to his house in the middle of the night is considered normal.

I shake my head and open the doors. Collin and Samuel are seated on the leather couches with Father sitting in his chair behind his desk. Their expression is cheerful and when they look up to see me, I can see the happiness in their eyes.

“Madison, sit.” Dad instructs me and I grab a chair, glancing towards the twins. I wonder what made them this happy.

“After long contemplation, I have decided. You will marry the son of William Grey, owner of Clonic.” He informs me and I look at him agape. Many thoughts run through my head. How can he do this to me? I did nothing wrong! Suddenly, I start to understand the many wedding congratulations I got when I went to the event with Carter.

“No.” I say stubbornly and look at him with a hard expression.

“Yes, unless you want to be dropped from all your shareholders. It’s the best decision to make if we want to join our two companies and be powerful.” He apprises me. I can tell I have no say in this decision, it’s whether a stony guy or a lifetime of regrets.