Chapter One
1340 Words
The last time there was such tension in a room filled with just Amber and her dad was when she first broke a vase about 19 years ago.
She sat across from him in his grand but fading office, her hands clenched into a fist like she was trying to hold on to something.
The dense smell of Italian leather and liquor filled the room, a reminder of the empire passed down from generations to him - an empire that was quickly crumbling before their very eyes.
Her father, Mr Hugh Sinclair leaned forward, his face visibly revealing stress and fright. He wasn't the strong and commanding company head she'd known her entire life. He was as helpless as a stray dog, beckoning on bystanders for food.
“Amber, you need to listen to me”, he said, his voice low and shaky “This… is our only way out”
She gulped hard. “Marry Viktor Morales?” The words were like vinegar in her mouth. “That's the solution you came up with?”
Her father breathed heavily, running both hands down his face. “It's not what I wanted for my love. But this is the only real chance we've got to keep Sinclair Corp.”
Amber's mind whirled. This has got to be a dream, an insane joke. “You want to sell me off like a business transaction?”
A ray of pain crossed his face. “No, I'm just trying to save our family and our heritage”
Amber stood violently, flinging the chair against the hardwood floor. She made her way to the window, seeing her reflection in the onyx coloured glass. Beyond it, New York was ever elegant, brimming with excellence and the Statue of Liberty standing tall unlike Sinclair Corp that was barely holding on.
Mr Hugh didn't look at her. He stared at the surface of his polished desk, his hands placed together as though he was saying a prayer.
“You're really selling me Dad?” She blurted out.
“Amber I beg you” he beckoned, now looking at her.. “You know I would never do this if I had another choice”
Her heart beat so fast in her chest, she was coming to terms with the reality of what her ears were hearing. This was not a joke.
This was actually real!
“How did we get here Dad?” She asked, her voice breaking as the words came out, despite the anger that was scavenging its way out of her heart.
Hugh raised his head up again, “Bad investments. I took advice from the wrong people and things didn't go the way I planned for it to go. Now we're on the brink of losing our over 150 year old company and the board members care only about themselves. They're ready to tear us down.”
She knew things were bad but not bad.
“I've run out of options.” His voice filled with regret. “Viktor Morales is the only one willing to help but he has conditions”
Amber held herself tightly, suddenly feeling cold as she turned back to look at him “..and that condition is me?
Hugh nodded in affirmation. “Two years is all he asks for. A contract marriage. He's going to make a huge investment into the company, pay off the debts and help salvage what we can of Sinclair Corp.”
She breathed shallowly as she asked “so what will happen to me after the two years is over?”
“You'll walk away,” Hugh assured her “You'll be financially free and you won't have to worry about the company ever again”
She broke out into a laugh. “Right, nothing says freedom like been sold off to a ruthless billionaire with an ego that reaches the sky”
Her father sighed but couldn't disagree.
She looked at him and for the first time, she didn't want to make her dear father proud.
She could feel something in her gut that she couldn't swallow. She hated this, the very thought of being scurried into a stranger's life and a world she knew nothing about.
Why me?
Viktor Morales was one of the richest and most powerful billionaires in New York. He could get anyone he wanted. He was one of those men that people gossiped about for being extra calculating, ruthless and always getting what he wanted without fail.
And now, his objective was her.
She asked her father “why?”
Hugh was hesitant.
“Dad, why did he say he wants me?” She asked.
He turned down to his desk “He didn't mention why, just that it had to be you and no one else.”
Shivers ran down her spine.
What exactly does he want with me?
She wanted to believe there was a hidden agenda or another reason why Viktor Morales would ask for her but sadly there was nothing. It was simply just a business transaction.
A two year contract and nothing more.
Amber closed her eyes tightly to somehow wake from this night terror..
But as she opened them, it dawned on her that this was reality.
“What if I don't agree to this?” She asked, already knowing the answer to the question.
Hugh spoke almost interrupting her, “We lose it all, our lives work”
Those words hit her chest like a truck, causing an eerie feeling she couldn't shake off.
Sinclair Corp was more than a company. It was the very essence of their heritage. It was 150 years of Scottish excellence. The art of fine blended whiskey passed down from generation to generation. It was the livelihood of thousands of employees.
She wouldn't be damning just her family but the family of all those people by walking away
She passed her hands through her blonde hair in frustration.
She never had a choice.
Before she could speak, her father's phone buzzed, breaking the silence.
She scowled as Hugh looked at the screen—and immediately blanched.
His hands shook slightly as he reached for his phone.
“It's.. hi.. him” he stuttered.
Amber's stomach howled.
It was Viktor Morales calling.
The man in whose hands was the fate of Sinclair Corp.
She watched, paused, as her father hesitantly picked up the phone.
“It's Hugh Sinclair” his voice suddenly became more firm and controlled. “She's here with me”
Amber could hear her heartbeat in her ears.
Hugh paused for a long time. His expression changed, jaw tightened and his grip on the phone became stronger.
She couldn't hear what Viktor was saying but whatever it was, it made her father's countenance to change for the worse.
He nodded repeatedly. “I completely understand,” he said, voice chipping. “She'll be ready”
“She'll be ready?” Amber thought..
A new kind of fright engulfed her from head to toe.
When the phone call ended, there was a sickening and thick silence that stretched between them.
He turned slowly to her, with an indecipherable expression—a mixture of sadness, frustration and self disappointment.
“What did you discuss?” She asked, not recognizing her own voice.
Hugh gulped hard. “He's sending his car to pick you up”
She lost her breath for a second. “Right now?”
He nodded affirmatively.
Her legs suddenly became too weak to carry the weight of her body, she had to hold on to the desk to find balance.
This was happening.
She was not ready.
She could never have been.
“My baby…” Hugh reached for her but she moved away from him shaking her head.
Her heart thundered in her chest. Her vision suddenly became blurry.
A car. The Don of Hell's kitchen was sending a car for her.
This was not a conversation anymore.
It was really happening and she couldn't do anything to stop it.
- Writer
