Chapter Four
1172 Words
“Evan!”
Tim called his son to his chambers after Evan had sent Lois away.
“Yes, father.”
Evan replied.
“I believe you remember our deal?”
He asked.
“No marriage, no inheritance, no company and no legacy for you.”
“I remember, father.”
“Your brother has been acting responsible now and is going to be married before the end of the month. So, I'm changing the clause of the contract.”
Shrewd Tim said.
“What?”
Evan exclaimed.
“If Cole gets married and you haven't brought home your fiancee, you will lose everything just as you gained it before.”
Now, Evan was more pissed than ever before.
“You know that Cole is incompetent. He'll ruin your life's work. You know that I have the passion for this. You know I'm committed to your legacy.”
“Then prove it to me by marrying Lois.”
Tim boomed at him.
Evan scoffed.
“I knew it, father. It was all about business. You just want me to marry someone that will help boost your political aspirations.”
“It's not like that son. You can marry whoever you want. I just thought that since Lois was here and you have no other choice, you will jump at the offer.”
His father said.
“And who says that I don't have someone in my life? Huh? Who says that I don't have someone that I'm getting married to already?”
Evan asked without thinking straight.
“Great! What's her name?”
His father asked.
“Her name is….”
Evan stammered as he realized that he had already set himself up. He doesn't even know Melissa's name.
“You know what? Bring her home on Saturday. Introduce her to us and I will leave you alone. Hell, I will even draft out the contract for you and I will sign it some months after your marriage. You know I'm not getting younger and my health is failing me..”
Father responded and coughed a bit.
“Fine.”
……
“I need you to reach out to that lady for me, Tony. The lady that came looking for me yesterday. Reach out to her and hand to her my card.”
Evan said to the CSO immediately he reached his office.
“How do I do that?”
He asked, confused.
“Isn't it part of your job description? Look into her, find out where she stays and send her to me before the end of today! Now leave my office.”
Evan snapped at him.
Tony left Evan to his post and Evan relaxed on the chair.
“Now, Miss one-night stand. You will be my bride. You will get what you deserve.”
He smiled. Little does he know what lies ahead of both of them.
………
“Why did you call me here?”
Melissa asked Evan the next day after she received a strange call from his establishment that the acting CEO wants to see her.
“The same reason why you were here yesterday. I believe we can solve both our problems.”
Evan replied, arrogantly.
“What makes you think I have problems?”
She asked him.
“Weren't you around yesterday to collect money from me?”
“What?”
She exclaimed in disbelief.
“Don't worry, I won't judge you. I need you, you need money and we can sort each other out. I only need to know your name so that you can sign this contract and we will be in business for a year and you will have all the money you want.”
He responded.
Melissa wanted to stand up and leave. But the truth is that she really needed the money even though Melissa hasn't told him that she is pregnant for him. She swallowed her pride, sat up and asked him.
“My name is Melissa. What is this contract about?”
She asked, measuring up to his cockiness.
“Simple! We will get married. You are to be my wife.”
He looked at her, sternly.
She laughed hysterically, thinking that he was pranking her. But when she looked into his eyes and she saw that he did not even flinch at all, she yelled.
“Are you kidding me?”
………
By weekend, Melissa and Evan sat across Tim and Isabella, holding each other's hands and staring lovingly into their eyes. Tim and Margaret could not believe it.
“And what did you say your name is, darling?”
Margaret asked Melissa.
“Allow me, sweetie.”
Evan said, beautifully interrupting Melissa and she obliged him.
“Her name is Melissa, mother. Melissa Stone.”
He responded.
“Are you in any way related to the former prime minister? Harold Stone?”
Tim asked, curiously.
“Oh, no. Not at all.”
Melissa replied. She was getting a little bit uncomfortable.
Tim looked into his son's eyes and said.
“I know what you are doing, son. And if you think that I will just hand over my estate because of this drama that you put on, you are joking. You will have to stay married for at least six months for me to hand over the keys to my kingdom to you.”
Tim Stalling spoke softly.
“Father, I understand everything you are saying. I really love Melissa and I don't want you talking about all this in front of her so that she will not et the wrong motive.”
He said.
“It's okay, darling. I understand your father's fears. It's alright that he feels that way.”
Melissa interrupted him and faced his parents.
“Mr and Mrs Stalling, I know I can't call you father and mother now, but I can assure you that your son and I have Ben secretly dating for a while now and he did not just randomly pick me up to act as his soon to be married wife. So, you can be assured of that.”
Melissa sounded so convincing, but not to Tim.
“How, my dear? What is the reassurance that you have been secretly dating?”
He asked, sounding a bit frustrated. Even Evan looks frustrated too. But Melissa has a better way to solve both problems. It will even come as a shock to Evan.
“That's because I'm carrying his child.”
She smiled, as she held her tummy.
“What?”
Evan and the Stallings all exclaimed at the same time.
“Yes. I'm two months pregnant for your son, Evan.”
She repeated.
Meanwhile Cole, who was eavesdropping on their conversation using a wireless microphone he sneaked into the living room, sneered from his chambers.
“So Evan wants to really strip me of my birthright? The battle line has been drawn. Melissa Stone, you will hear from me soon.”
“No, Cole. They will hear from us.”
Vera sides with him.
To be continued…
- Writer
