Chapter 2
1039 Words
Tasha couldn't immediately react to what her father said one afternoon.
"That's the only way, my child. I need you to get married to save our company."
"Tasha, don't you remember? You were the one who made a promise to your dad, saying you'd do whatever it takes to help your family overcome their challenges. Especially for your father's sake. Are you going to go against his decision? Take a moment to think it through before you reject it!" she pondered silently.
"And there's only one person I know who can help with your father's problem," said Philip Montero, a friend of her father.
"W-who is it?"
"My brother."
Tasha turned to look at her father's friend.
His brother? It felt as if her soul was trying to escape. The man they were with inside the study room with her father was quite old. And what about his brother?
"Do you reckon your brother would be on board with it?"
"My brother owes your father a huge favor. I reckon he wouldn't turn it down."
She swallowed nervously. "If... if my dad did your brother a big favor, why not lend him a substantial sum? Dad can repay it once our business gets back on track."
He shakes his head. "Knowing my brother, he'll assist, but there's a catch."
Will he agree to marry me? That's the question she pondered until her father revealed that Carson Montero had already given his consent.
If that's the case, did Carson never even think about marrying her? Was it because she was so much younger than him? Surely, his skin must be starting to wrinkle. His hair is probably all white by now. He might even have gold in his teeth when he smiles. Just like her father's friend, Philip Montero, who had three gold teeth. The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
"Dad, please make sure that our company will thrive again once I marry him. Dad, I hope all our hard work won't be in vain."
He held her tightly. "I'm sorry, my child. If I have to use you as well to revive our company."
What else could she do? She genuinely wants to help her family. She didn't want her father to bear the entire burden of the problems. She would do anything to help, even if it meant closing her eyes.
"I'm sure we'll recover. Carson will invest significantly in our company once you two got married."
When she parted ways with her father, she gazed at him intently. "Dad, why is your friend's brother so willing to help you without any hesitation?"
"He believes in the recovery of our company. Carson is also clever because he didn't reject the arranged marriage proposal I offered him. I thought he would decline, but he didn't." He let out a sigh. "I'm confident that you'll be safe under his care. He has a clean track record with no involvement in any suspicious activities. He's also the CEO of Montero's Group."
"Where is he right now?"
"He's currently out of the country, my child."
"But how did you communicate with him if he's not here?"
He replied briefly, "Through a phone call. He'll return as soon as possible to settle everything..."
Tasha took a deep breath. She felt like those moments were about to engulf her, but there was no turning back.
Lord, please watch over me and my family. Hopefully, Carson Montero won't jeopardize the agreement...
She had stiletto shoes matched her simple white dress. Her hair was pulled up with an ivory-colored ribbon tied at the top.
She was even scolded earlier by her mother for still wearing a ribbon, giving the appearance that she was like a debutante. But she still won because she kept wearing it until they went to the wedding venue.
"How much longer, hon?" Tasha heard her mom Gwyneth asked her father, Charly.
"They're saying they're on their way," Tanya's dad muttered. Meanwhile, her anxiety was growing. She knew that any moment now, her life would change forever. It was all for the sake of their family business, a sacrifice she had to make to keep their family together. Her father had always feared that her mother would leave him one day, and this was one way to prevent that from happening.
As she pondered over these thoughts, her sister Sofia approached her with a bottle of mineral water. "Sister, you might want to drink first," Sofia said, handing her the bottle.
"Thank you," Tanya replied gratefully, taking a sip to quench her dry throat. She felt a sense of relief wash over her after drinking.
And then, finally, they arrived. Tanya quickly covered the bottle of water and turned her gaze towards the door, anticipation building up inside her.
She froze, as if on the verge of tears, upon seeing an elderly man with a large belly entering through the open door. Was this the man she was supposed to marry? Was her father really willing to fix her marriage with that old man?
She felt a sudden urge to regret it. She was about to avert her stare when the next man captured her full attention. Once again, she redirected her eyes towards the door. He was tall and he appeared to be the tallest person in the room. Well-built physique, jet-black hair, devastatingly attractive. There was a slightly intimidating aura about him, as if speaking nonsense in front of him was strictly prohibited due to his intelligent appearance. Who was he? Was he one of the witnesses to her wedding? In her mind, she almost burst into tears as she withdrew her gaze.
"Mr. Carson Montero, this is my daughter, Natasha." Her father introduced her to the man.
She had no intention of lifting her gaze until her father nudged her elbow. Only then did she reluctantly raise her eyes. To her surprise, it wasn't the pot-bellied old man standing in front of her but the handsome young man who had entered the room last. She even held her breath when her father introduced him to her.
Wait! Is this young man Philip Montero's sibling? She had assumed he would be as old as her father or his friend.
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