Winter's Arrangement

Chapter 6 The Arrangement

Chapter 6 The arrangement

Months have gone by and I am still on top of my game at work and happily single with my fabulous still single friends. I have become more frustrated with my parents pressuring me into a relationship, at the same time being bombarded with Justin and Kent's flirtive talks. All I want is that CEO position before I open a new chapter in my life. Is that too much to ask? I am already an executive. 

I was in my office going through files when my assistant Paul knocked. “Come in” I say and put my files down. 

“Sorry to disturb you, but your father asked for you to come to his office.” He said, 

“Ok, thank you Paul.” I said and got out of my chair and headed to my fathers office. He was located one floor above me. When I entered his office He was standing facing out the window deep in thought. I wonder what he is thinking about. Our company is doing just fine. Maybe it’s the Dublin dilemma his friend is still suffering through. 

“Hello father, you called me?” I said taking a seat in one of the guest chairs across his desk. He sighed deeply before taking a seat behind his desk. He folded his hands together and leaned over his desk. 

“Baby girl, I have made a big deal with my friend's company. We have discussed it at great lengths and it would benefit both parties. We plan on merging. We are becoming more of an umbrella company anyways.” He said and I nodded. Lord O’Donnell owned some of the best Golf courses in Ireland and a few here in the US. I wonder why they need our help when they are prestigious and successful.  

“So we are going to own a partial share of golf courses now?” I asked. It seemed like something we would do. 

“Yes, I am giving him money to help him out and…” He paused and suddenly became nervous. This can’t be good.

“And what? Father, what are the stipulations for this deal?” I ask, worried now that the details of this deal are not something I am going to like. 

“Lord O’Donnell and I have agreed to a marriage contract. You and his son will be married. They need your business skills to help improve their company and… You and him are too stubborn for your own good to enter into a relationship.” He said, almost demanding. I shot out of my chair and started pacing the floor. No! He can not do this to me.

“You can not be serious, Father! This is outrageous! I will not be forced into an arranged marriage all for your friend and a business deal! I will not do it!” I said with authority. This is my future he is playing with. How can he force me to marry someone that I don’t love, that I didn’t choose. 

“Aria, this is for the best, not just for you, but for the company. I know his son, he is well respected. I would not have agreed to this arrangement if I didn’t trust the lad.” He said

“No! This is bull s**t!” I said back. I have never cursed or disrespected my father before, but this was unexceptable. 

“Aria!” He boomed and stood up challengingly. “You WILL do this or else you will never get the CEO position and I will train someone else to be my successor!” He Commanded. I couldn’t believe it. He was threatening me with the position that was my birthright. Grandpa made him and me swear to keep this company in the family. How could he? Plus, I worked my butt off for this position. I did everything he ever asked of me. In a matter of a year I brought huge progress and growth. How? Tears threatened to fall as they clouded my vision. How can my father be so heartless? He has never yelled at me before.

“Father…?” I whispered. 

“You are leaving for Dublin before the year is out, make all the arrangements necessary for your move. I already have an office waiting for you there to take over. This is non-negotiable Aria. I will disown you if you deny this.” He said with a fierce gaze upon me. I let the tears finally fall and just nodded. I could not look at my father anymore. He took my future away from me. I wiped my cheeks. 

“Is that all you wish to talk to me about?” I asked looking towards the side wall at nothing in particular.

“Yes. Aria, I am not trying to punish you or take your freedom away from you, I am just looking out for you. I am not going to apologize for this. This is best for everyone.” He said. 

“Can I go now, I have more work to do now that I am moving.” I said as calmly and composed as I could. I felt my heartbreak and hardened. Being a Winters has cursed me, I am living a forced life. I am nothing more than a bargaining chip for the business tycoons to barter. 

I walked back to my office feeling hollow. I didn’t have any drive right now. I sat in my chair facing the window behind me deep in my thoughts. This arrangement may be best for everyone else but me. I am forced to leave my town, my friends, my office, everything I grew up with. I am forced to marry a man I have never even met. I have to live in a Country I have only visited once. What have I ever done in my life to deserve such crap? 

I watched the sun begin to set as the hues of the sky turned from blue to orange. I was brought out of my trance by the sound of my cell ringing. I looked at the caller ID and it was Trish. 

“Hello,” I answered.

“Hey girl! What's up? Have you forgotten that tonight was movie night at Lily’s? We are all waiting for you.” She said, I sighed. I was so absent minded that I forgot what time it was. 

“I’ll be there in 20 Minutes. I had a very bad day today.” I said in a sad monotone. 

“s**t. What happened? Are you ok?” She said, her voice laced with concern. 

“I don’t know if I will be ok ever again. I’ll tell you all when I get there” I said and hung up before I got a response. I got out of my chair and made my way to the elevator down to the parking garage. 

Twenty minutes later I enter Lily’s house and smell pizza. Yes I need some greasy comfort food. I sat next to Katie and leaned my head onto her shoulder. All the girls were seated in the section ready for me. The TV was playing music videos in the meantime.  

“So what happened?” Angie was the first to ask. So I took a deep breath and told them everything. After giving them all the details of my forced arranged marriage and my grim thoughts I saw tears in my friends eyes. They were crying with me. 

“f**k! That is shitty of your father to do!” Trish said. 

“I bet your mother was the one with that bright idea. She has been pushing you into relationships since your break up with Jake.” Lily said. 

“Yea, they hated Jake, but they were almost happy when they found out that Justin and Kent were paying extra attention to me.” I chuckled behind my tear stained face. 

“Well at least you're not forced to marry them?” Angie said as if there was a brighter side. 

“It would be just as bad. I never was really into them that way. But this man, I have never met before in my life. I am going to marry a complete stranger.” I said. “And worst of all, I have to move out of the country. I wont have you girls with me.” I started to sob hard. I needed my friends close. They were my greatest support and I didn’t want to be alone in this gilded cage. 

“You know what! If you are moving to Ireland then so will I. I can always expand.” Angie said. 

“So will I” “Me too.” “Count me in,” Katie, Trish and Lily said. 

“You guys, I can’t ask you to uproot your lives and come with me.” I said, wiping my cheeks. 

“You don’t have to ask us to do anything. We are doing it. You are family. Our sisterhood is a bond that goes even beyond our own blood family.” Katie said and the rest of the girls nodded. 

“Well then I guess Ireland won’t be so bad after all.” I giggled. I did have the best of friends I could ever ask for. 

“What if we went and spent a week vacationing in Ireland, to get a scoop of the place. It will help us ease into our move.” Lily said and I guess we all agreed. Another girls week, this time in Ireland. 

“Ok, but regardless, Dublin is the city to move to. My father already set up an office there and my future in-laws live right on the outskirts. In the countryside.” I said. 

“Ok Dublin, hope you are ready for us!” Trish exclaimed.