Forbidden Desire

“You cannot force me to do this, father, please!” Claire begged. She was in tears already. “I am your father. I know what's best for you.” “Marrying me off to a stranger? Is that what is best for me?” “ He's not a stranger. He's one of the richest men in the country! Can't you see how this is beneficial to you Claire?” Claire scoffed, was this beneficial for her or her father? She knew her father was selfish but she didn't think he would be able to go this far in dictating her life. “Please father, don't do this to me.” “You make it sound like I am throwing you into the lion's .” Grey Carlton said with a touch of humor. “You are.” Claire said coldly. “Even your mother would have agreed with me. She would have wanted this for you.” “That's not fair, father. Why did you bring my late mother into this?” Claire became more heartbroken and more tears rolled down her cheeks. “You will marry Logan Langston and that is final.” Grey said, and walked away without looking back. “Never.” Claire said to herself, “I will not marry a stranger.” Logan Langston's car tires crunched softly on the garage floor as he eased into the parking space, he narrowed his brows and looked at the rearview mirror. He wondered why his father called him urgently, cutting off the great time he was having tonight. He walked into the house and went straight to his father's room. “You called.” Logan said, standing at the edge of the door. “Yes, sit.” Lincoln turned his wheelchair to face his son. “You said it was urgent.” Logan said impatiently. “Sit Logan, don't argue with your old man.” “You're not that old, just sick.” “Still, don't argue with me son.” Lincoln said with a smile. “What is it that can't wait until tomorrow?” “I got a visit from Grey Carlton. Do you know Carlton Industries?” “Yes, I heard his business is going under.” “He asked me for help.” “Langston Empire will benefit nothing from doing business with Carlton. How did he handle the rejection?” “What makes you think I rejected him?” “It's simple business ethics, father.” Lincoln smiled again, “You know son, sometimes business goes beyond monetary profits, there will be profits but it's not all monetary.” “I don't understand.” “I had a long talk with Grey, we really talked and, do you know, he has a daughter?” “How am I supposed to know that?” Logan looked at his father with confusion, he still hadn't figured out what was so urgent that he had to leave all the fun and come back home. “Are you in any relationship, son?” “What?” “I know you're not.” “What if I am?” “I know you're not. You chose to frolic around with all these girls. But don't worry, I have found a solution to that.” Logan didn't understand what his father was saying. Why was he interested in his private life all of a sudden? “You will marry Grey Carlton's daughter.” Lincoln said with a tone of finality in his voice. Silence…...neither said anything for a while. “You got me father. What a joke! I actually thought you were serious.” Logan laughed. “Have you ever known your father to joke with matters like this?” “There's a first time for everything, right?” “Get ready Logan. The wedding date has been set. We will set up a meeting so you can familiarize with your bride before the wedding. That will be all.” “What?” “What do you mean, what?” “How can you just call me and tell me that you've arranged my marriage with a nobody without consulting with me first? Well, joke on you, I won't do it, never.” “My son, in every other aspect of life, I am proud of you, really. But when it comes to your relationships, there is nothing to write home about. I have never heard or seen you with any woman, and with this cold attitude of yours, I'm not sure any girl would want to be around you. That's why I'm helping you.” “I don't want your help. I'm never going to get married.” “I need a grandchild. I don't have much time to live.” “That's not something I have control over.” “You will get married, Logan.” “And if I don't?” “Consider yourself disowned and out of the inheritance.” “You can't do this to me, father.” “Watch me.” “I'll never get married.” “You must.” Claire moved up and down her room, spinning sharply at each turn, her chest rising and falling with a rapid beat. One last time, she decided to talk to her father again. She knocked on his door. “Come in, Claire.” Her father answered from inside. “Father, can we talk?” “If this is about your wedding, I have nothing more to say. The date has already been set.” “Please.” Her eyes became watery yet again. “Can't you do this for me? I've cared for you all your life. Just do this to save our company, the same company that will be handed over to you as my only child.” “But this is my life we are talking about. Marriage is not a decision to be made because of business.” “Shut up! What do you know about business or marriage? Your father has made the best decision for you and it is final!” Claire walked out of the room, jaws clenched as she slammed the door behind her. She grabbed her jacket and headed out, for once in her life, she was going to be reckless and not live by her father's rules. The bar was very crowded and noisy. Claire wondered if it was always like this because she had never been to one before. She sat down at the counter and kept looking around, confused. “Would you like to drink anything, young lady?” The bartender asked. “Do you have something I can drink to forget my pains?” He smiled at her, “Definitely.” Claire was in her third glass when she began to feel more at ease, it was like she was beginning to forget all that happened that day, and the fact that she was to be married off to a total stranger because of business. There was no way to change her father's mind. She knew that he was selfish and once something was going to benefit him, he would go to extra lengths to make that happen. All her life, she only ever did things to please her father. Tonight was her first and last night of freedom, and she was sure going to make good use of it. “Another shot please.” “Are you sure about that young lady?” a voice asked. “Huh?” “You shouldn't drink too much. And what is a pretty lady doing sitting alone, drinking at a bar? You don't look like you belong here.” Claire looked up and gasped, she was staring at the most beautiful man she had ever seen in her life.