Married By Circumstance

CHAPTER 2

I glare at Hayden as he tries so hard to hide the snorting sound that keeps escaping his lips. He is really not helping my situation at the moment. And the more I think about it, the angrier I get.

“You are not helping!” I scoff.

“Sorry, how do you want me to help?” My best friend asks me the most sarcastic question that made him burst into another fit of laughter.

“What exactly is so funny, Hayden?”

“Um, you still don’t know?”

“I don’t. There is no big deal in what happened.”

“There is no big deal?” A dumbfounded Hayden asks again.

“Yes. Something like this happens daily in our world. Why are you acting like it is I have made the dumbest move of my life?”

I ask the question even though I already know the answer. I know it was stupid. It was really stupid of me to have blurted those words out to the lady that came to my house two days ago. I mean, they were the first thing I said to her, and the more I think back on the situation, the stupider I seemed for blurting out such a proposal to her.

“Marry me!”

I face-palm myself just at the thought of it. Why did I say that? The deal I normally make is just a one-night stand. Why did I mention such a ridiculous thing? And I was even adamant with the way I spoke as if I was ready to get married to a total stranger. What kind of mess have I gotten myself into?

“Just by the expression on your face, I know I need not say much about how big of a deal it is.”

Hayden says as he sits on the couch beside me with a PS6 pad in his hands, ready to play a match in the middle of my misery.

“Why did you say that in the first place? I mean, don’t get me wrong. I know you were discussing with me about your need to get married as soon as possible because of the company. But what I don’t get is why you are getting married to a girl that will not help you in your pursuit of acquiring the company. I was expecting you to propose to a second-generation rich lady.”

Hayden analyses how messed up my life has gotten, making me feel more damned by the situation I have gotten myself into. But still, I try to focus on the bright side.

“It is not a must to marry from an influential family, is it?”

I ask unsurely, even I not knowing what to believe as the ridiculous request of my father before his death flashes back into my mind again. I don’t know why he had chosen to cage me with marriage before I can inherit the company. Why would he place me at the mercy of my ruthless uncle about the company just because he wants me to get married sooner than he did?

At this moment, it is easier for me to just place the whole blame on my late father’s dying wish rather than accept that I was also stupid two days ago.

“You know you sound ridiculous!” Hayden points out with a deep sigh before he continues again.

“You know your uncle better than anyone. You know how much he covets your position in the company. As much as getting married will solidify your stand in the company, it is still not enough. We both know that!”

“So what do I do?” I ask the most reasonable question I can think of at the moment.

“Revoke your offer!”

“You want me to go back on my words?”

“Yes, it is as simple as that!”

“I would never do that! You know me, my word is my image!”

I flare up just at the thought of that. I will never go back on my word, not because of my uncle, and definitely not to the lady that seems desperate in her tight slutty dress as she sat before me two days ago.

“Harrison, you need to let go of your ego right now. Everything you have worked hard for is at stake.” He says.

“But I just can’t do that, especially not to that Sarah lady.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know. I just can’t.”

“Wait! Have you fallen in love with her?”

Hayden asks the most absurd question which makes me give him the most bewildered expression I can ever summon. Really? Love? Who? That wretched-looking wannabe lady?

“Now, you are being absurd!” I exclaim.

“I am just trying to understand you, man. If you have fallen in love with her, then it is a different story. You know I will always back you up on whatever decision you make. But the girl is just a stranger to you. Why are you allowing a stranger to determine the outcome of your hard work?” He asks.

“She is not determining anything. It is just a contract marriage.”

“We both know that it will be more than that. You are just in denial.”

“Why are you so sure?”

“You know how powerful your uncle has gotten in the company. Getting married will not be enough to face his threat. You need a very powerful family as your alliance. And that kind of alliance can only happen through marriage. So I’m pretty much sure you know your choices right now.”

Hayden does a good just of giving another good analysis of what is about to happen to me. I mean, that is one of the reasons I became friends with him. He gives the best advice in any situation. But his advice at this moment just isn’t working for me. I am not going to go back on my word, not before that lady.

“I know what I am doing, Hayden!” I say curtly.

“If you say so.”

He comments tiredly as he continues to focus on his game for a brief moment before he bursts out into another fit of laughter as he seems to remember something.

“So is it true you can’t satisfy a lady sexually?”

Hayden asks the question that contributed to my impromptu decision towards ago with laughter while I just glare at him angrily.

“It’s not funny!”

“You think?”

“That dumb i***t I called a bodyguard.” I hiss angrily.

“Aww, don’t take it out on him. You already fired him. But I can’t help but think he is right. You know?”

Hayden jokes again making me throw my TV remote at him angrily. He is really enjoying himself right now, but I am not just feeling it.

“Get out of my house before I make you!”

I hiss angrily again which just makes him laugh harder as he gets up from the couch.

“Oh, you are such a buzzkill. You’re no fun!”

He laughs as he begins to make his way out of my living room. But as expected of the typical Hayden, before he shuts the door, he pokes his head back into the living room and gives me the news I am not interested in with a grin on his face.

“Just so you know, I am not leaving because of your threat. A pretty-looking young lady is waiting for me at home. So I’m gonna leave you to wallow in your sorrow.”

I watch him with the deadliest gaze I could come up with as he finally shuts my door with another fit of laughter. I am angrier because every one of his words is right. I really should ponder on my decision again.

I sigh tiredly as I slump on the couch with just one thought in my mind.

“What mess have I gotten myself into?”