Found You

Episode Two

Chapter Two

Charlotte's POV

"Charlotte, you're getting married", my dad said like it was nothing

At first I was glad to hear him call my name or talk to me after days of unnecessary silence but wait what?, getting married?. I knew I was a disappointment to them, I knew they expected more from me, I knew I couldn't give them what they deserved but not getting me married to God knows who m

I spranged up, "Dad.. I... You ... I ... Dad... I don't know what you are talking about", I stammered

My big sis, Kim looked up at me and rolled her eyes, "Calm down Charlie, hear him out", she said

"Kim, what is going on?, I don't seem to understand this, what marriage Kim?", my confused self asked

"Let him conclude Charlie, let him explain, hear him out", that was Ivan's voice and I sat down reluctantly and waited for his explanation.

My dad cleared his throat, "Charlie, I know this might be hard but we have no choice", he started

"Oh!, no choice", I mumbled

"I ran into Paxton Bennett yesterday", he continued and I knew something was wrong as soon as I heard that name, I haven't met Paxton before but he was a wealthy man, a multi billionaire at that, he had lots of properties and owned the Paxton's enterprises, the Paxton's law firm and other companies, he was also named the business man of the year for three consecutive years, "He his a friend and I told him about the present condition of my company, he accepted to invest in my company but he wants my daughter as a wife to put a seal on the contract, just two years Charlie, two years", he explained

"Dad... Uhmm... Dad you ... I .. you... A contract marriage?", I asked

"Yes, Charlie, a contract Marriage", he responded and adjusted his glasses

"A contract marriage dad, this is totally out of line", I cried

"Stop it Charlie", my mum yelled, "This is for the best and you know understand this", she added

My dad stood up and walked to me, he pulled me to himself and smiled, his lips shook and I realized his smile was only just to calm me down, deep down he wasn't happy, "When was the last time I talked to you Charlie?", he asked me, locking his hands up in mine, "When Charlie?", he asked again

"It's been weeks dad, you... you .. you never talked to me, you.... you... don't look at me", I stammered

"I couldn't do that Charlotte, I couldn't talk to you, I couldn't look into your eyes because I was disappointed in myself, I've been to lots of people for partnership and they kept asking for the same thing, I couldn't tell you this, I couldn't tell you I have to marry you off for a contract Charlie, you can imagine how hard it is for me, Paxton is the best choice to go with", he explained but I wasn't okay with that

"But dad, not marrying me off to someone who is old enough to be my father", I argued

"He wants to marry you to his son, not himself Charlie", he replied still holding my hands.

I struggled out of his grip and looked up at him, "But I love someone dad", I argued further

"Enough Charlie enough", he yelled and I flinched, my body shook uncontrollably, my dad was the type to get angry when being questioned or queried, "But But But Charlie, no but, you won't argue further", he said raising his index finger.

He then let out a loud sigh, "Charlie, you need to understand this", he said softly holding my hands again.

I jerked off his hand, I couldn't take it anymore, it felt like I was being taunted, I ran into my room, locked up the door, buried my head in my pillow and cried out my heart. I couldn't believe that. A contract marriage??, tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably, I wanted to stop, I wanted that to be a dream, I pinched myself several times but nothing, it was real and I had to deal with it. A knock came at my door.

"I want to be alone",I said to the unknown knocker but there came the voice of my little niece, Bett

"Aunt Charlie", she said softly, her voice echoed in my ears and I couldn't resist the urge to go open the door, I knew they were going to use her as a bait to get me, everyone knows I love Bett.

I opened the door and Ivan stood there too, his hands on the door and the same with Kim, my big sister, I let them in and went back to my bed, they sat on the wool cushion in my room while Bett came to my bed and sat next to me.

We stared at each other for some minutes, no one said a word, Kim coughed and walked to my bed, she sat and faced me, "Charlie, I know it is hard but you need to accept this, for Dad and for us, I'm married Charlie, I would have done this instead, it's just 2 years contract marriage, a divorce will be filed after 2 years and that's all, you don't need to have a kid for him, just live with him for two years darling and everything will be over", she explained with sympathy

"I don't know this guy Kim, I haven't even met him, I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with him, Kim I don't know if I can do this, what kind of a contract marriage is this....."

"Come on Charlie", Ivan Interrupted and I gave him a hostile glare, "Common, you don't know Dirk?, if you don't know Dirk, I mean the Almighty Dirk then why are you in this country", Ivan added but then I was surprised it was Dirk, I have seen his pictures in magazines, billboards, he is every lady's dream man but not mine.

"Can you see that Charlie", he smiled and pointed to me, "I just told you who he is and you're daydreaming about him", Ivan teased

"Ivan!!!!", Kim and I shouted together but he only shrugged.

"Thank God I wasn't lying", he said again. Kim dragged Ivan to the door but he spoke again, "I'm sure you gonna like him Charlie, I promise you are going to have a kid before the contract ends Charlie",

Kim pushed him out and bolted the door then she turned back and we both laughed.

"What a guy!!!", she said and nodded towards me, she sat on the bed beside me and place a hand on my leg, "You will be okay Charlie, trust me you don't have to worry about anything Charlie, I'm here for you", she said and spranged up, "The Bennett's will be coming here tomorrow, Dad said I should inform you", she added and sigh, "I have to go see someone, I'll see you when I'm back", she said and turned to leave, leaving Bett with me.

My phone rang almost immediately, it was Jake and for the first time since Brandon left, I didn't want to meet him, if I had a chance to help my dad, it would be just this and I didn't want to mess it up, maybe by chance I can meet him when the contract is over but not now.

"I have to endure this for two years, A contract marriage, I never thought I'd be in this shoe, I have to let Brandon go", I said to myself and sigh, "I might find love again, who knows", I added and shrugged.