A Deal Between Billionaires

Chapter 3 - Marriage

 Authors POV

 A few days went by. It was the weekend.  The Jones house was busy preparing for some important guest.

Evelyn woke up early as usual hearing the sound of the alarm. She switched off the alarm then went to the washroom to do her morning business. She went to her walk in closet chose a sportswear than went downstairs. Her dad was waiting downstairs for her.

“Good morning dad.” Evelyn greeted him.

“Morning Eve. Let’s go.” said Mr. Jones to Evelyn. It’s their everyday routine to go out for a morning jog together... They went to the nearby park and run around for an hour. After finishing their morning exercise they started to walk toward home slowly.

“Eve” called Mr. Jones.

“Yes.”

“Do you have any plan for today?”

“Nope, I’m staying home all day. Why? Do you need me to run any errand for you?”

“No, I invited some friends. And you will hate me if you miss them. So, I’m informing you. Don’t blame me later that I didn’t say a thing”

“So, the people coming I really want to meet them.” Evelyn asked after thinking a little. Mr. Jones nodded. “So, who are they?” Evelyn asked again.

“It’s a secret.” Mr. Jones said softly smiling at Evelyn.

“Okay. I will wait and watch for myself who are this people you are talking about you.” Evelyn said retuning a sweet smile of her own. Mr. Jones got emotional watching Evelyn smile so carefree.

“Evelyn you know dad loves you the most in the world right?”

“Um, don’t you love mom the most?

“Hm, your mom is my Love and you are my world. Now, that your mom is gone I have to give you twice the amount of love for her. Otherwise she won’t let me get close to her in the afterlife.” Mr. Jones said emotionally.

Evelyn also got watery eyes. She knew how much her father loved her mom. He has only eyes for her mother. He is only enduing this life for Evelyn.

Mr. Jones also knew he has stay strong to take care of their child, the product of their love. He was afraid that if he leaves their child alone his wife won’t see her in afterlife. He can’t leave his sweet daughter defending for herself in this cruel world. He always wants the best for Eve his lovely daughter. In recent years his health was getting worse day by day and his worries for her were also getting more and more. So, he wanted to hurry up and find someone for Evelyn who can protect her, take care of her and give her a home. He was worried to leave her alone.

He knew Evelyn wanted to make a name for herself, so, he gave her time. But he was not sure how much time he has. So, he was getting impatient, He talked to Evelyn, he asked her to bring a boyfriend home, he asked her to go on blind dates but everything was fruitless. He felt guilty for forcing a marriage on his daughter. But he believed this is for the best.

“Dad, I love you too.” Evelyn said hugging Mr. Jones arms and acting spoiled.

“So remember well, dad will never do anything to harm you. If you dislike any of my decision you have to open minded and look at the big picture. You can’t hate dad.” Mr. Jones said.

“I can never hate dad. So, you don’t have worry about the unknown future.” Evelyn said smiling.

“Good, we also reached home. Go upstairs and don’t forget to dress formally. Our guest will arrive soon.” Mr. Jones said in his bossy voice.

“Yes sir.” Evelyn saluted him and said jokingly.

*****

Evelyn went to her room, socked herself in rose water and took a shower. Wearing a bathrobe she entered in her closet. One third of her closet was full of black cloths and the other part was filled with gowns and all kind of fancy dresses. She chose a white sundress with amaryllis flower here and there. It was a beautiful dress simple and elegant. She can’t wear anything from the black section or her dad will say, “You look like a thug.” She also didn’t wanted her first impression to be a thug in front of their important guests. She used some mascara and lip gloss checked herself in the mirror for the last time and she was ready to go.

In the living room, Evelyn was sitting on the couch playing with her phone and Mr. Joes was watching TV. The doorbell rang and Mr. Jones urged Evelyn to go and open the door saying it's must be their honorable guests. She went forward and opened the door.

Evelyn was shocked, surprised and most of all happy. She was so happy watching the people outside her door. She straight away threw herself and hugged Sophia.

“Mama Sophia. Why are you here? When did you come to the city? Why didn’t you tell me about your arrival?” Evelyn finished all her question in a breath.

“Clam down fast and how can I give you a pleasing surprise if I tell you everything.” Sophia said cupping her face.

“Look who grew up to be a beautiful young lady and forgot all about this old man after getting hand on my dear wife. She even forgot to invite us inside.” Mr. Isaac Brown said dramatically as his wife Sophia was getting all the attention from their daughter-in-law.

“I’m so sorry Uncle Isaac. Come inside. I was so excited that I forget all about my good manners. How are you guys doing?” Evelyn said leading them inside.

“I’m feeling much better watching your beautiful face. You become as beautiful as your mother.” Mr. Isaac wanted to say more to praise her beauty but stop looking his wife Sophia glaring at him. He makes a sorry face at his wife remembering that Evelyn looks like her mother and it makes her sad.

 Evelyn didn’t reply instead she took Sophia’s hand and went inside where Mr. Jones was waiting for them sitting on the couch. 

“You guys are late. I was hoping you to come early. Evelyn and I were waiting for you to have breakfast together.” Mr. Jones said urging them to go to the dining table.

They sat around the dining table as food was served before them immediately. Everyone ate and did some chit-chat. Evelyn was very happy to know that Sophia and Isaac were going to stay around a month this time. She also got to know that they came with their son Ethan who was setting up some new business here in Los-Angeles and they was accompanying him as he has to stay here for a month.

The Brown family previously used-to stay in Los-Angeles but they moved to New-York since Mr. Isaacs main branch was there. Sophia and Evelyn’s mother was best friend. So, both families were very close with each other. Evelyn and Ethan played and spend a lot of time together in childhood. One can consider them childhood sweetheart but they lost contact after Ethan’s Parent move away but Sophia and Emily remained in contact with each other. Sophia loves Evelyn as much as Emily Sadly Emily her best friend died leaving her beloved daughter behind and as a mother herself Sophia tried her best to take care of Evelyn as much as possible. After Emily’s death Sophia stayed with Evelyn for six months leaving her own family alone. She visited Evelyn every once in a while and kept in touch with her all the time. So, Sophia was a second mother figure to Evelyn who Evelyn loved and respected very much.

Everyone finished their food than went to the living room. Evelyn and Sophia sat together and Mr. Jones and Mr. Isaac sat together. The parent was eyeing each other seeing that it was time to break the news to Evelyn. Evelyn also felt that something was going on between them.

“Why are you guys looking at each other strangely?” She asked.

“Eve, you see we came here this time for a special purpose.” Sophia said signaling at her husband Mr. Isaac to continue.

“Eve sw-sweetheart, y-you remember Ethan ri-right, o-our son, we w-want him to settle him down.” Mr. Isaac uttered the words with great difficulty shuttering because of nervousness. Evelyn looked at him strangely not understanding a thing. Sophia sighs thinking that her husband is useless.

“Eve, you know how much we like you and want you to be our daughter. You see Ethan is at age doing very well in business and Charles want you to settle down. So,” Sophia paused for a moment and Eve start talking.

“So, you want to match make us?” Evelyn asked amazed. She wasn’t that surprised because Evelyn knew her mom and her mama Sophia always wanted to match make them from their childhood. Even she and Ethan used to play house as a husband and wife. But it was long before.

“Not match make but we want you guys to have a wedding and as soon as possible.” This time Evelyn looked at Sophia wide eyed.

“Come on, are you guys trying to prank me Mama Sophia? You need to do better than this cause it’s not funny.” Evelyn asked Sophia with her big doe like eyes.

“Evelyn.” Mr. Jones called for her and Evelyn looked at her father. “Pumpkin, I’m sorry it’s so sudden but it is the truth. My company is going through some financial problem and on the other side Ethan’s company got a very big project from D.H International Co. and his company need to collaborate with another company. So, we are thinking of joining hand. We didn’t want you kids to have a flashed marriage but we did want you guys to meet, date and eventually get married. The CEO of D.H doesn’t want to take risk between two companies and to reassure him marriage is the best option. So, you need to marry fast.” Mr. Jones said to Evelyn sorrowfully.

Whatever he said most of that was true except the financial problem of Mr. Jones Company and both company related by marriage part. The CEO of D.H. indeed wanted to do business with both of their companies but doesn’t have any trouble with the company being not related with each other. It was something the parents cook up together to convince Evelyn. As they knew sympathy card was the best way for them to weaken Evelyn’s resolve.

Evelyn was silent. She knew her father wanted her to settle down with someone because of his recent poor health but she didn’t expect to things happened like this even in her worst dream. And how can a big company like their have financial problem what’s more her father was an extremely well versed businessman how can he lose money. She didn’t know how to process these things.

“What if I still don’t agree with it?” Evelyn said looking at her father seriously.

“You don’t have second option. You remember, you signed some document in my office right. They were your marriage document. You are already Mrs. Ethan Brown.” This time Evelyn was shocked beyond belief. She open her eyes and mouth and looked at her beloved father amazed how can he do that to her. How can he scheme her in a marriage? She was speechless and looked at her father with eyes full of disbelieve.

“Wow. So, it’s not about my consent from the beginning you are just letting me know now that everything is done?” Evelyn felt betrayed. Did her father thought that it’s for her good?

“Eve, It’s not just that we are doing this because it’s also your mothers last wish. Eve sweetheart, you don’t have to worry about a thing I will take care of you like my own daughter.  Didn’t you always wanted to stay with your mama Sophia? Won’t you do this for your mother and me?” asked Sophia emotionally. Mrs. Sophia felt bad for blackmailing Evelyn emotionally but anything was okay as long Evelyn can be her daughter-in-law.

“Mama Sophia, you know I can do anything for you guys but this, without my knowledge and Ethan, I don’t even know anything about him and so does he. We won’t even able to recognize each other at this point.” Evelyn thought for a moment. “Does Ethan know?”

“You don’t have to worry about him. He knows and he agreed to it. You know how much he liked you in his childhood right.” Mrs. Sophia said with a convincing voice. She knew Evelyn can’t reject them at this point. All their left is her son to make Evelyn his thought Mrs. Sophia.

“Then can I talk with Ethan.” Evelyn doubted how much Ethan agreed and how much he was forced. So, she wanted to talk with him to know for herself. And childhood like is not something permanent. Let alone talk, He didn’t even come to visit her after her mother died how can he possibly like her Evelyn thought.

“Yes, you certainly can.”  Mrs. Sophia said happily. “Oh, don’t worry about a thing about the marriage preparation. You talk and meet with Ethan and we old people will handle everything else.” Mrs. Sophia added.

With this they dismissed Evelyn and start talking between them about the auspicious day, invitation, guests, wedding venue and so on…