Prosecuting My Billionaire Baby Daddy

COURTNEY “Darling, I have some news for you,” my Dad says, stepping into my room. He looks more excited than usual. I sit up on my bed and smile at him. “What is it, Dad? Your eyes are glowing. It's the business deal in Tokyo isn't it?” He sighs and walks over to me. He then places a hand on my shoulder, and my interest becomes piqued. “Darling, you know just how important you are to me; you're my only daughter; the heir to my empire.” He goes ahead to place a strand of my hair behind my ear and I suddenly become worried about what he's going to tell me. He isn't usually this emotional. “Yes, Dad, is there a problem?” Immediately, he stands up and paces a short distance, his expression going back to its usual seriousness. “You’re the heir, right? And as such, you have a responsibility to the family business, don't you?” I wonder why he's saying all this now. I nod and reply cautiously, “Yes…?” “That's what I thought,” he says, turning around to face me once again. “I have a proposal for you.” “A proposal?” “Yes. A very good one,” I hear my Mum's voice say from the door. Is she also involved? Whatever this news, it must be extremely severe. Creasing my forehead, I scoot to the edge of the bed. Then, my Mum comes to sit next to me and places both hands on my shoulders. Wait a second, is this news about me? “Darling, remember Andrew Statham from Statham's Corporations?” I raise a brow at him. My Mum clucks her tongue and explains further, “He was here last week with his father, Thomas? He said he was coming from Switzerland?” Switzerland. Something clicks in my memory. “Oh yes, yes, I think I remember him.” She flashes a knowing smile at my Dad. Somehow, it worries and excites me at the same time. I look at both of them with a mixed expression. “What about him?” Still maintaining her smile, my Mum exclaims, “Well, his father is willing to invest in your father's new project!” I beam at the both of them. They don’t usually announce business deals so excitedly, but I assume this one’s just special. “Wow, that's great! The same one about the hotels in London right?” My Dad smiles proudly at me. “That's the one honey. And there's even bigger news. He's proposed your marriage to his son to guarantee potential projects.” My smile suddenly fades and my heart drops. “What?” My Mum hugs me tightly. “Isn't that great dear? I mean that Andrew, he's a stunner. What do you kids call it? Um… hot?” “No, Mum I-” “Ohh I've already planned everything, sweetie. It's going to be in the fall, so the pictures won't be too bright. And I've even decided to order your dress from that um… what's the name? I'll remember it later. And,” she places her fingers softly on my chin and lifts my face. “We'll have it in Japan. You've always wanted to have your wedding in Japan right?” I stand up quickly, startling everyone. “Mum, Dad, I don't want to marry this guy!” I notice my Dad's expression morphs into a frown. “What do you mean by that?” “I mean, couldn't you have asked me first before deciding.” I pause. “Haven't I told the both of you about Brian?” My father rolls his eyes. “No, not this again.” My voice threatens to rise to a disrespectful tone but I struggle to keep it at bay. “Dad, I love Brian. You don't understand.” He finally snaps. “Courtney, you haven't seen that ‘Brian’ in eight months! You're twenty-five for goodness sake! If you keep waiting for that boy, you'll be too old to get married!” Tears begin to well up in my eyes but then, I feel a comforting touch on my shoulder. I turn around. “Mum, tell Dad…” “Your father is right,” she interrupts, causing my heart to sink. “And besides, Andrew is a good boy. His Dad is wealthy and he'll be sure to take care of you.” “But Mum…” “No buts.” She holds up her hand. “We've already invited him, along with his family, to come see you tonight, so be ready. I'll send Matilda to get your dress.” The tears start to fall uncontrollably now. But my Mum wipes them off. “It's for your own good, dear. I promise.” With that, my parents leave me to ponder on what they just said. I rest my head on my knees on my bed and begin to sob. Brian, where are you? Where have you been all this time? And why haven't you come to see me? Ultimately, I make a decision after hours of musing. I'll turn him down in front of everyone. There. That'll make him understand if Mum and Dad don't want to. “Miss James. The Stathams have arrived,” our new maid, Matilda informs me. “And they've brought some of their friends to join them.” Some of their friends? This would make turning him down much more difficult. But I have to do it. Taking a deep breath, I look over to her and nod. “That’s alright.” “And ma’am said I should tell you to hurry up and attend dinner. They're all waiting for you.” Looking at my appearance one last time, I push back my dresser's chair and stand up, letting out a deep breath. As soon as we get to the grand dinner table downstairs, I spot Andrew leering at me. Much to my dismay, he gets up and walks over. “Beautiful,” he addresses me and lays out his hand for me. “Can I walk you to the table?” I look over at my Mum and she gives me a ‘go ahead’ smile. With a blank look, I place my hand in his and he squeezes it before leading me to the table. “Wow ‘Drew, she's pretty,” a man, who I assume is one of Andrew's friends, says to him, gaping at me. I have that effect on people, I know that. My Dad told me once that I've been very pretty, even when I was a baby. “Didn't I tell you,” I hear Andrew say proudly from my side. When we finally get to the table, I take a seat next to him out of compulsion. Our families begin to chatter amongst themselves while I poke at my salmon with my fork, unable to eat. “You don't like salmon?” Andrew leans in to whisper to me eventually. I avoid looking in his direction. “No, it's good.” Just when I think he's done talking to me, he adds, “Don't worry. When we get married, I'll let you eat whatever you want. Whenever you want, sweetheart.” I stifle the urge to roll my eyes. We're never getting married—never. He should really get rid of these hopes. I won't forget Brian that easily. Like the unwanted whispers weren't enough, Andrew reaches out to place a hand on my thigh and I jolt in surprise. My Mum eyes for a second but I gesture to her that everything's well and take a bite of my food. Well, this guy is even creepier than I thought. “What are you doing?” I whisper to him, shifting my leg away. Moving my leg back to place, he insists, “I'm going to be your husband, Courtney.” “Stop,” I hiss. “Just-” Without letting him finish, I spring up from my seat and everyone pauses to look at me. “Darling, what are you doing?” My Dad asks, eyeing me with a silent warning. I take a deep breath and look at Andrew who's watching me anxiously. “I'm extremely honoured, Mr. and Mrs. Statham, that you want me to be a part of your family.” I glance at the couple who are now furrowing their brows and watching me intently and continue, “... but I'm really sorry. I just… I can't marry your son.” My Dad, along with my Mum, drops their heads in disappointment. Tapping my feet nervously, owing to my newfound confidence, I add, “I'm already in love with someone.” “Courtney…” Trying my best not to be affected by my Mum's hurt voice, I look at her, then at Andrew's friends whose faces are a mixture of shock and amusement and finally, I glance at a flushed Andrew. “I'm sorry for wasting all of your time. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me.” With that, I step out from the table and make my way out of the house. As I leave, I hear my Mum calling me back and my Dad trying to placate Mr Statham. But there's nothing I can do. I just have to wait for Brian, no matter how long it takes.