Kings and Castles

Oliver

Everything seems to be going in the right direction. As I enter my office and got ready for my first meeting with my new client, soon to be father-in-law, I recollect 3 weeks ago when all my hopes and dreams fell directly into my lap.

The Annual Hilda foundation charity ball that always happens around September was held exactly 3 weeks ago today, where I supposedly first met Sharon King. He’s the head of Kings Associates, one of the biggest law firms in the state, but his reputation has recently been tarnished by the firm's consistent losses in cases they had no business taking. Whispers of me being the person who helps companies get back on their feet by buying them out have been circulating for years. I usually just own a large stake in their profits till they’re able to pay me back as well as make sure that they are in fact making profits. This business of mine has given me a great reputation, so Sharon had no other option but to meet me for help when his company was on the verge of collapse.

His contract is slightly different, of course. He needs to keep his profits and I need to make my parents happy by getting married before the end of this year. That led me to drawing up this beautiful contract. I’m to marry his daughter in a month's time and once I marry her, he gains access to a huge amount of money and the means to bring his beloved law firm back to its former glory.

I hear two knocks on my door before my secretary, Ms Nila, opens it and lets me know that Sharon King is here to see me. Her graying hair shines silver under the office lighting. “Bring him inside” I reply. A few moments later, he majestically enters the office looking clean cut in his maroon colored suit and brown loafers. “Good morning son. Today looks extremely promising, doesn’t it?” He tells me. He has a charm to him that can’t be denied. Too bad he isn’t all he makes himself out to be.

"Good morning, there’s a lot of business to discuss. Please have a seat". He settled comfortably into the black leather chair in front of my desk as I brought out the contract that had been drawn up by my lawyer. “I hope you’re doing well, Mr King. There is a space for Leah to sign the contract as well, but I’ll leave that to you” I told him. “ Don’t worry Oliver, she’ll be just as enthusiastic as I am about moving forward with life. You know, kids, always looking for whom to steer them in the right direction” he replies. I definitely don’t agree with him, but honestly, it’s not my business as long as the contract is signed, and my plan can be set into motion.

I previously sent him a copy of the contract, so he has already had an opportunity to read through it. It doesn’t take him long to bring out his pen and put his signature where it is intended. “It’s lovely doing business with you”, Sharon replies. “I’ll take the contract and get her to sign it by tomorrow. I’m expecting her this evening, and after it’s signed a formal introduction to your future wife will be arranged. I’ll text you the details before the end of tomorrow.” He finishes talking and gets up to shake my hand and leave. I enjoy swift transactions such as this, but he seems so quick to give his daughter into strangers' hands. I definitely expected a little more restraint.

By the time I was sure he'd left the building, it was twelve o’clock. Brunch sounds like the best idea and I know just the place to go to. My phone starts ringing, and I pick up on the third ring after seeing Aunt on the screen. “ Hi darling, I haven’t heard from you in a while. I called to ask how you’re doing and if you’ll be free to join us next weekend for lunch”, she tells me. “ Good morning Aunt Jo, I’ll make time for lunch. Will your husband be around?”. “Yes he will, but the two of us can always ditch him later and hang out if you have anything you’d like to talk about with me”. “You don’t even have to ask Aunt. Of course, we’ll hang out afterward. I’d like to bring someone else if that’s okay with you”, I told her. “I never thought this day would come”, she cried in my ear. “She’s very welcome to join us”. I don’t give her much information apart from that because I honestly don’t know much about the girl I'm going to call my wife.

We say our goodbyes and end the call before I put on my navy suit jacket and leave my office to go get brunch.

I don't know why I haven’t found it relevant to find information about Leah King before today, but talking to my Aunt made me realize that the only way this is going to be convincing is if I actually get to know her. As I was walking across the road to get to my destination, I open my phone to search for her on f*******:. I didn’t notice the traffic sign changing from green to red, and they continued to cross. All of a sudden, I heard people shouting from across the road.

As I look up from my phone that I had previously lost when looking at pictures of Leah, I see a car moving towards me. It swerves to its right, missing me by a few inches and stopping just before it hits the streetlight. There are very few cars around so no damage is done. I calm my beating heart and move towards the car to know if everyone inside is okay. I notice it’s a taxi and, to my surprise, the passenger comes out looking exactly but even better than the pictures I was previously looking at.

Leah King steps out of the taxi looking absolutely stunning in a red two-piece and trench coat.