Our Contract

Chapter One

Carissa laid on her back atop her bedroom couch, staring into space as she thought about how to analyse her muddled thought patterns. So many things ran through her mind all at once.

As a child, she had to grow up without her father who died in a ghastly motor accident that claimed his life and that of one of her brothers. Liam, her only surviving brother had been in coma for months after that but he soon recovered and the now, twenty eight year old had been the family's breadwinner for as long as she could remember. Her mother had done her best to take care of them but her health wasn't in the best state, so when Liam was old enough he took over everything even at his own detriment.

Carissa was proud of how far they had come. Through her brother's relentless efforts, she was able to get a college degree and she was well on her way to getting a good job soon enough.

At twenty three, she didn't have a lot going for herself especially in the dating scene but she sure believed in through love.

She hoped earnestly that someone would come for her and make her feel like a queen.

"Carissa?" She head her mother call out softly to her.

"Yes mum?"

"Come on, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

"Alright" she replied meekly, getting off the couch and following her mother closely.

"Veronica? Meet my daughter, Carissa." Valerie introduced with a wide grin.

"Oh my! She's such a beauty!" Veronica observed, pretty much impressed by Carissa's good looks.

Carissa was that one girl that would turn heads wherever she went even without knowing it. From her pale skin to her entrancing Emerald eyes, down to her curvaceous body all embodied in innocence, one could not help but fall in love with her looks.

Shyly, she looked down at her toes obviously unable to take such compliments from the older woman. Carissa was never good with compliments, she blushed deeply whenever people complimented her looks.

"I'd love for you to marry my eldest son, Carissa." Veronica stated, straight to the point as always.

Carissa's head snapped up at that.

"Uhmm I don't think I'm ready for marriage yet ma'am." She uttered hesitantly.

"Nonsense child, you're all grown up. Or do you have someone else in mind that you might want to marry?"

Carissa blushed again at the question.

"Not really."

"It's settled then. Valerie what do you think?"

Carissa stared in her mother's direction hoping for some sort of intervention.

"It's alright as long as they get to know each other first but Liam also has to approve."

That was it.

****

By the evening of that day, Liam was furious and yelling his lungs out at both of them.

"This isn't some eighteenth century arranged marriage era mum. Carissa is mature enough to choose her man!"

"Listen Liam, Veronica is an old friend of mine and I can assure that Carissa would be treated right." Valerie argued with her son

"Who is this dude anyway?" Liam asked furiously, his emerald green eyes, similar to Carissa's lit up with a sudden excitement when his mother replied.

"The Eric Knight?" He questioned in amazement.

"The one and only." His mother grinned just as Carissa's face contorted in confusion.

"Who is this guy to you people? Why are you two suddenly excited?" She asked confusedly.

"He's your husband to be." Liam grinned and with a peck on her cheek and that of their mother, he climbed up the stairs of their four bedroom duplex and headed for the master bedroom, his room, in high spirits.

Carissa stood there, stunned at her family's actions. She shook her mind off it and headed for her bedroom to sleep off and prepare for the new day ahead.

****

"What the hell mom?!!!" Eric yelled slamming his palm on the Oakwood table in his father's study.

"Your father and I have decided on it." His mother replied nonchalantly.

"You want me to get married to some person I barely even know?!" he asked, looking back and forth between his parents who seemed gravely serious.

"Well you've had lots of paroles with girls you barely know as well." His father commented.

Eric scrunched his nose up in distaste. Talking about his s*x life with his parents was a no go area.

"Dad..." Eric whined.

"It's final Eric. If you try getting out of this, you'll be losing the company and I'd hand it over to your cousin, Jason." His father threatened.

Eric's blood ran cold. His father was not joking and he knew it.

"You can't do that!" he challenged.

"Oh watch me do it son, watch me."

With an angry grunt, Eric stormed out of the house. He needed to let off some steam and he knew exactly how.

He drummed on his steering wheel and picked up his phone.

"Hey Steve. Meet me at the pub man."

"What's happened this time?" Steve, his childhood best friend asked knowingly.

"I can't say anything over the phone. Just meet me at our usual spot ASAP."

"Sure thing man, see you soon." Steve said and hung up.

This was going to be one long night for him.