Merged As One

CHAPTER 4

“No, Dad, I can not get married to a pauper," Joe said, almost yelling.

Joe is the son of a famous multi-billionaire, Greg Holland. He's a young and ambitious man, yet ill-mannered. He has a lean figure yet a muscular frame that complemented his height. He is six feet tall. Physically, Joe is to die for. His golden-brown eyes are as beautiful as the sunset, his silky dark wavy hair and firm face. Everything complimented the other, one can say was specially crafted by God.

“Watch your tone, son. Being more privileged than others doesn't make you any better,” said his father, Mr. Greg, angrily gritting his teeth while pointing at him.

“Dad, this is my life, and you can't solely decide whom I'm to be in a relationship with or whom I should get married to. I am a man and can make my own decisions. Besides, that girl is way beneath me.”

Mrs. Lucy, Mr. Greg's wife walked up to Joe and placed her hand on his shoulder. She looked him in the face, and said, “Son, you don't have to be too upset about the whole situation. I'm sure your father only wants what's best for you.”

Joe looked at her with disgust written all over his face. He forcefully pushed her hand off his shoulder and took two steps back, dusting the shoulders of his Armani gray suit. “You are not my mother, and I'm not your son. I don't need you to care."

Mrs Lucy's eyes widened in fear at Joe's reaction. Gripped by fear, she stood stiffly at that spot, breathing heavily.

Mr. Greg walked up to him angrily and slapped him hard. “You don't get to disrespect my wife in my presence, not even anywhere. She has been nothing but good to you. The least you can do is to give her due respect, if not for any reason but because she is my wife.” Mr. Joe said, pointing directly at Joe.

Mrs Lucy walked out of the room, leaving her husband with his son.

“It's either you get married to Emily or forfeit your inheritance and the position as the CEO. Make a decision”

"You can't do this to me. I already have a fiancé whom I love, and I'm ready to get married to. I can't get married to the daughter of a thief.”

"I get to decide if Johnson is a thief or not. Not under my watch would you get married to that thing you call a fiancé. You have forty-eight hours to make your decision.” Mr. Greg said and walked out of the room, slamming the door.

Joe, in deep frustration and anger, wiped off everything on the table with his hands. He paced his room, thinking of a way out. He stumbled upon a photo he had taken with his mother while he was a kid. He picked up the photo from the floor, staring closely at his mother's face as tears rolled down his eyes. “I wish you were here, I wish you never left us. Maybe things wouldn't have been different. We were so happy and whole until death decided to snatch you away from us, away from me, Mom.”

Joe fell to his knees as tears streamed down his face to his trembling lips. With a shaky voice, he cried silently. “Why?"

Joe, at that moment, thought about everything his dad had said to him. It's either Emily and his inheritance or nothing.

With a deep sigh, he stood up, undressed, and went into his bathroom for a shower.

***

“Emily! What a beautiful lady you have grown up to be." Mr. Greg said as Emily and her father walked into his office. With a smile on his face, he stood up from his chair and walked over to her, greeting her cheek-to-cheek.

“Good day, Mr. Greg." Emily greeted him with a mild smile on her face.

“Good day to you too. Welcome, Johnson; I'm glad you are both here. I hope you are here to feed me with good news." Mr. Greg said, looking straight at Mr. Johnson.

Mr. Johnson nodded his head slightly in response to Mr. Greg. “Ahem," he cleared his throat. “ Yes sir, my daughter and I brought good news.”

Emily took a deep breath and motioned towards Mr. Greg, with a bright smile on her face. “ I would be more than privileged and delighted to become your daughter-in-law.”

“Perfect! That means we have a wedding to plan." They all chuckled.

“Yes, we do; I'm super-excited,” Emily said, still retaining that bright smile on her face. Her father moved towards her and gave her a side hug.

“Great!" Mr. Greg. “How do you want your wedding? Just family? Family and friends? Or elaborate?”

"Ummm, I think Joe and I would have to discuss that. However, I would like a small gathering.”

Just as she was talking, Joe silently stepped into his father's office. He thought they were private investors at first glance. He took a second look and then he realized. “Oh, my doomsday has arrived!” He said underneath his breath. As he walked gently to his father's table, he intentionally brushed Emily's shoulder with his hands, to announce his presence.

Emily slowly looked up to Joe, who was looking at her. She could hear the sound of her heart beating out loud. It was like time paused as soon as she set her eyes on him. Five seconds seemed to be too much time for Emily. She felt shivers down her spine.

“Good lord." She whispered under her breath. "Hi,” she said to Joe, as she looked away from him.

"You must be the new female cleaner,” Joe said in response to Emily's greeting.

Emily looked back at Joe with her head slightly tilted, and furrowed brow as she sat on the chair. "Huh!"

“Ahem," Mr. Greg said to ease up the tense atmosphere. “Very funny son. Well, this is Emily, the young lady I told you about that you couldn't wait to meet. She is my future daughter-in-law and your wife-to-be.”

Joe looked down at Emily, and for a second, he thought, “The beautiful ones are born, but they are classless.” A smirk crept into his face. “Oh Emily, pardon my manners. Nice to finally meet you.”

“So we were discussing the wedding, your wedding. Emily said she would like to have a small gathering; just family. But she would also like to discuss it with you." His father, Mr. Greg said, looking at him.

“I’m totally fine with whatever the lady suggests. I would also like to have a small gathering; just family.” Joe responded with a smile on his face.

" Well, I think it's settled." Mr. Greg said happily. “Are there any suggestions? Johnson? My bad, I meant to say Mr. Johnson since we are almost in-laws," He said as he looked at Mr. Johnson with a smile on his face.

"No there isn't any.” Mr. Johnson replied.

“Well then, I guess we would leave you both to get to know each other." Mr. Greg said as he stood up. "Mr. Johnson, do you care to join me for lunch?”

" I wish I could, but I have something urgent to take care of at home.”

"If you say so, then.” Mr. Greg left for lunch, leaving Mr. Johnson, Emily, and his son, Joe. Soon after Mr. Greg left, Mr. Johnson also did. “I'd be home," he said to his daughter before he left.

Joe turned and faced the window, looking at the skyscrapers, with his two hands crossed behind him. “This marriage would be an open marriage. You do whatever you want, I get to do whatever I want. I'm sure your parents forced you to do this. Besides, I'm only doing you a favor. You should be grateful.”

Joe looked at her with his peripheral vision as he turned his head to the side. “Am I clear?"

He turned gently and walked towards Emily, who was already on her feet, with her head facing down. He raised her head up with a finger and looked straight into her eyes. Emily felt goosebumps all over her body as she felt his hot breath on her skin. “You are quite beautiful, you should have classless suitors who would die to have you. There's an SUV downstairs that will take you home. You should start getting used to luxury.”

Emily stood still on the spot, still looking at Joe. "Falling for me already? Don't you think that's too quick?" Joe said as he snapped his fingers at Emily's face.

He walked to the door and opened it, gesturing for Emily to leave. Emily left without uttering a word.