The Marriage Deal

Finding 'Mrs Rowland'

At the board meeting in the conference room, Chris sat at the head of the table while Lucinda sat at his right hand like she always did, taking down the details of the meeting, while others sat around the table as the meeting commenced,

"Good morning everyone!" Chris Rowland started, "I called this meeting for an urgent reason,"

"What going on Chris?" Luke, a member of the board who was also the Human Resource Manager and Chris' friend asked, "you never call such urgent meetings except it's important,"

"Well, if you let him speak then I'm sure you'll hear all you need to Luke!" Lucinda abruptly cut in,

"Can't we just let the boss speak first!" Edward, the finance and treasury officer who was quite advanced in age chided both of them

Chris sighed, Lucinda and Luke had always been at loggerheads, they never seemed to agree on anything, Neither Chris nor any other board member understood why but they chose to stay out of it,

"That's alright Lucinda," Chris said to her before responding to Luke, who had shot Lucinda a stabbing look by this time,

"Trust me Luke, it's important, which was why I had to call this meeting urgently," He said, "I spoke with Josh today, he gave me vital information on how to get Dr Rivers to do business with us,"

All the members of the board leaned in curiously while Chris sat back, rocking his chair.

As much as he trusted his staff, he was smart enough not to give them such secret information which could give other competitors an advantage.

His father had once told him that privileged knowledge was like power, it sometimes intoxicates and corrupts the mind of the bearer, so he knew better than to give them the information in detail.

"Well," He started, "I'll start by telling you all, I need a wife in less than two days!" he announced,

"What?!" Luke asked, he was as surprised as everyone else including Lucinda, "Why so impromptu, Chris?"

"Oh mind your business, Luke!" Lucinda rolled her eyes in disgust, "If he says he wants to get married then you have no right to discourage him!" she snapped, her mind rejoicing at Chris' announcement,

She was the most famous in his bed, she had worked with him for years, it was only right he rewarded her with the title of Mrs Rowland, the wife of the handsome billionaire.

"Look, Lucinda!" Luke flared, "I wasn't speaking to you, Chris here is in charge of this company, some of his personal choices matter to the rest of us,"

"Oh save it for the birds Luke! we all know your interest," Lucinda accused, "You want him to remain unmarried and without an heir to the company since you harbour secret hopes of taking over it!"

"That's enough you two!" Chris scolded, "That's not the matter on the ground, if we want the Rivers arm of friendship, then find me a wife urgently!"

"Isn't this all strange Mr Rowland," Edward asked, "firstly you call an impromptu meeting and now you want us to urgently find you a wife to help you seal a deal with Dr Rivers, how does getting a wife relates to getting the deal?"

"Edward, getting a wife does not automatically mean I'm getting the deal," Chris explained, "it's a stepping stone and trust me, once it's all over, I'll give you all the information you need about all of these, I just need your cooperation and trust right now!"

"but Mr Rowland," Regina, the sales executive officer started, "if you're that desperate for a bride then why not pick from one of the women you're familiar with?" she asked,

Regina was another woman who had her desperate and alluring eyes on Chris and his wealth, she had not been able to get in his bed as Chris seemed uninterested in her even after her constant failed attempts to seduce him, regardless, she still harboured hope to end up as Mrs Rowland someday.

Chris looked at Regina, he already knew where she was headed to,

"I don't think that's a good idea, Regina," he said to the uttermost shock and disappointment of Regina and Lucinda,

"I need a wife, a new face, someone Dr Rivers would never be able to track in connection to this office,"

Luke smiled in satisfaction, he could see Lucinda's look of disappointment and it pleased him, it was the same look he had many years ago when Lucinda dumped him and started a secret affair with Chris, he was left heartbroken and vengeful, hating her guts and that of Chris,

"I think that's a wise choice Chris, and if you like, I could help you find one suitable," he volunteered,

Chris heaved a breathe of relief, "Thank you, Luke, this is exactly why I called this meeting, I need you all to be on the lookout for a wife for me, instead of arguing,"

"Trust me, Chris, I'll certainly find the best fit for you, she'll make a great wife,," Luke said, his heart nursing the plan of his revenge.

Luke and Chris were friends also, they had been friends from their years in college, they may have done a lot of things and kept memories together but the difference between them was clear,

Chris was the one with the wealthy family, he also had guards protecting him even within the school premises while Luke had to struggle extra hard to pay his tuition fees.

Chris was handsome, he was great at sports and got all the fuels attention at the expense of Luke who got little to no attention,

Luke had met Lucinda only a few years after Chris had taken over the company and had started dating her, and when she needed a job, he introduced her to Chris as a friend of his since he wasn't sure Chris would be willing to go against the company's policy of employing two people in a romantic relationship, yet barely two months later, Lucinda was warming Chris bed and Chris didn't even object knowing the company's policy,

A few more weeks and Lucinda had dumped Luke, he hated her, he hated how she climbed the ladder of success without putting in any effort, but even worse, Luke hated Chris for taking Lucinda away from him and he knew he had to make him pay for it even though Chris had been oblivious to the fact that Luke and Lucinda once dated.