Collided

CHAPTER FOUR

ETHAN'S POV

It was Wednesday night. I was hanging out with Dylan and Roland at our favorite spot, but I

couldn't even concentrate. My mind was all over the place. My father's words kept resonating in

my head.

"If you refuse to get married, I'm cutting off your inheritance."

Had it been a different individual who made such a statement, I wouldn't have even been

bothered by it. But if the man I grew up with, the man I spent 18 years of my life with, has made

such a statement, then I should take it seriously. My dad wasn't one to joke; he was a hardcore

disciplinarian.

Cutting me off from the inheritance would be grave. My firm and other assets, which were

included in the inheritance would be taken.

I couldn't imagine not being a part of the inheritance. My sister, Evelyn, rebelled against my dad

and he cut her off from the inheritance. She was penniless for some time because my dad froze

her accounts until she met her boyfriend, who helped her get back on her feet.

I couldn't imagine living my life that way after living in wealth.

"Ethan, what's good?" I returned from my wandering thoughts at the mention of my name.

"What did you say?" I asked, staring at my best friends. We met in sophomore year. I and Dylan

met during one of our classes, as we were studying the same course, Business Administration.

Roland joined us later when we met at a party. Ever since then, we've been together.

However annoying they may be, I loved them and would do anything for them.

"You good? You've been distant since we came," Roland pointed out.

Among our trio, he was the observant one. Dylan was the goofy and funny one among us,

while I was just Ethan.

"Yeah, I'm good. I've just been thinking, yunno, about stuff." I replied, shrugging.

"Doesn't seem like it," he replied.

"You still haven't told us why your dad called you over," Dylan spoke up.

"Yeah, you haven't. How was it, man?" Roland asked.

"I don't even want to talk about it," I replied, groaning.

"What did he do again?" Roland asked. They were both aware of how I felt about my family. I

didn't hide anything from them, especially when it had to do with my dad.

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad," Dylan said.

"You wouldn't say that if you knew the details."

"Stop stalling and tell us already then."

I sat up and looked at them.

"He wants me to get married," I disclosed.

"Nice joke. You almost got me there." Dylan said, laughing.

"I'm not. My dad wants me to get married."

He saw the look on my face and ceased laughing. As for Roland, he was still trying to control his

choking sounds which happened to him when he heard me talk about my dad's order.

"s**t! You're not kidding," Dylan acknowledged.

"Woah! When you next spring something like that, at least a warning would be nice." Roland

retorted.

"Is that the only order he gave? Why didn't you say no?" Dylan asked.

I stared at him to see if he was actually asking me that.

"That was stupid. Ignore it." He said.

"Well, I don't think it's a bad idea. I guess it's time you stop playing around," Roland said.

"Hmm," I sighed.

"Did he say anything else? I mean the motive why you should have to get married or the

consequences, maybe," Roland asked.

I took a sip from the beer in front of me.

"I'm losing my share of the inheritance if I don't," I revealed.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Dylan exclaimed.

"Can you take me seriously for once?" I pleaded groaning.

"Damn! I can't even advise against getting married. Your dad's a beast," Roland remarked.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Dylan asked.

Honestly, I had no idea what to do. I haven't dated in five months after my breakup with Mae,

just casual flings and this wasn't something I needed just any lady for. The lady would have to

meet my parents' standards, so I had to be careful in selecting a wife.

Thanks to my parents, blind dates were not new to me. They've arranged numerous ones for me,

I've lost count. I was getting frustrated every second over my inability to come up with a

solution, even if it was a temporary one.

"I have no idea, and I'm getting pretty annoyed about it," I replied.

"Did they say anything about pairing you up with a lady?" Roland asked.

"No, they didn't."

"At least, that's better."

"You can take your time to court a lady," Dylan proposed.

"I have no time, and my father isn't a patient man."

"Do you even have any ladies in mind?" Roland asked.

"Trust me, if I did, I wouldn't be wailing about it," I replied.

"Why not call Rose? She's always loved incidents like this," Roland said.

"Rose? You mean my best friend and Dylan's crush?" I laughed.

"Hey! I do not have a crush on her." Dylan defended, but we all knew it was a lie.

"She's not going to do it."

"Why?" Dylan asked.

"She likes someone."

"Is it me?" Dylan asked excitedly.

"I don't think so." His face fell at the mention of that. I didn't want to be the intermediary

between the two of them. Rose likes him too, but she's waiting for him to make the first move.

"We're getting off-topic. What do you want to do?" Roland probed.

"I'm still contemplating," I responded.

"I have an idea," he revealed.

"Let's have it then. I just hope it's good at least."

"Why not go into a contract marriage?" he suggested.

"A contract what?" Dylan and I gaped at him in disbelief. He simply shrugged.

"A contract marriage, like an arrangement of some sort.