Chapter 2
910 Words
Hunter's Pov
"Hey man," Jax said as he entered my office, breaking my train of thought.
"What did I tell you about knocking before entering?" I asked, my tone sharper than intended.
I didn't mean to sound harsh, but I was just not in the mood to talk.
"Calm down. What's got you in a funk?" he inquired, settling onto my leather office couch.
I shot him a sharp glare as I stood up and poured myself a drink, I definitely needed the whiskey.
"He's just told me I have to marry someone I don't even know," I complained, gazing out the large glass window at the city skyline.
"Is it really that bad? It's only for a year," Jax remarked, walking beside me.
No one truly understood how I felt. How could I explain this to Melanie? She would be furious.
"I barely know her, and I don't understand why I wasn't consulted. If this is about business, they should have married her off to someone else, not me," I said, taking a hearty gulp of the dark liquid.
"But not everyone is you," Jax whispered quietly.
"What are you here for? You’re supposed to support me, not agree with everything my dad does," I replied, eyeing Jax who stood with his hands in his pockets.
Jax was my childhood friend, someone I grew up with. We attended the same high school, he later majored in finance, while I was being groomed to take over our family business.
My childhood was far from perfect, contrary to what some might think. My mother left when I was young, and my father took out his frustrations on me as I grew up. Jax was the only one who saw the real me and never judged me for it.
He never criticized or saw me differently, not as the cold, ruthless CEO, but simply as his friend.
"Relax, man, I researched her family background and found that the Adams family is quite affluent and respectable. Although there isn't much else to say about her, I'm pretty sure this isn't a mistake," he tried to convince me.
I replied, “I’ve looked them up too. It's strange that I don't even know what she looks like. There was only a report of her being in a serious accident but nothing else. How can I compare her, if I don't even know her?” I said, frustration evident in my tone.
All I wanted was to board a jet and fly somewhere distant until all this chaos died down.
It’s rare for a groom to run from his wedding, but I suppose there’s a first time for everything.
"You'll have plenty of time to get to know her. The wedding is tomorrow,” he said. “That reminds me, I need to pick up my tux. I’ve got to look dashing and sharp if I’m the best man,” he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
If looks could kill, he'd be on the floor right now.
"You're not helping," I muttered, sulking as I returned to my desk.
He shot me a knowing look, as if he was aware of something I wasn’t, then silently left my office, leaving me to my thoughts.
I wasn’t sure how long it was before I heard my office door open again.
“I said I don't want to be disturbed, what part of that don't...." I said harshly, my voice echoing through the silent room.
"I expected that," a low, stern voice responded, and I quickly straightened up.
It was my father, the one person I truly feared. He was stern, ruthless, and unwavering when it came to his desires.
“Are you here to give me your blessing for tomorrow?" I asked sarcastically.
He entered slowly, his eyes never leaving mine, taking small, deliberate steps toward the brown leather seat opposite me.
"Don't be a Debbie Downer. I thought we agreed this was for the good of the company,” he said coldly.
"This is good for you, we never agreed on anything. You can't just make life decisions for me and expect me to go along with them." I protested.
He took a deep breath, playing absentmindedly with his heirloom ring that he always wore.
"The company truly needs the Adams family for future alliances. It's all about the numbers Hunter, soon you'll have shares in their successful enterprise, and they’ll have shares in yours."
I gently placed the whiskey glass on my desk, feeling the weight of the moment.
"Another reason is to eliminate any rivals who might try to undermine us. Through our collaborative projects, we will become unstoppable, not just here, but globally," he said, leaning back into his chair with a sense of conviction.
"I can't get married right now," I argued, desperate to reason with him.
"I’ve already spoken to her family and they've agreed to it. The only thing left is for you to show up and fulfill your part of the contract. After that, you’re free to do as you wish," he replied with finality, voice firm.
He was always ahead of everything, that's why he's legacy is still reveered till date.
It seemed everything was decided from the start, with no room for my input.
"Go get some rest, you need it for tomorrow,"
He stood up and slowly made his way out of my office as I threw my whiskey glass at the closing door.
- Writer
