It was finally the day, the day she was waiting all her life to show up. Unlike the other days, she was feeling herself on cloud nine today.
Today she woke up early in the morning in the excitement of a new beginning. The sun was rising, giving a tint of gold in the sky and hope of a new life for her.
She let the cold breeze into her room by sliding the full window aside. It gave her chills and goosebumps when the morning cold breeze simply touched her skin passing into her room instantly.
She took a deep breath, calming her steady heartbeat. Her eyes closed letting a warm smile touch her face.
She was seeing herself in her dream house, hustling and spending her own money, living the luxury of her dreams, and to the top of everything, she was independent.
It was finally her result day and her 22nd birthday. She was finally graduating from the university she never liked to go to.
She worked hard for the finals and she knows it will end up being great. She remembers the promise her father did to her while coming to her university with her on the first day.
“I promise to give you independence, give you a new house and a car on your graduation day. Hope you won't upset me with your final results,” her father said to her that day.
Grace Lockwood, daughter of a multimillionaire, Jake Lockwood. He is chairman of Lockwood Industries.
Grace might have got everything in her twenty-two years of life except for freedom.
Wherever she goes, she has a bodyguard with her. Wherever she is, she has to come back home before 7 PM. She has to eat proper food according to a diet to maintain her shape and beauty.
She has to work out by waking up early in the morning and must sleep before it is 10 PM. She has to make friends taking her parent's permission and her mobile is checked every evening at the dining table.
Being the only child of her parents was like a nightmare for her. She may get anything but only with her parent's permission and will.
But not anymore, she has a degree and is independent to do whatever she wants. She was finally getting her heaven, her peace after the results.
Grace knew what is going to happen, and where she is going and she is truly excited about that.
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However, for Alex, it was another morning to hustle with many new opportunities and challenges for the day. He woke up early like every other day in his large comfy bed. His half-naked muscular body was covered with just a blanket.
Time is everything for him. Following that time, he gets off his bed soon after the first alarm without snoozing it and walked into the gym beside his bedroom.
Early morning exercise is the most. It keeps stress levels down throughout the day.
“Sir, the chairman asked to cancel your meeting with foreign clients this afternoon and wants you to be at home for the next few days,” said Mr Astor.
Mr Astor is also known as Luca Astor, the assistant and only best friend of Alex Williams.
“Why?” Alex questioned pausing his workout. “Why does he want me to stay at home for the next few days? What about the company-”
“Luca will handle everything,” David Williams, father of Alex walked into the gym room. “My son, the time has finally come for me to keep my promise to my ancestors.”
“That Lockwood Promise?” Alex raised his eyebrows in surprise. “How can my father get me married to someone I don't even know? I'm not ready for this!”
“It doesn't matter if you are ready to do it or not. I have met the girl and came to the conclusion that the daughter of Lockwood's is really best for being the daughter-in-law of Williams.”
David shot a sharp glare at his son before he could assert him more and get on his nerves.
“Get ready, we will be leaving right after breakfast for some shopping.”
David walked out leaving his stunned son behind in the gym.
Alex is the youngest son of the billionaire, David Williams. He turned 26 last month and now his father wants him to get married to the daughter of Lockwood's.
Williams and Lockwood are old family friends and their bond is unbreakable. And David wanted it to get stronger. When Grace turned 18, David couldn't get his eyes off of the pretty daughter of his best friend.
David asked Grace's father, Jake, to let his daughter get married to his son when she turns 22 and graduates from the university as Alex would become a CEO by then.
Jake didn't hesitate, he quickly agreed to his decision and they made a promise to each other.
Grace is unknown of this while Alex already knows the marriage their father has planned. Alex learned about it last year when he asked his father, “Can I make a girlfriend?”
David lashed out at his son for asking such a shameful question. None of the ancestors in his family has ever done a love marriage, only arranged marriage has permission in their house.
The fathers choose a bride for their son, and so did David choose Grace for Alex.
It doesn't matter if they like each other or not, because after marriage they will do that as David was in the same situation as his son when it was his time to get married.
He didn't like his bride, Anna, but as time passed by he started falling for her and now he thanks his father for choosing Anna as his wife. And David knows it will be the same for Alex.
“I don't know what you think of this, Alex, but this is the right time. You should marry that girl, your work will get easier,” said Luca.
“I have not even seen her before! How can I agree on marrying someone without knowing her and seeing her?” Alex asserted. “Jake Lockwood only wants our wealth but my father doesn't see this. The time isn't far when he will start keeping his wishes before my father and my father will blindly fulfill them all making him richer than us.”
“It's okay Alex, don't think about it for too far,” Luca said calmly. “You will be seeing her today, tell me anything you want and I will bring it to you by myself.”
Alex nodded. He was stuck because he can not go against his father and reject the marriage. Alex's hands were tied as he will be removed from the family and won't be left with any money if he dares to go against the marriage.
He was left with no other choice than to continue with his workout and release all his stress before taking a cold shower and getting ready to walk downstairs for breakfast. He has to think of an idea to get out of this at any cost or else marry the girl just for money and then get divorced when the right time arrives.