Arrange Marriage To A Billionaire

Change of Plans

Landon's P.O.V

I arrived at my parents' house sharp 7 30. Without knocking, I entered the house remembering my father's words on the phone yesterday. It was strange because normally I did what I wanted, not what people wanted and especially not my dad wanted. I went into their living room. Mom and Dad were not here but I was greeted by our long time maid, Lilly.

"Good morning Landon," she gave me little hug and kiss on the cheek like she used to do when I was little. "How are you doing, dear ? It has been such a long time since I last saw you. Your parents gave me a day to rest the day they had invited you over dinner and I missed a chance to see you," she spoke with kindness in her voice. Her voice, I remembered. I used to love her voice because it was that kind of soothing voice that you'd actually want to listen.

"Good morning, Lilly. I'm doing great. How are you doing ? You still look as beautiful and youthful as you were two decade back," I teased.

''Oh, Landon ! " She exclaimed. "You still are such a tease." She laughed and slowly then straightened herself and gazed at me with sympathy in her eyes and tilted her head a little. "But on a serious note, Landon. You should come to visit regularly. Your mother. She might look absolutely fine on the outside Landon but inside-- inside she is torn with regrets. She is very sad because she misses the Landon that you were years ago. She needs that Landon, not the one who is with her physically and not emotionally," she sighed. "You need to forgive them, Landon. I know it's hard and I know you were deeply hurt by their actions years ago but they are sorry---''

"Will forgiving them be able to erase the memories of the nights I cried myself to sleep or the fear I felt when they separated myself from them or erase the feelings of being ignored or neglected when I needed them or even repair my broken heart and trust that I had on them ? The truth is that these experiences, Lilly, they formed me. I am what I am today because of them. The fear, the feeling of being ignored and not being wanted, those sleepless nights-- all combined fueled my passion to be what I am today."

"You're wrong," she persisted. "The truth is that you're being extremely selfish. You're blinded by the grudges that dates two decades. You are not moving on, Landon. You're still living in the past ! You cannot have a good future until you've made peace with your past. All the success you've achieved so far is because of them. If they didn't love you Landon, they'd not try to reconnect with you so many times ! They wouldn't have given you the position of a CEO ! They know they made a big mistake. They know they have wronged you Landon but they are trying to make up for their mistake and you are not allowing them to. You cannot kill your heart and ignore their cry for forgiveness. At least try--try for your mom. The guilt is killing her little by little every single day, honey. Please," she pleaded, tears in her dark brown eyes.

I studied her face. She had both a softness and a hardness in her face. Her eyes showed determination. Her facial features were hard but that kindness which was embedded in her was still there, hiding behind.

"I'll talk to her," I muttered. She sighed.

"It is not what I expected you to say but it'll do."

I nodded then gave her a kiss on her forehead. "Where are they ?"

"They are in their bedroom. I'm going to lay down breakfast on the table and you're going to eat breakfast with them," she said.

I walked my way to the door of my parents' bedroom and I stopped in my tracks instantly when I heard their conversation. I approached the door a little more to hear clearly.

"... will be so angry with you. You cannot do that. What if something happens to both of us before you transfer everything to him ? What if they end up being divorced ? I know we both want them to be together but there is always a possibility of them not being compatible, right ?" Mom reasoned.

"They are perfect for each other, June. There is no way they won't end up together. Don't you see it ? Evelyn will be a perfect wife for Landon. It's just a matter of time," Dad continued. "OK. Fine. Not after the birth but the second Evelyn gets pregnant with Landon's child, I'll fulfilled my promise to Landon. How about that ?" asked dad.

"Martin, nowadays couples don't get pregnant just after some months of marriage. Especially couples like Evelyn and our son. Dear lord ! I don't even want to think about Landon's reaction when you'll tell him your decision. This is not right. He just announced his marriage on TV !" exclaimed Mom.

I clenched my fists. Why was he making it so difficult ?

"But June, don't you see it ? Landon is very intelligent. He will go to any extent to get the power of attorney. He might even fake his marriage with Eve---" Mom interrupted dad.

"Oh Martin ! How can you say that about our child ? He would never do that to us," chided June.

"One thing about Landon, June. Do not underestimate him. If only you knew the things he did to elevate the standard of our Empire and win contracts over the last couple of years, you wouldn't say that," mouthed Martin. "Do you know, June ? Years ago, I had the same kind of drive that Landon today has for the business. The same passion it was. But one thing that I didn't have and certainly didn't need was anger. Landon has a lot of anger which can be destructive for himself and for the business. He needs to let go of it. Someone has to help him and since he hasn't well---accepted us in his life, Evelyn might be able to help him. I just want to see a change in him," Dad continued. "I saw a change in him since he met Evelyn. You saw it too."

"Yes. He is changed a bit," Mom sighed loudly. What change were they talking about ?

Dad continued. "Listen, sweetheart. I just want to be sure that Evelyn and Landon are really a couple, that they really want to live together for the rest of their lives before I give Landon full power. I just want to see him settle down with Evelyn."

"Fine. Neither you win nor I win. Two years. We'll wait till two years of their marriage. Otherwise they will feel pressured to have a kid before they are even ready. That would be a big mistake. Just like the mistake that we made years ago,'' I felt a sadness in her voice. "The day of their second anniversary, you'll give Landon the power of attorney. Is that fine with you ?" asked Mom.

"Yes ma'am. You're right. We won't let history repeat itself. and I have a full faith on Landon. He will not make the same mistake I did." said dad. "I was so wrong. If only I was not selfish and I had tried harder to make our relationship work instead of-- instead of--" Mom interrupted him.

"Martin ! It's all in the past now. Even I was selfish. We both were wrong and immature at that time." Mom sighed again. "Let's not talk about this."

"Yes. Let's not talk about about this. You know, I'm really proud of Landon for volunteering to sponsor this funeral. I heard that Landon even spent time with the child before he died. What's his name ? Lance, right ?"

"That's right. Did I tell you that I loved your idea of being grandparents ?"

"No, you didn't. However June, if there is still no love or affection between them during these two years., I'll transfer the power of attorney to Noah since Nathan wants to pursuit a career in Law," announced dad. Noah was my cousin. He was also a good businessman and has utmost respect for my parents. Like Nathan, Noah was also the apple of everyone's eyes because of his kindness and generosity. But I won't let Dad take everything from me and give it Noah. I'll show Dad what he wants to see. Meanwhile I should do major alterations in the contract marriage. I'll have to convince Evelyn whether by hook or by crook.

"I'm feeling hungry. Let's head to the breakfast table. Landon might be coming any time," spoke Dad.

"I can't wait to have breakfast with him after so many years !" exclaimed mom.

I took some steps back and then walked toward the breakfast table. I saw the Pathers' file on the side of the breakfast table. I took in my hands and opened it.

"I see you're already here," declared Dad. His arm was around Mom's shoulders. Both were walking to me.

"Yeah. I just came," I half turned the way to them.

"Oh honey, please join us for breakfast," offered Mom. She held both my hands in hers.

I sighed. "Sure---Mom," I uttered. Her eyes lit up almost instantly as if she had expected me to decline her offer. I have to play my cards very well now that dad had changed the whole show. I have to 'change' myself a little to their taste. But two years. Damn ! It's gonna take a hell lot more patience than I imagine.

"Congratulations," dad held his hand for a handshake. "For your wedding that you announced on TV yesterday," he continued. We shook hands.

"I'm glad that you agreed to marry Evelyn. She is wonderful," praised Mom. I nodded. "She is," I said although I didn't believe it.

Each of us took a seat around the table and had breakfast in almost silence. Mom managed to ask a few questions about the types of food I eat and if I ate on time to which I answered that my dietitian always planned my meals weeks beforehand keeping in mind my dietary needs which changed every week and then send the information to my private chef. Mom seemed impressed and distressed at the same time. She continued to ask more questions like what happened if I had to skip a meal planned by my dietitian because I had to eat lunch or dinner with a client. I responded that either I chose a meal close to the one that I should have had or I ate something completely different and then spend a couple of hours more at my gym. The more questions she asked, the more relaxed I felt and the easier it became for me to answer. Normally I'd withhold information about anything in my life. But now I didn't feel the need to withhold anything. Then I remembered that I should go with the flow. Although not all the times but at least a couple of times I will behave in a way that'll make them feel that I'm 'changing'. This was getting interesting actually. I smiled in my mind. Nothing will come between me and my goal of gaining full power. Not Evelyn. Not my parents. Not anyone.

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After breakfast, I took my parents to the funeral. I dropped the cold expression that stayed on my face for years and opted for a soft, almost sympathetic one. We sat in the front row along with Evelyn's family. I glanced at Evelyn. She was calm. No tears flooding her eyes. Her complexion was pale and translucent. She wore a long black dress with long sleeves that covered her arms and hands. Her hair was braided. Some social workers came and sympathized with Evelyn and went. There was only the children of the orphanage, Evelyn's family members and mine as well, some social workers and then some Evelyn's friends and some sponsors of the orphanage. No media at all.

Lance was lying peacefully in his coffin. The priest started to talk. I didn't pay attention to him. Instead, I thought about my next move.

At the corner of my eye, I saw Evelyn get up from her seat and stood next to Lance's casket. The priest must have called her. She kept her head low. All the children of the orphanage gathered in front of the casket and sang a goodbye song for their friend. A small boy went to Evelyn and raised his hands. Even yesterday, I remembered, he was in Evelyn's arms. Evelyn took him in her arms and he peered down the coffin as he moved his lips as if he was really singing.

One by one, the few people that were present got up and present their sympathies with Evelyn and then went for refreshments or mingle with the kids. I glanced at Evelyn. She was talking to the last person in the line. He was her friend from the photo shoot set from yesterday. I got up. Time for my show.

I went to Evelyn and as if on cue that guy went away.

"Thank you for organizing his funeral, " she smiled, although not wholeheartedly.

"I did it because Lance was special. In every way," I said. "He was lucky to have you by his side for his couple of years." She looked at Lance. Tears ran down her flushed cheeks. "I was lucky to have him in my life."

She sighed and looked at me. "I'm really sorry for scolding you yesterday about the horses. I was wrong. You made his last moments on Earth with us priceless," she smiled weakly as more tears ran down her cheeks. I could feel everyone's eyes burning on us. That was good. I got their attention, especially the ones of my parents.

"Hey. Come here," I took both her hands and she came right into my arms and wrapped herself around me. Just as I predicted. She was vulnerable. Therefore, I should seize the opportunity and hit the iron when it was still hot. I wrapped my arms around her as she did. I kissed her on her forehead before burying my nose in her hair. Sneakily, I stole a glance at everyone. All of them had a smile of approval drawn on their face. Mom took dad's arm and both of them exchanged a smile of victory. Even Evelyn's parents were happy.

Saige interrupted our 'moment'. "Evelyn. I have to talk to you. Right now," she said. She looked serious.

"What happened, Saige ?" asked a worried Evelyn. She slowly unwrapped her arms around me.

"We have to talk somewhere else," she continued. "Follow me."

Evelyn and I along with our parents followed Saige in a room close by.

"What happened Saige ? You're making me worry."

"Everything has turned upside down. Lance's biological mother filed a case against you for taking her son away from her and--- and killing him. She is demanding 10 million dollars for damages. And unfortunately, the media has got a whiff about the case and they are spreading all kinds of vile rumors about the orphanage on the tabloids. We even got a letter from the Home Minister for a full inspection of the orphanage. Even our loyal sponsors are demanding a full report to know where their money was invested. Everyone is suspecting foul play in the death of Lance now since--since you did not allow the autopsy process to take place." She sighed. "We might lose everything Evelyn. Everything. Including the children."