Episode 2
1560 Words
Ethan’s POV
I sat impatiently in my penthouse office, towered above the city, a testament to my power. I sat behind a sleek glass desk, the view of the city lights framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. I tapped my fingers on the smooth surface, feeling restless and anxious.
What was I waiting for? A go ahead to continue with my plans. I would stop at nothing to make sure I succeeded.
I leaned forward and dialed a number on my phone. I whispered orders to my lawyer, my voice dripping with determination. “Make sure she receives the letter, and ensure her involvement at any cost.”
“She’s gotten the letter and she’s here waiting for you,” he replied from the other end while I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Make her comfortable. I’ll be there soon,” I said and dropped the phone.
I leaned backward on my chair, silently rehearsing what I was going to tell the woman.
The things my rival makes me do. He was a very important man in the business industry and my company and his had been rivals for years, even before my father’s death.
He had decided that I married his daughter or he would cut all connections between my company and his and several other companies he had access to. That meant a massive loss of money for me, so I had no other option than to accept to hear his daughter’s high-pitched, annoying voice every single day.
My phone rang after a few minutes of contemplating.
“Speak of the devil,” I muttered under my breath and picked it up.
“Hello,” I said, rolling my eyes while I almost winced the moment I heard her voice.
“Hey boo bear, how are you,” she said and I groaned inwardly.
“Now is not the time, Victoria. I’m in the middle of something,” I said coldly, hoping she would back off.
“Oh baby, don’t be rude now. I’m actually outside your office,” she said and I could almost throw my documents away in frustration.
She was so annoying and I could never see myself getting married to her. That’s why I needed a distraction. An innocent and unsuspecting woman to play pretend as a wife to me. I had everything planned and even bribed my lawyer to send the perfect woman a fake letter.
I was so excited that my plan was going well and I wasn’t about to have Victoria ruin it.
“Hello, my love,” Victoria said excitedly with a wide grin the moment she stepped into my office. She walked over to where I was seated and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek while I faked a smile.
“How are you faring?” She asked with sympathy in her eyes. I could almost gag at the sight. I knew she didn’t care about me one bit. It was all a scheme between she and her father to bring my company down to the dust.
“I’m doing alright. Listen, Victoria, you shouldn’t have come today. I’m very busy with a lot of things,” I said coldly while she faked a hurt look.
“You know I can’t leave you in times like this. It’s been 10 years since you lost your father and it still hurts you deeply. I can feel it. The least I could do is to be there for you,” she said and I clenched my fist.
It was my father’s death anniversary and I hated it when people acted like they were sympathizing with me, especially not Victoria.
……
“Dad? Dad!” I shouted in panic, running over to meet my father in the driveway.
It was his turn to pick me up and stay with me for the weekend. My parents were divorced and they took turns housing me. I was fine with it, but I especially loved my father so much and admired how successful he was.
I saw his car park in the driveway through my window and instantly got excited. I wanted to stand up and grab my backpack when I saw someone walk up to my dad’s car.
I could recognize the young man’s face but what he did next traumatized me for years.
He was wearing a black suit and a hat, holding a briefcase in his hand. He knocked on the window and my dad rolled it down. They exchanged a few words and then the man pulled out a gun and shot my dad in the chest.
I screamed and ran out of the house, but it was too late. The man had already fled and my dad was lying motionless in his car, blood staining his shirt.
I collapsed next to him, sobbing and shaking. I tried to wake him up, but he didn’t respond. He was gone.
That moment alone made me realize I couldn’t trust anyone and it was of no use being nice to anyone.
My father was a happy man! So nice, everyone loved him. But for some reason, whoever killed him, hated him and I was so sure Mr. Brandon was behind it. My father’s rival and I hadn’t given up on making sure that he suffered for his crimes.
But just like success, revenge takes time.
……
“I really appreciate you being there for me, Victoria, but I really have to go,” I said casually as I glared at my wristwatch.
“Okay, baby. But call me when you get back? I’ll chill for a while in your office before I leave,” she said and I groaned inwardly. I hated anyone in my space, but Victoria? She did that effortlessly and I couldn’t just force her out.
“I’ll see you soon,” I said, giving her a kiss, then walked out of my office.
“Yes, you do,” I replied to a statement the lady made from inside my lawyer’s office.
I had just walked in on the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She looked like an angel and trust me, I have been with so many women, but she was by far the prettiest.
Where the hell did my lawyer find such a beautiful woman? She was blond with hazel green eyes and had slender arms with the right amount of curves, just the way I liked it.
It took so much to keep myself from licking my lips, but I quickly reminded myself of why I was there and the goal at hand.
“I’m Ethan Ross and I’m here to make you a deal,” I said coldly, walking into the office. I could tell she was confused.
My sharp gaze focused on her. She was speechless. “You must be Lily,” I said, my voice cold and authoritative. My lawyer had already filled me in with all the necessary details I needed to know about her.
She nodded, with a shaky voice. “Yes, I’m Lily.”
I observed her carefully. She seemed naive. She was perfect! “Good,” I replied, my voice laced with arrogance. “I’m Ethan, your future husband.”
I could see the shock on her face. “Husband? What are you talking about?”
I leaned in, my face inches from hers. I could feel her breath on my skin, her fear in her eyes. “You received the letter, didn’t you? The one that says you’ve inherited a fortune.”
She nodded, her voice trembling. “Yes, but…”
I cut her off, my tone harsh. “There’s a condition. You have to marry me within a week.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Marry you? I don’t even know you!”
My lips curled into a wicked grin. “You don’t have a choice. Sign the contract, and you get the money. Refuse, and you lose everything.”
“This is bullshit! I’m out of here!” She said, getting up to leave while I blocked her path.
“Listen to me carefully. I know where you live and I know that your mom is really sick. You just got fired from your job! Guess who engineered that?” I revealed while she widened her eyes in disbelief.
I could see the tears welling up in her eyes while she quietly went and sat down on the chair.
I glared at her intently.
“So the choice is yours. I can help you and your mother, but all you have to do is let me. Sign the contract and marry me in a week,” I said casually while she clenched her fists.
“Otherwise what?!” She said and I chuckled. She’s a stubborn one.
“Otherwise I will pay your mom a visit and that will be the last day you see her. And as for you, I will make sure you lose everything. Not a single dime to your name.”
“You don’t have much of a choice, Lily,” I said coldly while she gasped. I had to threaten her, else I wouldn’t find someone else right in time for my plan.
She let out a scoff while I raised my eyebrows.
“So what is it then?”
“f**k you,” she spat.
- Writer
