Promise without paper.

Abel Lockwood

Abel’s POV

The clock strikes eight as I stare at the untouched cup of coffee on my desk.

It went cold nearly 30 minutes ago.

My assistant is standing across the office, tablet in hand, waiting for instructions that will never come.

“Mr Lockwood?”

I didn’t respond.

A sharp knock interrupts the silence.

“Your father is waiting”

Of course he is.

I straighten the sleeves of my suit before following the assistant down the long corridor.

Employees lower their voices as I make my way through.

Some nod in respect, others avoid eye contact immediately, no surprise there.

Power has a peculiar way of making people quiet.

The faint smell of old books and leather hit my nose the second I walk into my father’s study.

Amanediel Lockwood, my father does not acknowledge my presence.

He just kept on assessing the document in front of him.

“Sit” he says, still not looking away from the document.

“I’d rather not. ” I reply.

A slow smile tugged at the old man’s lips.

“You have always misunderstood stubbornness for strength. “ he says.

“And you have always mistaken control for love. ” I reply .

The room fell silent.

My father finally looks up, his expression unreadable.

“You have thirty days.” he says

Confused, I frown.

“Thirty days for what?”

“ To bring home a woman you’re going to marry.”

I let out a humorless laugh.

Is he being serious?

“No.” I reply

“It wasn’t a request. ” he says

“ And if I refuse?” I push

My father folds his hands together.

“ Then you can forget becoming CEO of Lockwood Holdings and the partnership.”

For the first time in years, I feel the ground shift beneath me.

After I leave my fathers study, the ultimatum keeps on replaying in my head.

I hate being manipulated, but I know how serious my father is about the marriage.

After the discussion I had with my father, I decided to go to the gym to clear my head.

On my way out, I call my driver to come pick me up.

When he arrives, i go home first to change and then head to the gym.

On our way to the gym i notice the paparazzi flocking around the entrance.

My driver pulls up at the entrance and before i could even close the door and walk inside, questions are being thrown at me.

“Mr Lockwood, are the rumors about your engagement true?”

“Who is the lucky woman?”

And more questions relating to my engagement.

I’m not really a fan of the media, they always put their nose in other people’s affairs.

Ignoring each one of them, I make my way to the gym.

They can’t enter due to the gym's policy.

My men try to create a path and the last thing I want is my personal life becoming public.

“What about your fathers health?”

One of the reporters just crossed the line.

I turn my body to his direction wearing a cold expression.

“My father’s health is not for entertainment, kindly f**k off”

That seemed to shut them up because they drop their cameras and turn to leave.

I get into the gym and bring out my phone, i needed to ask my father why he told the public about my engagement.

I was so focused and i didn’t know when i bumped into somebody, a lady.