The Lying Agreement

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Go on this blind meeting and get along with her, Hunter. She is your future wife." The old Chairman Huntington, dropped a brown folder on the table.

His grandson, the shielded and careful, Paul 'Hunter' Croft Huntington was arranged against his will. His opinion wasn't even considered by the old man.

He was the youngest grandson of the prominent family. His mother passed at a young age and his father, followed recently. He only had his stepmother, the actress Elaine Maxwell, the woman stood as his mother since she married his widowed father and his grandfather, as his guardians.

He was far too focused on his education abroad and on learning how to succeed the multiple businesses their family had. Numbers were more entertaining to him than the women who pretended to line up, only for the money.

"And if I don't?" He asked.

He was not the type to rebel against his grandfather. He was always obedient. He got sent to a boarding school in Switzerland, he went. He was told to study business, and he did.

"You will. It was your father's will to marry that young woman. It was what he always said before he passed, that dear boy. Your father must've seen a potential in her that would make a great Huntington." His grandfather slowly stood up with the help of his cane. "Meet her. Try to like her. Even better if you fall in love with her. If you don't, I will choose your wife for you."

“You knew of this before and didn’t mention anything to me?” Paul exclaimed with a slightly raised voice. He wasn’t the type to get easily furious.

“Well, you never really expressed the desire to completely take over. And now that you said it with your own mouth, I thought you might be ready. And you need someone steady by your side. A wife. Besides, your father insisted you marry before you succeed him. He didn’t want you to f**k around and tarnish the family name.”

Paul couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He was pretty sure that he showed his competence and passion for their work at a young age. A business degree, MBA, finishing with Latin Honors, and impressive results and turnover couldn’t prove that? His father still had to control even this part of his life before he passed.

"I know your situation is not easy. But she could help you. I have waited long enough for any of you to introduce someone to me. A fiancé, girlfriend, a female... Or just, even a man! None of us are getting any younger. I have to make sure you will be taken care of. And it would be comforting to know that someone will take over, one day."

His grandfather tapped his back and closed the door behind him.

He never thought of himself as someone capable of romantic love. He thought it was a waste of time and he didn't have energy enough to pursue anyone. Paul was reminded and taught by his Mama, Elaine; to be careful of any woman he comes across and always find out their intentions. In fear of always being taken advantage and with his personal issues, he just refused to fall in love, or even try.

Of course, he was still a man. And when lust called, it wasn’t hard to choose and find a woman who could quench that thirst for him.

After receiving information from his assistant, he was debating whether or not he'd come to the meeting. But, he knew that he would, eventually. His curiosity would eat him.

Paul couldn't help but think why would his father chose her. She was not like them. In fact, her father was indebted to his father. She also didn't seem to come from a very impressive background.

He was thinking about everything but tried hard to overcome all his prejudices. There must be a reason why her. After all, she was the key to finally get his hands on the other companies that his father started and grew separately from his grandfather.

"From what I gathered, she might do well for you. She may not be bred from the best fleece, but she is different from her father. Exactly what you would need." Was the last thing his grandfather told him before they left the house.

"I am not like other men, son. I don't see people merely with their pockets, but what their intentions are, as well."

He immediately understood. His grandfather chose her according to his circumstances. He sighed before he made arrangements to meet her.

When he arrived at the expensive restaurant, the woman was not there yet. She was 15 minutes late.

"Should I give her a call?" Paul's assistant, Daniel, asked.

He shook his head and checked his watch. "Let's wait."

He wasn't even sure if the she would show up. If he was in her shoes, he'd also not want to meet his father's creditor. They knew nothing about each other.

But there was something in him. A thought he forced so far down. It was a fear that he might be like the other girls. A gold digger.

"Right here, Ma'am," A waitstaff guided a mysterious woman towards them.

Paul did not dare to turn around. "She's here." He cleared his throat after hearing and adjusted himself on his chair.

"Thank you." She thanked the staff and immediately apologized.

"I couldn't be more apologetic. Are you the...?" Paul almost stood up after overhearing hear mistakenly refer to probably Daniel, as him.

"Please sit down, Miss Benn—"

"Oh, no, no! Just, Samara Lopez, please. Not that name." Paul was confused on why they were exchanging banter when he could have led her to their seat. Did he have to tell Daniel to leave?

"Please sit down, Miss Lopez. Director Huntington has been waiting for quite a while."

"Alright..."

"I will wait in the car, Director." Daniel leaned into his ear and it was his signal. He fixed his suit, unbuttoned his coat and tried to shake the woman's hands.

Instead, she went straight to the chair.

When their eyes met, he wasn't sure whether he'd ever seen an attractive woman this close or if she's truly just that beautiful.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry!" The woman stood up again, and reached out to shake his hand that was waiting to be shook.

"It's quite alright. Just please, sit down." He erased all the thoughts in his head and focused on the menu.

None of them spoke again until a wine steward came to ask them about their preference.

She wanted to laugh at him for choosing wine. This wasn’t a date. People who meet for their arranged marriage probably down hard liquor to make things easier.

Samara's first impression about him was pretty on-spot to how she was expecting him.

Of course, it wasn't a coincidence that she was late. Well, she was often late but she could be really early if she could.

She wanted to put him off as much as she could. Then, she'll start her plan. She didn't expect him to be easy to shake. After all, the debt wasn't a small dime. It might be tiny compared to their billion group that has led successful ventures and investments. But, in the end, it was still all about money.

After he picked out the wine, he asked what she wanted.

Wine wouldn't cut it.

"Actually, you know what. Can you give me a cosmopolitan?" She closed the menu and asked he staff to come closer. "Make it really strong, please." She smiled and mouthed, 'thank you.'

She studied the menu and realized that everything was just out of her ballpark.

She placed the booklet on the side and tried to seem interested in the conversation while she hoped the liquor to come faster.

"You know why we're here, right?" He asked.

"I can't lie that I don't, so... Yes."

"If you don't know my grandfather, he is a very persuasive and determined man. Of course, most of the time, his way ends up unparalleled." He paused for a bit.

"Anyway, I am rambling on. The point is, we will end up in front of a marriage contract, one way or another. It should be under our terms, at least."

Samara coughed on her water.

She was undoubtedly scared of what he would ask of her. It felt like a done deal.

"Act as my wife for a duration. You'll pay your debt and I'll fulfill my duties." Paul couldn’t mention to her the reason why he needed to persuade her into it. He just had to act.