The Lying Agreement

Prologue

Prologue

A peaceful morning have been interrupted in the flat that Samara and her mother Mariana Lopez have been staying in for a couple of months now.

They left London to escape debtors and men her father, the late Charles Bennet knew and headed to Bath after they found an apartment they could afford.

Thankfully, Samara’s work as a Freelance Writer allowed her to relocate wherever and her mother didn’t mind working part-time jobs in the mean time.

Mariana originally didn’t want to the man who knocked on their door but she was persuaded by the man who introduced himself as a lawyer, to let them in and that he was there to deliver an item from the late man’s will and testament.

Then, the lawyer started to ease them into the information he was asked to convey and they both couldn’t believe themselves.

"What do you mean I don't have a choice? This isn't the 18th century!" Samara Lopez screamed after hearing of her fate.

"That bastard didn't die peacefully alone?!" Mariana Lopez, Samara's mother, couldn't help but chime in.

The deceased patriarch, Charles Bennet, died a few months ago. Fortunately for the Lopez's, it meant being free of the abusive, angry, drunk, and gambler that brought nothing but sorrow and anguish to them.

He was not a husband to Mariana. He was a captor; someone who held the 20-year-old her, captive. She was poor and not very well-educated. He was then, a mid-thirties married man who promised her the world the moment he knew she carried their child.

Of course, like all miserable deadbeats, he changed right after they left town together.

He was never a father for Samara. All these years, she had been hoping that she was not his daughter. That it was all a dream, a ploy by her mother to humble her.

Instead, they were surprised by a lawyer was holding, the documents of what Mariana only hoped were assets he secretly had.

Their world changed when the attorney read the content to them. Much to their horror, the wretched left nothing but debt that now, Samara has to pay in behalf of the dead man.

"The late Mr. Bennet promised his daughter to the son from one of the men he owed money to. Which also happened to be one of the richest and prominent families in the country, the Huntingtons."

He showed them the documents.

"Apparently, it was a longstanding agreement between the late Mr. Bennet and his old friend, also the late, Pierre Huntington II made almost a decade ago. He is yet to repay his debt amounting to €800,000. Which is why, when the older Huntington made plans to pass on his empire to his other heirs, his grandson. The old man asked to review his son's will and estate before passing the inheritance, the man promised to you."

"And if I don't marry him?"

"You will either have to repay the amount in cash, or be imprisoned."

"Wow. So you're telling me to just die, huh?"

Samara couldn't believe what she was hearing. She never thought this thing was possible in the 21st century.

"Why did they even agree?" Mariana also couldn't comprehend it. They weren't rich. And while her daughter was a gem and a beauty, she expected so much more for her than being a wife of a man she has never met.

The attorney didn't answer immediately. "I cannot answer that myself. I am merely the executor of the will. And, Mr. Pierre Huntington the First, believes in the agreement between two men. He intends to honor his late son's requests. He has nothing but well intentions in this... Arrangement."

Mariana and Samara looked at him questioningly.

The attorney handed them a set of images.

"That is him. He is the youngest grandson of the old Pierre Huntington. The current heir of the empire."

"Are there no more recent photos?" Samara didn't get why there were only childhood photos. And while she thought of herself as presentable, she was a little confident with her appearance, at least. She was worried over the man.

He should at least be nice to look at, she thought to herself.

"Are you sure he's not disfigured?" He shook his head. "He might be a beast, for all I'd know."

"There might be some pictures of the young master on the internet. I cannot fully identify because he wishes to keep his life out of the media and live privately until he succeeds his late father."

Samara calmed herself. Why would it even matter for her? She was not going to marry him, nor would she look and spend time with him. She didn't care!

"While in the topic, Chairman Huntington arranged a meeting for you two. That would be a great chance to get acquainted."

The attorney tidied things up and left them their set of documents to review, as well as the photos and brief information about the family.

"Somebody will be here to pick you up on the day. In the meantime, I have to inform the Chairman. If you have any questions, please contact the number attached on the files." The attorney immediately left with his driver.

He spoke as if she really had no choice in the matter. Like, everything's been already done and sealed.

"What are you going to do, honey?" Her mom asked.

"I don't know!" If she could, she would repay the debt instead. But, she knew that even if she worked forever, she would never be able to get that much amount.

"Should we just pay the debt?" Her mom offered.

"No. I don't want you to suffer because the man you married is clearly garbage. I'll figure something out."

If she married him, it would feel like selling her soul to the devil, without any exchange but misery, probably. She had never even fallen in love, nor dated anyone, yet! And, she's getting married?

She had already decided, but it was hard to accept the facts. She couldn't risk harming her mother if she didn't agree. They were not ordinary rich people. They were RICH RICH. European, old money, petroleum rich. Even richer than her best friend, Rachel.

She took the number from the file and called it to ask for the man's details. She was connected to his assistant and informed him more details about the meeting.

After everything she knew on the internet, she had to brace herself and not get swayed by a man of his calibre and reputation.

"Are you sure about this, dearest?" Mariana asked her daughter after they spoke seriously before the meeting date.

"Yes, Mom. Maybe he's not that bad. It could finally be the chance to be free of all the debts and attachments from him. Maybe we can finally move on." Samara spoke. She not only lied to her mother, but herself.

She knew that she had to be strong and outsmart the guy who graduated magma c*m laude in a world-renowned business school. She knew nothing about Paul Huntington but one thing was true, she was not going to let herself lose their battle.