Billionaire's Forced Love

CHAPTER 2

Silence filled the room. Kara started to tremble slightly. Amelia tightened her hold to assure her sister that she did the right job.

Kara looked at everyone, but didn't find anyone surprised even Jasper's face didn't change the expression.

"We know, Kara," her mother told her. Kara jerked her head in her direction and stared in disbelief.

"How? I didn't show any sign," her voice trembled slightly.

"Listen, Kara, we know about your pregnancy, and this is the reason we all gathered here to discuss your future," Arthur spoke softly.

"And it was Emma Steel, your gynaecologist, who called us to congratulate after you got your reports last week. That's how we came to know." Her mother spoke to end this mystery.

Kara closed her eyes to stop her already building tears.

"There is no future now. Please do not decide anything for me. I can take care of myself and my child."

"Amelia baby, please go to your room," Jasper requested her, speaking for the first time after the truth came out.

"No. She will stay here," Kara hissed harshly in his direction. She wanted her sister to be there for her moral support. And Amelia is way smarter than her.

"She is a child. We cannot discuss anything in her presence because it a mature matter." He shot back.

"Stop it! I'm here. Ask me whether I want to leave or not," Amelia stepped in to stop their argument.

They stopped their banter, and Amelia gestured Jasper to lean down. He did, then she whispered "I'm big enough to understand the mature stuff; I also read Mills and Boon, so I know everything. Don't worry, your mature talk won't corrupt me." Amelia winked at him, and he looked baffled.

"So, what did you want to discuss?" Amelia chirped.

"Kara, please don't get us wrong. What we are going to suggest is best for you and the baby, and before saying anything, please hear us out," her mother said.

"OK mom, what have you all decided," she asked sceptically.

"Kara, we think that you should marry next month, the same day you were supposed to marry William. He would have wanted this. His soul will be at peace knowing that you are moving on with your life. For that, we think it will be the best if you and Jasper get married," Sophia said

Hearing this, some of the old memories started to surface in her mind. It was not the time to panic, so she pushed aside every thought and blinked back the tears. She looked at Jasper; he was staring in space with poker face as if he was not the same person their parents were suggesting her to marry. She gathered herself and spoke,

"How could you... I don't... I mean... Sorry, I don't know what to say."

"You need to settle down, Kara. A baby is big responsibility. People will start talking, and world is a cruel place for a single mother. Above all, a child needs both mother and father, absence of one creates a void for whole life," her mother tried to explain her.

"Jasper can be that man in your and the baby's life, he can protect you from the evils of the world," she continued.

Kara just listened to every word, and a lone tear escaped her eyes.

She did not reply; just sat there silently.

"Can I talk to her, alone?" Jasper asked.

They all agreed and left dining room.

"Convince her, because I want you to be my brother in law. No one else. You both deserve the best," Amelia said this in his ears before leaving the room.

Jasper was stunned for the third time this evening. He didn't know whether marrying Kara for the sake of an unborn child was a good idea or not, but having Amelia as his sister-in-law seemed the greatest thing.

He shook his head slightly because for the first time in his life he was at loss of words.

Jasper stood, and came near Kara. Although he was the one who wanted to talk to her alone, he was not sure how to start this. He sat next to her, and looked at her.

Her head was bowed, her beautiful black hair shielded her face from him. He coughed to gain her attention, but she refused to look at him.

His patience was wearing off; he never liked when people ignored him. He never liked Kara that much, but tolerated her presence because his brother was in love with her. It was not like that she was any gold digger or a bad girl, but she was naive, innocent and more like a clumsy girl who always needed someone to clean her mess up. William did this, everyday. Saved her from number of mistakes, embarrassments. In his eyes, she was a weak girl. He never liked weakness. And Jasper was not ready to take this responsibility. Just like Kara, he was helpless. Her pregnancy was the only reason he agreed to this proposal. He wanted to honor his brother. The baby she was carrying, was the heir of the Black family. He would never want the people to call his brother's child illegitimate.

"Listen girl," he addressed her, not saying her name as if she was some kind of help not the daughter of a billionaire tycoon, and his potential bride, "there is no need to think over it, just say yes when they ask you. This marriage will be just for the show, a business deal. There will be no feelings between us. I will stay out of your way, and you stay out of mine."

Kara felt hurt. It was no hidden truth that they never got along; however his words sounded degrading. She felt sudden bolt of anger for this man, and she turned in his direction with fire blazing in her eyes.

"I don't want to marry anyone, let alone you. You are not the type of husband I would want for me, and I think, you can never be the father a child deserves. So, please don't think I'm dying to marry you. Besides, one relationship was enough in this lifetime. I don't want another. There will be no wedding. I won't say yes. Understood?" With every word her voice started to rise as the pent up frustration was trying to get out.

Her words caused his temper to rise. Being the boss of a multi-billionaire law firm, he was respected. Not even a single employee of his tried to counter argue him. He wanted to teach her a lesson for the way she talked to him, but he let it go.

But somewhere, deep down in his heart, he couldn't understand that the meek little fiance of his dead brother had this fire inside her. Or, maybe, these were just pregnancy hormones. He was not sure.

"I think the conversation is over. Good bye," she stood up suddenly which made her head spin a little. She swayed a little, and Jasper acted quickly; grabbed her shoulders to steady her. She leaned her body towards his, and he encircled his arms around her waist.

Both families entered the room and saw them close. This made them to believe that they have agreed to marry.

Amelia was the first to react. She ran towards them, and hugged them. This made them stumble. Kara lifted her head and looked around her, settling her eyes on Jasper who was watching her intently.

"Jasper, omg! I can't believe. How did you convince her? I thought she was going to kick your ass."

"What?" they both said in union.

"Wow! my big sis is going to marry. Yeah, shopping time," Amelia started to jump in excitement.

Jasper and Kara were still holding each other, unaware of the fact that their closeness was giving them the hint that they had agreed to marry.

Martha and Sophie came near them with tears in their eyes, and a smile on their lips.

"Thank you, child. I'm very happy that you are going to be my daughter," Sophie said. "I was so worried for both of you. But, thank you for relieving I and Arthur's stress. Now we can be at peace."

They pulled apart. Everyone was happy. Both Kara and Jasper didn't have it in them to snatch these smiles from their faces as it seemed there was something positive in the air after a gloomy month.

"I think we should go. It is already very late. Kara needs rest," Arthur said this.

Everyone left except Kara and Jasper. She looked into his blue eyes. "Why didn't you say something?" she asked in low tone.

"Why would I? I'm ready to marry you. If you have any problem, you refuse this. I won't save you from this situation. You need to fight your battles." He said this in equally low tone.

With one last look, Jasper left Kara standing in the dining room.