Forced Love

Chapter 5 – The path laid before me

“Olivia is that you dear?” My mother’s voice softer than I was used too, I finally pulled my eyes from the closed front door heading into the lounge. My mother’s disappointment known as I turned the corner by myself, I could see instantly she was hoping to catch someone else. Noah to be exact even though she had broadcast my own name ever so sweetly. The perfect actress if I ever saw one. Her tone altering instantly, mother reiterated what her and father had just spoken about before I entered. “Last night was bordering on a disaster Olivia, you need to call Julian today and apologise. He is going to ask you to the charity gala next week, and you will go.”

My father speaking up, it was rare he pushed me, and yet… “Your mother is right Olivia. At least for now we need to keep Julian and Mr Lonte close to the family, yet separated. I can’t have anything spoiling the deals I need to make with either company. However, your sister does not seem to have a handle on Lonte, that deal could prove more difficult.”

Taking a seat at the small dining table set up for breakfast, I answered my father as always. “Yes father.” Remaining silent for but a few moments, I spoke again only as my parents took their seats. “I just bumped into Mr Lonte on his way out. He said he was returning tonight for dinner with the family. The smile on my mother’s face instant, I could already see her mind ticking as she called out for Lassa to be woken. Barely touching her breakfast, my mother stood from the table setting off on no doubt planning for tonight even more carefully than last night. The food, the wine and Lassa, my mother would personally oversee everything in order to help my father.

“I don’t want to see you wind up with someone like Lonte Olivia.” My mouth suddenly dry as I looked to my father with a furrowed innocent brow. I knew he waited for my mother to leave before mentioning a word. “We both know he has taken an interest in you. He is not a good match, his company is not entirely legal, and from what I understand, he never has a long term partners or fidelity in any sense of the word. I want more for you… Julian may not excite or interest you, but he is from a good family. You will be taken care of Olivia. He will care for you even if the company...”

“Father I don’t understand what you mean?” One face lifting glare in my directing earning my silence, I dared not upset father. His company was coming apart at the seams, mum and Lassa may have been unaware, but I was not. Father knew I had known since stumbling across some documents when interning for him months ago. In a tight spot, secrecy and some lucrative deals were the only way out of the hole we were currently residing in.

One daughter causing scandals and spending money faster than you could print it was enough, more than enough for him to deal with to be sure. Nodding my head, surely he knew I had no intention of taking things further with Noah. To be honest, I thought all the comments and behaviours were just sheer moments of amusement for Noah. A joke at my expense. In terms of the legality of his company though, that I was going to have to look into suddenly intrigued by the new information.

And as for Julian, I could not stand the man, but now I felt duty bound to make things work. Though I would rather stay single for the rest of my life then marry him, we needed him. As much room and freedom as my father gave me, I knew this time he would side with my mother. This was not just about me now, but the future of our family. My father needed Julian, needed his family’s company and money to make our own prosper. Knowing what was expected of me, I knew time was running out. It was only a matter of time before the cracks in the company and our family began to show outwardly, pulling away all the offered opportunities and options we had to get out.

Julian will pick you up tonight. I have agreed to a dinner on your behalf. It’s for the best considering Lonte’s presence tonight here will be sure to cause issues if you stay on both fronts. My stomach twisting, I looked down at the table as I made my response quietly, “yes father.”

Lassa’s voice screeching and echoing through the house, I visibly winced as my father rolled his eyes in irritation. “WHERE IS SHE!” Storming through into the room I did not even bother to turn as Lassa continued to screech. “How could you? How could you act like to did with Noah last night? Flirting away like it was nothing.” My father’s hand flying up signalling a silence, I did not dare open my mouth as my father motioned for me to get up and out, and Lassa to sit.

All but running from the room, I was saved from that confrontation as I grabbed a final pastry on my way out and back up to my bedroom. Locking the door as a safeguard from Lassa, I turned spotting a dress I would not pick in my life laid out on my bed. Cringing at the ruffles, I reluctantly picked it up off the bed knowing instantly that my mother picked it out for my dinner date tonight. An audible sigh leaving my breath, I threw it back down heading for my laptop. The google search screen flashing empty, my fingers began typing swiftly and smoothly, Noah Lonte…

Hey guys I hope you enjoy my story. Just letting you know if you wish to read ahead and support me further, Forced Love is posted up to over chapter 30 on my p*****n and is updated weekly

https://www.patreon.com/tigerlillie60