A Match Made In Wealth
1294 Words
Lucas
Dinner with Cynthia was exactly what I expected, it was loud, dramatic, and unnecessary.
She sat across from me in the private dining room of a five star restaurant, tapping her long nails on the table like she wanted the whole restaurant to hear her irritation.
“The Grand Monarch Hotel Ballroom?” she repeated for the third time, her face twisted like the name offended her. “Lucas, honestly… that venue is beneath us. Why can’t we move it to The Crown Imperial in Dubai or even The Seven Arches in Paris? Those are proper wedding locations.”
“It’s too late,” I said, cutting my steak. “The invitations are already printed. The venue is done.”
She scoffed, tossed her hair back, and reached for her wine. “Done? Lucas, nothing is ever ‘done’ in my world. I don’t understand why my wedding…my own wedding has to be held in Manhattan like I’m some ordinary heiress.”
“It’s our parents’ arrangement,” I reminded her calmly. “They chose the venue. They settled the guest list. They agreed on the date. They want the wedding ASAP. Changing anything now will cause a mess.”
Cynthia rolled her eyes dramatically. “You sound just like that useless wedding planner. God, I hate that woman. Her taste is so… basic. I should have fired her the moment she said gold and cream was ‘too much.’ How can gold be too much? It’s a wedding, not a funeral.”
I didn’t bother responding. Cynthia lived in her own world; a loud, spoiled, glittery and self-centered one. I had grown used to it since childhood.
She took another sip and leaned back. “And don’t forget the prenup. I want it airtight. No restrictions on my movements, no curfews, and no awkward questions about where I go or who I’m with. Our marriage is just for formality and publicity. I need my space.”
“That’s fine,” I said. “I don’t care what you do, I need mine as well.”
She blinked, a little surprised. “Good. Because I won’t be suffocated. I won’t be turned into some quiet, obedient wife just because your father and mine want a merger.”
“I’m not interested in controlling anyone,” I replied simply. “You live your life. I’ll live mine.”
She studied me for a moment, as if trying to figure out whether I truly meant it. I did.
This marriage wasn’t love. It wasn’t romance. It wasn’t even a partnership. It was a business alignment and nothing more.
And Cynthia knew it as much as I did.
“Fine,” she finally muttered. “But next time we are having an event, I'll pick the venue. This one feels… cheap.”
I almost laughed. The Grand Monarch was one of the most expensive ballrooms in Manhattan. But to Cynthia, anything that didn’t scream excessive opulence was “cheap.”
I signaled the waiter for the bill. I was ready to get this dinner over with. The wedding was in a few days. And as far as I was concerned, the faster everything happened, the better.
I drove Cynthia home, mostly to please her parents and mine. Barbara Ashford, her mother was buzzing with excitement, clearly more thrilled about the wedding than either of us. I wanted to dash out, get back to my office and my work, but she insisted we sit and chat. I sighed and followed her lead, taking a seat with Cynthia beside me.
Barbara didn’t waste time. “Where is the honeymoon? Have you decided?” she asked, practically sparkling with anticipation.
Cynthia leaned toward me, smiling. “An exotic resort,” she said. I nodded, saying nothing. We weren’t planning a honeymoon, but no need to let our parents know that.
Barbara frowned for a moment. “And where will you live? The new castle in Bel Air is ready, Simeon and I would love you to have it as a wedding gift.”
I glanced at my diamond watch, feeling every second tick away. “New York is perfect for me.” I said firmly. My business was centered here. I wasn’t leaving it.
While Barbara droned on about the castle, the honeymoon, and the wedding, my mind kept drifting. I had more important things to worry about. Emma’s absence hit me sharply. She would’ve handled all of this with ease, and kept everything running smoothly. She would’ve made this nonsense feel manageable. I should have handled things with her better. I shouldn’t have let her slip out of my life so easily.
Cynthia adjusted her posture, smiling politely at her mother. I mirrored her, giving a small and composed nod. “Just doing what we should,” I said, keeping my voice calm and measured, all while counting the moments until I could finally escape and get back to the life I actually wanted.
Night air swept across the Ashford mansion’s driveway as I stepped outside, finally free. Cynthia gave me one of her exaggerated air-kisses before disappearing back inside. I slid into the backseat of my Rolls-Royce Phantom, pulling at my collar like it was choking me.
The driver eased out of the mansion gates, and before we even hit the road, my phone vibrated. Mark.
I answered. “Please tell me you have good news. Tonight was hell.”
He snorted. “How bad?”
“Her mother practically mapped out our entire future; castle home, honeymoon, babies..,everything. I’m exhausted.”
“Sounds like Barbara Ashford,” Mark said lightly.
I sighed, staring out at the dark road ahead. “Any news about Emma?”
There was a pause. “Still nothing,” he finally said.
I ran a hand through my hair. “Gosh, I miss that girl. She would’ve handled half the nonsense I went through tonight. I don’t even know where half my official documents are right now.”
“I figured as much,” Mark replied. “That’s why I got you a new PA.”
“She or he?”
“It’s a he this time,” he teased. “Thought I’d help you avoid… emotional complications.”
I ignored the jab. “How good is he?”
“Very. His name is Daniel Reed. Master’s from NYU. Previously worked with Hathaway Global. Organized, reliable and sharp as hell. The kind of guy who probably irons his socks.”
I let out a humorless chuckle. “Great. A perfectionist robot.”
“Come on, Lucas,” Mark said. “You need stability right now, not chaos.”
The car slowed at a red light, the Manhattan skyline glowing ahead like a relief. I stared at my reflection in the window.
“When can he start?” I asked.
“He asked if you needed him tonight.”
“Tomorrow morning,” I said. “First thing. I need someone in the office immediately.”
“Done.”
Mark hung up, and I leaned back into the seat, silence filling the car.
A new PA. A new beginning.
But as the Phantom glided toward my penthouse, one thought pressed in, sharp and unwelcome; Daniel might be qualified, but he wouldn’t be Emma.
Emma knew how to handle my schedule, my moods and my mess.
She absorbed stress like it was nothing, she made problems disappear before they even reached me.
And now, with her gone, everything felt out of place. Daniel could never fill that gap, not even close.
The city lights blurred past my window, and for the first time since she walked out, I felt it…the quiet chaos her absence left behind.
That was the part I couldn’t shake off.
- Writer
