From Duty To Desire

CHAPTER THREE

"You need to get married, bear me grandchildren."

"And me, nephews and nieces."

"I just want you to have someone that'll take over the company once you die."

"Dad! Don't speak about him dying. He's barely thirty-five!"

"Who cares? But your mother is right, you do need to get married."

"Of course, I am. How else do you expect him to give me a grandchild?"

"You have to name the child after me, male or female."

"You want him to name his daughter Charles? Lydia is a much better name, right mom?"

"You have to find a wife before the year ends."

"I could invite Corkie to your place. She's always had a thing for you."

"I also have a list of elite ladies you can choose from."

"I met up with an old classmate a couple of weeks ago. Maria, remember? He has a fine class of daughters."

"Charles!"

"Tinder?"

"Market yourself!"

"Enough! Nobody is pairing me up with anybody! Not Corkie, not mom's list, not dad's old classmate's fine class of daughters and definitely not Tinder. I am most definitely not marketing myself, Maxwell. You're supposed to be working and not walk in here to suggest I market myself," James yelled, finally having enough of the banter.

"But—"

"Beat it."

Silence ensued in the whole room as the door shut. James rolled his shoulders and clenched his jaw.

He could not believe his whole family came here to bug him to get married and bear a child. They'd been doing it since, but to actually gang up against him today was beyond him.

"I can't believe you guys. I'm supposed to be working and not entertaining your lousy means to get me hitched against my own will.

Dad, what happened to exercising authority? You should've stopped this at home and not support it," he scolded, and Charles raised his hands as if to back off.

"Your mother activated her black magic last night. I was a goner before I knew it."

Maria scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"If you don't like Corkie, Lilah apologized and—" Lydia tried again.

"I'm not marrying any of your friends, Lydia. Not uptight Corkie and not Lilah the liar," He seethed and Lydia rolled her eyes.

There was silence in the room again. Maria stared at him, not backing down.

James sighed softly. "What if I promise to find someone on my own? Will you let me breathe?"

What was he doing? He had nearly no relationships with women and the few he had were business-based and even those were mostly married women. This was his problem, being impulsive.

Maria grinned widely and Lydia giggled.

"Of course! Are you sure you don't need our help?" Maria offered, holding his hands in her own.

"The man said he'd find a woman on his own, let him do it". Charles groaned.

"I'll do it on my own, mother. I don't need your help," James assured them and she clapped her hands.

"Oh, great! I've accomplished my mission! Come along now, Charles. We have a wedding to plan." Ignoring his pleas, Maria dragged her husband out of the office.

"Don't be generous enough to wait for me, run along, Lydia." James shooed and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Oh please, like I would like to die here on your office couch. I am going to meet Maxie. He'll entertain me."

Where was he going to find a wife? He should've thought about this before speaking, but he said what he said. There was no going back.

A couple of days later and he hadn't come up with anything at all.

Swallowing his pride, he called Maxwell and asked him to come to his office.

The door opened ten minutes later and Maxell walked in, with Lydia, who had come to drop off lunch for them both.

"I was two seconds away from asking you to beat it, but I'm too much of a good cousin," Maxwell said before sitting down.

"I volunteered to do it for you," Lydia said, scoffing.

"I need your advice." James swallowed, bracing himself.

Lydia and Maxwell cackled, ending in coughing fits. James watched them with unamused eyes.

"A whole James Worthington is seeking help? Is it raining juice?" Lydia taunted.

"Maybe he's a clone? Yo, James, what was your first toy's name?" Maxwell snickered and James sighed.

"I'm not a clone. Will you help me or do I have to do something drastic?"

They both looked at each other and shrugged.

"I guess if you ask for help, we have to help."

"What do I do about this marriage? I really don't want to get all romantic with anyone, but I do need an heir," He leaned forward eagerly.

"You could try Tinder". Lydia suggested again.

"Anybody on those foolish dating apps is looking for a romantic relationship. I don't want that. Did you leave your brain in the last place you traveled to?" He needed to calm down and think.

"Okay, so then, make a contract. You can get yourself a baby mama, work according to the contract and get an heir. No emotions attached, pure business."

Maxwell suggested, and James raised an eyebrow with interest.

"Like a contractual marriage?" Lydia prompted.

"That's what I said, Lyds. The contract has to be extremely beneficial for the lady though. I'd say to just give someone your sperm and have a baby, but Aunt Maria seems to be persistent about a marriage, so you have to make it work." He smirked when he saw that James was thinking it over.

Who would've thought? James Worthington actually asked for help.

"Okay, but who? It can't be someone I don't know." James was seriously thinking this through.

Without waiting for another beat to pass, Lydia grinned.

James immediately sat upright. "No! None of your friends are birthing my children."

"Relax. They're not. How about Emily? The one you met at the gala? She's a pretty good choice, and I'm sure with the right...uh... contract thingy, she'll say yes for the benefits". She smiled at the thought.

James gave his sister a look and placed his head on his table. This was going to be a tough one.

James invited Emily to his office three days later, his mind racing with the proposal. He had gotten her number from Mrs Reed, who had become his mentor a while back, and ran a background check on her. There were things Emily needed that he could offer, including protection from a seemingly deranged ex and financial security.

“Why do you need her number, James?” Mrs Reed asked coyly, before giving it to him.

“She caught my attention at the gala the other night, I simply want to get to know her better.” He replied, not telling her the full truth just yet.

For the first time in a long time, James Worthington was nervous about meeting a woman. There he was, at the gala, denying being present at the event for business purposes and not even a week later, he was about to propose a business deal to her.

Oh, she was going to laugh hard and then say no.

His secretary, Edwin, called and told him she had arrived. He asked her to be led up.

Emily Lohan was shocked when she received a call from James, who invited her to his office. She did not expect him to remember her let alone call and ask to see her.

What did he want? She kept going over the things they spoke about at the gala and nothing rang.

Smoothening her skirt, she knocked on the door that said “WORTHINGTON CEO” and stepped in, just as instructed by the secretary.

"Miss Lohan, have a seat," James offered, and she sat.

He was being formal. What is this?

"I'm surprised you called. To what do I owe this meeting? Not that I'm not thrilled, I'm curious," Emily said, eyebrows scrunched in anticipation.

James chuckled. "Brace yourself, Miss Lohan,"

She didn't say anything and only c****d her head.

"Do you care for anything? Juice, wine, crackers?" He started rising from his seat.

"Oh, no, thank you. I'm fine." She gestured for him to sit. James nodded, took a breath and started.

"Miss Lohan, I've been thinking... I need an heir, and I believe we could mutually benefit from a marriage arrangement." ‘Straight to the point like hitting a bullseye. No need to beat around the bush now,’ James thought to himself.

Emily's eyes widened. "Marriage? You mean, like, a fake marriage?"

James nodded. "In name only. I'm willing to offer you financial security, protection from your ex, Ethan, and a generous settlement in exchange for your agreement to bear me an heir."

Emily's eyes narrowed, surprise and wariness etched on her face. "How do you know about Ethan?"

James leaned back in his chair, his expression neutral. "Let's just say I did my due diligence, Miss Lohan. I know about your financial struggles, your dedication to your work, and your... complicated past."

Emily's cheeks flushed, her mind racing. How did he know? Had he done a background check on her? The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

"I see," Emily said, her voice measured. "And you think a fake marriage will solve all my problems?"

James nodded. "I can offer you protection, financial security, and a chance to start anew. In return, I would need an heir. It's a practical solution, Miss Lohan."

Emily stood, her mind reeling. This was all too sudden and confusing. Financial security? Finally being able to do something about Ethan? Her homeowner had knocked on her door this morning reminding her of her rent which was two weeks due and threatening to cut her electricity. Not to mention she'd gotten another threatening text from Ethan. She needed time to think, to weigh her options.

But hold on, Ethan?! She suddenly got angry. How did he know about her past? And if he did know anything, how did he know at all ?

"I'm really impressed you came up with such an idea. Why am I not surprised that you dug out information about my past without talking to me about it first? Of course money isn't a problem." Emily stormed out of the office and into the walkway before James could utter any other word.

‘I knew she was a stubborn fellow, but I didn't think she'd get annoyed or irritated about the whole thing. Well that’s a lie, I did, but not in this way.’ James thought to himself. Nevertheless, he ran after her. He couldn't believe he was doing all of this and to what end?

An heir, he needed one to at least please his parents and keep his company in the family line.

"Miss Lohan, I know it's a bit uncomfortable to know that someone you barely know knows a lot about you already but—"

"Damn right it is," Emily interrupted.

"In my defense, I really needed to come up with a convincing argument to win your decision over the contract,"

"Win my what? Well, you know what? You just lost that argument to win me over,”

"Miss Lohan, please, I really apologize, but if you really don't want to, then it's fine by me. Of course, I'm a gentleman and I can't force you into anything—"

Again, Emily interrupted. "Gentleman my rear,”

At this James chuckled. Indeed, he had never met someone as stubborn as Emily.

"You think I sound funny? Just you wait," She snapped, completely outraged.

"Miss Lohan, like I said, I wouldn't force you to do anything you wouldn't want to. So, at this point, I'd leave you to it.”

Emily sensed her opportunity slipping away. Mad as she was, she wasn't dumb to let the means of getting Ethan in jail pass her by.

"I'll consider it, Mr. Worthington, but I'll need time."

James nodded, his expression unreadable. "Very well. Take all the time you need, Miss Lohan. But know this: I'm not a very patient man."

"And I didn't believe it when you told me you weren't a business predator."

"I'm not. This was sudden, and I'd rather not have my mother pick a girl for me. You're intelligent and would make a great mother. You'd also understand the contract very well.".

"The faith you have in me," She said, shaking her head and walking away.