Contract Marriage: Love And Strife

It was dully composed of marble corridors; the sound of Louis Sebastian's shoes could be heard as he deliberately walked to his father's office, which was located on the 50th level. Anger blazed deep in Louis as he walked, his eyebrows knitted, he looked like an abusive son who was ready to go to war against his father.

Malcolm's secretary, who is a little plump but always anxious, saw him look furious, and she knew things were not right because Louis' countenance was horrible. "Mr. Sebastian, your father is in a meeting," she said, stammering a bit.

She did not have the chance to finish her thought as she was yelled at by Louis, who cut in, "No, I don't want to hear it." He waded through her personal space, almost nudging her with his shoulder. The assistant also let out a small screaming sound from her mouth as she stumbled backward. For an instant, Louis felt a flicker of remorse, which was short-lived by his anger.

He took hold of the solid oak door in the middle and without wasting any moments, pulled it right open. This startled everyone in the office; it gave an offensive sound, but it still was not taken literally.

Malcolm, With an exhausted expression, leaves his desk and complies with his son's apparent unauthorized entry without a word.

"Louis," Malcolm began; his voice was crisped without breathing at all, "You are absolutely on time."

Louis only got angrier upon his father's reaction. "Dad, for God's sake can you stop the nonsense," he said while walking. "I had to cancel three meetings to be here"

Malcolm was comfortably settled on the leather executive chair with a high back and though his son lost his temper, he did not alter his posture. He interlaced his fingers, something which Louis had observed quite several times while negotiating and compromising during business. "Please sit down here," he pointed at one of the chairs placed in front of the desk towards him. "We have much to discuss."

"No thank you," Louis answered gruffly while folding his arms in a rather hostile manner. The adrenaline was high, and he could also feel the beats of his heart throbbing against his chest. "Just tell me what's going on. "

A brief moment of what could be disappointment crossed Malcom's face as he exhaled, before picking up a folder from his desk. He nodded his head and answered, 'Alright,' slightly more formally. "Louis, I think that it's important that we discuss the future. "

A scowl crossed Louis's face; he laughed unpleasantly and said, "My future? what does that have to do with me now? I manage half of the businesses."

"Your marriage," Malcom said bluntly, sliding a folder across the desk.

For Louis, the word seemed to punch into him. Sweat on his forehead, the blood in his veins went cold as he froze. He had probably misheard. He tried to clarify the information, "My. . . what?"

"Your marriage," Malcolm said again, hitting the folder with the tip of the finger. "Oh, that's all here. The contract was signed before you were born. "

Louis took the folder and his hand was trembling. He turned it open and looked into the document. The sentences fused, but three phrases stood out in specific cases. "Watson family," "arranged union", and "upon completion of a law degree."

A stunned Louis looked up at his father and shook his head saying, "This can't be real. " The anger which had driven him into the office had dissolved together with the shock and confusion. This he found rather amusing: "You're joking, right? This is some kind of test?"

To this, Malcom stared at him with a neutral expression on his face. "Louis, it's not a joke; next month, you are going to marry Victoria Watson."

"Victoria Watson?" Louis raised his voice to a shout. He tossed the folder, and it landed on the desk, the papers scattered all over the table. ''The arrogant, self-righteous lawyer? Are you crazy?''

"watch it," Malcom warned with a voice that had subdued some of the harshest business competitors and board of directors. we are not going to discuss this marriage. " You are the most eligible bachelor around here, it's high time you get married and protect the family legacy.

Louis scattered his neatly combed hair by raking his hand through his hair. He became confused as he walked the office, aimlessly. He walked and stood directly in front of his father then asked, "And what about Amaya?" He asked in response, "Did you forget her?"

A feeling of something, perhaps remorse came washing over Malcom's face. His appearance seemed to be diminished and he appeared much older for a little while. But the moment was over soon enough, and his normal severe manner took over. And still in a tender but commanding tone, he said, "Amaya is... not included in this." "You will break up with her. "

Louis felt the words hit him like a hard blow. He always had Amaya with her beautiful, warm smile and generosity. These unfortunate words made him feel overwhelmed by his father's mere tempest with the possibility of losing Amaya.

Louis sighed an audible, painful, and frustrated sigh. Frustrated to the extreme and with nothing to lose he walked towards the door. He looked back over his shoulder and said, "I'm not doing this crazy thing."

Malcolm yelled, catching Louis in the middle of his steps, "Then kiss your inheritance goodbye and your sister gets... everything if you go out that door."

Louis looked at his father with bitterness and disbelief on his face before he slowly turned to go. The cold, creeping anxiety was replaced by the rage that had pushed him before. "You'd cut me off completely?" he asked.

Malcom's expression slightly softened, showing a hint of the parent hidden behind the businessman. "Don't make me do this son," he said, the tone having changed to a pleading one. "This marriage is happening, no matter what."

Louis was overwhelmed and did nothing as he became more and more aware of the words that were coming from the mouth of his father. He felt as though the office's walls were drowning him. He searched within him for an escape but there was none.

Malcolm sat on, tapping his hands on the desktop and placing them together. "You have until tomorrow to give me your answer," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Choose wisely, Louis. This isn't just about you anymore."

Louis left the office exhausted from this argument with his father. The assistant looked at him with curiosity and concern, but he ignored her. His mind was conflicted with the adversative emotions and thoughts going through his head as he walked towards the elevator.

a thought came to him as he took his phone to give Amaya a call, how would he break the news of no more an affair between them? Also, how would he manage himself if he had to live with a woman He didn't like?