Chapter 3 Penelope's profile

Frank Reid had seen a weakness in George Burton's company and took advantage of it, he agreed to helping him if he also got what he wanted. He wanted his son married and settled and he was well in his advantage to ask that to be added into the contract. It was not the most nicest of deals but he had to do what he had to because he couldn't stand his son's careless philandering and he needed him to be well grounded, not just in riches but In the area of marriage and what better way to get it done than to have him married to the very beautiful and innocent last child of his business partner.

He glanced over at the research folder he had his P.I accumulate on her on his table and smiled, he then proceeded to sending his son a very detailed email on the arrangements he had set for him and Penelope's every detail, even though he knew there was no way in hell he'll accept it.

***

Penelope found her way to her bed and sat slowly, still shocked and torn apart at the explanation her Father had just given her. She had to Marry a total stranger she doesn't even care about, she knows she has to now or her family and the whole Burton legacy would be in jeopardy.

She felt a pang in her chest, why did all these have to happen? "You have to keep this a secret, Penelope" her father commanded "no other person has to know about this, I told you so you would understand just how big a deal this is" he explained further but all she could think about is how her life would change and how she would handle the situation.

She nodded and looked away from her Father."I understand, I know exactly what would happen if I don't marry him" he gave a relived sigh "You've made a good decision, Penelope" he turned around to leave "have a good night, we'll talk more Tomorrow". She sighed and layed down on her bed, and wondered what she had just accepted and agreed into.

Her arm still hurt from the way her Dad had roughly shuffled her and her chest hurt more at the thought that her Mother must have known about the whole deal but didn't warn her or prepare her for the information. She felt so betrayed and helpless.

***

Alexander Reid treated the email he got from his Father no different from how Penelope treated it the first time she heard it. He laughed, for the first time that week he found something truly amusing that made him indeed intrigued. He clicked on Penelope's picture and couldn't help but take in the details of her truly beautiful face. She looked like an innocent maiden you wouldn't want to hurt but aid her every want and need, she wasn't to his taste, he thought. He looked at the way her honey brown locks sat full on her shoulders and thought of how he always went for blondes but she had quite a captivating look to her. Her blue doe eyes stared back at him and he felt a stir in him, she had plump almost red lips, pale skin but rosy cheeks like she was shy when the picture was taken. She probably doesn't go out much by how pale her skin was.

His Father expected him to marry someone so simple and innocent looking? it had to be a joke. She had no traces of wildness or spark in her at all, she was the perfect definition of a prude. It has to be a well crafted deceit his parents both cooked up to make him quit his womanizing and go home for the weekend, there was no other explanation he allowed himself to think of even though chances of it being true came to his mind multiple times he couldn't just think of it, because he wasn't ready for marriage. In all his twenty nine years he has never taken the thought of marriage seriously and he wasn't about to do so now because it wasn't in his near future plans.

He called his house keeper and had her pack him a bag for the weekend at his parents house. Told his personal assistant to get in contact with his FBO and make his bookings ready. He made sure to finish up early that Friday even though his plans would have been different if he didn't decide on his impromptu trip. By 4pm he drove into his mini mansion and went straight into the shower. He took a quick one, got ready and was on his way to the terminal. In half an hour he was in his private aircraft and on his way to his parents estate in the Capital.

As he drifted off to sleep, the thought of what was taking him there once again troubled his mind. Penelope's pretty face and eyes couldn't stop clouding his mind, it was a seemingly meaningless intrusion a day with some of his lady friends couldn't get rid of. He always thought of his Father as a shark going around the world of business and claiming what he wanted and he even administered such tactics to his family. His Father was probably trying to drag him into a business deal he thought as he finally drifted off to sleep.

The Stewardess spent close to five minutes admiring and taking pictures of Alexander's

face before actually waking him up. He knew of course, but just wanted her to have her fill. He was a light sleeper and woke up the second she entered his bed chamber. "Mr Alexander?" She called out and he took a couple of seconds to open his eyes not to startle her. He gave her a questioning look even though he knew exactly what she was about to say "We just landed in Ottawa, Sir" He sat up and nodded, her voice was sultry and seductive and he couldn't stop himself from imagining how much fun he'll have sleeping with her. He also thought if Penelope's voice would sound like that, as minutes turned into hours, even as he slept, he couldn't keep her from slipping into his mind and the strong realization of his Father's intentions bugged his mind, slowly but adamantly.

His Father wouldn't spend so much time and details on a mere whim to get him home. The thought of him doing it because he was terminally ill crossed his mind but, he disregard the thought, his Father was the strongest man he knew, he was very active and healthy. He couldn't wrap his mind around what could have warranted such a decision. Even as he sat in the limo that drove him to his parents estate, he thought of a couple of possibilities over a glass of bourbon. His mind was terribly unsettled and he itched to get there faster than the driver drove.

In half an hour the driver drove in through the gates and he was once again reminded of how beautiful the mansion was in the evening. He surprised his family as he walked in behind the maids who brought in his bag and jacket. "Oh my goodness! It's Alex!" His Mother's ecstatic voice alerted the whole house.

"Hi Mom," he leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek "how are you doing?" He asked inquisitively to check if she was actually in good health.

"I'm ecstatic," she brought him to the living room where his Father was just finishing up a call "why the sudden surprise visit?" She asked with a bright smile "not that I don't like it, of course" she smirked and Alexander took a sit.

"That's what I'm about to figure out from Dad" he gave his Dad a knowing look "was what you said in the email just a tactic to bring me home or are you dying?" He asked and his Mother gapsed with widened eyes and shock.