Chapter 3 3.

FRED'S POV

"You are kidding me right Dad?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

This was obviously some sick joke he was playing on me. No need to get worked up.

Dad took the newspaper from my hands and read the headline on the front page. A smile immediately formed on his gracefully aging face. He looked somewhat satisfied.

"Well at least the media did everything right this time around," he commented before tossing it away on his desk.

My dad then leaned against his desk and put all his focus on me. I was fuming. He motioned for me to sit down and I did so reluctantly. I just needed a simple and straightforward explanation but my dad seemed to have a different plan.

"Fred my son, you have to get married," he spoke softly in his convincing voice.

I raked my hair with my hand trying my best to look calm. I failed terribly at it. I lowered my tie and unbuttoned the neck button. I poured myself a glass of water and gulped it down then looked straight into his eyes.

"What on earth is this drama? Have you finally decided to ruin my life Dad?"

"I'd never ruin your life on purpose son. Trust me when I say this was harder for me than you can ever imagine."

"You look damn proud of yourself and pretty calm about this whole nonsense Dad!"

"This has to happen. Both companies need each other for the future success of the companies. For this to happen there has to be some sort of strong connection plus in the past this has been a tradition of collaborating in projects and lending a hand. Our company will get shares in their successful business and so will their company," he explained swinging a pen.

"The other major reason is to close off opponents. We will be collaborating on multiple projects this year. We are stronger this way as we can get access to Arnold family benefits and so can they to ours. No one will question us as we will be family. You know how some board members react to non family members receiving private benefits. I am building your future son."

"I can't get married. You know I can't. I don't mean to disrespect your decision or anything but I will not get married. You could have at least told me before spilling it to the media," I explained to him my thoughts running wild.

"It's not a life commitment Fred. One year only."

"One year can screw up my entire life, Dad."

"It won't. You have to go and get ready, son. We have a few hours left," he was avoiding eye contact. He looked calm but his eyes were much of a ruckus than mine.

Julius Malcolm was my everything. My dad. He had been part of every moment of my life and held my hand through the darkest phases ever.

Losing my mom five years ago to cancer when I was just twenty one was a blow to me because she was my everything. She was Dad's everything.

My mom had the solution to almost every problem in the world. She loved us both unconditionally. It was quite a hard blow for the two of us.

He always did what was best for me and I always tried my best to obey him at all times. This time it was different. This was not just a matter of my heart. Karen's heart was at stake too.

"You know I love Karen, Dad. We've been together for two years and I want to be with only her. She'll be my wife. She'll be the mother of my children. Your daughter-in-law, Dad. You already approved of our relationship."

I could feel my heart bleed and beat wildly. Karen was too perfect and fragile to handle the idea of me marrying another woman. I had promised that I'd marry her come hail come thunder.

"Karen Fletcher is the love of your life,that I know perfectly well and I have no objection to your relationship. You can marry her a year later. I made this decision after getting her consent."

"What? You talked to her about this?" I asked clearly shocked. I couldn't even imagine what she was going through.

"Fred, you don't have to develop feelings for the Arnold bride you'll marry. You just have to be her husband publicly. In private you guys can maybe settle for friendship and live your lives peacefully. This should be easy for you son."

"I'm disappointed in you, Dad. This is not the life I wanted to live," I admitted.

I didn't want to prolong this discussion. Dad had done a lot for me and right now he needed something from me desperately. I could tell he was hurting. I was hurting too. A hell lot. I had to leave his office immediately. I didn't want to say stuff I'd regret.

"I'll be there. I don't want a grand wedding."

"It's a small ceremony so don't worry. Fred I'm proud of you and I know you'll respect your wife. I'll let you calm down then we'll talk. Kyle has the details. He will fill you in."

I had nothing to say so I simply stood up and marched out. I was currently in an emotional rollercoaster. I needed to breathe. I needed to see my baby. I needed to know she was okay. Only she could give me strength to pull through.

I collapsed into my office chair and closed my eyes. I was frustrated. I left the door open. I had to think of the perfect words to tell Karen. I needed to see her urgently and hold her tight in my arms.

"Hey hey. Guess who's getting married tonight," Karen humoured walking in with his perfect smile plastered on. He had always been the carefree and bubbly type.

I had found more than a best friend in him. He was my brother. My day one.

"Drop it Karen. I surely don't need your nagging right now," I told him as he sat across me and crossed his legs. He looked like he had been busy.