Chapter 1 Marry Him

"Tyler, can you please help me pack Dad's lunch snack in a box. I need to take it to him now" I called out to my co-worker and bestie Tyler with whom I managed my mom and pop bakery cafe. My Dad worked in a multinational hotel corporation as a board member and we've been living great. He was now capable of paying to complete my education at the college level but I've refused to go at least for now. I loved baking and I've always dreamt of having my own bakery and now I do. Dad loves my doughnuts and insists I bring it to him at work every lunch time and I've been doing so for a while now.

The company at which he worked wasn't far from our house, it's located in the same estate as our house, the house was given to us by the company. They owned the whole estate here in Beverly hills. "Here you go," Tyler said, handing me the box of doughnuts. I quickly grabbed the tea to go with it and other necessary things and headed outside to my car. Arriving at the huge company, I headed straight to his office. I met his secretary and greeted her. Normally she'd smile and even proceed to shake me but her expression was just blank. I understood the company wasn't in a good state at the moment. The CEO of the corporation, Nathan Patrick and his wife died in a plane crash a few weeks ago leaving the seat of the CEO empty and the company without a leader. Of course he has an Heir, a son who is supposed to take over the seat but according to Dad, the company has a rule that for anyone to occupy the seat. They must have a wife, or a partner which was sure they'd get married. The son, Kyle Patrick is single. Dad told me he's just a guy who has lived all his life learning about the business and he was sure doesn't have time for love or relationship let alone a partner he'd consider marrying. As I was about to enter the office, I noticed a guy entered the hall and everyone immediately seemed tense. I decided to take a good look at him. He stood tall and broad-shouldered, his intense gaze fixed directly on me. His dark hair was styled neatly, with not a strand out of place. His face was chiselled and sharp, He radiated confidence and power as he walked towards us. Our eyes locked with each other for a moment and he broke the contact and walked right past us. I just shrugged and entered Dad's office. "Hey Dad, how are you?" I said as I dropped the food on his table and sat on the couch that was beside the window. I loved sitting there because it has a beautiful view... the office was like on the fifth floor and it shows a beautiful line of buildings and the peaceful and calm streets of the estate. " My princess. How has your day been?" Dad replied smiling but it looked as if it was kind of forced and it simply showed he's worried about something. "Dad, what's bothering you??" I ignored his question too. He didn't answer and I stared at him, raising an eyebrow, he knew I wouldn't give up until he spilled. He sighed and bit sipped his tea from the cup. "You know I'm kinda close to Mr Kyle..." he said and I nodded in response "Yeah, so he came to me this morning and opened up that he's confused and doesn't know what to do. He said the all the people he has asked for help hasn't really provided a solution. He needs to find a partner very soon or else the seat would be forfeited to his cousin brother. And he doesn't want that" he explained "Well, is that what you're so worried about?" I asked a little bit confused "No sweetie. He wants me to help him, like if I could find someone for him as a partner..." I didn't know what to say right away, I looked at dad and he couldn't look at me in the eye. "Dad, so how do you plan to help him?" " The thing is, I had no choice. Remember he was the one who helped me to this position I'm in today. So I told him I have a daughter but I'd have to ask her" he said in a really low voice as he sipped from his cup. " I really don't understand what you're saying right now. Like could you explain more" I was starting to understand where he's headed at but I refuse to agree to what was in my head. "Ashley, Kyle has no one now except for his uncle and few other family members who of course wouldn't render any help. He's a tough guy but he looked like he didn't know what else to do and he came to me asking for help saying I'm the only person he's got after his family who also understands him and I needed to help him find a wife. So I told him I'll have to ask you first" "No" "What?" "I said no, I'm not interested. Dad, how do you expect me to just get married to someone I've never seen before or know nothing about. It's not possible" I said and he looked like he was searching for his next words, then a knock on the door. His secretary came in... "Mr Kyle wants to see you" she said "Tell him to come in" Dad replied and I glared at him. "I can't turn him away" he whispered to me and the door opened again. And it was the guy earlier, he glanced at me and then looked at my Dad and sat on a chair. "Mr Anderson, I'm really glad you've agreed to help me. I must say, she's really pretty and I hope she's intelligent too because that's what I need" he said to my dad with a frown on his face, him saying he hoped I was intelligent really angered me and I just glared at him with disgust. He gave off an aura of arrogance and nonchalance. "I was just trying to convince her before you walked in" Dad replied and there was a bit of fear lying in his voice. Seems like he feared the guy or something. "Mr Anderson, you really don't have a choice right now. She's the only hope I have and she has to agree or you lose your job" he stated with a completely blank expression on his face. "What do you mean I don't have a choice, this is my life we're talking about right now. You have to look for someone else because I'm not doing this" I said to him standing from the couch He looked at my Dad before saying "Miss Anderson, I guess the first thing you'd have to learn is to never ever raise your voice at me. And you don't have a choice unless you want your father to lose his job, your house and everything. I'm sure you don't want that for him so you just have to comply " " You must be out of your mind..." I started but dad pulled my arm and I just had to stop and I stared at my Dad unbelievably and at the arrogant disgusting guy who just sat there like he could go around and decide about anyone's life "I'll tell my assistant to bring in the paperworks, this would be in the form of a contract. You both will sign under it and we'll do an official wedding" He said and walked out of the office. "This is not happening, I don't care what happens" I yelled at Dad who just stood there speechless and I stormed out of the office.