Chapter 4 Marriage Contract

Luke paced around the parking lot, his face lined with frustration.

He had driven to Swiss to get some toiletries, and as he got to where his car was parked, he was annoyed to see that some unreasonable the person had parked their car directly in front of him.

He had waited for about forty minutes now, as there was no way to drive out. There were cars parked by his side, which he had no problem with because they were rightly parked.

He had thought about calling security earlier, but he decided to wait a bit. He checked his wristwatch and rested his arms on the hood of his car.

The owner of the car was going to get an earful from him, for his time.

Five minutes later, the car in front of him beeped and Luke turned, ready to vent.

His breath caught as he set his eyes on her. Light-skinned with Honey blonde hair, a bit tousled, full lips, and large brown eyes.

His eyes slowly raked down her body. Round hips, full breasts. Straight legs.

He caught himself and looked up at her face. He had openly ogled her. Something he never did. He felt the heat creep into his cheeks. He was embarrassed.

Ava walked up to her car and stopped. She looked at the man who stood beside the red car she had parked in front of. He stared back at her.

She flinched, a bit intimidated. "Can I help you?" She asked, feigning ignorance.

The man folded his arms, still studying her. The heat that emanated from his gaze made her mouth dry.

She swallowed hard, opened her car door, and dropped her bags in the passenger seat.

"You parked in front of my car," Luke finally broke the silence. A trace of accusation in his tone.

His voice, however, sent chills down Ava's spine. She closed the car door, stood straight, and looked at him.

"I'm sorry about that," she paused and moved closer. "But, I have to ask. Who the fuck drives a red car?"

Luke stared at her. Confused and embarrassed at the same time. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

Ava folded her arms and watched him. Luke was finally able to recover a bit and he regained his stance.

"What does the color of my car..." he stated, placing a strong emphasis on 'my car', "have to do with you parking directly in front of it? You don't realize you parked wrongly?" he asked finally.

"I'm sorry, but I've had some silly experiences with red cars. I hate them".

With that, she got into her car, turned the key in the ignition and as she started to reverse, she put her head out the window. "Goodbye, Mr. Red".

Luke just stood there, completely flabbergasted. After a while, he got in his car and drove out of the parking lot. His father had called earlier in the day about a meeting in the family house, and how his presence was necessary.

His mind was preoccupied throughout the drive to the family house.

He couldn't get his mind off her, which hadn't happened since Farida. She annoyed him, yes, but there was something about it that amused him. No, there was something about her...

An hour later he pulled into the driveway of the Carter Mansion. Beatrice Carter was in the garden.

"Afternoon, Beatrice" he greeted as he walked to the huge mahogany doors. Beatrice acknowledged him with a nod and continued humming while watering the plants.

Three doors were opened by the butler, who ushered him in with a stoic expression. Luke always wondered why he never smiled.

"Afternoon, Gary" Luke greeted as he breezed past him. "Good afternoon, Luke". "Where's my father?" Luke asked.

"In his study, I believe." Gary retorted.

Luke thanked him and turned in the corridor that led to his father's study. He got to the door, waited a second, and knocked.

"Yes?" Pharrell called from inside. "It's me, father."

Pharrell recognized Luke's voice and responded, the eagerness in his voice unmasked. "Come on in, Luke".

Luke went in and closed the door gently behind him. "Afternoon, Father.." He sank into the couch in the center of the study and crossed his legs.

"I'm surprised you honored my invitation" Pharrell quipped as he poured two glasses of apple juice. He handed one to Luke and sat across from him.

"I mean, you hardly come home. That's why I'm surprised." Luke shrugged and raised the glass to Pharrell "Thanks, Father."

Pharrell nodded and took a sip of the juice. "You're always on time though. Eve and Matthew always had a knack for lateness." He sighed and dropped his glass on the table.

Luke raised the glass and gulped the juice. "So, what's this meeting about?" He asked, observing his father from the rim of the glass.

"Let's wait till everyone is here," Pharrell said and dismissed him. Luke left the study, juice in hand, and went upstairs to his room.

He opened the door and was immediately impressed with the sight that met his eyes. The room was tidy.

He never stayed there, hardly even slept there, but the room was always neat. He had Margaret, their household manager to thank for that. He lay on the bed and closed his eyes, trying to think.

"Large brown eyes" he opened his eyes, annoyed. He wasn't about to let some random stranger befuddle his thoughts.

Later that evening, he was summoned to the study. Everyone had arrived, and the meeting was about to start.

He took his seat next to Eve and squeezed her hand.

"Let's skip the formalities, we can do that later" Pharrell began as he opened the brown envelope on the table.

"The reason for this meeting is to discuss the only way we can save Carter Pharmaceuticals from eternal doom"

He held up the document from the brown envelope, "this" he paused, looking from one to the other "this is a marriage contract."

The silence that followed after the statement was eery. Finally, Matthew broke it. "Father, if this was a family meeting, then where are our cousins?" He asked, spreading his arms "I mean, the entire extended family" he added.

Pharrell could feel the rage build up in him. "Shut up, Matt. That's not the right question to ask" he blurted out.

Matthew shrugged.

Pharrell pushed the document towards Luke, who studied it for a moment before picking it up. He quickly scanned the document, his face expressionless. After a minute, he dropped it and looked at his father, who observed him eagerly.

"Is this why my presence was necessary?" Luke asked furiously.

"Of course. This is a great honor, Luke. You're the only one that can bring us out of this mess. You should be glad." Pharrell chirped, perching on the edge of the couch.

Luke scoffed and stood up. He looked around the room. Eve looked lost. Matthew looked high and confused. Beatrice looked bitter.

"Can someone explain what's going on here?" Eve asked, folding her hands on her lap.

"I won't do it. I don't care what happens to the company." Luke rasped, frustrated.

"Don't be unreasonable, son," Pharrell yelled.

Luke turned to his Father. "Son? Now, I'm your son?" He shook his head and started to pace.

"I don't even want to talk about that. What's important is, I won't do it. I have a girlfriend that I love."

"Ex" Eve corrected, still wondering what they were discussing. "Hold up Luke. Dad, can someone explain what's going on here?"

Luke grabbed the contract and flung it at her. "Look at that, Eve, and tell me what's reasonable about it."

Matthew looked bored. "Look man, why don't you just do what is being asked of you and save everyone the stress?"

"Shut it, man. You aren't supposed to be talking, you piece of shit" Luke blasted at him.

"Language, Luke. I'm right here" Pharrell chided.

Eve cleared her throat and looked up from the papers. "Uhm, I think this is a bit much."

Beatrice glanced over at Luke, a spiteful look on her face. "Pharrell, if he doesn't want to do whatever it is he needs to do, why don't we let him be?"

"I told you, Trice, be reasonable". Pharrell reprimanded.

"Whatever! I'm not doing it, and that's final." Luke blared and stormed out of the study.

Matthew scoffed. "He's such a baby, what's the whining about?"

"Grayson Int. proposed a marriage into our family." Pharrell spilled.

The three left in the room turned to look at Pharrell, Matthew, and Beatrice visibly shocked.

Pharrell held up the document, "This is the contract for the marriage between Luke Carter and Ava Grayson."

"Once Luke signs this, we become automatic partners with Grayson Int." He added.

"Grayson Int.? That's huge." Matthew exclaimed, pushing his hair back.

"That's only an inch of what's in there" Eve chipped in. "But Dad, the terms of the contracts are not fair" Eve stated.

"The marriage is going to last a year, and in that year, they're expected to have a child, and get divorced after fifteen months? That's outrageous!" Eve added as she picked up her bag and left the study.

~~~

Ava quickly parked her car in the parking space of the hospital and rushed in. Her father had called earlier, and he had sounded hysteric.

She got into the elevator, panting. She pressed the button for the third floor.

Ava adored her father. Even though he was never really there when she needed him, she still dreaded losing him. She needed him now he was dying, more than ever.

The elevator doors slid open and she rushed to the VIP ward. The man mounted at the door opened it and stepped aside.

"Miss" he acknowledged her with a slight nod.

Ava hurried to his bedside and crouched. "Hey, papa" she called, taking his hands in hers.

Thomas Grayson's eyes flicked open and he focused his gaze on Ava. He smiled and rubbed Ava's cheek. His beautiful daughter, whom he was willing to do right by before leaving.

He had wronged her in every way possible. He knew he wasn't worthy to be called her father. But he was willing to fix their relationship before it's too late.

"My dear Ava, how are you?" he asked as he squeezed her fingers.

"Good. What happened?" Ava retorted.

"Nothing, my dear. It was just a scheme to bring you right over."

Ava narrowed her eyes at him, then she sprang up and headed towards the door. "I'll get the nurse".

"Ava, please. I'm serious, I'm good" Thomas pleaded. Ava turned and stared at him. At that moment, she could see the truth in his eyes.

She heaved a sigh of relief and moved to his side again.

"I don't need you scaring me like that. I only need you to get well".

Thomas had a sad smile on his face as he observed her. They both knew it was a lost cause. He wasn't going to get better. He wanted to remind her, so she could be prepared when it finally happened, but he didn't want to see her sad.

"Alright, my dear Ava," he said and sat up straighter. "I had something to discuss with you. That's why I called you here."

Ava looked at him, trying to read his mind. "Okay.."

"You know I want what's best for you." He opened the bedside drawer and brought out a big brown envelope.

"I want you to go through this, and tell me what you think." He handed it over to Ava, who took it cautiously.

She opened it and skimmed it. She looked up "What's this?"

"Ava, you're my only child. I need to see my grandchild at least, before I leave" he paused and took her hands." That's my only wish my darling".

"But Papa, a marriage contract? I think it's a bit much" Ava countered.

"I want to hand you over to someone worthy of you. I can't have it any other way. You mean the world to me, Ava, and I want you to have the very best of it all.

Happiness, protection. Name it."

Ava looked at the papers again. Luke Carter. Who the fuck is that?