Chapter 2 Unpleasant Change

Frederick's POV

"You are kidding me, right Dad?" I asked, arching my brow.

It was evident that he was pulling a terrible joke on me. There's no need to panic.

Dad picked up the newspaper from me and looked at the top page headline. His aging face lit up gracefully with a smile. He appeared rather content.

He tossed it aside on his desk, saying, "Well, at least the media got everything right this time."

Then my dad leaned back against his desk, staring at me intently. I was furious. He gestured for me to sit down, and I grudgingly followed. My dad seemed to have other ideas, but all I needed was a clear-cut explanation.

He whispered, "Fred, my son, you have to get married." His voice was compelling.

I did my best to appear composed as I ran a hand over my hair. I did a terrible job at it. I undid the neck button and dropped my tie. I filled a glass with water for myself, swallowed it, and met his gaze directly.

"What kind of drama is this, anyway? Dad, have you finally made up your mind to wreck my life?"

"Son, I would never intentionally damage your life. I promise you that this was more difficult for me than you could have ever imagined."

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

"This must take place. For both businesses to succeed in the future, they must cooperate. There needs to be a strong relationship of some kind for this to occur, and helping out and working together on projects has long been a tradition. He continued, swinging a pen, "Our company will receive shares in their successful business and so will their company."

The other main justification is to cut off rivals. This year, we'll be working together on several initiatives. Because we have access to Richard's family benefits and they have access to ours, we are stronger in this way. Since we will be family, nobody will question us. You are aware of the reactions of certain board members when non-family members obtain private perks. I'm constructing your future son.

"I'm not able to marry. I can't, as you are aware. I will not get married, and I don't mean to offend you or anything. I told him that my mind was racing and that he should have at least told me before leaking it to the media.

Frederick, it's not a lifelong commitment. Just just a single year."

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

"It won't happen. Son, you have to go get ready. We still have a few hours left," he said, averting his gaze. Although he appeared composed, his eyes were far more animated than mine.

All I had was Julius William. my father. He had shared in every moment of my life and supported me during the lowest points.

My mom meant everything to me, so losing her to cancer five years ago when I was only twenty-one was devastating. For Dad, she was everything.

It seemed like my mother knew the answer to every issue there was. She had unwavering love for both of us. Both of us took a serious hit from it.

I did my best to follow him at all times, and he always looked out for my best interests. It wasn't the same this time. It wasn't simply my feelings at stake here. Aria's heart was also in jeopardy.

As you are well aware, Dad, I adore Aria. After two years of dating, I want to spend all of my time with her. I'll marry her. My children will have her as their mother. Dad, your daughter-in-law. You've already given your blessing to our union."

My heart was pounding frantically and leaking blood. Aria could not take the thought of my marrying someone else; she was too delicate and lovely. Come storm or thunder, I was going to marry her, I had vowed."Aria I am well aware that Facer is the love of your life, and I have no problem with your connection. A year later, you can wed her. I decided to do this once she gave her okay."

"What? You discussed this with her?" I asked, obviously astonished. The things she was going through were beyond my comprehension.

"Frederick, you are not required to feel anything for the Richard bride that you will wed. All you have to do is be her husband in public. Maybe you two could just agree to be friends and lead quiet lives in private. You ought to find this simple, son."

"You've let me down, Dad. I said, "This is not the life I wanted to lead.

I didn't want to drag this conversation on. Dad had done so much for me, and he was in dire need of anything from me at this very moment. It was obvious to me that he hurt. I was also in pain. a tremendous amount. I had to get out of his office right away. I didn't want to make any mistakes in my words.

"I'll be present. A lavish wedding is not what I desire."

"Don't worry, it's a small ceremony. Fred, I know you will honor your wife, and I'm proud of you. When you're calmer, we can discuss it. Jasper has the information. He'll give you further details."

I got up and marched away because I had nothing else to say. Right then, I was on a rollercoaster of emotions. I had to take a breath. I had to see my child. I had to make sure she was alright. I couldn't survive without her strength.

I sank into my desk chair and shut my eyes. I felt irritated. I did not close the door. I had to come up with the ideal way to tell Aria. I had to see her immediately and cradle her in my arms.

"Hey, hey. "Guess who's getting married tonight?" Jasper asked, his flawless smile glued to his face as he walked in. He had always been the gregarious, exuberant kind.

In him, I had found more than just a best friend. He was my sibling. My first day.

"Jasper, drop it. He sat across from me and crossed his legs, so I informed him, "I don't need your bothering right now. It appeared that he had been occupied.

"Hey my man, what's up? You appear agitated."

Jasper. Is it OK to ask me that question at this time? Here I am going to marry a stranger."

"Oh, please. Don't worry about getting married soon."

"I'm not concerned about her. Just the fact that I-I I.

"You know I've got your back, Frederick. I am aware that Aria is currently your main worry. I completed the task for you already."

I quickly raised my head again and opened my eyes.

"You succeeded? In what way? Were you able to spot her? Is she alright? Was she in tears?

"Whoah, whoah, dude. You look so freaked out right now, damn you. Your best friend is right here, so don't worry. "So, last night your dad visited her apartment," he said, fiddling with the ring on his finger.

"What were you doing there?"

"After her shot, I gave her a ride home. She contacted me since you weren't answering your phone, and I rescued the day," he said. He only needed to use his dreamy tone to make me feel it.

"When will you get into the details?"

"All right. At about eight, your father arrived and explained the situation. Fred, I will not lie to you. Despite her broken heart, Aria managed to carry on the conversation."

"She cried a lot right?" I posed the obvious question. In my mind, I could see her stunning face, smeared with tears.

Yes, buddy, but after your father departed. You know, he's a great dude. He treated her well and gave her his word that he would always adore her. She sobbed uncontrollably and let out her tears as he departed. She does adore you, man. Throughout it all, I held her hand, consoled her, and said things to her that I knew you would say. After that, I got her her favorite pizza, we watched a movie, had some ice cream, and she dozed off in her bed. She left town for another shoot this morning, having behaved herself well. She promised to give you a call and asked me to make sure you were alright and handling things properly. Verify that I'm performing a fantastic job.

How will I ever manage without this crazy person?

While Jasper poured a glass of wine, I inhaled deeply. He poured one for himself and handed one to me.

"Jasper, you are incredible. Regards. For all of it," I truly did mean it.

Frederick, please stop embarrassing me in this way. In any case, what are friends for?"

"Yeah right."

"But hey you still have to pay me back for all the times I've covered up for you plus writing your homework in high school."

"Hello, how are you? Who supported you during all of your breakups and helped you endure your nightmares back then? In addition, could you hold your hand in the dark in case a creature appeared somewhere?"

"Are we heading back to kindergarten now? Must I begin?"

"Please save me. Some of our weird memories are just too humiliating. "I laughed to myself. We had made great progress.

"Now that you are in a better mood let's address the elephant in the room."

"All right. Let us put this behind us and move forward. This Richard bride, who is she? Tell me you looked into this.

Yeah, that's right. I looked into the Richard family all night long. You're aware of Olivia, Charles, and Flavia, correct?

I knew them all, of course, especially Charles. Together, we had completed a few assignments and were enrolled in the same high school course.

Regarding Olivia, she and Aria were friends. They were both signed to the same modelling agency, and we went to high school together. We had already had a few encounters.

Being married to Aria's best friend would be strange.

"Permit me to read your ideas. Marrying your girlfriend's best friend would be awkward.

"Bingo," I snapped in response.

"Awkward is fortunately out of the picture although in your case I'd prefer the awkward."

"Enlighten me."

"You're not going to marry Olivia. Richard is the youngest. Evelyn Sydney Richard "As he filled his glass again, he filled mine.

"Who is that? Other than Charles and Olivia, I have never heard of any other Richards."

"All right. I was astounded as well. She is real, and she will marry you."

"Well since she is a Richard at least I won't get stuck with some socially awkward freak who has to be taught how this world works."

Right, at least?

"Well, I'm not so sure. It's she who is the outsider. Some sources claim that she hardly speaks at all."

"That's a good thing for me."

"She doesn't go out much. She's been called dull, unremarkable, Richard-unworthy, and so on. Positive comments are also made by some sources."

"Don't tell me that I'm going to be forced into a dull marriage. She sounds nothing like my kind of person. We can't even pretend to be friends, I wager."

"Wait until you meet her then judge later."

"Is she cute?" My question made us both chuckle. It reminded us of a corny high school saying.

Frederick, observe for yourself. In my opinion, she is alright."

Jasper said while passing his phone to me. If she appeared normal, it implied that she was not even close to Aria.

The picture showed a dejected girl. She had a youthful, innocent appearance. She wasn't my kind of person. I didn't think we would ever get along.

Everything returned with a bang. The anxiety and despondency caused by this unwelcome union. My attitude shifted. Frederick, don't judge based on that old picture. Her online presence is quite limited. Perhaps she's more attractive in person. Give her an opportunity."

"We just can't be."

"Okay, if that's what you want. You can always decide differently. Hey, time is ticking. Come on, let's go."

This was something I detested. I detested her. Why was she required in my life at all? She brought an unwanted alteration to my life.