A BUSINESS PROPOSAL

Freya's heart pounded in her chest as tears rolled down her eyes. The words of her father echoed through her ears, creating a livid expression on her body.

What her father had just asked her to do was the most terrible and forbidden thing to do. Mr Barriet looked at his daughter in pity; he regretted what he was asking her to do and wished he didn't have to do it.

"My dear daughter, you must understand that this is beyond my will. Mason is not a bad person. He's been married to your sister for years, and now that your sister is dead, you have to take her place as his wife."

Freya shook her head, her dark brown hair falling across her face with a thud. "I can't marry Mason, Father. It's only been one week since Isabella's death." Freya's voice quivered as she spoke, the emotions swirling within her were too overwhelming. "I can't get married to her husband; people will think I killed her just because I wanted Mason."

Mr Barriet rubbed his hand against his forehead. He knew he was putting a lot of pressure on his daughter, and it was taking all of his strength to convince her. "Freya, you don't have to care what people have to say. This is more than you think; this is for our family."

Freya took a shaky breath before responding. "Father, why do I have to do this? I don't love Mason. How can I spend the rest of my life with him?"

A tear escaped from her eye as she let out a shaky sob. She felt so angry that she could barely speak, but her voice still sounded shaky. "Father, this means more to me than to the family."

She wiped her tears away with her fingers before standing up and turning away from her father, who sat on the bed.

Mr Barriet felt bad for his daughter. He wished there was another way he could do things. He wished his first daughter hadn't died. But there wasn't another way for their family.

"I know how this must be for you, but if there were another way, then I would have done it. This family had an agreement with the Wayne's family," Mr Barriet explained.

Freya turned toward her father, her anger dissipating slowly. Her blue eyes now held concern instead of anger. Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach when she saw concern in her father's eyes; the last time she had seen them like this was at her sister's funeral.

"What deal, Father?" Freya whispered.

Mr Barriet lowered his gaze. "Before you were born, the Wayne's family and this family made a business deal. The Wayne's family were the first to discover the marketing method behind the creation of new products that can sell more efficiently."

Mr Barriet sighed and continued. "I decided to partner with them to make the production in our company effective and unique. It was the best. Mr Wayne and I became close friends, and because of that, the company is where it is. Mr Wayne was pleased and asked if we could be partners forever, and the only way that could be possible is if we passed it on to our children."

"Mr. Wayne suggested that our agreement for being partners should be something that would last forever, so he put it on the paperwork that our children should get married."

Mr Barriet paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "The deal is sealed, and so are the papers that confirm the agreement. That means no one is permitted to talk about it or even read it until Mr Wayne and I decided to do so."

Mr Barriet paused for a moment and stared into Freya's eyes. "But this agreement is what made the company where it is today. I can't change that agreement or everything we have will be taken away from us."

"This is more than I thought," Freya said quietly.

"Everything was alright until your sister died, and now this family's only hope is you."

Tears rolled down Freya's eyes. She couldn't believe she was about to throw away her hopes and dreams just for her family's sake, plus the fact that she had to live with a man she didn't love.

"I believe Mason is a good man; he'll love you, and Flora will take you as her mother," Mr Barriet said, trying to comfort his daughter.

"But I'm not her mother," Freya stated firmly. She tried to keep her voice strong and steady but failed miserably.

Mr Barriet's facial expression changed from one of guilt and regret to one of joy and gratitude, making Freya smile. "I know she will. All she needs now is a comforting hand."

Freya took in a deep breath, deliberating if she should do what her father asked her to. She knew there was nothing she could do. She was all their family had. She had to do it. She had to marry the man she didn't love.

"Father, this is the toughest decision. My life is at stake. What if the people who killed Isabella come after me? What if they come after Flora?"

Freya pleaded with her father, hoping that he would find some other solution besides marriage. She didn't want to marry Mason, and she was certain that if there were other solutions, things wouldn't be difficult.

Mr Barriet placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder, giving her a gentle smile. "If anything ever happened to either of you, then there would be nothing left to live for. Your mother and I will always be here for you."

Freya gave her father a reassuring smile. "Yes, Father, I know. I believe you, but what if they are really that powerful?" Freya questioned, her fear evident in her voice.

"They're humans; they have weaknesses, and they will always have flaws, and that's their weak point."

Freya nodded in understanding, her eyes glistening as more tears began to fall. She wiped her tears away with the back of her hands and stood up straight, facing her father. "Alright, I'm going to do this."

"Good, I know you can do it." Mr Barriet rose off the bed with an exhausted sigh.

Freya walked into the mansion. It was a tall building with a large front garden, the building had a royal display and everything looked expensive.

The windows were huge and made of glass that glittered like they were full of stars. There were also large pots with white roses outside. It didn't look like it could be any richer than the manor itself.

Freya's stomach formed into knots as she stared at the building with the thought of what might befall her when she saw her late sister's husband.

She took in a deep breath and walked close to the giant door at the entrance. She knocked lightly on it and waited for someone to open the door. There was silence from inside for a few minutes, and then she heard some shuffling on the other side of the door before it opened a little bit.

"Who is it?" Came an authoritative voice. The tone did not seem friendly, but it still held curiosity.

The door creaked open with Mrs. Wayne behind it, wearing a beautiful gown in pale blue and grey tones with pearls. Her hair was styled in an elaborate manner that complimented her elegant figure.

Freya forced a smile along with a slight bow to greet the woman. Mrs. Wayne didn't offer a word as she scanned the lady.

Freya was a beautiful lady with elegant features. She had dark brown hair pulled up into a tight bun with bangs framing her face. Her complexion was flawless and her lips were painted a rich red that complemented her eyes, which were almond-shaped.

The most striking feature about her was her green eyes. The color was so bright and vibrant. It was something no one could resist looking at for a long time. They captivated anyone who gazed upon them.

"Miss Barriet, please come in," Mrs. Wayne welcomed her into the house with a kind gesture.

She led her into a grand living room with marble floors, a big couch, and a beautiful antique wooden table with four chairs surrounding it. Freya held on to her purse as she stared at Mrs. Wayne, her heartbeat increased.

'Is this where I'm going to meet my fate? Here? Now?' Freya asked herself as she watched Mrs. Wayne flip through the magazine in her hand.

Mrs. Wayne gestured towards the couch. "Please take a seat." She smiled at her and took the couch opposite Freya, she smiled. "You have similar features to your sister, and I think there's no need to budge about your wedding dress."

A smirk played on her pink lips as she sat back and folded her hands. "I think your sister's wedding dress will look good on you."

Freya gasped. She couldn't believe what she just heard. She wanted to say something, but all that came out were stutters. She couldn't believe her reality was something she couldn't have control over.

"Your father wants the wedding to be fast, so my husband and I decided the wedding should be tomorrow," Mrs. Wayne explained.

"This is so fast, I need time to process this," Freya mumbled slowly.

Freya felt as though the ground had been pulled out from beneath her feet. Tomorrow? How could her father and the Waynes decide on something so significant without even consulting her? She struggled to gather her thoughts as Mrs. Wayne continued speaking, her voice laced with urgency.

"Freya, Miss Barriet, I know this may seem sudden, but your father has been discussing this with us for quite some time now. It's essential for the partnership of this family's business interests that this marriage takes place swiftly," Mrs. Wayne explained, her tone gentle yet firm.

"I can't just marry someone I barely know tomorrow! This is my life we're talking about," Freya protested, her voice trembling with emotion. "I need some time to know your son, Mrs. Wayne."

"Freya." Mrs. Wayne said in anger but flashed an understanding smile at Freya. "I believe this shouldn't be an issue because I'm sure that your father has explained everything to you. The Wayne Corporation is one of the most influential and powerful entities in the industry. This marriage will solidify a crucial business alliance that will benefit your family for generations to come."

"This is too sudden, your son is still mourning his loss, this doesn't sound like a good thing to do at the moment," Freya countered, feeling a surge of frustration and helplessness.

"Freya, sweetheart, I know this isn't what you had envisioned for yourself, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good of our family. Think about the opportunities this marriage will afford you. You'll be a part of one of the most respected families in the business world. You'll have access to resources and connections that most people can only dream of," Mrs. Wayne reasoned, her words tinged with a hint of desperation. "Don't worry about my son; he understands everything."

"I just... I need time to think about this," Freya murmured, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of everything.

"I'm afraid time is a luxury we don't have, my dear. The contracts have already been drawn up, and everything is set in motion. Delaying the wedding could jeopardize the entire deal," Mrs. Wayne explained, her voice taking on a note of urgency.

Freya's heart sank. It seemed as though she had no choice in the matter. She was being swept along by forces beyond her control, her fate sealed by the decisions of others.

"I... I don't know what to do," Freya admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Freya, trust me, this is the best course of action for your family. I know it's a lot to take in, but I promise you, everything will work out in the end," Mrs. Wayne reassured her, reaching out to grab the magazine.

"Please, just give me some time to think," Freya pleaded, her voice wavering with uncertainty.

"Why are you bothering yourself, mother, you can't force a lady like her into accepting something," someone said, and Freya looked up to see Mason, her late sister's husband, walking into the living room with his hands buried in the pockets of his pants.

She gulped down as his gaze was fixed on her.

Manson walked further into the room with an angry look plastered all over his face, his tall, lean frame displaying confidence and arrogance. His chiseled features were set in a disgusted expression, his deep, penetrating gaze seemingly appraising the situation with contempt.

"Why are you bordering yourself, Mother? You can't force a lady like her into accepting something," Mason said, his tone dripping with hatred as he cast an angry look in Freya's direction.

Freya felt a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach as Manson's gaze settled on her, his arrogant behavior sending a shiver of unease down her spine.

With a casual flick of his hand buried in the pockets of his pants, Manson continued, "This isn't something you should be begging her to do, we're doing her family a favor by accepting her. If she doesn't want to agree let her be."

Freya's heart sank as Manson's words washed over her, she concealed the tear that filled her eyes. She didn't want him to see her or consider her weak.

"Manson, her father already pleaded with us so we can't-" Mrs. Wayne began, but Mason cut his mother off with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"No, Mother, you need to listen to reason. The Barriet family isn't a crucial business partner, I don't want to marry a woman who's feigning not to accept this offer." Manson insisted, his voice dripping with arrogance.

Freya felt a surge of frustration well up inside her at Manson's words, the thought of her late sister came across her mind and the tears in her eyes fell down her cheek.

"Manson, I won't let you-" Freya started, her voice trembling with anger and frustration, but Manson interrupted her with a pitiful laugh.

"I don't think your decision matters in this situation and quite the pretense," Manson said, his tone laced with contempt.

Freya felt a surge of helplessness wash over her as Manson's words echoed in her mind. It seemed as though she was fighting a losing battle, her desires and wishes falling on deaf ears in her face.

"Manson, you can't just dismiss Freya's feelings like that. She deserves to have a say in her future," Mrs. Wayne protested, her voice filled with frustration at her son's behavior.

Manson's expression hardened at his mother's words, his gaze narrowing in a silent warning.

"Mother, I'm not going to stand here and debate this with you. The wedding will proceed as planned, she doesn't have a choice and I only agreed to this because of her father's words," Manson declared, his tone final as he turned to leave the room, leaving Freya and Mrs. Wayne staring after him in stunned silence.

As the door closed behind him, Freya felt a sense of sadness settles over her. It seemed as though she was truly alone in this fight, her family's ambitions and desires crushing her dreams and aspirations beneath their relentless march toward success.

And as she sank into despair, a single thought echoed in her mind, a whisper of defiance amidst the suffocating weight of her circumstances: she would not go down without a fight.

Mrs Wayne waited for a while before she looked up at Freya. "Let's go check on your sister's wedding dress."

Freya took a deep breath and exhaled it, she had no other choice but to agree to whatever was about to happen.

The wedding preparation and ceremony went on in a blink of an eye and the next thing was what was supposed to be her honeymoon, Freya walked down the hallway and made her way to the room where she dreaded so much.

Freya's heart raced as she approached the door to the room where Manson awaited her. Dread gnawed at her insides, twisting her stomach into knots as she hesitated before finally mustering the courage to push open the door.

As she stepped into the dimly lit room, her eyes fell upon Manson sitting on the edge of the bed, his expression dark and brooding. She felt a chill run down her spine at the sight of him, his presence looming over her like a specter of doom.

"What are you doing here?" Manson's voice was low, sending a shiver of fear through her veins.

Freya swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry as she took a hesitant step forward, her eyes never leaving Manson's imposing figure.

Freya wrapped her hands over her chest as she stood on the spot. stammered her voice barely above a whisper.

Manson stood up abruptly and made his way to meet her. He advanced towards her, his eyes blazing with fury.

"I'll ask the question again. What are you doing in my room, Freya?" Manson's voice was laced with venom, his anger filled the air between them.

Freya took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest as Manson cornered her against the nearest wall, his presence looming over her like a dark shadow.

"You think you can just walk in here and pretend like nothing happened?" Manson's voice was a low growl, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "You selfish liar, I know this was all your plan. You killed your sister because you want to marry into the Wayne family."

Freya felt a cold sweat break out on her brow as she struggled to comprehend Manson's words. What was he talking about? How can he think of such a thing?

"I... I would never do such a thing to my sister, I only agreed to this marriage because of the business deal." Freya's voice trembled with fear and confusion, as tears rolled down her cheek. She couldn't believe Manson was accusing her of killing her sister.

Manson's lips curled into a sneer of disgust, his gaze boring into hers with a despise and hatred that made her blood run cold.

"Don't play dumb with me, Freya. You know damn well what I'm talking about. It's because of you that your sister is dead," Manson spat, his words like daggers aimed straight at her heart.

Freya felt as though the ground had been ripped out from beneath her feet, her knees growing weak with the weight of Manson's accusation. She struggled to find her voice, to deny the damning accusation that hung in the air. "How could you say such a thing?" She felt the urge to slap him and run away, but she couldn't.

"No, Manson, you're wrong. I had nothing to do with my sister's death," Freya protested, her voice shaking with emotion.

But Manson groaned and pushed her hard against the wall, his anger unyielding as he advanced towards her, his eyes filled with anger.

Freya felt as though the walls were closing in around her, the weight of Manson's accusation crushing her beneath its suffocating embrace. She struggled to find the words to defend herself, to make him see reason, but Manson wasn't ready to listen to whatever she had to say.

"You destroyed my family, Freya. You took everything from me, and now you're going to pay for what you've done," Manson vowed, his voice dripping with malice as he reached out to grab her by the throat, his fingers digging into her flesh with bruising force.

Freya gasped for breath, her vision swimming as she struggled against Manson's strong grip. She felt as though she were drowning in a sea of despair, her world collapsing around her as Manson's accusations echoed in her ears like a death wish.

He pushed her away and she fell to the ground, crying bitterly as he walked away to sit on the bed Freya knew at that moment that her marriage to Manson was going to be her greatest Regret.