Boardroom And Bedroom

"You can not be serious!" I shouted at my parents, my belly churning with dread. We have been sitting in our cramped dwelling room when they dropped the bombshell on me.

"I'm afraid we're, Amy," my father said solemnly. "An arranged marriage is the only way to ensure our family financial future"

He paused a little before he continued calmly "Amy, you know exactly what our family is going through of recent, we are not happy with this decision either, but it seems to be the only way out of this financial crisis we are in".

My heart pounded in my ears as the news washed over me like a tidal wave. An arranged marriage? But that is against the whole thing I had dreamed of as a young girl.

Ever since I was young , I had fantasized about falling in love with my perfect soulmate. I imagined us having romantic dates, him Showering me with affection, and ultimately walking down the aisle in blissful tears as we devoted to spend our lives together. Money held no importance to me .

I just wanted the magical connection of true love where I can find happiness, peace of mind and fulfilment.i had always dreamed of getting married to a man who would love me, defend me , and support me in any circumstances.

"With whom am I supposed to marry?" I requested apprehensively, fearing they had already picked someone old, cruel or otherwise understandable as my husband.

My mom took a deep breath. "The Westbrooks. One of the wealthiest families in the country."

"You mean...That stuck-up billionaire Jack Westbrook?" I stammered in disbelief, recalling his arrogant sneer from the society pages.

Jack Westbrook was the cold, calculating heir to the entire massive Westbrook corporate empire. I had never seen him face to face but I have heard alot about him,he was Rumored to be heartlessly focused only on money and power, he was the last person I would have chosen as a romantic partner. We were quite literally worlds apart in every way.

"His family's resources are the only way we can save our struggling business and provide for us all," my dad explained further "Jack agreed to the arranged marriage in exchange for our companies asset and connections which could be of advantage to the Westbrook Enterprises."

"So it is a loveless business deal for him," I said bitterly, my desires of wedded bliss crumbling to pieces before my very eyes. "And what about my feelings? Am I not supposed to have a say in who I should marry? How can my own marriage be arranged by you people, for God sake, this is a life long decision and any mistake ending up with the wrong person,I may be doomed for life, don't you people care about my happiness?" I cried out.

My parents exchanged a pained look .l had actually known that Money issues had become so dire of recent that it has made our family to become desperate. yet, arranging my marriage to a wealthy total stranger felt like a devastating betrayal.

"We wished there was another way, Amy dear," my mother stated, with tears almost dropping from her eyes. "But if this deal doesn't fall through, we will be completely ruined. Our only chance is for you to make this noble sacrifice for us all".

I stared at the faded floral wallpaper, wiping away my tears. My belly twisted into sickening knots. This is totally against every love story I had envisioned, every instinct of following my heart.

Yet their words rang through- with out this arrangement we may also soon end up on the streets without roofs on our head begging for what to eat, and I wouldn't let this happen to My beloved family,as an only child to my parents, if this is the sacrifice I would have to pay for the happiness of my family , so be it .

Drawing a shaky breath, I gave a reluctant nod. "Alright...I'll do it. For our family."

My agreeing to marry jack was met with looks of tragic comfort from my mother and father. As my mom pulled me into an embrace, I could not help but wonder if I had simply made a horrible mistake that might haunt me forever.

I would be marrying for everything except the sole reason I had constantly dreamed - marrying for true love.

That night I lay down on my bed but I couldn't sleep. I still couldn't believe I agreed on an arranged marriage to a stranger, without been given enough time to think about it.

"No this is not going to happen, there would definitely be enough time for me to think and reconsider my decision, hopefully the weeding should be about two years time, before that time I will definitely look for another solution to our financial crisis". I thought to my self, as I felt a little bit relieved.

Still not sure if my thoughts where right I ran to meet my mom to get a confirmation.

Mom was seated alone in the sitting room and from her appearance I knew she couldn't sleep too, she looked trouble.

"Mom ,when is the wedding taking place" I inquired with eagerness to hear her response.

She took a deep breath before she answered "your weeding is in a couple of weeks dear" "weeks? " I shouted as I ran back to my room in tears.

I know I wanted to make this sacrifice of agreeing to this arranged marriage for the good of my family, but why is the wedding taking place in a rush,? I just got to know this morning,that I would be getting married to a stranger, and then boom, it is happening in a couple of weeks?

I thought to my self as hot tears of disappointment rolled down my cheeks.

The thought of my arranged marriage to a stranger, and the fact that it was even taking place sooner than I expected breaks my heart into pieces.

Little did I know, that the worst was yet to come on my wedding day when I came face-to-face with the cold, ruthless businessman who was to be my husband...

The following couple of days flew by in a blur of wedding making plans. My dad and mom insisted on a lavish ceremony befitting the Westbrooks' status, despite my protests. I had always wanted a small, intimate affair for my dream wedding. But this is basically opposite of all what I had imagined.

Before I knew it, my modest dream had morphed right into a grandiose spectacle at a historic mansion. Ornate floral arrangements embellished every floor. The guest list ballooned to over 300 among New York's elite higher crusters. Even my simple wedding dress had been replaced with an elaborate heavy ball gown dripping with jewels.

As I was being dolled up by an army of stylists, I couldn't stop thinking about how overwhelmed and out of place I already felt. It was even This entire production screamed of wealth and class that made me incredibly anxious and wondered What I was getting myself into?

discomfort mounted after I arrived at the venue and was ushered right into a private preparation room- completely different from which my groom waited. All they say was for tradition.

Smoothing my hands over the stiff fabric of my dress, I peered at my reflection inside the gilded mirror. My chestnut hair had been pinned into an elegant updo, , makeup caked heavily onto my unhappy looking face, all in effort at looking "presentable." And of course, I looked every bit the blushing bride, I had never looked so beautiful as I was.

But my heart wasn't full with joy and excitement . It was fluttering with dread over marrying a total stranger. A guy who had agreed to our arrangement out of pure business interest rather than any sense of love and commitment .

What sort of person was Jack Westbrook behind that cold, ruthless outside? My thoughts raced with all the horror stories of rich men being egocentric, controlling, or even worse. For all I knew, he may be hiding a few deeply stressful secrets at the back of that polished facade.

A sharp rap on the door broke me from my reverie.

A seemly young lady walked in with her face partly covered with the cap she was putting on, making it very difficult to see her face clearly.She looked at me for a few seconds, and left without even saying a word.

She looked expensively dressed and should be around my age group if am not mistaking.

Who could she be ? Why did she not say anything?

I was still deep in thought, when the door swung open once more.

"It's time," a stern voice announced.

Taking a steadying breath, I rose and made my way into the mansion's cavernous main hall. Hundreds of eyes followed my each stride down the grand staircase toward the altar where Jack stood waiting.

My first glimpse of my husband-to-be made my stomach lurch.

With his chiseled jawline, piercing blue eyes, and his impeccably tailored tuxedo's pristine cut, Jack Westbrook looked each bit the stereotypical unattainable billionaire bachelor.

He was an imposing, powerfully built man with an aura that immediately commanded respect or more accurately, fear and obedience. His slate grey suit screamed undeniable wealth and influence.

This stranger's face was almost unnaturally devoid of any detectable emotion. It was heavily lined with the chiseled features of a man older than I was, yet still ruggedly handsome in an overwhelming, severe sort of way.

He had the appearance of a man focused totally on business , not matrimony.

As I reached the altar, his gaze gave me a quick up-and-down appraisal before returning to neutral disinterest. Not even a flicker of appreciation for how I look on our wedding day.despite being made so beautifully up for the first time like a show pony he couldn't even complement my looks.

Just watching him standing by my side with his intense, domineering gaze made my knees go weak with uncontrollable terror.

The ceremony kicked into full gear as the officiant commenced the conventional vows. I tried paying attention, I truly did. But I couldn't tear my eyes away from studying Jack's stoic disposition.

Does he feel any thing towards me at all? I wondered despairingly. Or is this marriage already doomed to be the cold, unfeeling union I feared?

When it was time to exchange ring, Jack moved mechanically like an automaton performing mere routine motions. As the ostentatiously big diamond was placed on my trembling finger, his eyes remained impersonal. I mean absolutelly Empty.

My heart plummeted. This lack of any emotional connection or humanity from my new husband showed my worst dread. I did not know Jack Westbrook at all, and he didn't even care to know me either.

What sort of man would be eager to take on a bride under such disturbing, arranged circumstances. I wondered.

By the end of the ceremony when we have been pronounced husband and wife, I felt more alone than I ever had before. Sealing my life to this total stranger for the rest of my life filled me with unbearable dread and hopelessness.

As the upscale reception kicked into high gear around us, Jack's arm rigid against my back, I plastered on a smile through the first dance and cake-cutting for the ocean of photographers. All while a growing pit inside me opened wider.

What have I gotten myself into? I thought in despair . This guy will never love me, he doesn't even look like who will love me in the future.

Besides who was that lady, that came to see me without saying a word, in the private room? All these thoughts kept flooding my mind..

Just then, Jack leaned in close. My heart leapt, thinking he would finally offer some heartfelt words of confirmation to his new beautiful bride.

"Quit frowning," he muttered underneath his breath so only me can hear. "You're ruining all of the photographs with the bitter look on your face."

My face flushed with humiliation and hurt as Jack abruptly turn away from me. Fighting back tears, I realized with sickening certainty that agreeing to this marriage may have been the worst mistake of my life.

The iconic Westbrook Mansion loomed before me as the sleek limo pulled through the ornate gates. My hands s twisted anxiously in my lap, stomach churning with dread. This was really happening - I was entering my new life as Jack Westbrook's wife.

During the awkward limo rid from our wedding reception, Jack had barely acknowledge my presence. He typed away furiously on his phone the entire time, clearly prioritizing business over his new bride. I shrank back against the luxurious leather seat, fighting a sinking feeling.

This cold impersonal attitude mirrored how utterly empty and with out meaning the ceremony itself had been.No tenderness, no warmth, no love behind the vows we had exchanged. Just two strangers bound by a business contract, plain and simple.

When the limo stopped, Jack opened the door and strode inside the opulent mansion without a second look at me. Squaring my shoulders, I trailed in after him, steeling myself.

The grand foyer was overflowing with extravagant marble and gold-framed decor. Persian rugs lined the sweeping staircases to the higher levels. The place radiated wealth and sophistication, an entire world far from the modest upbringing I knew.

An older man in a crisp suit descended the main staircase, his face set in a deep scowl as he approached Jack.

"Your grandmother wishes to have a word with you," he said stiffly. "In private."

Jack's jaw clenched ever so slightly before he gave a terse nod and accompanied the man down a corridor lined with intimidating portraits and archways.

Left on my own for the moment, my eyes swept over the lavish environment that had become now my home - although I already felt like an outsider. Expensive tastes and luxuries had been fully unfamiliar territory for a middle class girl like me. A pang of longing hit me for the simplicity and comfort I once knew, before my life was uprooted into this opulent madness.

The muffled upward thrust of voices from down the hall caught my attention, harsh tones reaching my ears. I moved toward the source unconsciously, something about the heated cadence prickling my curiosity.

"... Never should have gone through with this preposterous ideal!" An elderly woman 's shrill voice cut through loud and clear as I approached a slightly ajar door.

Peering through the crack, I saw Jack facing an intimidating-old - looking woman,surely his grandmother based on her regal bearing. Her haughty expression was pulled into a sneer of disdain.

"I agreed to the business arrangement, nothing more" Jack replied evenly, arms stuffed into his pockets. "My marriage specifics are no longer your concern."

"You ignorant boy!" The shrill voice raised once more, tinged with outrage. "Marrying a poverty-stricken nobody is against everything our family stands for. The Westbrook legacy is built on prestige and class, not associating with paupers!"

My breath caught in my throat as the meaning of her scathing tirade hit me full force. They where berating my lower-class upbringing and treating me like some worthless disgrace...All because I wasn't born into money.

Jack was stone-faced,seemingly unaffected by his grandmother's verbal lashing. "I made this choice for our family's financial interest and Westbrook business 's future. That's what matters to me, not the empty judgments of snobby socialites."

"How dare you!" she snared back at him. "After everything my son and I have done to groom you as the inheritor to this empire, is this the honour you repay us with? By thumbing your nose at our values and traditions?"

"I don't owe you or anybody blind obedience," Jack fired back, his temper flaring ever so slightly. "The companies success is my priority, not your archaic expectations."

"Watch your self, boy..." His grandmother's beady eyes narrowed to slits as she leaned in near, her voice decreasing to an ominous tone. "If you insist in this path of embarrassment and recklessly put your very own selfish interests first...You'll live to regret it most bitterly. Even if I have to take drastic actions to make you see reasons."

Jack said nothing, his jaw clenched tightly as the menacing words hung in the air. The old lady wheeled on her cane and stormed from the room, her biting glares lingering on him till the last moment.

Just then, the very young woman that came to meet me at the private room without saying a word, followed the old woman from the room.I could tell it's was her because she was still dressed same way I earlier saw her.

As their echoing footsteps faded away, Jack let out a deep, weary sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. For a split second, his stony outside faltered and revealed hint of something more...Hurt? Weariness? Regret? It was impossible to tell as he composed himself once more.

I remained frozen on the hallway well after he left, reeling from the ugliness I had just witnessed. Not only was I being utterly disrespected and looked down upon with the aid of his family as lower-class-filth...But there were clearly some deeply poisonous undercurrents threatening, to our already fragile marriage, before it had even started.

Slowly, my Initial dismay curdled right into a hardening defiance and determination. If they wanted to treat me like some unwelcome disgrace based on my upbringing and finances , so be it. I would show the insufferable Westbrook family that I could not be belittled or driven away that easily regardless of their wealth or condescension.

I may have agreed to this marriage under trying circumstances, but I am iJack's wife now - for better or worse. And I would not simply lay down and watch his family of elitist bullies walk all over me without putting up a fight.

Steeling my solve, I headed upstairs to find my new husband, refusing to slink away as their doormat. My fairytale dream of a loving marriage might also have died...However a new fire was lit inside me to stand up for myself and demand basic respect on this society world I married into.

No matter how harrowing the road ahead would prove to be.