Contract Marriage: Love And Strife

It was dully composed of marble corridors; the sound of Louis Sebastian's shoes could be heard as he deliberately walked to his father's office, which was located on the 50th level. Anger blazed deep in Louis as he walked, his eyebrows knitted, he looked like an abusive son who was ready to go to war against his father.

Malcolm's secretary, who is a little plump but always anxious, saw him look furious, and she knew things were not right because Louis' countenance was horrible. "Mr. Sebastian, your father is in a meeting," she said, stammering a bit.

She did not have the chance to finish her thought as she was yelled at by Louis, who cut in, "No, I don't want to hear it." He waded through her personal space, almost nudging her with his shoulder. The assistant also let out a small screaming sound from her mouth as she stumbled backward. For an instant, Louis felt a flicker of remorse, which was short-lived by his anger.

He took hold of the solid oak door in the middle and without wasting any moments, pulled it right open. This startled everyone in the office; it gave an offensive sound, but it still was not taken literally.

Malcolm, With an exhausted expression, leaves his desk and complies with his son's apparent unauthorized entry without a word.

"Louis," Malcolm began; his voice was crisped without breathing at all, "You are absolutely on time."

Louis only got angrier upon his father's reaction. "Dad, for God's sake can you stop the nonsense," he said while walking. "I had to cancel three meetings to be here"

Malcolm was comfortably settled on the leather executive chair with a high back and though his son lost his temper, he did not alter his posture. He interlaced his fingers, something which Louis had observed quite several times while negotiating and compromising during business. "Please sit down here," he pointed at one of the chairs placed in front of the desk towards him. "We have much to discuss."

"No thank you," Louis answered gruffly while folding his arms in a rather hostile manner. The adrenaline was high, and he could also feel the beats of his heart throbbing against his chest. "Just tell me what's going on. "

A brief moment of what could be disappointment crossed Malcom's face as he exhaled, before picking up a folder from his desk. He nodded his head and answered, 'Alright,' slightly more formally. "Louis, I think that it's important that we discuss the future. "

A scowl crossed Louis's face; he laughed unpleasantly and said, "My future? what does that have to do with me now? I manage half of the businesses."

"Your marriage," Malcom said bluntly, sliding a folder across the desk.

For Louis, the word seemed to punch into him. Sweat on his forehead, the blood in his veins went cold as he froze. He had probably misheard. He tried to clarify the information, "My. . . what?"

"Your marriage," Malcolm said again, hitting the folder with the tip of the finger. "Oh, that's all here. The contract was signed before you were born. "

Louis took the folder and his hand was trembling. He turned it open and looked into the document. The sentences fused, but three phrases stood out in specific cases. "Watson family," "arranged union", and "upon completion of a law degree."

A stunned Louis looked up at his father and shook his head saying, "This can't be real. " The anger which had driven him into the office had dissolved together with the shock and confusion. This he found rather amusing: "You're joking, right? This is some kind of test?"

To this, Malcom stared at him with a neutral expression on his face. "Louis, it's not a joke; next month, you are going to marry Victoria Watson."

"Victoria Watson?" Louis raised his voice to a shout. He tossed the folder, and it landed on the desk, the papers scattered all over the table. ''The arrogant, self-righteous lawyer? Are you crazy?''

"watch it," Malcom warned with a voice that had subdued some of the harshest business competitors and board of directors. we are not going to discuss this marriage. " You are the most eligible bachelor around here, it's high time you get married and protect the family legacy.

Louis scattered his neatly combed hair by raking his hand through his hair. He became confused as he walked the office, aimlessly. He walked and stood directly in front of his father then asked, "And what about Amaya?" He asked in response, "Did you forget her?"

A feeling of something, perhaps remorse came washing over Malcom's face. His appearance seemed to be diminished and he appeared much older for a little while. But the moment was over soon enough, and his normal severe manner took over. And still in a tender but commanding tone, he said, "Amaya is... not included in this." "You will break up with her. "

Louis felt the words hit him like a hard blow. He always had Amaya with her beautiful, warm smile and generosity. These unfortunate words made him feel overwhelmed by his father's mere tempest with the possibility of losing Amaya.

Louis sighed an audible, painful, and frustrated sigh. Frustrated to the extreme and with nothing to lose he walked towards the door. He looked back over his shoulder and said, "I'm not doing this crazy thing."

Malcolm yelled, catching Louis in the middle of his steps, "Then kiss your inheritance goodbye and your sister gets... everything if you go out that door."

Louis looked at his father with bitterness and disbelief on his face before he slowly turned to go. The cold, creeping anxiety was replaced by the rage that had pushed him before. "You'd cut me off completely?" he asked.

Malcom's expression slightly softened, showing a hint of the parent hidden behind the businessman. "Don't make me do this son," he said, the tone having changed to a pleading one. "This marriage is happening, no matter what."

Louis was overwhelmed and did nothing as he became more and more aware of the words that were coming from the mouth of his father. He felt as though the office's walls were drowning him. He searched within him for an escape but there was none.

Malcolm sat on, tapping his hands on the desktop and placing them together. "You have until tomorrow to give me your answer," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Choose wisely, Louis. This isn't just about you anymore."

Louis left the office exhausted from this argument with his father. The assistant looked at him with curiosity and concern, but he ignored her. His mind was conflicted with the adversative emotions and thoughts going through his head as he walked towards the elevator.

a thought came to him as he took his phone to give Amaya a call, how would he break the news of no more an affair between them? Also, how would he manage himself if he had to live with a woman He didn't like?

Louis's trembling fingers hovered on Amaya's phone contact. He prepared himself for the discussion ahead, the busy lobby of Sebastian Tower fading into the background. He breathed in deeply, then hit the call button and held the phone up to his ear.

The phone rang once, twice, three times. Louis's worry increases, Just as he was ready to give up, Amaya's vibrant happy voice came through at the fourth ring.

"Hey, babe! Miss me already?"

Louis's heart strained at her cheerful voice. With what he was going to say, how could he shatter her entire world? He swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. "Amaya, we need to talk. Can you meet me at our spot?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Amaya said, worry in her words. "Louis? What's wrong? You sound-"

"Please," Louis interrupted, fed up with her anxiety. "It's urgent."

When Louis turned to look at her, bathed in the gentle glow of the fairy lights they had set up months before, Amaya stood there. Her hair spilt down over her shoulders, and instead of her usual petty look, her eyes shone with worry. She was beautiful, and the thought of losing her made his chest ache.

"What's going on?" Amaya asked, taking a step closer. "You're scaring me."

Louis ran his hand through his hair, a nervous habit he'd never been able to shake. The words would not come out of his mouth. "Amaya, my father, he..."

Amaya stretched her hand and grabbed his, her touch at once calming and torturous. "Louis, just spit it out."

Knowing what he was going to do, Louis was unable to deal with her sensitive touch and pulled away. He inhaled deeply and pushed the words out. "I'm going to get married. To someone else, not to you. Victoria Watson".

The words hung in the air between them, heavy and suffocating. Amaya's eyes widened in shock, her lips parting as if to speak, but no sound came out.

"What?" she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we never... I thought eventually, but-"

Louis interrupted her, his voice hollow. "It's not my choice. It's... complicated."

Silence fell between them, thick and oppressive. The distant hum of the city seemed to grow louder, filling the void left by their unspoken words.

"I don't understand," Amaya said, her voice shaking. "Is this a joke?"

Louis shook his head, unable to meet her gaze. "I wish it was. It's an arranged marriage. My father will disown me if I don't go through with it."

Amaya's demeanour shifted as the whole meaning of his words dawned on her. A stronger emotion, a blend of rage and resolve, replaced surprise and confusion. She yelled, "Are you just going to accept it?" "Louis, what about us? How about everything we've constructed?

"I don't have a choice!" Louis lost it, his voice filled with annoyance. He immediately regretted his tone, but the situation was too much for him to handle. "You don't understand what's at stake."

Amaya's eyes darted aggressively. With tears in her eyes, she said, "Then explain it to me!" "Tell me why you're giving up our relationship for a business deal!"

Louis could feel the pain in his own eyes. His heart broke for the suffering he was creating as he looked at her. "Please, Amaya. If there was another way-"

"There's always another way," she said, interrupting him with a blunt but determined voice. "You're just too afraid to find it."

Her words hit Louis, hitting too close to the doubts he had been battling. "That's not fair," he said in protest. "You don't know what my father is capable of.

"Amaya took a step forward, her eyes unwavering and fierce. "And Louis, you have no idea what I'm capable of. I won't let you go without a fight."

Her words sent shocks down Louis's spine. He had never seen the fire in Amaya's eyes before; a determination that both thrilled and terrified him. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that your father has another thing coming if he thinks he can just marry you off to some stranger," Amaya said in a deep, low voice. Louis, I'll figure out how to stop this. with or without your help."

Before Louis could come up with an answer, Amaya turned on her heel and walked for the door. With her hand on the handle, she paused and gave him one more look.

Her voice barely audible "You have a choice to make, Louis, You can either be your father's puppet or the man I fell in love with. Choose wisely."

Amaya slammed the door behind her as she left. He remained still, looking steadily at the spot where Amaya had been. The fairy lights now appeared to torment him, recalling happier but yet distant memories.

He took out his phone and looked at the screen, his hands trembling. The options in front of him didn't seem realistic. Does he need to inform his father of Amaya's underlying threat? Try to explain to Amaya the impossible situation he found himself in? Or was there another way, one he wasn't yet aware of, out of this mess?

With a deep breath, Louis put his phone into his pocket. He wasn't ready to decide just yet. But he thought about Amaya's last words as he made his way to the door. "choose wisely," she had advised. Louis knew, that whatever choice he made would shape not just his future, but the futures of everyone he cared about.

The cool night air that greeted Louis's face as he went outdoors served as a reminder that there is more to life than just his own issues. Without much thinking, he jumped into a cab and gave the driver his address.

Louis silently vowed to himself as the taxi arrived at his flat. It would take whatever it takes to find a way to do it. It was just unimaginable to think about the alternative of losing Amaya and turning into a pawn in his father's plans.

In the luxurious living room of her Upper East Side parents' apartment, Victoria Watson stood still. She always thought of the room-with its soft carpets, vintage pieces of furniture, and expensive paintings-as a museum, beautiful yet distant. Now, it appeared to be shackling her like a jail. She could hear every single one of her pulses, and her heart was racing. Her father had just said something that made her uneasy with every breath. They lingered in the atmosphere heavy.

"Are you joking?" she managed to ask, her voice scarcely audible above a whisper.

Those words seemed strange to her, as though they were said by someone else.

Margaret, her mother and an embodiment of Upper East Side grace in her tailored Chanel suit, nervously wrung her well-manicured hands. "Sweetheart, we-"

"Tell me this is a sick joke!" With a little laugh Victoria looked between her parents and said something. Her sense of urgency was reflected in an uneasy silence.

Robert, in a familiar manner, adjust his silk tie. Victoria has seen her father in formal business meetings on several times. This shaking of anxiety was obvious. He looked from her to the artwork that hung on the other wall. "It's not a joke, Victoria," was his almost clear response. "The agreement was signed before you were born. Now that law school is over, let's fulfil our end of the agreement."

Victoria's thoughts raced as she tried to understand the weight of what she was hearing. In this age, a contract marriage? And to Louis Sebastian, of all people? The arrogant, rude billionaire whose ruthless past precedes him? It all felt too absurd to be real.

She shook her head and said, "No,". "I won't do it." Her comments expressed all the determination and commitment she had cultivated over years of pursuing success in her career and studies.

Robert's face hardened and the lines around his lips enlarged. This was the expression Victoria had seen him make in boardrooms, but it was never directed at her. "You don't have a choice," he said in a voice that didn't sound open to argument. "The Sebastians saved the financial collapse of our family. We owe them this"

His comments had a weight that Victoria could feel on a bodily level. "So you're selling me to pay your debt?" She yelled, her expression changing from disbelief to rage.

Victoria backed away as if she had been burnt by her mother's touch. She raised her voice and asked, "Understand what?" "That my own parents see me as a commodity to be traded?"

"We've given you everything," Robert yelled, losing his own cool. "The best schools, endless opportunities-"

"Except a choice in who I marry!" Victoria fired back, her words hurt as she spoke.

there was silence at this moment, only the vintage grandfather clock in the corner, breaking the silence in the room. Her thoughts raced, trying hard to get her out of this nightmare.

"What if I refuse?" With a low, frightening voice, she asked, It was the voice she had been training to scare her opponents with during the trial. She would never have thought to turn the tables on her own parents.

Robert's expression shifted and his eyes became strict. "The Sebastians will repayment of the debts we owe. Everything will be gone, including our house, our company, and our standing in society. Everything."

Victoria could feel her carefully constructed world crumble around her. She wondered if her hard-earned law degree and her dreams of making a difference in the world would be compromised by her parents' poor financial decisions.

"When?" she said, her voice suddenly free of rage.

"The wedding has been set for next month," Margaret said calmly, as if showing compassion could lessen the suffering.

Victoria's expression changed to one of shock as her head sprang up. "A month? In a month, you expect me to marry a complete stranger?"

Victoria looked surprised as her head sprang up. "A month? In a month, you expect me to marry a complete stranger?" Victoria said, her expression becomes defensive. "He's hardly a stranger," Robert protested. "You've met Louis at charity events-"

"Where he was consistently rude and dismissive!" Victoria interrupted, her voice rising again. A memory flashed through her mind - Louis Sebastian at a gala, barely acknowledging her existence as she tried to engage him in conversation about his company's environmental policies. "Does he even know about this?"

She only needed to look at her parents' guilty expressions to know what she needed to know.

She wondered, running a hand over her beautifully coiffed hair, "Unbelievable." "So I'm the last to know about my own arranged marriage."

Too tired to spend another moment in the living room with her parents, Victoria turned and rushed out the door.

"Where are you going?" Margaret called out, a note of panic in her voice.

Victoria's hand paused on the doorknob. Without turning back, she snapped, "To get some air before I suffocate in here." The door slammed behind her with a satisfying bang.

As she hurried out into the warm New York evening, her mind was racing with ideas and emotions. How could her parents have taken advantage of her? How could they have been allowed to take her future for nothing? And what role was Louis Sebastian involved in all of this? Did he know? Was she the only one shocked or was this all part of a bigger plan?

Victoria's life has entirely shifted from what had seemed to be such a well-organised life. Her feet on the pavement seemed to be trembling as if the very foundations of her world were giving way.

Victoria arrived at a little park and sat down on a bench as her legs gave out.

With shaking hands, Victoria took out her phone and flipped through her contacts. Who could she talk to about this? Her friends wouldn't understand; finding a perfect apartment or securing the perfect job was their top priority. They have no experience with this.

Then she noticed Barry Joe's name, which caused her to halt. her ex-boyfriend even though she had moved on to focus on her career. Barry, with his easy laugh and kind personality. Could he even understand? Could he help?

Victoria took up her phone and gave Barry a call.

The voice of Barry emerged from the speaker. He sounded both curious and a bit unease. Of course, he wouldn't recognise her phone number. After their breakup, she made the adjustment as part of her fresh start approach to move on.

Victoria opened her lips, but nothing came out. She cried as the weight of the situation hit her once more. How could she say anything? She was unsure about what to do.

Barry's reluctant "Hello?" was the only sound to break the prolonged silence. on the other end.

Victoria panicked and hung up the phone. She looked at the phone she was holding. She couldn't recognise her own reflection on the dark screen.

The reality of the situation dawned on her. But she refused to allow a contract she had never accepted control how she lived.