Trapped In The Billionaire's Bargain

It was breezy, perfect for an evening on a balcony. Amy took a deep breath as she stepped onto the balcony, resting one hand on the rail while the other held her glass. The breeze blew on her face and neck, and she wished she was wearing a much freer dress to feel it on all parts of her skin. Not that she minded the dress, it was after all a beautiful piece. Her mother had impeccable taste, leaving her with three different options. This dress had been her choice. She was also glad she chose it because it had helped in selecting her indulgence for the night.

There had been an array of drinks: wine, whiskey, all the likes. But she decided the moment she could see the color of her fabric in the slender glass, she wanted champagne. She loved that her drink and dress matched, it made her feel a certain kind of control.

It had been quite suffocating in there, she thought to herself. The party, which was the anniversary of a company where her father was one of the major shareholders, was her first of attending such a formal event. One where she was identified as the daughter of Robert Martins. It was quite dramatic and unnecessary. That after years of going solo to events- sometimes with his wife- she suddenly appears at this one, by his side. The daughter that no one knew much about. She would have loved to remind her father that her life was not a Bridgerton story but she was not sure he would appreciate her humor. Robert Martins after all was a very traditional man.

She supposed the celebration ought to be a more private affair but on the contrary, it seemed almost everyone in the business world was in attendance. For all her father's overprotectiveness, she was grateful she had never been made to attend such parties all these years. Just over an hour in and she already felt she would lose her sanity if she had to make anymore conversation.

She sighed softly, taking a sip from her glass and staring ahead. The city lights were a beautiful sight at night. It was one of the things she thought she would never get tired of seeing.

Considering her family's estate was a bit far off the city, it was not always a common sight for her.

Amy was a literal princess locked away from the world in a castle. Well not literally, considering it was a mansion and she did leave the house when she wanted; to work for instance, albeit with bodyguards watching her from a distance. She was almost sure too there were people watching and reporting her every move to her father where she worked. Her office was one of her father's businesses but she was good at her job no doubt. It might have been handed to her on a platter but she made sure to do her best to earn it.

Someone joined her then on the balcony. A man she noticed, but did not care to take a good look at him. Amy was surprised however, when the man made no attempt to talk with her, not even a question about how she was enjoying the night. She supposed like her he just needed to take a breather before rejoining the party. Although if she were the one entering an occupied balcony, she would feel inclined to say something, at least in greeting. But she also appreciated the silence. She herself had no desire to talk anymore than necessary.

She thought about her current situation, how she would escape from the arranged marriage her father had planned. She knew her attending the party meant things were going to be different. She would soon be some business man son's wife. And it was a way of meeting her potential husbands as well.

At first, after learning of her father's plan to marry her off, she had wondered how much older the man her father would choose would have been. Would he have been ten years older? Maybe less? Or more? Her father had over ten years on her mother and theirs had not even been an arranged marriage. She had been surprised then when her father had suddenly given her some papers containing names and information of suitable partners. Not only had none of them been forty, but she had also gotten a chance to select which one of them she would prefer. Though she supposed it did not mean much. She would not be surprised if her father already had a particular one in mind for her. One that would benefit him the most.

Perhaps she should be grateful for the courtesy, but to her, the entire situation was like breaking out of prison only to end up in hell. Amy liked to be prepared for anything so entering an arranged marriage was like walking blind for her. Which was why despite her indifference, she had willingly learnt as much as she could about her father's candidates from the documents he had given her.

She was really not interested in choosing any one of them, but based on what she knew her father would benefit from the most, she had marked about three names out for further consideration. Amy had spotted one of them at the party earlier, but she had been quick to make an escape before her father bothered with introductions.

Amy shook her head slowly, trying to rid herself of her thoughts.

"No more thinking", she decided. The pleasantness of her reprieve had worn off with the road her mind had taken, leaving her wistful. Perhaps she should make conversation after all to keep to that decision.

From her periphery, Amy noticed the man who had been standing with her move to return to the party. She turned finally catching a glance of him. She stared at him even after he walked through the glass doors and disappeared into the crowd.

What were the odds that she had been standing with her most prospective suitor?

His name was Reynolds Bennet.

His family was old money but from what she had learnt, he had taken on a different path for himself. What reason would he have to be willing to take on an arranged marriage? She wondered how her father made his list. Did he simply mark out sons who would serve useful to him or were they also families planning arranged marriages?

There had not been much details on Reynolds Bennet except from the facts; aside from his family's wealth, he was quite wealthy himself, and to have achieved that at his age, Amy was impressed. Though she realized his family's name had to have helped. Also, he'd had just a single public relationship. She was not a fool to believe that meant he had been celibate all these while. If he had any dirty deals, he hid them well because there was nothing shady to learn about him. As a matter of fact, she came to a realization that he was the perfect candidate. He seemed okay but what if it was all just a façade and he was something devious underneath. You can never know with these businessmen. The devil you know, they say, is better than the one you do not know. It bothered Amy, that she knew not nearly enough about him. She did not notice her mother coming into the balcony.

"Amy", her mother called, touching her softly.

"What are you doing out here alone? You know it bothers your father to be out of his sight".

Of course it did. Father was very controlling. She had learnt it all her life. And even now at twenty five, she knew it better than anyone. But maybe not as best as her mother.

Giving her mother a small hug, Amy offered a tight lipped smile while guiding them both back into the party.

"Of course mama. I only needed some fresh air. You know its my first time at gatherings like this".

'Mama' was a term she had started using for her mother in an attempt to feel closer to her. It had worked for a while, they would both smile and laugh over it, before it lost its charm and she got used to it. Now she called her mother whatever came to mind first.

Her mother smiled back, "I understand dear. I was only worried your father would get concerned".

Concerned was putting it mildly, but Amy had learned early enough the art of euphemism when it came to her father. The truth about him was being ungrateful but every extremities he did was for the good of whomever was at the receiving end of his attention.

Amy's mother led them to where her father was. Thankfully, he was engaged in a conversation with a trio and not concerned of her whereabouts. Once they were noticed however, it led to another round of introductions and smiles. Amy responded as interested as she could, but not long after, she found herself searching for someone. She looked around for a while before she finally caught him talking with a man. She observed him from then on, every person he talked to, his expressions, whom he offered a smile to, which was not often. Even when the older men let out hearty laughs, he simply sipped from his drink and offered a smile afterwards before resuming the conversation.

She would feel intimidated in his presence, she thought to herself. His appearance of ease and how he did not bother doing what he preferred not to, even though others around him

She tuned in just as her father rounded up the conversation with the man he had been talking with. They shared a final laugh before he called, "Come Amy".

Turning to face her father, her attention went off Reynolds. With her father's hand rested slightly on her arm and her mother on her other side, they walked through the groups of people, greeting some as they moved past. But it was no longer just moving around, greeting and discussing the next business deal. Amy realized her father had a destination. It was not until they approached a table that she noticed it was Reynolds she was walking towards. This time he was with his parents. Gerald Bennet was on a wheel chair but the woman, his wife, Amy thought was quite stunning, even for her age. It was obvious Diana Bennet was aging well. Reynolds was positioned behind the wheel chair.

"Mr. Bennet! How long has it been", her father called and the two men exchanged deep laughter. If the room was not so loud already, it would have surely bothered her more. But as it was, it was simply a laugh amongst many others that continued ringing out at intervals. She tuned them out from then on, choosing to observe. She tried not to make it obvious but her focus remained on Reynolds.

Interestingly, he listened to whatever conversation the two fathers were having. But he never spoke, simply observed. Not until her father directly asked him a question.

"You should come by sometime, so we can discuss things more hmm?"

At this, Reynolds father turned his stare to his son as though answering this question decided many other things. He glanced at his father and his mother and then longer at Amy before replying, 'We'll see". Amy was not sure if his response was a confirmation or a consideration that they would see . She wished she had paid more attention then she would not have been so lost as to what they needed to discuss more about.

Her father let out another laugh to which Gerald Bennet responded with a satisfied one of his own. The two continued with their talks, Reynolds excused himself while the mothers complimented each other. Diana especially showered Amy with a lot of praises causing her to smile shyly, only because it was the only thing that had felt sincere the entire night. Amy could not help but return the praises.

It was when the party had come to an end for them, and they had entered the car back to the estate that it finally dawned on Amy.

Her father had after all decided for her on her future husband; and it was Reynolds Bennet.

Amy sat at the vanity absently combing through her hair as she stayed lost in thoughts.

Was this it? Was she to have no choice in her life? Even with whom she was to spend the rest of her life with? Was she to marry someone she knew next to nothing about?

Sure Reynolds was very handsome, she would have had to be blind not to see that. But looks were not the issue.

What if he turned out too worse than her father, more controlling?

Would he decide the very air she should breathe?

He did not need to accept such a marriage. With his success alone he could have anyone he wanted, live his life the way he wanted. Something she could not do. She was duty bound to her family, her father; and she had no way out.

How was there absolutely nothing she could use against him? Something she could use as an excuse to avoid the match. Though it might not have made a difference to her father, considering he was involved in some shady business as well. Amy was well aware of her father's businesses despite not being allowed to be actively involved in any of them. Even though she held a good position where she worked, most of the decision making was not up to her. She brought deals, made them; but there was always a limit to the things she could do. In the end, she never had the final say.

She thought back to Reynolds. Had he recognized her at the party? At the balcony? What if he had also been given a document, learning everything about her? It was possible, Amy reasoned. The way Mr. Bennet had looked at his son suggested that it was something they had talked about before. If that was the case, would he think of her as pathetic? She was unable to do anything on her own volition, without her beloved father knowing. And if that was not the case, then Mr. Bennet at least had to have known. His and her father's conversation had seemed too familiar to think otherwise. It could have been just another business deal, she reasoned. But it could not be a coincidence that Mr. Bennet's son was in her father's file and suddenly they were both exchanging laughs at the party.

She was not ready for this. She felt so helpless she wanted to cry. Or was she too old to do that anymore?

Could she refuse? She had never defied her father before. Most times simply following out the path he wanted for her.

A knock pulled her out of her thoughts. Amy's mother entered smiling warmly at her and for a moment, Amy felt resentful towards her mother. Even she could do nothing about her predicament?

"My dear", Juliet called, placing one hand on the chair Amy sat and looking down at her.

"Is something wrong? Do you need anything mother?" Amy asked

"No" Juliet replied. "I only wanted to see you before going to bed. You will be sleeping soon right?"

"Yes, I will"

Amy took her time preparing for bed, knowing her mother had something to tell her. And by the looks of it, it was something Amy would not like.

"You might have to stop working at the office, dear"

Amy turned to face her mother. "Why?" Amy thought she had asked too calmly, considering how her heart had started to race upon registering her mother's words.

"Well-"

"Did father say that?" she cut her mother off.

Her mother sighed. "Amy-"

But Amy tuned her out. In that moment, nothing could describe how helpless she felt. She had not expected this to be taken away from her. Granted it had not been completely hers, it was her father's business after all. But she had looked forward to doing something that made her feel less like a wallflower. Sometimes she had looked forward to seeing co-workers, smiling and waving, engaging in chit chats. She had most especially enjoyed the more serious conversations, bringing ideas to the table that everyone mostly went with. They made her feel like she knew what she was doing with herself. Hearing what her subordinates thought of her was something she did not mind too. Sometimes there were nice comments, and the not-so-nice ones helped her realize some truths.

"Where is father?? Is he in his study? I will go talk to him. He can't do this" she interrupted her mother.

"There is no need Amy. You know it will do you no better

"

Amy stared at her mother wide eyed. Nothing could stop her tears now. "How can you say that? How can you let this happen? What am I to do then, be a housewife? I don't even know if I can cook up a decent meal, do chores. I'm to stay at home doing absolutely nothing but looking good?"

And maybe going on mindless shopping or having silly tea meetings. Weren't people with old money and connections like that?

She did not even have the strength she wanted to raise her voice properly, instead she ended her complaints crying quietly. She had not realized until then how much she wanted out of the life she was so used to.

"It doesn't have to be like that" her mother pacified. "And nothing has been decided yet". She stroked Amy's hair once, "Rest okay?". Amy nodded.

After her mother left, Amy had no trouble falling asleep soon after. Sleep was her easy escape. Most times she would wake up feeling better. This time, it was different. She was not as overwhelmed as she had felt the previous night, but she did not feel at ease either.

Amy got up to prepare for work as usual. As she opened the door to her room to leave, her father came in.

"Father", she greeted him, kissing him on one cheek.

He returned her embrace.

"To work?" He asked

"Yes" she responded. He was asking the obvious which meant there was something to talk about.

"There is something to discuss. Sit for a while dear". Amy did and they talked at length.

She left for work eventually, but for the last time.