10 Arranged marriage

Jenna's POV

I had a big smile on my face seeing the two women standing now face to face. They were so different and yet, both of them had something in common: Henry. I couldn't help but wonder what Henry found special about them and also about his dynamic with Christine. It was hard to believe he would actually give up to a woman like her because she had all the qualities a man could wish for: beauty, intelligence and her father's money.

After a couple of minutes I noticed Henry was back at the table, standing between Christine and Mila. I saw Mila's blank expression as Christine was talking to the others, analysing Henry's behaviour like a mad scientist. That woman was nuts after him, it wasn't hard to tell. I wasn't an expert in people but even I knew that what she did before with me was a low blow and not one of the best.

"Jenna, we're going to switch the areas!" I heard Trisha saying. "You're going to serve at the entrance area now." She pointed where Henry's table was and my feet stuck to the ground. That was a complete disaster.

"I don't want that area! Which area's left?" I rushed to ask.

She looked puzzled for a couple of seconds and responded:

"Well, there's the pool area, but Sara already started on it, I'm sorry..." she pleaded. I knew it would be quite awkward for both Henry and I to be face to face, even for a couple of moments, but I was a strong, powerful and semi-independent woman who had to treat this situation with professionalism and dignity. And so, trying to gain courage and conquer my fears, my heart began racing like a small Hussein Bolt on the track and I breath in and out rapidly, imagining my emotions leaving my body with every exhale.

" If you want, I can ask..." I cut her off.

"No! I can do this!" I said moving my head left-right and shaking my hands as if preparing for a battle.

"Ok..." she mumbled, raising her eyebrows and quickly moving past me with an empty tray. I began arranging the glasses on the platter and filling them up with alcohol. There was a rush in me, I felt my heart pulsing as I got to the last one. I began from the left side of the area because it was the furthest away from Henry. When I got to his table, he didn't even notice me since he was talking with Christine's parents, passionately explaining them about the technology he was working on. I went by slowly thinking I was off the hook but then I heard Mila's voice:

"Waiter, I would like a drink!". I rolled my eyes and turned around to serve the princess. I was now between Henry and her, holding the tray and having the impression that the woman was moving in slow motion. I felt his eyes on me but I didn't look at him, instead glared at Mila and smiled politely, holding my breath.

"Henry, should we discuss business?" I heard Christine's father asking. Henry nodded and they both left into the house.

Henry's POV

I wasn't fond of the idea that William Dunphy should be one of the investors for my project, but his expertise and money spoke for themselves as it was one of the most successful business men in New York. I was surprised when he accepted my invitation to the cocktail party and positive he had an ulterior motive after everything that happened with Christine. Tonight, I had the opportunity to find out what that was and I thought of multiple possibilities while I was going up the stairs and into the office alongside him.

"Would you care for a glass of bourbon?" I inquired while pouring the strong liquid in one of the glasses from the platter next to my desk.

"Yes, thank you!" he answered with a grin. I passed him the other glass and he smelled the content inside, closing his eyes and smiling.

"This is exactly the same brand your father used to serve me every time we closed a deal together." he stated taking a sip and sitting on the black leather sofa next to my desk. "Now, let's discuss business." he added.

"Of course!" I said, sitting on the leather chair." We are developing a prototype, it's in the incipient phase but the potential exists. The concept consists in a VR suit compatible on all platforms that could enhance the player's experience in the virtual world by simulating pain, vibrations of course on a smaller scale depending on the players' stimuli. It can also be programmed independently to serve as a learning mechanism for people that would like to master new fighting techniques, dance moves and so on." I made a pause to see if the man was interested in the idea and hear his thoughts. He smirked at me and nodded, visibly impressed.

"I love the idea and I would help you with what you need, money is not a problem as you well know, but I have two conditions."

"I'm listening!"

"First of all, I'll be your only investor. I don't like working with others plus I believe it's a waste of time to share your company between multiple investors rather than one. Don't you agree?" I sensed the fact that he was forcing my hand, though it had a point. In order for this to work, it was safer to give him a percentage of my company that would still grant me the majority of shares than loose the grip over my company and risk total chaos.

"It seems fair, and the other condition?"

"You'll take my daughter's hand in marriage." My mouth dropped at the hearing of his words and I felt a lump in my throat thinking at the idea of me spending my entire life with a woman like his daughter, or even worse, the concept of marriage. Don't get me wrong, Christine was a real catch, but she was too dull and weak for my taste. "I know we had our differences in the past, but this time I want seriousness from you. I don't like working with a man that can't hold it in his pants or doesn't understand the idea of responsibility."

"I understand your point of view, but I am responsible, after all I'm running a successful company that could pay you back in one-year tops considering the interest as well. You don't have to worry about this!", I said firmly trying to reason with him. The man shrugged and leaned comfortably on the sofa, looking at me defiantly.

"A company that was built by your father from the ground and let's not forget what type of business man he was. Sometimes I wondered if I stood up to his level, he was driven, fearless, willing to sacrifice everything for his dreams." he spoke with so much passion about him, clenching his fists as he described him and I couldn't help but let out a sigh, thinking of another solution that could absolve me of this deal. Unfortunately, there was none that could come into my mind and help me win this fight.

"Yes, he sacrificed everything, including his family." I followed irritated, emptying the glass and going for another one. William raised his shoulders and made a grimace worth a million words.

"The question is: are you willing to do the same and become the most successful man in the IT industry or settle for less and live in your father's shadow?" His question affected me, making me wonder if my company was indeed thriving at it's true potential or not but I knew that I can't offer him an answer right now.

"I'll have to think about your offer." I said emotionless, trying to mask how affected I was by his attempt to shove his daughter up my throat. "Why do you want to marry Christine anyway? It's not up to her to decide for herself with whom she wants to spend the rest of her life with? Also, my mother is another factor which has to be taken into consideration. She is invested with the Coulton family." I said and the man began laughing loudly.

"Son, this is business. Christine is easy to manage, don't worry about that, and your mother is a practical woman. I'm sure she will be more than happy to change her mind. You just think about it and let me know, but don't think too much though." he said giggling. "The offer has an expiration date." I see him emptying the glass from one sip and coming towards me stretching his hand. I shook it and saw him making his way to the door. I plunged back into the comfy chair, trying to emotionally prepare myself for the presentation that was about to start.

I was deep in thought and didn't even realise when half an hour passed until someone knocked at my door and announced me that the investors are waiting for me downstairs. As I was making my way to the garden, I heard two women arguing violently downstairs and a man's voice trying to calm them.

"You fucking asshole, I'll rip your balls out and wear them as earrings. How dare you grabbing my ass like I'm some sort of scarlet?" one of them yelled furiously, slapping Mark's left cheek followed by the other woman doing the same thing, using him as a punching bag.

"It's not my fault you crazy women don't know how to handle a compliment." he said rubbing his face which was now red from the palm marks.

"I'll show you how I handle compliments from assholes like you." the first woman said, grabbing him by the shoulders and applying a knee right in his crotch. They left as he yawned in pain, swearing through his teeth and holding his hands in the affected area. I stopped behind him, friendly patting him on the shoulder.

"When you are done being an ass, join the others in the garden. I'm having the presentation now." I said amused, leaving him to catch his breath.

After the presentation was done, I thank everybody for their patience and interest, watching them leaving one by one until the only people left were my mother, Jane and her daughter, Mila. I didn't have any type of feelings towards Mila, instead I felt suffocated the entire night being stranded with her as my date, following me like a lost puppy in search of her owner. She kissed me intensely before leaving after which she bit her bottom lip sensually, showing me a coy grin, followed by her mother's hugs and kisses like I was her long-lost son.

"Henry, I am so glad you and my daughter get along. The party was a success. I'm looking forward to see your project coming to life."

"Likewise! It was nice meeting you and thank you for coming." I said kissing her hand and watching her leave alongside her daughter.

As soon as my mother and I were left alone, she sat on the sofa releasing a sigh, visibly tired and a little sleepy.

"William is willing to invest in the company!" I said, trying to seem excited.

"Oh Henry, that's great news!" she praised, raising her hands.

"But there's a catch..." I added and I watched as her face dropped. "He wants me to marry Christine..." I followed, sitting on the sofa next to her. I watched as one corner of her mouth raised and her eyes narrowed mischievously.

"If William wants a wedding, then we're going to give him one." she stated after which we both sat there, silent until I fell asleep.