CHAPTER 6

Ethan's Perspective (POV)

Marriage?The last thing I wanted to think about was getting married. It'd be nothing like an arranged marriage, even if I entertained the idea. Not even with Emma, but with a number of other girls with whom I had had close relationships, none of them had resulted in marriage. Emma had my undying support, but I deliberately shied away from the idea of a conventional marriage. Take a look at what befell my parents.

My father remained fixated on the TV as a heavy silence settled in the room. This was his daily thing to do dropping a bombshell and then going silent, waiting for a response. I had been so occupied with everything that has been going on lately,i stared at my father, and I saw the same emptiness in his gaze, the deep wrinkles etched on his face, and his snow-white hair as that day.

i heard someone say, "She's gone," then i turned around to see who spoke. He descended the stairs as though attempting to come down to my level. If he were closer, maybe I could comprehend better. He knelt and took my hands.

"Son, your mother is gone," he said, and I waited for more information. She had gone shopping, she was at the salon, she was visiting someone, and she'd be back, right? His lips remained still, and I searched his eyes, but they revealed nothing.

"She wouldn't leave me. She loves me too much. You're lying!" I pulled my hands away from him.

"Mom!"

"Mum!" I started crying and crying to the extent i couldnt hear myself at all. It was like if my heart was about to come out from my mouth. Desperate to escape that room, I ran. Maybe my mom was outside, or she hadn't gone far. I could still catch up with her.

The door swung open, and my stepmother walked in, eyeing me, drenched in my tears. My dad remained on his knees.

"Lucas, what's happening here?"

"Aunt Karen, have you seen my mom?"

"I'm not your mom's babysitter. Besides, I've been busy all day ensuring the party photos turn out perfectly for tomorrow's headlines. Lucas, we didn't take any photos together." She strolled over to my dad, completely ignoring me.

"Now is not the time, Karen." My dad got up and moved to stand in front of me, walking past her.

"Leave for the upstairs, buddy. I had the housekeepers clean up your room, and we can play your favorite video games. I know the ones you love."

"Where's my mom?!" I yelled, surprised by the strength in my voice.

"Oh dear!" Aunt Karen made a face as she sank into a couch.

"Has she finally left? If she knew she was going to leave eventually, why wait this long? Good riddance!" She headed toward the bar, muttering inaudible words in a sing-song manner.

"But if you're here, Ethan, that means she abandoned you. She left her child?!" She let out a piercing scream as if she had just grasped the whole situation unfolding before her.

"Karen, that's enough! Say one more word."

"And what will you do? What can you do, Lucas? I may be the devil, but I'd never abandon my child." She looked at me in a very irritating manner then she took the bottle of wine in her hand and left.

my father didnt utter a word from his mouth.

"I'm not marrying anyone. I don't know what deal you've made, but you need to call it off." I stood up, ready to leave.

"Do you think you can manage the company on your own when I'm gone? This marriage would secure your position as chairman."

"So, what is she? A business expert?"

"That's not my point. Sit down." I gestured to the mahogany chair I had just vacated.

"I'll stand." My hands went into my pants pockets and my legs looked for a position that felt right. I had not intended to take a seat and participate in this discussion.

"Suit yourself."

"You might think you have everything in the company under control now, and that you're gaining respect from people twice your age because I appointed you acting chairman. I own 35% of the company's shares, but that doesn't give me the right to reinstate a chairman. You'll need allies, boy, and who wouldn't want to be allied with the mayor's son-in-law."

"You're talking nonsense, Dad. I've worked hard for that company. I've earned the respect associated with my name. Marriage won't solidify anything." I walked toward the bar, the same old bar that had been there for years, and poured myself a glass of whiskey.

"Pour me one too, boy." He finally stood up and walked toward me. The whiskey tantalized my taste buds and provided a soothing effect.

"I like this stuff. How did you obtain it?"

"Ah, one of the perks of marrying this young lady is that her father knows where to find the good stuff." He chuckled.

"I'm out. Don't contact me unless it's about business."

"This is about business. If the issue is the arrangement, we can change that. Get to know her and spend time together before the ceremony."

"No," I securely answered.

"This is a smart move if the rumors about your dating life are accurate and you're not looking for love. You're not required to fall for her. We need this for the business." He added, sounding irritated.

"And what then? She'll live in an unloved marriage her whole heart, just like Mom?"

And there it was, the emotion he had never expressed when she left. His eyes darkened, and I had touched a raw nerve. He turned around and walked to his chamber, but not before saying, "There'll be a party to celebrate her graduation when she returns. You'll attend, and that's not up for debate.