The Plan

"This can't possibly be happening... Why me, of all the women? Do something, anything. Please help me" Sam begs in the hope that she can turn back the clock.

"Calm down, your marriage has been arranged. It's not as if your parents are abandoning you or throwing you off a cliff." Rahul Nayyar, my best friend, and the owner of the coffee shop spoke calmly. He was saying it coolly as if he ordered a Latte in a coffee shop.

She has no idea what an embolism feels like, but she is experiencing one. Stupid heart... Could you please stop that thing from beating so fast? it's throwing her concentration off.

"You know, you can always say 'No.' You have the option of rejecting this alliance," Mackenzie said as a matter of fact that Sam's mouth hung open, gaping with shock.

"You already know I can't. That guy is a haughty jerk, but his parents are angels. You should have seen their expression. Max, my parents and his were overjoyed when I nodded my head. I couldn't ruin their joy." Sam sat helplessly, her hands covering her face.

Rahul and Mackenzie, her friends, stood face to face for a brief moment, silently staring at each other. They don't know how to help their friend.

"Wait a minute, tell us how a simple family lunch led to you getting engaged to your nemesis. Could you please tell us what happened at lunch?"

Sam sat and jumped out of her chair to pace. "Mr. and Mrs. Brown are close family friends. My parents and the Browns are friends from college. They made a pact that if they had any children, they would marry them and finally become a family."

"Are you aware of this agreement?" Rahul, who was perplexed, questioned.

She gave him a hard stare. "Would I sit here ranting helplessly if had I known about the pact?"

"How about him?"

"Who do you mean?"

"The notorious groom. Mr. Noah Brown, please?" Asked Max

Sam swallowed firmly. Her stomach churned as the sound of his name rang in her ears.

"I'm not certain."

"Sam, I understand you are deeply concerned about Mrs. Brown's health, but why on earth would you agree to marry the guy you despise" Max, the ever-so-sensible, questioned.

She rolled her eyes and averted her gaze. "Aunt Sophia has to have heart surgery, and she is adamant that she wants to see her son get married before she goes into the operating room."

Noah…. In London, the prodigal son resides. He's three years older than she is. At the age of 15, he went to a private school in London. He hasn't returned home and she hasn't seen him since he left for London. His parents used to visit him in London, and he made it abundantly clear to them that he has no plans to return to Alaska.

Noah and Sam had never agreed on anything before. They were always standing toe-to-toe, ready to claw each other's eyes out. They never passed up an opportunity to fight.

Noah began his career in the mailroom and now owns his investment firm in London. He has no desire to run his father's Alaskan investment firm. His father is getting old, and what kind of son would refuse to carry on his father's legacy? When she saw her parents yearn for their son's love, Sam's hatred for Noah grew by leaps and bounds.

The plot does not end here. The story's twists appeared one after the other to make it more spiral. Sam finished her studies and got admission to law school. She wanted to be a lawyer, but she couldn't because she had to take care of her family after her mother died unexpectedly. Her father was devoted to her mother. They were both high school sweethearts. Her father is a high school history teacher. They are not poor, but neither are they as wealthy as Mr. Brown. Samantha Lucas, at the age of twenty-six, has experienced loss. When she lost her mother, Mrs. Brown filled the void by always being there for her. She can't leave her when her life is in danger. Her family is her lifeline. Aunt Sophia's health caused havoc in her life.

Finally, Aunt Sophia agreed to the heart surgery on the condition that her son returns to Alaska and marry the girl of her choice. Fortunately for me, the girl of her choice is me. I didn't have a choice. We don't even know each other. Sam has no idea if he has a girlfriend, and he has no idea if she has a boyfriend. In this madness, the only thing that made her happy was her Dad's happiness. It's the first time she has seen him smile since her mother's death. Except for the so-called bride, everyone was content.

Rahul began, "Sam..."

"What am I going to do, guys? We both despise each other. I don't even know who he is. What if he's already married or engaged, has a mistress, or likes to change girls like clothes? "What if..."

"Stop…"

"If you keep asking what-if questions, it will kill you."

She couldn't keep her voice from quivering. "Then help me, Rahul."

"We want you to be happy, Sam, but you gave your consent. There's no turning back." Rahul stated.

Samantha squeezed her eyes once more as the room fell silent. This time, however, it was only to keep the tears from falling.

"Noah despises my guts. He'd probably think this is all part of my plan. Do you realize how bizarre and creepy this sounds?"

"You're making it sound ridiculous, Sam."

"Do I, Max?" Do you realize I'm getting married out of resentment, obligation, and love for my parents? The only reason Noah would do this is to get his mother into surgery, but god forbid, what if the surgery is unsuccessful? Would he flee to London again? How can I put my trust in a man who can't even take care of his elderly parents? How can I put my trust in him to look after me? How long will it be before we file for a divorce? Max, I want to marry for love. I'm not going to enter into a marriage that is doomed to fail."

All of her emotions hit her like a brick, but instead of crying or feeling sad, they all coalesced into anger. She wanted to scream at Aunt Sophia for picking her. She wanted to be enraged at her father for agreeing. She is enraged at his mother for abandoning her. She wished she could go back in time and spend holidays with her mother, have coffee with her, or tease her. She couldn't help but be enraged at anyone and everyone who denied it.

"You're overthinking it. When Noah agreed to this marriage, he agreed to everything that comes with it. That includes YOU."

"Am I? Will you marry me, Rahul? By the way, I'm a package deal. I'm pursuing a law degree and will never leave this city or my parents. So, Rahul, is that a yes?"

Rahul sat back in his chair, rolling his eyes. "I've got a girlfriend."

"Oh right, that's the only thing keeping you from saying yes, Rahul?"

"Are you sure you're not overthinking this?"

"Am I overthinking this? Am I losing my mind? You guys have lost it. Let's do the math: Noah never even bothered to visit his parents. He had no desire to take over his father's business. Even though he was aware of his mother's illness, he did not visit her. He was now given an ultimatum to marry me. What do you expect to happen? He'll fall head over heels in love with me after one look, and we'll drive off to the sunset and live happily ever after, won't he? This is fucking unfair and cruel."

The entire room was deafeningly quiet.

"Wait a minute, you can't refuse the marriage, but Noah can, right?" Max inquired.

"What do you mean?"

"Noah is on his way to Alaska in two days. Why don't you meet for coffee and lay all your cards on the table? Request him to deny the marriage."

"And then what? What if Aunt Sophia refuses to have surgery?"

"Aunt Sophia's problem is that she wants her son to be close to her. What if we persuade him to convince his parents that he will be staying with them for a few years? Problem solved"

"Yes, it's that simple. A man who doesn't want to spend a few days in the city will agree to stay for years simply because I asked him to? Max, he despises me. He fucking despises me. I despise him as well. This is a recipe for disaster," I yell, slamming my hands on his desk.

"Sam…"

"This is such a slap in the face, Rahul. How can our parents believe we are incapable of falling in love unless we are forced to do so? This is our life, and we are free to live it however we see fit. We don't require a cupid or a matchmaker. This is the worst match in the history of the world. This marriage is a complete disaster. Who wants to bet on who will kill the other first?"

"Your rage is understandable, Sam. From where I am, I can only see two possibilities: First and foremost, speak with Noah and strike a deal. Request that he speaks to his parents and cancel the wedding. Number two: Tell your parents the truth. Aunt Sophia, you said, is like your second mother. Who knows a child's heart better than his or her mother?"

"There is no other way to do this?" Sam swallowed, deciding to be brave.

"No"

"If I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it on my terms."

"What does that supposed to mean?"

"I will never marry Mr. Noah Brown, come hell or high water."

"Let us help you, Sam. Don't do anything that will put you in even more trouble than you are already in."

"I can fight my battles on my own, Rahul. And Noah is my pain in the ass. But for what I have in mind, I will undoubtedly require both of your help. Let's go, guys."

"Go where?" both Rahul and Max said at the same time.

"Let's make a deal with the devil."