Chapter Six - Wrong Decision?

HAILEY'S POV

"Now that you've graduated, your father would love for you to work at a company he started working at " Mr. Knox starts saying.

There he goes speaking as if my dad is here. Shrugging it aside, "so I can finally get a job?" I asked hopefully.

"Of course" he responded as if it was the most obvious thing.

Happier than I've felt since graduation at the possibility of getting a job.

"I've sent out numerous resumes, but the responses I've gotten so far are out of state, now it seems things are looking up," I smiled brightly.

With a disturbed look, he stares at me, "are you okay?" I asked nervously.

As if waking from a dream, "yes I am. I feel proud of the woman you are growing into." He explains his feelings. "They are or would be so proud of you." he emphasized.

With a small smile I looked at him. "Thank you. Thank you for all you've done for me since they died. You've been a constant strength and support in my life. You're my family." I told him, tears glistering on my eyelids, reaching my hands across the desk holding Mr. Knox's hands that were laid flat on the desk.

"This marriage proposal is an invitation for you to be part of a family permanently." he changes the topic, moved emotionally.

Chuckling, "I hoped you would have forgotten about that" I said, twirling my index finger at him.

"As your lawyer, I am obligated to ensure that your mother's will is fulfill." he explains.

With my thoughts on my dad, "would my dad approve of me marrying, mom's best friend son?" I wondered.

"Absolutely" he confirms without a second thought.

That was quick, I thought.

He continues, "your families were very close to each other, so they may have the answers you want about their past, which I don't. They were friends before I met your parents" he says.

Thanking God for the bubbly in my system, that was taking control of my brain causing me to ask questions I normally wouldn't.

"How does my potential future husband feel about it. Me., This Marriage?" I asked him, waving my hands dramatically.

Without hesitating, "he is open to it. His parents always wanted you in their family but couldn't adopt you because of the promise that was made to your parents to marry you to their son on your twenty first birthday." he continues.

Shocked, somebody wanted me? A family actually wanted me to belong to them? Smiling, "how is it that I'm now hearing this?" I wondered.

"Please understand me, I couldn't discuss these things while you were under age. Then you went out to college, so we decided that after your graduation would be perfect timing" he says excitedly.

Confused, "what do you mean and whose we?" I asked.

Again he looked guilty, but the emotion pass through his eyes quickly. "Ahem, perfect that you can start your new job.," he explains "and you're old enough to know and understand your mother's request for you. I mean if I had told you this when you were eighteen, your would have scream murder and murdered me in the process" he exaggerated chuckling.

"Oh my God! Am I really that bad" I asked faking offence.

"Yeah you are" he confirms grinning.

"If I agree to this, I want you to help me establish a dream of mines" I requested.

"Hmm a bargain. Okay, yes, once it is within my means, I would" he responded cautiously.

Grinning, God I hope this works, "you said that I have monies and have more to inherit. With that in mind, I want your legal expertise in acquiring the properties surrounding the church to extend the children's home, also housing for battered women and a building to open a feeding program to the homeless." I describe for him.

About a minuet later he was still silent, so I continued, "I need your help, its as simple as that, and I will do as my mother wishes" I agreed.

"It's that's simple?" he questions skeptically.

Knowing that it isn't the only reason. These people know my family and they could help me, because in my nightmares I only see my mother not my father. Its always my mother who died.

Shaking my head, "no, it's not that simple, suppose he marry me and divorce me taking away everything my parents left me" I asked with concern.

Shaking his head, "no Hailey, that will never happen. I will draw up a contract that separates your assets from his plus the additional to your estate after this one will be between you and me" Mr. Knox promises.

"Hailey why are you accepting this arrangement so easily? I expected tears, arguments and bantering between us. I don't trust you. This was too easy" he said doubting me.

Chuckling, "Am I that difficult?" I said faking hurt, by placing both palms on my heart.

Laughing, "yes you are. You are not a pushover. because you push back," he smiles at me proudly.

"When you get married, never let anyone walk over you. Stand up for your rights at all times and as long as I am alive, always come to me with questions or anything that bothers you." he advises me. "I mean it Hailey, anything" he stresses.

Laughing nervously, "do you expect problems?" I ask.

He seems to be considering an appropriate answer for me, "No, but there are no sureties in life and when the marriage is signed, you and your assets will be safe" he promises.

Nodding, "okay" I stressed! I want to belong in a family. I want to know about my family. I want to know what happened" I said, agreeing to please my parents with this marriage arrangement.

Still shaking his head, in disbelief, "I don't know Hailey, I still feel you have a hidden agenda for agreeing, so easily. I hope it's not the alcohol speaking" he observes.