Claire's POV
I stare at him. Stunned and confused.
Not because I don't hear him,I do, I hear him loud and clear. But because my brain refuses to process the words that actually came from his mouth.
"Marry me."
The statement hangs in the air between us, audacious, absurd, heavy.
My boss, Mr Louis Smith, stands across from me, his stance firm and intimidating, his expression unreadable, and his eyes are fixed on mine calm and unmoving like he hasn't just blown into bits, my entire sense of reality with those two words.
I blink once.
Twice.
Maybe this is a side effect from the medication I took earlier for my headache. I guess I've been overworking myself lately.
Marry who? My mind retorts back.
But, hold on. Let's dial back.
Chapter 1 - The Ultimatum
Louis' POV
Marriage to me is a waste of time, emotionally tasking and physically demanding. It's a beautifully wrapped trap waiting to be opened. Imagine the disappointment when it turns out to be nothing like you expected or hoped for.
Right now, I am sitting across from my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, in the expansive living room of the family estate.
Outside, the city skyline stretched endlessly. I look around to the extensive courtyard of the mansion, everything they had built, everything I was meant to inherit. All that I have worked hard and relentlessly to grow and uphold.
They suddenly summoned me, stating they had something extremely important to discuss with me. I had assumed that it had something to do with my grandfather's impending resignation as CEO.
But now, as I sit across from them, their face grim, hands folded neatly, posture perfect, expression unreadable. I have the strongest inkling that this isn't going to be what I expect it to be.
They are staring me down exchanging knowing glances. And I grow increasingly impatient.
While my grandparents' marriage may seem lovely and beautiful as they look well… cordial, and in sync, even they have their shortcomings in marriage.
I let out a silent sigh and took a quiet glance out the window, while they both slowly took sips from their evening tea.
"You're thirty-two," My Gran, Cecelia, says calmly, sipping her tea.
"I'm aware," I reply dryly. Where is this conversation heading to?
"And you're unmarried. No girlfriend, no prospects." she pointed out. My grandpa, nodding affirmatively at her side. "You can't possibly manage the company affairs without managing a home of your own."
Well, I can't say I'm surprised. They've been hinting at this since forever. "I fail to see how that affects my ability to run the company. My personal life has never interfered with my performance. The company is thriving." I respond as calmly as possible, careful to not let my annoyance and frustration slip.
My grandfather, Lucas, set his cup down with a quiet clink. "Leadership begins at home, Louis. Stability matters. You're not a kid anymore. You need to start a family," he said sharply.
He straightened in his seat, eyes narrowing as he studied me, clearly unimpressed by my response.
'Stability'. Another word people used to romanticize control.
"We've discussed this,Louis,"Gran continued. "Before the end of the next month, you will find yourself a wife and marry. If not, the CEO position will be handed to your cousin, Aston. And that is final."
What?. A month. Are they being serious right now?.
I looked up sharply, disbelief flashing through me. "What?" The word came out harsher than I intended. "You're giving me an ultimatum?" I scoffed, hurt bleeding into my voice. "You're actually trying to force me into a marriage?"
"Mind your tone boy. You do not get to speak to us that way," my grandmother chided, her expression hardening into a deep frown. "We are giving you a choice." She paused pointedly. "Even the board of directors has long suggested that they would love to see you settle down. You are a chronic hard worker, which they recognize but they will only trust you fully once they see your commitment to your family."
"It's not much of a choice now, is it? You've given me a month to magically find myself a wife". I say, sarcastically.
They don't bother to respond. I'm met with their stern face, unmoved and unyielding.
I exhale slowly, my jaw clenching hard in the unfairness of it all. It's useless to argue with them. Once they pass on a decree, it is set.
Marriage has never been a part of my plan, given that my parents, who I had looked up to as the embodiment of true love, had their love collapsed in its entirety. And while I'd love to mention them as a case study, a cautionary tale, to compel my grandparents against their decision. I could not do that to them. I wouldn't reopen old wounds or remind them of the wreckage their child's marriage had become.
I saw my parents in love, however short, they loved hard, but it didn't last. I was quick to learn that attachment was like a dead weight. Like the tale of the albatross.
And yet, I had to find a way. I have to take their word and find a wife because I really do need that CEO seat. I've worked so freaking hard to have it pulled out of my hands over something as meager as marriage.
"I'll handle it," I finally say. With new found determination. Their threat made for a perfect push.
They both smile. Seemingly satiated.
Back at the office later that evening, the building was quieter than usual. Most employees had gone home. It is eight in the evening and very well past work hours so that's to be expected. I stepped into the elevator, pushed the button for the 13th floor, where my office floor is at the penthouse above. I am about to open my office doors, with the weight of my new assignment from my grandparents heavy on my mind, only to pause.
She is here. I can smell her distinct raspberry fragrance, and her flowery hair shampoo or is it spray, which I'm yet to figure out what fragrance it is.
Claire Montgomery, is seated at her desk, her glasses slightly crooked, her honey brown hair pulled at the top of her head in a loose style she doesn't bother to fix with her pen loosely stuck in the bun. She still looks beautiful regardless. Her nose is scrunched as she is laser focused on her computer screen, typing away, completely unaware of my presence.
I've noticed her for a long while now even though it seems like I don't pay her any attention. It really is hard not to notice her, she is my Secretary after all.
About two years ago, she had come in for the interview as my secretary. She was thoroughly prepared, even whilst being visibly nervous, was able to perform so well in her interview. Her efficiency, her quiet kindness, the way she never overstepped, never demanded more than her place was both refreshing and admirable.
She let out a small laugh at something on her screen, then caught herself and stilled, professionalism snapping back into place. 'How adorable', I thought to myself, and I found myself smiling.
Marriage was a lie. A careless and unnecessary burden.
But if I had to lie—
Suddenly, Claire looks up, catches my eye, slightly startled. She has really beautiful eyes, it is a mix between brown and hazel. Almond shaped, striking enough to make a man awe struck .
"Sir, I thought you'd already left." She asks in confusion as she checks her watch for the time.
I study her for a moment longer than necessary. My head tilted as I analyzed her frame.
"No," he said quietly. "I haven't."
And right then something clicked in my head. For the first time in my meticulously controlled life, I'm wondering what it would be like to please something this important in someone else's hands.