C H A P T E R - 1
It was like other Sunday morning in the Mansion.I was with my grandparents after two weeks.. yeah hell two weeks I finally able to crack the deal with the Collins .
I landed in the city of New York in the dawn .It was quite early in the morning ,they were fast asleep so I went out for jogging as I wasn't feeling like to sleep.
After forty five minutes sweating and panting hard I entered inside the house with Bruno ,my golden retriever buddy.He was swaying his tail not effected after running along with me....he is more energetic.
"Good morning Mandy.."Martha,our housekeeper hugged me as soon as she found me in the kitchen when I was drinking water.
"Hey Martha..how were you?"I asked her putting the empty glass on the island.
"Good..go and get fresh I will make your favorite breakfast .."she passed a smile to me and start preparing the breakfast.
I walked out of the kitchen but stopped in my track when my eyes landed on the two most adorable people of my life...my grandparents..Jesus I missed them so much.
My grandfather was reading his newspaper while my grandmother was instructing something to Louis ,our gardner,...the poor guy ,she must be scolding him for messing with one of her baby like plants..Perhaps!
"Ma..Papa.."I ran to them.
Their eyes shot up to me and next moment I was clinging on my grandmother's weak frame .. careful not to put my all weight on her.
"How is my little fairy.."she kissed my forehead softly patting my head.
"As good as you last saw me.."I kissed her both cheeks and flung into his arms."Papa..I missed you the most.."my eyes welled up,"I wished your presence beside me when I got thr deal."
"My blessings are always with you no matter if I am with you in person or not.."he tried to smile but it didn't reach to his eyes.
I felt something was definitely wrong but jerk off the negative feeling but unlike their great enthusiasm whenever we spend some family time together,I found their behavior strange.
Silence before the storm!
They were talking to each other through eyes .There was something ,they must be preparing themselves to present in front of me.
"What's wrong with you guys.."I gave them care to explain look while digging my fork in the delicious lasagna in my plate.
"Honey.. your Grandpa wants to share something with you.."my grandmother said while glancing at my grandfather through her peripheral view.
My eyes travelled to my grandfather whose face turned a stiff.It alarmed me of a torment.I am well aware of their every cell.
"Papa..."I nudged him .I felt like sitting in front of the cops after being caught because of reckless driving on a one way.
"You have to marry the grandson of my friend Andrew Knights in next week.."he blurted out.
I think I misheard him!my inner voice murmured."Wh..whatt.."The shock of a four hundred watt would be much lesser then the thunderbolt my grandfather just bombarded on me.
I came back on the mother earth after shock when warmness covered my hands.I felt Ma wrapping her arms around me.
"Hey honey..we are sorry but we have no other option.."My grandmother sobbed hugging me in her old weak arms,"Our business is facing a continuous downfall if this marriage won't happen.God knows how we are going to save this roof over our head.This business is nourished by the the hard work of your Grandpa and your late father..for them please marry the man whom the destiny has chosen for you.."she kissed my crown.
Seeing my grandparents sad,is the last thing I want to be happened but this time it would cost my life.They literally sold me in order to save ourselves from the storm of misfortune.
"Amanda..Andrew is ready to help us on the condition of a marriage alliance between the families and trust me Xander,his grandson is as hard working as any other successful businessman in a very young age of thirty.I seem he is the must suitable match for you."my grandfather said with an expression of helplessness into his old glittering eyes.
There was no point of debating with the man who stood next to me from my cradle days to the threshold of youth .
"I will marry him.."Keeping a stone on my heart I said confidently to hide the pain caused by their wish.
My love's handsome ever charming face flashed in my mind.
What I am going to say to Ethan.
Xander
"Grandpa are you going to spill out the motive you remembered your only grandson in the middle of his trip to Hawaii .."I said getting pissed off by the Old man,Andrew Knights' private smile .
"I think I have made my mind to transfer the power to the next CEO of the company.."he spoke fetching out his cigar from his desk drawer.
Currently I was sitting inside his office
at his island bungalow which he bought to gift Grandma after their wedding fifty years ago...long time isn't it..?They are madly in love couple even after so many years they behave like love sick teenagers .
"And when this holy thought came across your devil mind?"I tried to investigate the sudden statement he made..The old man always has a hidden motive behind his actions.my mind alarmed but the excitement was more dominating emotion right then.
"Well..Its not surprising as I am turning 75 in after ten days and this is the right age to transfer the throne to the next heir of Knights family."he puffed out the smoke .
A proud smile floated on my lips , finally I was ready to hold the responsibility of the legacy that my forefathers nourished with their hard toil and passion.Being the only child of my parents ,there would be no hurdle in my succession .
"But before taking up the position of the CEO ,you have to fullfil the last duty as our grandfather and the heir of the family."the malicious gleam sparkled in his dark eyes same as mine.
"And what I supposed to do possibly,"I fearfully stared at him.Somewhere I knew what was coming next.
"Simple you have to marry the girl whom I and your Grandma had chosen when you two were merely an embryo."he crushed the butt of the cigar in ash tray.
"Grandma will tear you off if she learns that you drunk in working hours.."I let out a laugh.The old age synonyms are quite visible.
"She won't because I never take wine during working hours .I won't ever break the promise I made to her..you know how much I love her..morever if you think I am saying all this without my sober senses then I am sorry young man , you're wrong,"he indirectly pressured me .
"You're joking,right?"I dreadfully leaped off my chair.
"I don't like repeating my words but in case you couldn't hear me then I am saying it's high time for you to settle down with a suitable girl who comes from a reputed family."he said calmly .
"No Grandpa I can't ,see I am too young to get married ."I answered with same intensity of haughtiness.
"I think it's perfect age to marry and have kids..be a man Xander"He paused and then "If you want the company.."Grandpa calmly stated but his eyes reflected the seriousness he held .
"Grandpa but I am not ready right now or may be for few more years.."I made my point clear .
"How do you know?"he crossed got up from his leather mahogany chair cum throne and walked up to where I was sitting rather caged in his den.
"I don't know but marriage is the last thing in my priority as for now."I licked my bottom lip to avoid looking at his prey eagle eyes.
"Think about it Xander or I think Jay is also eligible for the position.."he triggered where it pains me most and which is my biggest fear.
He see an eligible alternative option in my cousin Jay...fuck I hate that bastard.He is son of my father's sister,who lives in France with her husband but her son Jay brought up here by our grandparents.
He is just three months younger than me.I hate to admit but he has great talent to manage business affairs.Thats why I treat him more as competitor than brother.
"Grandpa this is practically blackmailing.."I groaned in frustration.He trapped me into his fatal plan.
"No it's a wise man's advise,"he proudly stated.
I groaned on my decision over coming here.It would certainly come,I must had remembered that.
"Whatever..I am not interested in your advise now allow me to meet my Grandma,will you?"I forced a smile to him intentionally .
"Sure..after all she is the one who came up with this suggestion."he laughed to make me feel like a scarcedy puppy who was surrounded by stray cats.
"I need some time Grandpa.."I said firmly preparing myself to escape the place as quickly as possible.
Hardly I reached to the exit door when his serious voice paused me.
"Marry the girl whom your grandmother and I selected as your bride.She comes from a reputed family and a good friend of mine or ve ready to lose your control over Knights Corporation..or forget about being the CEO".
Triumph ,Pride and Evil ,all emotions gleamed in his eyes.His devilish smile compelled me to surrender.
"I'll see you later..."I scowled and walked out without waiting for him to fire another bargain which might be more drastic.
"Damm..damm..damm..how could I not smell this conspiracy against me...but I won't let rog Jay enjoy the fruit of my possession..."I banged the steering of my Audi once I slipped from my grandparents' place to escape from my grandmother's eyes.Meeting her in the circumstances would definitely led me to matrimonial alter.
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