Barbarous

"Why did you call me in a hurry?" Alaric crossed his legs, his eyes never leaving the bright screen of his phone.

"Tomorrow you will go to meet Smiths'. I will send you the address later." Paul said in a stern voice.

"And why do you want me to meet them?" Alaric finally lift his eyes and looked at Paul suspiciously. 

"I and John have decided to strengthen our old friendship by marrying his elder granddaughter into our family." Paul sighed and looked out of the window with a feeling of sorrow in his eyes.

"I am getting old and you are already 29, this is my last wish Alaric, I have never asked for anything from you and I hope you can fulfil my last wish." Paul looked down. His shoulders shooked violently.

"Fine! I will meet them." Alaric rubbed the space between his eyebrows. Although he had seen through Paul's trick, he did not oppose him. 

"Good, very good. I will now inform John." Paul hit his can on the ground enthusiastically.

Alaric massaged his temples in annoyance. He could deny Paul's offer easily, but looking at his old and wrinkled face he couldn't bring himself to turn him down.

"I have an important meeting. I shall take my leave now." Alaric took Paul's hand and placed a kiss on it as a sign of respect. He then left before his grandfather could make another request.

Paul immediately called his old fellow John. 

"OK, then it is decided, we will meet at Deific restaurant." John decided the place. Both old fellows decided more about their grandchildren and ended the call.

"I wish to find a perfect match for my Annabelle. That child is innocent and caring. May God bless her." John smiled, looking at the frame on the wall. It was a photo of John, Belle, and the late Mrs Smith - (John's wife). 

"Honey, I promise to find a handsome young man for our beautiful and filial Annabelle." John wiped his tears with his quavering corrugated hand.

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The next morning Alaric woke up with the beep of his mobile phone. It was a text from his secretary, Gabriel - there was the time and location of his meeting with Smiths'.   

"This fucking marriage." Alaric throws his phone on the bed and gripe in annoyance. He walked downstairs in his messy hair. His silk nightgown was kissing the white marble floor. He saw Gabriel waiting for him with a black tailored suit of Brunello Cucinelli.

Brunello Cuccinelli was one of the famous brands in Italy. They were well known for their Cashmere garments. That was the reason Alaric preferred them.

"Sir, your suit." Gabriel handed the suit to butler to drop it in the master bedroom after getting permission from Alaric.

"I have a lunch meeting with Smiths'. We will go to the company first." Alaric sipped his batch brew and casually took one of the magazines from the coffee table.  Alaric was not used to eating heavy breakfast like others, his favourite batch brew was enough for him to stay active all day and night.

"Ok, sir." Gabriel looked at his boss who never wants to get married and now he is getting married to a total stranger and not to mention a cruel lady.

"Sir!" Gabriel carefully looked at him.

"Hmm." Alaric did not look at him instead he continued what he was doing.

"Congratulations!" Gabriel said with a sincere smile.

"For what?" Alaric tilted his head and raised his left brow questioningly.

"You are finally getting married." Gabriel's smile vanished when he saw the small simper on Alaric's lips.

"Why don't you get married instead of me then?" Alaric throw the magazine on the floor and clicked his tongue. 

"Damn it! This marriage will only last for six months and I will divorce her. Don't you dare to open your mouth in front of the old man?" Alaric groaned in aggravation.

"I won't dare to." Gabriel smiled anxiously.

Alaric stretched his neck and walked away. The evil simper on his face was still there until he closes the door. Behind that closed door, his face turned darker. Shrugging all his thoughts - Alaric picked up his suit and wore it. 

When Alaric walked downstairs, he saw Gabriel and Steward whispering to each other. He narrowed his eyes at them. They were so engrossed in their talk that they did not notice Alaric.

"Let's go." Alaric said in a bit louder voice causing them to tremble.

"Yes, sir."Gabriel straightened his back.

Alaric took a sharp breath, feeling a sense of frustration. He was tired of thinking about his marriage with Bellamy all day and night. Alaric may be barbarous and inexorable but for him, Paul was the biggest weakness. 

"Sir, Mr Charles wants to have a private meeting with you the day after tomorrow." Gabriel scrolls the tablet in his hand with a smirk.

"If a man is dumb, someone is going to get the best of him, so why not you? If you don’t, you’re as dumb as he is" Alaric chuckled with a snarl.

"It is a famous saying by Arnold Rothstein. Accept his appointment. We will have a great conversation with him." Alaric closed his eyes with a smirk on his thin pink lips.

"As you say, sir." Gabriel accepted the appointment with Mr Charles. He stared at Alaric with a look of admiration in his eyes for him.

They soon arrived at WY Corporation. All the guards stood at the entrance like robots and lowered their heads when they saw Alaric coming out of the car. They didn't lift their heads until Alaric walk past them. Employees of WY held their breaths, no one dared to lift their eyes until Alaric took the lift. That was when all the employees released their breath and run to do their work.

"Why boss is so scary?" One of the female pink-collar wiped the sweat from her forehead and slumped on the floor.

"Go ask him if you have the guts." her co-worker rolled her eyes and left her on the floor.

#######

Alaric - being a workaholic- forgot about his lunch meeting with Smiths' and engrossed in work. It was 12 in the noon when Gabriel popped his head from the door and cleared his throat.

"Sir, it's time for lunch," Gabriel said with a cheesy smile.

"Hmm. You can have your lunch." Alaric said and then stopped typing as if he remembered something.

"Damn it!" Alaric slammed on the desk and swirled his chair facing the large glass window.

"We should go now, sir. They must be waiting." Gabriel said 

"Fine." Alaric picked up his overcoat and left the office with a gloomy face.