WEDDING DATE IMPULSE

CARDY FOSTER'S POV

As I stood there, contemplating the situation, a torrent of thoughts swirled in my mind. Was my father truly expecting me to embrace this? Could I bring myself to accept it? But then, a haunting question arose: what if I refused, and the consequences turned dire? The weight of the choice pressed upon me, urging me to make a decision.

I gazed at him, my father, his face reflecting a mix of concern and hope. I took a deep breath, my countenance showing my internal struggle, and resigned myself to a difficult path—a path that could potentially save his life. I knew deep within that I possessed the strength and determination to forge my own destiny, for the sake of future generations.

"Dad, I can't go through with this," I managed to utter, my voice trailing off as he interjected, desperate to hear my reasoning.

"Please, my dear, don't say that," he pleaded, his eyes brimming with worry.

"Dad, please, let me explain. This isn't about money or personal gain. It's about preserving your presence in my life. I can't bear the thought of losing you," I revealed, the weight of my words lifting the burden from my heart. His face instantly lit up, overwhelmed with joy.

He drew me close, enveloping me in a warm embrace, as if the act itself could shield us from the hardships that lay ahead.

"Tomorrow morning, we will visit Elliot's office," he announced, his voice filled with determination. I nodded in agreement, silently acknowledging the gravity of the decision we were about to make. With that, I left his room, setting forth on a path that held both uncertainty and possibility.

Making my way to the nanny, I instructed her to check on my father later, ensuring his surroundings were tidy and clean. As I spoke the words, a sense of doubt lingered in my mind. Had I truly made the right choice? I couldn't afford for this decision to have a detrimental impact on my own life. The unknown future loomed ahead, echoing my concerns.

Late into the night, I found myself alone with my thoughts. "Have I chosen wisely?" I whispered, the words lingering in the quiet room. The weight of responsibility bore down upon me, urging me to find solace in the darkness. Eventually, exhaustion overcame me, and sleep finally claimed my weary mind.

In the realm of dreams, my subconscious wrestled with the implications of my decision. Uncertainty and determination danced hand in hand, painting a vivid landscape of what lay ahead. As dawn broke, I awoke with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to face the challenges and embrace the unknown.

"Good morning, my angel," my father's voice rang out like a sweet melody, stirring me from my slumber. Hastily, I roused myself and prepared for the day ahead.

Upon arriving at Elliot's office, we discovered an empty seat. My father had contacted him the previous night to inform him of our visit, yet he was nowhere to be found. Despite our frustration, we had no other recourse but to wait patiently.

"Dad, why are we limited to this one marketing company?" I inquired, seeking answers. His smile was gentle as he responded, unraveling the mystery for me.

"This is the largest and most capable marketing company. They are the only ones equipped to handle our current predicament. If there were other viable options, I would have explored them," he explained, his words resonating with understanding.

I couldn't help but fret about the looming presence of that unbearable person in our home, but the circumstances left me with no alternative. I resigned myself to the inevitable.

"Get those files to my office immediately!" bellowed the voice of the monster as he entered the workplace. Without acknowledging our presence, he strode past us, ignoring my father's attempted greeting. It was a disheartening sight.

"He must have had a rough night," my father mused optimistically, attempting to rationalize the behavior. However, I couldn't bring myself to agree.

"A rough night that would cause him to forget his clients? His rudeness and arrogance are unfathomable," I retorted, irritation tainting my words. In that moment, his personal assistant appeared before us, beckoning us to follow.

As we trailed behind the assistant, a blend of anticipation and apprehension filled the air. What would await us within those office walls? What challenges and obstacles lay ahead? Uncertainty hung like a heavy mist, obscuring the path we were about to tread.

Beyond those office doors lay a world of possibilities and risks. The stage was set, and the players were in position. The symphony of life was about to crescendo, orchestrating a dance of intricate maneuvers and unforeseen revelations.

As we stepped into the lion's den, the enigma of Elliot and his realm unfurled before our eyes. The path to success would be arduous, fraught with challenges, and punctuated by encounters both awe-inspiring and disheartening.

"We are prepared to sign the contract," my father confidently declared, breaking the silence that hung in the room. Seated across from us, Elliot's eyes bore into mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. I felt powerless, unable to voice my true feelings. So, I maintained a facade of deafness and muteness, concealing the storm raging within me.

For a brief moment, Elliot remained silent, his attention fixated on his laptop screen. The suspense was unbearable, as if he held the key to my future in his hands. Finally, he broke the silence, his words dripping with an irritating arrogance. "Very well, let's set the wedding date, and she shall stay with me until that day arrives." His demand struck me like a blow, but I knew better than to protest. My father's wishes outweighed my own desires.

"Fine, the wedding will take place next weekend, with the court ceremony scheduled for this weekend," my father agreed, sealing my fate with a few simple words. I mustered a pitiful glance at my father, hoping he would sense my silent plea for mercy. Yet, deep down, I had already resigned myself to this predetermined path. There was no turning back now.

With the agreement settled, we rose from our seats and departed the office. As we made our way towards the car, I couldn't contain my frustration any longer. "Dad, you didn't even bother to ask for my opinion. You've decided everything on my behalf," I protested, my voice tinged with desperation.

"Please, my dear, remain calm. Everything will work out," my father reassured me, but his words fell short of offering solace. It wasn't the reassurance I craved; I longed for my voice to be heard and my choices to matter.

"Even staying at his place until next weekend, is that supposed to be 'fine' too?" I implored, hoping to elicit a shred of empathy from him. His gaze met mine, and a smile played upon his lips. "I have a plan," he said cryptically, withholding the details. He urged me to trust him and promised that we would emerge victorious. I conceded, placing my faith in his intellect and cunning. However, the thought of spending even a moment in that wretched man's company until the wedding weighed heavily on my mind.

The days ahead seemed ominous, but my father's mysterious plan gave me a flicker of hope.

After our court wedding, my father wasted no time in diving headfirst into preparations for the grand ceremony. It was as if he had been eagerly waiting for this moment all his life, and now that it had arrived, he was determined to make it an unforgettable event.

Meanwhile, the few days I spent at Elliot's place were nothing short of a nightmare. I found myself trapped in a suffocating atmosphere, devoid of any excitement or meaningful conversation. Elliot's words revolved solely around physical intimacy, leaving me feeling empty and craving a deeper connection.

"Why did he even want to marry me?" I pondered silently, desperately seeking an answer that seemed to elude me at every turn. The question echoed relentlessly in the corridors of my mind, but the silence offered no solace, no resolution.

Confronting Elliot about my concerns became an increasingly tempting notion. Yet, a lurking fear cautioned against such a move, warning me of the potential consequences that could spiral out of control. My thoughts inevitably shifted to my father, whose happiness and well-being remained my paramount concern.

One evening, as Elliot returned from work, he casually dropped a bombshell that shattered the fragile peace that had somehow settled between us. "Let's change the wedding date and have it next tomorrow," he declared, his voice devoid of any consideration for my feelings.

"Next tomorrow? Why the sudden urgency?"