CHAPTER 4: CONTRACT

“Did …did I hear you right, Dad? What union are you talking about?” Ivana stuttered.

Mr. Martin glared at her, he softens his look then, “Ivana, you need to marry Paul for this union to be strong, I am not asking you, but it's an order.”

“Huh? Am I not allowed to choose my future husband? Why force me to marry someone I have no idea about? You are forcing me into a business marriage or contract marriage?” Ivana asked as tears threatened to fa down her cheek.

“Call it wherever you want, but it's final, I am doing this not to punish you but to secure your future. He is the CEO of the company, what else do you need in a man? The company will be yours the moment my and her life is done on this earth,” Mr. Martin explained.

“I'm not concerned about the company, you have never involved me in it. Why now? Dad I can't get married to him, I have a boyfriend and I have a life to live and a choice to make too,” Ivana said.

“You have to forget about your boyfriend, and you have no choice but to seal this union. You and Paul are going to get married, I want you to break up with your boyfriend or else you won't like what I will do to him,” Mr. Martin said.

Paul was quite as he stared at Ivana, although he was uncomfortable that she was being forced into marrying him so that the business can flourish.

“What will you do? I dare you dad, count me out in this, there is no way you are forcing me to do this,” she retorted and stood up hurriedly as she rushed out of the house.

Ivana couldn't control her tears as it streamed down her beautiful face uncontrollably. She was unable to care about ruining her make up. She walked to the parking lot and looked more of a showroom because of different models of cars.

Furthermore, she stretched her hand towards Charo her driver.

“Hand me the keys,” She said.

Charo was hesitant, but he handed the car to her anyway. “Where are you going, Ma'am, I can drive you there,” Charo asked, scared to approach her.

“It's none of your business,” Ivana retorted as she wiped her tears and sat in the car.

“Ma'am, ma'am, at least tell me where you are going, at least info me. I am your driver, ma'am,” Charo begged as he followed her.

Ivana shut the door and accelerated off.

In the house, Mr. Martin was so embarrassed beyond repair. His head, bend, his hands clenched in a fist tightened up, and he fidgeted in the couch.

“So…this means that, you didn't discuss this with your daughter before our visit?” Carol asked.

Mr. Martin waved his hands up then sighed, “She is just over reacting, don't worry everything will go as planned….”

“Why should I not worry when we had agreed that they are supposed to sign the papers as a sign of engagement, like today, Like now,” Carol interjected.

“Okay I will leave this papers with you, please ask your daughter to sign it as agreed. I want this union and our partnership to be beyond business,” Carol encouraged as she stood up.

Mr. Martin nodded, without sparing them a glance.

Paul and his mother left the house and drove back to their home.

Mr. Martin tried to reach Ivana to no avail, she had already switched off her cellphone.

He asked Charo about her whereabouts, but no one knew where she had gone. The only information Charo had was that she had left the mansion, driving herself.