Married To My Rival.

I came back to my room with happiness drooling all over me. I have worked hard for 2 years to sign a contract with Elite, my career would boost up high after this. I was about to call dad but he called me instead.

"Hello, dad, I was about to call you. Guess what?. I got a contract offer from 'Elite'." I almost shouted over the phone.

"Congratulations Eve, that's big news." Dad sounded excited too.

"Yeah, where is mum? I want to tell her." I asked.

"Eve, dear......Ummm, there's something I want to tell." Dad hesitated a bit.

My happiness started fading away slowly and fear took over.

"Is everything alright? Is mum alright?" I panicked.

"She's perfectly fine. It's about the business. I want you to come home." Dad said with a bit sad tone.

"Now?" I asked hesitantly.

"I'm afraid so dear. I have booked the ticket for tomorrow night."

"Bu-" I stopped.

"Okkay" I ended the call.

I didn't object dad, because if it wasn't important he would never call me back.

'What could have gone wrong in the business that dad wants me back home this urgent.' Was all running in my mind.

I sighed and called Celine and told her everything. The next day I started packing my bags after completing my work.

You would never know how many clothes you have bought until you start packing them. These clothes are...... endless. I completed packing from one wardrobe and the other popped up with even more clothes. I was packing when I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," I answered still folding my clothes.

I heard the door open and close in few seconds. I inhaled deeply and smirked after realizing the perfume smell.

"Why are you being unusually silent?" I said still continuing my work.

"How did you know it was me?" a soft voice said followed by giggling standing beside me.

I exclaimed and turned towards my side to speak.

"It's because you never change your Granny Smith apple fragrant Nina Ricci perfume." 

"Such a sensitive nose." Celine scoffed.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"Because my best friend's leaving the country and I want to give a send-off." Celine sat on the bed in front of me and took one of my crop tops and started folding it.

I sighed in silence and didn't utter a word.

"Babe, why are you packing all of your clothes? It's not like you are leaving forever." Celine asked.

I remained silent without answering. 

"Babe... what happened?" She asked in a quiet tone.

"Dad wants me to move back to Manchester," I said with my face down.

"What do you mean by move back? Lyn, babe, you can't leave now. You were about to sign a contract with Elite." She said followed by a shocking expression on her face.

"I know. There's still a week for me to sign the contract, I'll try to come back by then." I replied still in dilemma.

"Whatever might be the work, try to finish up ASAP," Celine said keeping her hand on my shoulder.

"Okkay," I said with a small smile.

We both had dinner and Celine dropped me at the airport in her car.

"Come back soon, Evelyn. I'll be waiting for you." Celine said while hugging me.

"Bye, Li," I said and took my boarding pass.

It took one and half hour to reach Manchester airport from Paris and the time was around 10 at night. I came out with my luggage when I saw our family butler Ralph, waiting for me.

"Welcome home, Madam." Ralph greeted with a flower bouquet.

"Well, well, well, it's been 2 years and you still didn't age, Ralph," I said with a big smile while taking the bouquet.

He smiled and took the luggage. We got into the car and were on our way home.

"Ralph, what happened to the business?" I asked, leaning forward.

"It's better if you listen to it in Master's words." He replied.

I leaned back texting Celine. We got home and mum greeted me with a hug.

"Take rest, dear. We'll talk tomorrow." Dad said.

I nodded my head and went into my room to sleep. The next morning, I was having breakfast with mum and dad when I saw the hesitation between them.

"So, what is it that you called me this urgent?" I sighed before speaking.

"Ummm, dear......... we........" Dad hesitated.

"We arranged a marriage for you," Mum revealed the mystery.

"WHAT?" I asked giving shocked looks.

"There's a reason, dear." Mum tried to calm me.

"The business's about to go bankrupt. So, our company and Harrison Pvt Ltd deicded to merge and....... we agreed for your marriage with his son Adam Harrison" Dad said in a low tone.

"That doesn't make any sense. If you want to save the company, then merge the companies, not the lives." I hit my limits and my anger started showing out.

"It's for everyone's good. It's the only way." Dad replied.

"You want your daughter to get married to a total stranger just because of society and family status?. Dad, do you know how ridiculous you sound." I said in a rude tone.

"Evelyn, watch your mouth," Mum said in an angry tone.

"Eve, you are our only daughter. We did think of it and Adam is the best man you can ever have. Think about it." Dad said in a low tone.

I went back into my room. If I have to get married then I have to leave my contract with Elite. My career will come to an end. I don't even know who that guy is and I really don't wanna take my time searching for him.

But if I decline then my family business will be doomed. All these questions were running in my mind. Even after all this thinking, in the end, one has to always choose their family than their own life....... well, I have to do the same. Anyway, family comes first.

I saw my parents' eagerness to listen to 'Yes' from me at the dining table.

"I agree," I said in a cold tone.

Mum and dad were so happy, I couldn't ask more. I was in my room and was about to call Celine and tell her about this whole madness when mum came in and sat beside me.

"Your dad told me about your contract. You seem dejected for losing it." She said in a quiet tone.

"It doesn't matter anymore. I know I had to lose the contract when I agreed." I said in a cold tone.

"Eve, we have to sacrifice one thing for the other, you won't regret marrying him, I promise. And for your modeling career, you can continue it with our company after your marriage." Mum tried to cheer up.

"Thanks, mum. I was about to ask you the same."

Mum smiled in return and she left after sometime.

I slept with the thoughts of marriage and forgot to call Celine. The next day, we three were having breakfast when dad spoke.

"Eve, are you free today?"

"Yes, why?" I asked.

"You haven't met Adam, right. Why don't you meet for lunch today?. Mathew told me that Adam agreed to the marriage as soon as he heard about the proposal, he seems to like you a lot. I'll send you his picture." Dad suggested.

"Fine, no need for the pic," I said and went back to my room.

"I don't want to see that jerk," I said it like a whisper so no one can hear.

"You said something?" Mum asked.

"Nothing," I said looking at my food plate and pretending I didn't say anything.

I got ready for lunch. Dad booked a table for us at the restaurant and I asked Ralph to drive me there.

"Ralph, do you think, dad's idea of getting me married is good? And I don't think this Adam guy is a match," I asked.

"Of course, madam. Adam and Eve were made for each other." He replied.

"Aren't you being too Orthodox?" I asked with the slightest smile.

"But you both are quite a match. Trust me Master's decisions never go wrong." He replied with a smile.

I shook my head and didn't reply. He dropped me at the restaurant and drove off.

I went inside checking my phone and accidentally bumped into someone.

"I'm sorry." I apologized and looked at that person's face only to get pissed off.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Was all that's left from my mouth.

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Adam's Pov:

I was in the middle of the photoshoot at the studio in Melbourne, when my phone started buzzing like there's a freaking earthquake. I controlled my anger till the end of the photoshoot and came home. I saw 20 voice mails from Martin, our butler's son and my only friend. I called him back, he answered right after the first ring.

"Why were you buzzing my phone? I was at work, goddammit." I said in a bit of an angry tone.

"I wouldn't call if it's not important. The situation is out of control." Martin said in a mysterious voice.

"What happened?" I asked after sighing.

"The company is losing clients. It's about to go bankrupt." Martin finally spoke out.

"Great. Just send me the info and everything that concerns the company. And book a ticket to Manchester, I'm coming home." I said it in a calm tone.

I know, it's a really big thing and at least I should have yelled 'WHAT THE FUCK' on Martin's face but trust me, that won't solve the problem, not even 0.1% of it. You can think wisely with a clear head rather than making stupid decisions with a hot head.

"I'll send you in 10 minutes." He answered.

"5." I ended the call.

I got the info in 5 minutes like I have ordered and started going through it. If the person that's running this business isn't my dad, he would have died right after I land in the UK.

I sighed and was planning ways to get my business back on run. The next day I did my packing and was looking at the article, with headlines 'Is this the doom of Harrisons or just their company', that's when my phone rang. It was dad.

"Hello," I answered.

"Son, how are you?" Dad asked.

Why do you have to act cool when you're standing on fire? He'll never change.

"I'm fine and you don't have to ask the same question every time you call," I replied.

I know I sounded cold, but that's what my behavior has been to everyone for the last 3 years.

"Well, I have my concerns towards my son." Well, he sounded a bit upset, but I'm not much to care.

"Is there a reason you called?" I asked.

If this is a regular 'Check-on-son' call, I'm gonna hang up. He's been calling me like a hospital regular check-up guy, for the past 3 years. It's not like I'm gonna end my life just because I'm traumatized and he's not coming to the point.........yet.

"Yes... there's been a problem. It's abou-" I stopped him before he completes that sentence.

"About the company? I know, I got news from Martin as soon as we lost our clients. I'm working on it." I replied still in a cold tone.

"Well, you might know the reason, why I'm calling then," Dad asked.

"I do and I have booked a flight ticket. I'll be home by tomorrow."

"Okkay, then. I'll see you tomorrow." Dad smiled.

"Okkay." I ended the call.

I checked the time and I should get going. I took my luggage and went to the airport. The airplane landed at Manchester airport the next day and I saw Martin waiting for me. He took the luggage and we got into the car. We were on our way home when Martin spoke.

"How were your days in Australia, you haven't come home for the past 6 months."

"Had been busy with work stuff. Why missed me?" I asked, looking at my phone.

"Your voice is cold but still cheesy. And yes, I have missed you." Martin replied with a smile.

"I know," I replied.

"Things have been pretty messed up since you left. Master's health isn't good too." Martin said the last sentence in a low tone.

"It wouldn't be pretty if it's messed up. Don't worry about dad's health, he's not that weak to die early."

"Geez, Adam, it's your dad. Show some respect." Martin made the same whimsical face he makes when he gets to listen to things he doesn't wanna.

"Facts buddy. Drive fast, I need a shower, this jetlag's eating my brain." I said massaging my forehead slowly.

Martin didn't say anything instead he replied with actions. I got home, took shower, and went to sleep. The next morning I was in the living room, looking at the company's financial info when dad came as sat beside me.

"You found the problem?" Dad asked.

"Yes. I can't believe you guys messed it up. I told you, things would get outta control if you seek competition instead of quality."

"There will always be a competition in the market, son." Dad tried to prove his innocence.

"That doesn't mean you change the company's motto to 'Doom Lawrenson's'. I told you to give a proposal for the alliance, last time I came. Why don't you listen to me?" I tried hard not to shout on my dad's face.

"I made son. I had a meeting with George Harrison a few days ago. We both decided to merge our companies, but things got off from hands before we made a public announcement." Dad replied.

"At least one good news. I'm here so let me take care of it, from now on." I sighed before speaking.

"Actually two. We also decided to unite our families, by making you marry Evelyn Lawrenson, George Lawrenson's daughter. I know it's too fast and if you wan-" I cut him off before he completes his old school drama.

"Okkay."

"What? You're okkay with the marriage proposal?" Dad asked with a shocking face.

"Yes. Moreover, you guys have already decided and I'm okkay with it as long as it benefits our company."

"Then.... I'll tell this to George," Dad said and left.

In the evening, I went to the boxing area with Martin, we were practicing and Martin started interrogating.

"I can't believe you agreed to the marriage." Martin chuckled softly.

"That wasn't a choice. If I don't marry her, our alliance wouldn't be strong enough and it will lead to bankruptcy." I said punching the sandbag.

Martin came towards me while removing his boxing gloves.

"That doesn't make any sense. Why marry her when you don't love?" He asked.

"Because dad was planning to get me married anyway and in a situation like this....... marrying her is my best choice."

"Now you sound like a stone-hearted hardcore businessman."

"Whatever. I can't believe dad and George Lawrenson's were that dicks to turn things like this."

"C'mon man, you can't call your dad 'dick'."

I stopped punching and held the sandbox so it won't move and looked at Martin.

"Hear me out, buddy. My dad and George Lawrenson were and are dicks, who doomed their own businesses."

"Can't argue. What's your strategy?" Martin asked.

"I can't think of any until both the companies merge. I have to take a look at the Lawrenson's financial info too." I replied and continuing the practice.

We went back home and the next morning. I was in the gym when Martin came in.

"You know you don't have to work so hard to maintain your body. Nowadays, girls are after money more than the body."

"I do it for me not to impress them. Why did you come?" I asked.

"Master wants to see you," Martin replied.

"Okkay," I said wiping the sweat from my neck with a towel and came out with him.

"You called?" I asked going towards dad a the dining table.

"Yes, do you have free time?" Dad asked.

"Apparently not. Why?" I said while sitting on the chair.

"You....haven't met, Evelyn. So, George thought it would be great if you guys meet for lunch."

"I will skip," I said in a cold tone.

"It's good if you guys know each other before marriage. Evelyn said okkay to it." Dad tried to convince me.

"Fine. Just for an hour." I said and left the place.

I was so much into work that I forgot about the lunch till Martin reminded me.

"Dude, get ready, you have a lunch date."

"Don't call it a date. It's an insult." I said while standing up.

I got ready and Martin drove the car to the restaurant in which George Lawrenson has booked a table for us.

I got off the car and we both went inside. I was waiting at the door and Martin was looking for the waiter to lead me to the table when some blind idiot bumped into me, followed by an apology. It sounded like a girl, I turned around to look at her. As soon as I looked at her I realized who she was and I guess she did too.

'What the fuck is she doing here?' That is all I can think of and so was she but out loud.