Chapter 2

She walks steady as she arranges herself. Knocked on the office door twice before entering.

Seeing her father looking outside through the glass window.

“Ahem” she cleared her throat. And took her seat.

“Avery” Mathew's voice called out.

“I heard you went out, where to?” He asked looking at Avery 

“Mother told you” She said 

“Does it matter who told who? You weren't at the office today so where did you go?” He asked

“I went to get some toiletries dad, do I need to announce to the whole house that I'm going to get myself some toiletries?” Avery said.

Her father pushed a file close to her and she took it reading it with a frown 

“What? Scallions is trying to buy our shareholders?” she shouted. He nodded.

“On what grounds father?” 

He sighed and said 

“ Our stocks are dropping, some Brand are starting to request refunds, even some shareholders are beginning to take back their own shares, calming that once our stocks hit the bottom they will definitely lose”

“And so what father? Even if they withdraw their shares. We shall still stand.” Avery said 

“Things aren't done that way child” Mathew said and took a sip of his coffee 

“So what do we do” Avery said

Mathew looked at Avery very carefully and said. “I've found a way for us to restore our stock and even get more better shareholder with a huge percentage for us” he said bringing out another file 

Avery took the file and read what's on it, her eyes bulging out in surprise 

“Contract Marriage, to the Ericmac CEO” she looked at her father. “I don't understand what this means and who is getting married?” She asked

“It's you Avery.”

“Wait what? Getting married to Mr Eric MacMillies of the MacMillies enterprise? Nah,I will pass father” she said getting up.

“You can't pass on this one child it's a done deal” Mathew said

“Done deal? A done deal without my consent? How is this possible? This is a criminal act and I'm not getting married to an hobo, better let him know so he doesn't waste his time”

She said and walked out banging the door really hard.

“What just happened in there one minute I'm talking and the next minute I'm getting married, definitely not me” Avery said walking upstairs to bedroom.

“Oh I see someone has gotten the gist already” the nasty voice of Mira was heard, just what she needed.

Mira walks close to her looking her up and down

“Aren't you happy to be getting married to the richest man? It's your plan all along isn't it?” Mira asked

Avery scoff and said. “Yeah of course, who wouldn't be happy to be married to him, I bet you are dying of shame for not being able to marry your ever dying unnoticed crush”

Mira face immediately turned red. “You think I don't know what you did? I was the person he chose, but because you went out to seduce him, he decided to choose you. You husband snatcher. Prostitute that's what you are” Mira shouted 

Avery laughed out loud and long. “For me to be able to seduce your man and he falls for it, that simply means he doesn't fancy you at all… I'm definitely his absolute type” 

“In your dreams Avery, what makes you think Eric will fall for you” Mira shouted 

“It's obvious darling, I'm beautiful and smart, I am the beauty and the brains. Meanwhile you are…nothing compared to me, who would fall in love with someone that covers her face with 25 layers of foundation looking like a dead monkey” Avery said and laughed.

“You…”

“Don't worry dear older Sister your rightful man will come for you” Avery said and walked to her room locking the door really hard.

She flopped on her bed, today has been very hectic. From finding John's dead body, to a contract Marriage, can today get any better?

            * * *

“You sent for me father” Eric said with an unreadable expression sitting in his father's study. Mr MacMillies always a principle man, doesn't involve families into business, Eric sure took from him his good looks and his blond hair. Making him stand out with his mother's green eyes

“I have a proposal for you” Mr MacMillies said to his son and pushed a file towards him

Eric took the file and read it his expression not changing.

“A contract Marriage to the Lincoln family” he read looking at his father

“Well since you've refused bringing someone for me I had to find one for you” he said 

“One for me? And from the Lincoln enterprise?” Eric said and Mr MacMillies shook his head.

“I won't do it” he said and stood up to leave.

“I know you will say that, here” his father said and brought out another file.

Eric looks at his father and took the file and read 

“50%shares?” He asked 

It's quite a good deal, he has had his eyes on the Lincoln enterprise, they've always been a rival, but he hasn't had the opportunity to check out who's in charge.

“You can go to her house and go see her if you are chanced” 

Eric scoffed and left the office.

His phone rang 

“Sir, we have a meeting with the management team today.” Luck said

“ Cancel the meeting, I will be going to the Lincoln house now,” he said and ended the call.

        * * *

“Avery darling you know this is for the wellbeing of the family, you only can do it for us” Amma said with a soft voice.

“ Mum, you should know I'm not ready for marriage, not now and definitely not to the MacMillies” Avery said 

“Do you have someone else in mind? Do you have a lover Avery” Amma asked.

“No mum”

“So? There's a better one here for you.” Amma said with a smile. Avery scoffed 

“You will learn to love him, trust me” Amma said 

“Jezz mum I'm not talking about love here, ewww please mum. If anyone is ready to be a caged woman to a man, it is Mira not me…let him marry Mira and for sure the company will stand.” Avery said 

“Caged?!” Amma said surprised.

“Are you saying I'm a caged woman in my marriage Avery?” 

“No mum, that not what I mean” she stood up and a knock sounded just outside her door

“Who is it” Avery asked

“Sorry for interrupting my lady, but your father sent me to call you downstairs” The person on the other side of the door said.

“Ok I will be right out” Avery said and went to the door, 

“Are you coming or not?” she asked her mum, whom she knew so well is waiting for an invitation. She quickly stood up and followed Avery to the sitting room downstairs.

On getting there she saw she some men sitting on the couch. One looks so handsome like a Greek god and the other looks ok but not as handsome as the other guy.

Wait a second, that other guy looks so familiar, she turned and saw Mira sitting and shifting uncontrollably on the chair. Ah yes she got it, of course it's Eric the workaholic, who wouldn't know him, his face is always everywhere in the media, newspapers, billboards and all of that.

She sat at the farther chair in the room away from them operating her phone not acknowledging the visitors at all.

     * * *

Eric walked into the family house, it's a beautiful place and with nice decorations both the outside and the inside, he can't deny how huge the house is and standing beautiful, but not as huge as his or as beautiful as his. That's a pass mark on their part. He walked inside while his assistant followed behind.

On getting inside he met with an older man whom he assumed to be the head of the family together with a young handsome man. 

“Mr MacMillies” the older man stretches his hands for a handshake.

Eric looked at the hand and briefly shook it.

“Mr Lincoln I presume” Eric said not minding the other one.

“Yes please have your sit” Mathew said and sat down

“You didn't tell me you were coming, we would have prepared something nice for you” Mathew said with a smile.

“Who is the girl I'm getting married to?” Eric went straight to the point.

“Oh that, let me send her down” Mathew said and signals for a maid and whispers in her ear and the maid leaves immediately.

“She will be down in a minute. Is there anything I can help you with?” Mr Mathew said looking at Abram and giving him a signal to go get something.

“No need Mr Lincoln, I wont stay long” Eric Said.

“Oh please don't be formal, call me Mathew” Mathew said and smiled.

Footsteps were heard coming downstairs and a beautiful girl, smiling while rushing down the stairs looking stunning and beautiful. She could pass to be a model, with the heavy makeup she's wearing. 

He definitely will marry her, all she has to do is sit down at home and do nothing but makeup all through. That's what all girls do right?.

“Is she the one” Eric asked

Mira looked up at him and smile showing her full set of teeth.

“Oh definitely not sir, your wife will be down any moment from now” Abram said smiling leaving Mira looking like a goat begging not to be killed. She cleared her throat and went to take a seat.

Another minute passed and a beautiful woman walked down the stairs with red hair smiling. She looked beautiful even if she was kinda old.

“Mum please come take a seat” Abram smiled at his mum and moved for her.

Few seconds later another beautiful girl walked down the stairs with her red hair tied in a messy bun. She stood at the stairs looking at the men for a slight second before focusing on her phone. Came down and sat at the edge of a very far couch, her eyes never leaving her phone 

“Are these all” Eric asked?

“Child you should greet our guest” Mathew said, eyes flew towards Avery 

“Dad, you called me downstairs from my busy schedule to come greet guests? That's Mira work not mine, I'm too busy to do that” Avery said 

“You….” Mira gritted her teeth.

Avery stood up and looked at Eric

“Look here Mr MacMillies, if you are here for the marriage, just know it's definitely not going to happen, you can as well marry my older sister, she is running out of time.” She said and was about to leave when she heard a voice.

“I will be on my way now,” Eric said and stood.

“ Nice decision,” Avery said and winked at him. 

“No please Mr MacMillies don't listen to her she's nothing but a child” Mathew said standing on his feet also.

“I understand Mr Lincoln, I will have to go now as I have a meeting with my management team. Meanwhile I will give her time to prepare herself for the marriage ceremonies that will be held in the next four days, have a lovely day” Eric said and left.

 “What!” Mira shouted and ran upstairs. She was thinking that as Avery rejected the offer Eric would look at her, cause who would want to get married to a rude bitch.

 Avery stood rooted on the ground, she didn't believe what she heard, marriage ceremonies?

 She looked at her father.

“Dad, is this how you are planning to sell me out because of a stupid company?” Avery shouted.

“Don't you dare it child, call my hard work stupid, do you know what it took for that company to be able to stand and get to where it is right now. If the MacMillies are deciding to marry you to be able to restore our stocks and share holders then so be it” Mathew said.

“At the expense of my happiness? Come on dad, you believe in happiness, you've always told us to find what makes us happy and never let go of it. What changed now” Avery said 

“MacMillies will be your happiness at the end, what you do will determine it” Mathew said and walked out leaving Avery with her mum and brother.

“Avery dear listen to your father, it's for the wellbeing of this family, all our hard work, all your sweat will go down the drain if you don't do this. You of all people should know this” Amma said 

Avery scoffed and walked outside to her car and drove off.

She cursed and cursed.