CHAPTER ONE: THE TRAP

“What?!! What the hell are you talking about? Have you gone out of your mind?” Jake Crighton shouted at his father at the other end of the phone. 

Jake simply could not believe his ears.  He’d thought that at the age of thirty-one, he was through with such kind of shocks.  But apparently he’d been wrong! 

“Look son, why don’t you just calm down?”

“How do you expect me to calm down when you’ve…” he paused and sighed outrageously “… announced such news to me!” he spat making it clear what he thought of the ‘news’ his father had just given him out of the blue. 

“Come on, son! Be a sport.  You’re acting as if I’m going to commit a great crime.  For Heaven’s sake, I’m only getting married!” 

“Well, yeah.  I guess it’s a question of opinion,” Jake sneered derisively.  “How can you even think of getting married at this age, dad?”

“What do you mean at this age? Here is not question of my age.  I told you I want a heir-at any cost,” he added in a tone that was all too familiar to Jake.  He always had that damned attitude when he was trying to get his way around Jake-and especially when he was trying to get him married. 

“Dad,” he sighed.  Great! That was all he needed.  Another day to persuade his father to mind his own damned business.  He was getting kinda fed up with all that scrap.  How did that whole nightmare started off in the first place? Oh yeah he could still remember it as if it were yesterday.  It had all begun on his twenty-ninth birthday when that bloody Mrs. Goodfellow, a neighbor had shown off his grandson at his party.  It was then that Devin Crighton had realized that he wanted to see ‘Double J’-name given to his grandson and which stand for Jake Junior before he died.  And damned if he had not announced, along with hearty birthday wish, that it was time for Jake to settle down.  At first, Jake had treated the whole thing as a joke and that with time Devin would accept the fact that he had no intention of getting married.  However, he had been wrong as Devin not only wanted him to have one heir, but also wanted to attend the wedding of at least one of his five grandchildren!!! Sure.  Why not live his life while he was at it?

And of course no matter how much persuasion on his part had deterred Devin from his intentions.  Since then had been the launching of their heated arguments and both being pig headed their lives had become a battle of will, a question of winning. 

To top it all, his dear dad had of course already chosen the perfect bride for him.  According to Mr. Crighton, Miss Rachel Lloyd was the one and only woman for him.  He’d known the latter since childhood their dads being both best pals and business partners.  As a kid she’d been a nuisance to him, always following him around and Jake still remembered how he’d enjoyed goading her.  She’d been a lively little thing all right and over the years Jake had grown fond of her.  Although not a ravishing beauty, she had some nice assets and a sparkling personality.  She was one of the few people who knew how to put forward an argument.  Along with being witty, she also had a cutting tongue but was definitely not his type. 

Unfortunately, over the last two years Jake had Developed an antagonism towards Rachel to avoid the perpetual shenanigans of his father.  In a way he supposed he’d been unfair while dealing with Miss Lloyd but he’d reached a stage where he was beyond caring.  He simply could not afford to encourage his father in the role of his guardian angel any longer.  Marriage was not on his agenda and he would not go out of his way to please the entertaining Miss Lloyd. 

“Why don’t you tell me what you really want?” he finally asked.  He’d seen his dad at work when he wanted something and he didn’t want to take a chance. 

“I’ve been telling you want I want since the past two years if you’re ever interested.  I want a grandchild.  Period.” 

“And I’ve already told you that I’m not getting married-at any cost,” he challenged, not doubting for a second where his stubborn nature came from. 

He smiled faintly on recalling the tactics his father had used to get his own way.  At first when he’d refused flatly his proposition of getting married to Rachel, Devin had quickly given in-too quickly now that Jake could think of it. 

Then he’d shamelessly blackmailed him, threatening to disown him.  Fed up, Jake had chosen to ignore the threats knowing that Devin was only bluffing.  Thankfully, he’d been right and when Devin had realized that he wasn’t getting anywhere, he tried a different tactic – emotional blackmail.

Without any scruples, Devin and Uncle Nash had convinced Jake that his father had one foot practically in the grave.  It had been sheer luck that Jake had overheard one of their conspiratorial conversations and their drama had not been pulled off. 

So angry had Jake been at that time that he’d stopped talking to his father.  As if that had made any difference to Devin Crighton!  Two months later he’d calmly announced that he was going to kill himself! Jake’s anger had taken a toll and had practically yelled at his old man that he would be only too glad to do the good deed himself.  Of course he knew that Devin was too much of a life lover to ever feel suicidal. 

However, nothing could deter Devin Crighton from his mind.  He was always trying to find a way to make his son agree to what he’d decided.  His latest ploy had been when Jake had driven down home to Florida last month. At his arrival, his father had greeted him with a thunderstruck looking Barnes in front of him.  Devin had nonchalantly produced a gun at their much-loved butler’s temple and menaced, “There it is, son! I know that you’re fond of Barnes since you were a kid.  If you don’t agree to marry Rachel, I’m going to shoot this guy!”

Jake had of course laughed outright not believing for a second that his dad would do such a thing.  While he appreciated the queer way his father had in expressing his concern and love for him, he did not like him interfering in his life.  And Jacob Crighton could be as pig-headed as his dad, if not worse!

“Who’s asking you to?” Devin now asked haughtily.  “I might not be present for any of my offspring’s weddings but at least I’ll know that the Crighton clan would still perpetuate after my death.”

“Okay,” Jake capitulated releasing a long breath.  “So this is your latest ploy to get me married?”

“Nope, son.  This is my last ploy.  This marriage is the only solution to our problem.  I’ll get the heir I’ve always pinned for and you’ll be credited with your so-called freedom,” Devin scorned. 

Well, putting it that way Jake had to acknowledge that there was some point in what his dad was saying.  The idea was not that bad finally, was it? Maybe he had been exaggerating his reaction.  Hell, they were living in the twenty first century and he should be the last one to harbor such old-fashioned thoughts.  After all, his father had the right to live his own life and the way he wanted.  How many times had he heard the latter complaining about being lonely? Usually, elderly people were bound to feel this way and searched for a companion who would support each other in old age. 

Damn it! The old man really had a way with him! He could really manipulate him into anything-except of course his marriage! Already, he was picturing his new mother as a gentle lady with a sweet personality just to match that of his dad. 

“You really know how to tempt the Devil himself, don’t you?” he drawled affectionately in a defeated voice.  “So do I know the lucky lady?”

“Yes, of course you know her, son.  In fact, you could even say that it was you who chose her for me,” Devin said in an enigmatic voice. 

“I did?” asked Jake puzzled.  What the hell was his father getting at now?

“Well, the last time you drove home and I tricked you into taking Rachel to dinner.  Remember?”

How in the name of Heaven could he forget that day? He’d been so piqued that his father had gotten his way that he’d vented all his anger on the poor miss ‘future Crighton’.  The latter had not been too happy with his behavior and had made it clear what she thought of him and his ‘Neanderthal tactics’!

“Well?” he asked sensing an impending doom. 

“Well what? To recall your words ‘there’s no way I’m going to the altar dad and if you’re so keen on that damned lass, why don’t you snap up the opportunity yourself?’” 

“Dad,” he said suddenly unable to breathe.  Closing his eyes, he pressed his thumb to his forehead massaging gently a headache.  “What are you getting at? Who the hell are you marrying?”

“Well, Rachel Lloyd of course.  Who else?”

**********************************

“I wasn’t aware that there was a later will,” confessed Rachel Lloyd nervously to her family solicitor and her late father’s friend, Sean Palmer. 

“That was the way your father wanted it.  While making this will he had specified very clearly that you should only be made aware of this only after your twenty-fifth birthday.”

As Uncle Palmer was shuffling through his papers, Rachel’s curious mind was shooting thousands of questions.  What was it that her father had omitted in the previous will? Unfortunately, she didn’t think it was some good news.  And judging by the calm and impassive expression on Uncle Palmer’s face, she sensed that the latter was very much aware of his father’s intentions.  It was no wonder.  Along with having been a good friend of her father, Advocate Sean Palmer was also one of the shareholders of GEMS enterprise. 

“It’s not really a later will, Rachel,” Uncle Palmer continued.  “The early details of the bequests to old friends and the church are still the same.  So, you may consider this sheet of paper as a codicil which was to be handed to you only after you’ve turned twenty-five.”

Reaching for the paper with trembling hands, Rachel had to read it twice before grasping the significance of its contents.  Shocked beyond words, she stared unseeingly at the paper for a long time, all colour draining from her face. 

“Why don’t you sit down? I know this must have come as a shock for you,” offered Uncle Palmer with a concerned look. 

Still in a daze, Rachel didn’t even realize when Uncle Palmer placed both hands on her shoulders and urged her to sit on the nearby chair. 

She swallowed hard.  Twice.  And finally managed to croak, “This is surely a joke.”

“Not at all,” replied the lawyer.  “The codicil states clearly that if at the age of twenty-five you are still not married, then the thirty percent shares that your late father, Mr. Lloyd holds at GEMS enterprise will go to the Crighton family.”

“Wow,” was all that came out from her.  “I still can’t believe that this is happening.  How could have my father thought of such a thing? It’s not...  I mean…I still can’t think of any plausible reason why he did that for,” delivered Rachel still stunned. 

“It was plausible enough for him,” retaliated Uncle Palmer sensibly.

“But isn’t there any alternative somewhere? I mean he should have at least left me with a choice. How…?”

“Of course there is an alternative,” interrupted Uncle Palmer.  “That is the reason for that whole stuff in the first place.”

“And I can guess that the choice I’m ‘supposed’ to have is one that wouldn’t appeal to me.”

“Well, of course the thirty percent share can be restored to you on one condition, that is, if you get married…within two months.”

“Whaaat?!!” cried out Rachel stunned although she’d anticipated some news of that kind.  “Oh my God! I think I’m gonna be sick!” she exclaimed feeling bile already rising to her throat. 

“I’m afraid there’s no other way out,” explained Uncle Palmer in a dull voice that somehow soothed Rachel’s erratic mind and helped to assimilate the whole situation better. 

“I still can’t make out the real reason behind this rubbish.  I mean what was Daddy thinking of?”

“I think he wanted you to be happy and settled down with a nice husband and a few kids.  That was his most fervent wish while he was still alive.”

“Oh I know that,” she snapped angrily.  “But how can he still think of interfering in my life even after his death? This is so infuriating!”

Rachel found it hard not to stamp her feet as she’d always done as a kid while aroused in a temper. 

“I’m sure that once you’ve gotten over the initial shock, you’ll find that the idea is not that bad,” reasoned Uncle Palmer. 

“Not that bad? It’s not even an idea.  It’s a bloody ultimatum! How could I ever agree to being married? Within two months? It’s impossible! I am not even going steady with anyone and hell! I don’t even have a boyfriend.”

“What’s new?” muttered Uncle Palmer under his breath. 

Unfortunately, Rachel heard and exploded, “Well, that’s my choice of lifestyle and I don’t think anyone has the right to interfere!” She felt somewhat hurt.  What was it with everyone always taunting her about her single state?  It was not fair! She was among the few bright people who knew that there was more to life than love or whatever rubbish.  Still, she could not blame the mournful looking Uncle Palmer. 

“Look, I’m sorry.  It’s not your fault,” she said pushing back a tendril of hair from her forehead.  “This is one of Daddy’s ploy to rule my life again.  Blast it! And I can’t even tell him how I feel! Well, he could have picked the groom himself while he was at it,” she muttered scornfully. 

Oh-oh! Uncle Palmer was giving her a queer look, a look that triggered her alarm system.  Rachel tried to tell herself that the feeling of dread in her stomach was unwarranted.  After all, her…

“I’m sorry but you guessed right.  Your father has picked someone for you,” he whispered uncomfortably. 

If she hadn’t been seated, she was sure she would have fainted.  “Who?” she managed to ask feebly hardly able to recognize her own voice wishing that it was all a nightmare. 

**********************************

“You’ve got to be kidding dad.  You can’t do such a thing.  This is pure madness! How could you have thought of it in the first place?” Jake grated harshly at his father two days after he’d announced his marriage intentions. 

Jake had been so scandalized by the announcement that he’d driven straight home as soon as he could free himself.  At present, he was standing hands on hips in front of his father trying like hell to dissuade his father from committing the folly whilst keeping his composure.  There was no way he was gonna allow such a thing to happen, not while there was still breath in his body.  To his discredit, Devin appeared totally unruffled by his attitude.  Okay, maybe he wasn’t making himself clear enough. 

“I’m not gonna let that happen.  D’you hear me? My God! If I had any idea that my very own father was that lecherous, I wouldn’t…Oh! Damn! Are you even listening?” he shouted as his father calmly walked to the bar and poured himself a drink, leisurely as if nothing was unusual.

“Are you finished yet?” he queried with mocked innocence. 

“Dad!!!” he exclaimed blowing out a breath noisily.  “I’m serious.”

“Me too.  For your kind information, I do what I damn want with my damned life!’ his father answered stating the sentence Jake himself was used to shout at him so often.  Well, tit for tat was fair play, thought Devin gleefully quenching down the last remnant of his good conscience. 

“This is really not the right time to settle scores with me.  I’m not saying that I don’t want you to get married.  In fact, I think it’s a damned good idea.  But to Rachel Lloyd? What the hell are you thinking of?” Jake condemned. 

“What’s wrong with her?”

“How about the fact that she’s young enough to be your own daughter?” he ventured sarcastically. 

“Or daughter-in-law,” Devin murmured pointedly and on seeing Jake about to argue he continued quickly, “I’ve already told you I want a heir.  That’s the whole point of me getting married again.  Surely you don’t expect me to marry an elderly lady? How do you think she’ll be able to conceive a child?”

Great! Just what he needed, “I knew …I just knew that it was too good to be true.  It’s just one of your damned ploys.  First you leave me alone for five heavenly months-a record! Then you drop this bombshell on me.” 

“Son, I’m not even involving you in this ploy.  It’s between Rachel and me.”

Jake sighed loudly.  “I don’t know why I wasted my time coming down here.  Knowing you so well, I’m amazed at myself why I believed you.  You wanted me here to lecture me again, right? How could have ignored the fact that Rachel would never agree to marry you?” said Jake mentally kicking himself for not having thought of this before.  Of course 1 have no doubt that Rachel wouldn’t agree to such deceit. 

“Of course she won’t agree-wouldn’t have agreed if she had a choice,” Devin corrected himself making sure Jake didn’t miss the triumphant note in his voice.  He wasn’t disappointed. 

Jake narrowed his eyes dangerously feeling his earlier optimism damped instantly by a gut-wrenching feeling.  “And what do you mean by that?”

Appalled, he listened to Devin’s brief review about the codicil and the only choice Rachel had been left with, omitting of course to mention that Jake was the chosen groom. 

“That’s sheer blackmail!”

“It’s not!” defended Devin. “It’s the only choice we parents have.  You’ll understand it when you become a father yourself.  I’m in perfect agreement with that idea.”

“Of course you are.  In fact, I’m sure that it was you who suggested it.  But…” he said snapping his fingers as another bright idea came into his head.  “…I don’t think Rachel would be that desperate to marry you dad, no offense intended.”

“No? Well, why don’t you have a look at this?” asked Devin unable to let go of yet another opportunity to gloat. 

Now what? Thought Jake in despair watching his father removing a sheet of paper from his first drawer and handed it to him. 

“What’s that?” he asked impatiently.  Nothing could get worse that it already was, could it? One look at the paper however proved him wrong and his face turned as white as the sheet he was holding. 

“Well, as you can see it’s a marriage certificate where Rachel has already signed.  I guess she really was that desperate,” Devin chuckled wickedly. 

“What are you doing?” Jake cried out horrified as he saw his father taking out another similar sheet of paper holding a pen in his right hand. 

“Today I’m getting legally married,” he said and with a final look at Jake bent down to sign.