CHAPTER 5

Pharrell pushed the document towards Luke, who studied it for a moment before picking it up. He quickly scanned the document, his face expressionless. After a minute, he dropped it and looked at his father, who observed him eagerly.

"Is this why my presence was necessary?" Luke asked furiously.

"Of course. This is a great honor, Luke. You're the only one that can bring us out of this mess. You should be glad." Pharrell chirped, perching on the edge of the couch.

Luke scoffed and stood up. He looked around the room.

Eve looked lost. Matthew looked high and confused. Beatrice looked bitter.

"Can someone explain what's going on here?" Eve asked, folding her hands on her lap.

"I won't do it. I don't care what happens to the company." Luke rasped, frustrated.

"Don't be unreasonable, son," Pharrell yelled.

Luke turned to his Father. "Son? Now, I'm your son?" He shook his head and started to pace.

"I don't even want to talk about that. What's important is, I won't do it. I have a girlfriend that I love."

"Ex" Eve corrected, still wondering what they were discussing. "Hold up Luke. Dad, can someone explain what's going on here?"

Luke grabbed the contract and flung it at her. "Look at that, Eve, and tell me what's reasonable about it."

Matthew looked bored. "Look man, why don't you just do what is being asked of you and save everyone the stress?"

"Shut it, man. You aren't supposed to be talking, you piece of shit" Luke blasted at him.

"Language, Luke. I'm right here" Pharrell chided.

Eve cleared her throat and looked up from the papers. "Uhm, I think this is a bit much."

Beatrice glanced over at Luke, a spiteful look on her face. "Pharrell, if he doesn't want to do whatever it is he needs to do, why don't we let him be?"

"I told you, Trice, be reasonable". Pharrell reprimanded.

"Whatever! I'm not doing it, and that's final." Luke blared and stormed out of the study.

Matthew scoffed. "He's such a baby, what's the whining about?"

"Grayson Int. proposed a marriage into our family." Pharrell spilled.

The three left in the room turned to look at Pharrell, Matthew, and Beatrice visibly shocked.

Pharrell held up the document, "This is the contract for the marriage between Luke Carter and Ava Grayson."

"Once Luke signs this, we become automatic partners with Grayson Int." He added.

"Grayson Int.? That's huge." Matthew exclaimed, pushing his hair back.

"That's only an inch of what's in there" Eve chipped in. "But Dad, the terms of the contracts are not fair" Eve stated.

"The marriage is going to last a year, and in that year, they're expected to have a child, and get divorced after fifteen months? That's outrageous!" Eve added as she picked up her bag and left the study.

Ava quickly parked her car in the parking space of the hospital and rushed in. Her father had called earlier, and he had sounded hysteric.

She got into the elevator, panting. She pressed the button for the third floor.

Ava adored her father. Even though he was never really there when she needed him, she still dreaded losing him. She needed him now he was dying, more than ever.

The elevator doors slid open and she rushed to the VIP ward. The man mounted at the door opened it and stepped aside.

"Miss" he acknowledged her with a slight nod.

Ava hurried to his bedside and crouched. "Hey, papa" she called, taking his hands in hers.

Thomas Grayson's eyes flicked open and he focused his gaze on Ava. He smiled and rubbed Ava's cheek. His beautiful daughter, whom he was willing to do right by before leaving.

He had wronged her in every way possible. He knew he wasn't worthy to be called her father. But he was willing to fix their relationship before it's too late.

"My dear Ava, how are you?" he asked as he squeezed her fingers.

"Good. What happened?" Ava retorted.

"Nothing, my dear. It was just a scheme to bring you right over."

Ava narrowed her eyes at him, then she sprang up and headed towards the door. "I'll get the nurse".

"Ava, please. I'm serious, I'm good" Thomas pleaded. Ava turned and stared at him. At that moment, she could see the truth in his eyes.

She heaved a sigh of relief and moved to his side again.

"I don't need you scaring me like that. I only need you to get well".

Thomas had a sad smile on his face as he observed her. They both knew it was a lost cause. He wasn't going to get better. He wanted to remind her, so she could be prepared when it finally happened, but he didn't want to see her sad.

"Alright, my dear Ava," he said and sat up straighter. "I had something to discuss with you. That's why I called you here."

Ava looked at him, trying to read his mind. "Okay.."

"You know I want what's best for you." He opened the bedside drawer and brought out a big brown envelope.

"I want you to go through this, and tell me what you think." He handed it over to Ava, who took it cautiously.

She opened it and skimmed it. She looked up "What's this?"

"Ava, you're my only child. I need to see my grandchild at least, before I leave" he paused and took her hands." That's my only wish my darling".

"But Papa, a marriage contract? I think it's a bit much" Ava countered.

"I want to hand you over to someone worthy of you. I can't have it any other way. You mean the world to me, Ava, and I want you to have the very best of it all. Happiness, protection. Name it."

Ava looked at the papers again. Luke Carter. Who the fuck is that?