Chapter 9; Father's business pleasure.

Olivia

I know better than this.

I know better than to let my pulse quicken when Liam walks me to the car, his dark hair slightly tousled from the wind outside. I know better than to notice how his eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles at me. And I definitely know better than to feel this flutter in my chest from the kiss.

It had been two days since the charity gala and yet, I could not get myself to stop thinking of the night.

The kiss.

It wasn't our first kiss. Or the first time he held him. But I felt every jolt with his skin pressed to mine. My fingers instinctively touch my lips. I squeeze my eyes shut and force them open, shaking my head aggressively.

“No…no.”

I slide off my bed to go to the bathroom. The cold water calms my nerves as I splash it on my face. His words replay in my head.

What was I thinking, letting my emotions get the better part of me?

My stomach clenches in disgust. I feel so stupid to even get jealous over a man that I barely know–isn't mine. I can't let my heart get in the way. Not with Liam. He's more dangerous than I thought. Too good. The game too easy for him.

This is a game, I remind myself as I settle on my bed, taking my laptop with me. It can't be anything more than business. And I need to start keeping my side of the deal.

Liam plays his part too well. And so can I.

*******

I'm sitting across from my father at his favorite restaurant, trying to focus on his discussion of quarterly projections and market expansion. I barely had any sleep last night, updating Liam with all I could find on Asher. Asher is in fact not as clever as I thought he was. I had gotten a few information on the clients he had and on his father's company. But Liam seemed to want more. Odd.

"Olivia, are you listening to me?"

My father's sharp voice cuts through my distraction and I realize I've been staring at my untouched salmon while he's been talking about the future of Murray Industries.

"Sorry, father. Long day. You were saying something about expansion?"

Fernandez Murray is not a patient man. Never has been. I can see his irritation in the tight line of his mouth. At sixty-two, he's built an empire from nothing, and he expects the same level of focus and dedication from everyone around him—especially from his only daughter and heir apparent.

"I was saying that the Hamilton Group has expressed interest in a merger. It would be mutually beneficial—their distribution network combined with our manufacturing capabilities could increase profits by thirty percent within the first year."

I nod, trying to look interested while my phone buzzes with a text. I glance down quickly and see Liam's name on the screen. My heart does that stupid fluttering thing again, but I force myself to focus on my father.

"That sounds promising. What kind of timeline are we looking at?"

"That's where things get interesting." My father leans back in his chair, and there's something in his expression that makes my stomach clench. "James Hamilton has a son, Tom. Thirty-one, MBA from Wharton, very sharp. He'd be perfect to help oversee the integration of our companies."

I don't like where this is heading. "Okay..."

"He's also single. Quite handsome.”

And there it is. The real reason for this dinner, the trap I should have seen coming from a mile away. My father has never been subtle about his desire to see me settled with someone who can contribute to the family business. Preferably someone whose last name comes with its own corporate benefits. It's never been about what I truly want. Or who.

"Dad, please tell me you're not trying to set me up with Tom Hamilton."

"I'm not trying to set you up with anyone," he says smoothly. "I'm simply pointing out that a marriage between our families would be advantageous for everyone involved. Tom is intelligent, ambitious, from a good family—"

"And I'm not interested." I set my fork down with more force than necessary. It earnd disapproving looks from the couple at the next table. "I'm not done with this. You always battering me off for a business deal."

"Don't be dramatic, Olivia. This is how successful families have operated for generations. Look at your mother and me—we married for practical reasons, and it's worked out beautifully."

The fact that my parents' marriage is more business partnership than love story is exactly why I want nothing to do with arranged relationships. It was never a happy story for my mother. More of duties to my father. And I've promised myself I'll never settle for that kind of cold, calculated union.

"I'm not you and Mom. I want more than a marriage that 'works out.' I want love, passion, someone who makes me feel—"

"Feel what? The same foolishness that led you to waste three years on Malcolm?" My father's voice is sharp now, and I flinch at the mention of my first boyfriend. The one I was sure I was going to marry. Fought my family over to be with.

"That boy strung you along for years and then left you for someone else. Is that the kind of 'love' you're holding out for?"

The words hit their mark, as he knew they would. My father has never been one to waste ammunition, and my failed engagement is his favorite weapon when he wants to prove that my romantic instincts are flawed.

"Malcom was a mistake," I say quietly.

"Tom Hamilton is real. He's successful, stable.”

"He is probably an asshole like Asher. And also a complete stranger!"

"So was your mother when I married her. We've built a good life together, raised a you, created a business empire. What more do you want?"

What I want is to have my mother back. Alive. My life back without him always interfering with my choices. To live for once. Not fot him. Or anyone else.

"I want time to think about it," I say finally, hoping to end this conversation before it gets worse.

"Time is a luxury we don't have. Tom Hamilton is expecting an answer by the end of the week. If we're going to move forward with this merger, we need to know where you stand."

"And if I say no?"

My father's expression hardens.

"Don't be stupid mi hija. This is a great opportunity for the both of us.”

“For you, you mean,” I interject firmly. I look at my salmon, already cold now.

"I need more than a week to make a decision about the rest of my life."

"The rest of your life is going to be spent running Murray Industries whether you marry Tom Hamilton or not. You should be getting involved in the business more.”

His gaze is hard. Firm with secrets underneath. Secrets I don't want to be a part of.

Before I can respond, my phone buzzes again. This time I don't resist the urge to check it, grateful for any distraction from this conversation. Leonard has sent me a picture of a news from a gossip blog. Asher's face smug and jealous.

Perfect.

"Who is this that keeps interrupting our dinner?"

I look up to find my father watching me with sharp eyes, and I realize I'm smiling at my phone.

"Nobody important. Just work stuff."

But my father isn't stupid, and he's been reading people for six decades. "That's not work face, Olivia.”

A lump is stuck in my throat. The last thing I need is my father investigating my personal life, especially when it involves Liam and our little deal.

"It's nothing, Dad. Really."

. This is the moment I should keep my mouth shut—that I've already made my decision about Tom-whatever-his-last-name-is.

Instead, some rebellious part of me that's tired of being managed and manipulated opens its mouth and says, "Actually, I'm engaged."

The words hang in the air like a bomb waiting to explode, and I can't believe they came out of my mouth. My father's expression shifts from surprise to suspicion to something that looks almost like anger.

"Engaged? To whom?"

My father's voice has dropped to the dangerous tone he uses in hostile negotiations.

"His name is Liam.”

"Are you out of your mind? When did this happen?”

"On my terms. I was thinking that I'm a grown woman who doesn't need permission to date someone!"

Several other diners turn to look at us, and I realize my voice has risen. My father notices too, and his mouth tightens further.

"Lower your voice. We'll discuss this at home."

"There's nothing to discuss. I'm engaged, which means the Tom Hamilton situation is off the table. End of story."

"End of story?" My father's laugh is cold and humorless.

"My dear girl, this is just the beginning. I need to know what kind of man my daughter is binding herself to."

A chill runs down my spine as I realize what I've done. In trying to escape one uncomfortable situation, I've created a much worse one. Because Liam isn't my fiancé. Hell, he doesn't even know I've claimed he is, and when my father finds out I've been lying...

"You'll meet him," I hear myself saying, even though I have no idea how I'm going to make that happen. "Just... give me some time to arrange it."

"Time? I want to him in by tomorrow.”

My jaw drops open.

“What?”

“Bring him to dinner tomorrow night. Seven o'clock."

“Father…I can't…you don't..”

“No excuses, mi hija. He is either there tomorrow or I make the choice with the Hamilton's for you.”

Twenty-four hours.

He's giving me twenty-four hours to produce a fiancé who doesn't exist.

"Twenty-four hours, Olivia. If he doesn't show up, we'll proceed with the Hamilton merger as planned. And there will be consequences for lying to me."

The threat in his voice is unmistakable, and I know he means every word. My father doesn't tolerate deception, not even from family members. He once had my cousin taught a lesson for lying to him.

"He'll be there," I say, with more confidence than I feel.

"Good. I look forward to meeting him."

What have I done.