Chapter 4

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?

The shrill sound of the doorbell pulled Luke out of his late afternoon slumber. He reluctantly opened his eyes and moved to the door.

He checked the screen to see who it was. Eve? What is she doing here?

He opened the door and smiled at Eve. “Eve” he called, opening his arms to her.

Eve got in and closed the door behind her, before moving into his arms. “How’s my favorite brother?”

Luke shrugged and spread his arms “As you can see, I’m just living.”

Eve smiled and moved to the sofa, kicked off her shoes, and jumped in.

“So, how’s work? You're killing it, I know”

“I’m trying,” Luke answered and moved to the kitchen.

“You need water?” Eve nodded.

“Heard back from Farida?” She asked. There was a pause, then Luke answered “Not yet. Still expecting.”

Eve rolled her eyes. This Farida girl did a number on her brother.

She never really understood why he loved Farida, but she knew he had to move on, because Farida was gone from his life, and she sure as hell knew she wasn’t willing to look back. She knew the likes of Farida.

Luke came out of the kitchen, holding a glass of water. Eve eyed him surreptitiously as she took the glass from him. “Luke, you have to move on. Farida isn’t coming back”.

Luke groaned “Not you too, Eve.” Please—!

“I went home yesterday, and thought deeply about it,” she stated “and I realized it’s not such a bad idea” “You can move on from your toxic experience with Farida. Dad gets his company back on track, the Graysons get what they want out of this marriage, and it’s a win-win”.

Luke raked his fingers through his hair, confused. “It’s not that simple, Eve.”

“I know, but you have to look at this from a positive angle. It might be the best decision you make this year” Eve urged. Luke studied her “You think so?”

“I know so. It’ll all be over soon anyway, just let time do its thing”.

Luke thought for a moment. He could agree with other terms, but having a child with a total stranger in the space of a year? That was going to be difficult.

He picked up his phone from the table and dialed. On the second ring, the call connected. “Hey, Dad. I’ll do it.”

As difficult as it was for him, he had decided to go with the flow. Moreover, he believed there was no harm in trying.

Pharrell Carter sounded excited over the phone. “You’ve just made the best decision, no doubt”

“I’ll communicate with the Graysons and get back to you when you two can meet.” He said gleefully and the line went dead.

He looked at Eve and smiled. “I hope this doesn’t go south.” Eve chuckled. “Relax, bro.”

Later that evening, Pharrell called him back to give him details of the meeting with the other party.

He knew Ava Grayson, the only child of Billionaire business mogul, Thomas Grayson, but not on personal grounds.

It amused him how he was about to get beyond personal with her, someone he barely knew, without any warning.