Working Love

4

It's been about a week or so since that night. My father hasn't spoken to me, let alone looked at me. During meals he never looks at me. He keeps his face buried behind papers. He won't speak to me unless I finally give him an answer. Sometimes I think he acts more like a kid than an adult. I mean, the cold shoulder? Really?

"Why don't you just marry the guy?"
James was sitting at my desk, reading over the file they gave me on Ethan. "He seems like a nice guy, pretty face too."

"Yeah, two reasons. One, I don't wanna be tied down. And two, he's a guy!" I laid back down on my bed, with my hands behind my head.

"Who says you actually have to do anything?" That caught my attention and I sat up. He placed the file down and looked at me. "All you have to do is marry him. No one ever said you had to actually fall in love. I'm sure if you talk to Ethan he will agree. He seems like a pretty reasonable guy."

"Huh." I hadn't thought of that. If I marry Ethan it will shut our parents up, and I still get my money. No one ever did say I actually had to love the guy. "James you're a genius!" I hopped off my bed and walked out the door. I walked towards the other side of the mansion, to my father's office. I knocked on his door and waited.

"Come in." I opened the door and stepped in. He still didn't bother to look at me, again he was focused on papers. "Carter, what do you want now?"

"I want to talk to Ethan. I was wondering if you might have his number." At the mention of Ethan he looked up. I could tell I caught his interests, but he didn't want to show it.

"And what exactly do you need to talk to him for?" He was now sitting up straight, with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"Well, he's gonna be my, husband." Still can't say that word without shaking. "So I figured I should have his number."

"So you agree?" He was skeptical, I don't blame him.

"Not exactly. I want to talk to Ethan one on one. I want to talk to him without the pressures of you guys watching us." He seemed to be debating it. Seeing if there's any way that I can screw this up.

"Fine. Here." He handed me a piece of paper with his number on it. I took it and thanked him before leaving. I walked back to my room and saw James working on some school work. I decided to call him in the library. The phone rang three times before he answered.

"Hello, you've reached Ethan." I forgot how soft his voice was.

"Hello Ethan, this is Carter McClain." It was quiet for a moment, I thought he hung up. "You there?"

"Sorry Carter, I'm just surprised is all. How did you get my number?" At least he wasn't mad about me calling.

"Yeah, I got it from the old man. I wanted to talk to you more about this whole marriage thing. I wanted to talk to you in person. Are you free?" The sooner I talk to him, the faster I can get all this over with.

"I'm free now. I just finished a match, I can meet you in about an hour?"

"Yeah, I'll text you the details. See you soon." And with that, I hung up. I told James I was meeting him, and he said he would talk to me later. I quickly showered and changed into something casual. Some dark jeans, a black tee and a blazer.

Grabbing my car keys I drove to the location, the Starbucks near the plaza. It's private, but still out in the open. I parked and ordered a coffee while I waited.

"Thank you sir, come again." The girl handed me my coffee, and I noticed she wrote her number on the cup. Even when I don't try, women still fall for me. They only look as far a my outer looks. I have never opened up my heart fully to any of them, not even Katherina.

"Carter." I look up and see Ethan in front of me. He placed his bag and coffee down in front of him. How long have I been spacing out? "I'm surprised you called. After what happened during the dinner I expected you to never want to talk to me again." Even though he said that, he still had a smile on his face.

"Yeah well, the old man's been getting on my nerves. He started acting like a child giving me the cold shoulder." I took a sip of my coffee. I always get it black, I never really cared for sweet things.

"I see. I am sorry to hear that. So what did you want to talk about?" He took a sip of his. I could smell the vanilla coming off of his. He likes sweet things.

"I wanted to talk about the wedding." He put his coffee down and looked at me. He was quietly waiting for me to continue, but that smile never left his face. Was this guy always happy? "If we were to get married, I don't necessarily have to, do things do I?

"Do things?" He looked at me whit his head leaning to the right. He looks like a confused pup.

"You know?" I avoid looking at him because this topic alone is weird, but he seemed to catch on to what I meant. He started laughing, and even his laugh sounded nice.

"Carter look at me please?" I was reluctant, but I did. Again he had that same gentle smile on his face. Why couldn't he be a girl, he already resembled one. "Carter it's like I said, you are not like me. I am bisexual, so men or women don't bother me. I understand that you have no physical or emotional attraction to men. I am only doing this because it was asked of me by not only my parents, but your father as well. I love this company, and will do anything for it."

I looked at the man in front of me. He truly does love this company if he is willing to marry a man he doesn't really know, let alone love. He cares more about it than his own happiness. I could never be that selfless, and I am not ashamed to admit that.

"If I marry you, you need to understand a few things. My motives, they aren't like yours. I don't care about this company, and that is no secret. If I marry you, I hope you don't expect anything from me. Like you said yourself, I am not into men." He looked at me with that gentle smile. This guy looks like he has never even hurt a fly.

"I understand Carter. As long as this helps the company, then I am okay with this too." He stuck his hand out for me to shake, and I took it this time. His hand was so small, warm, but firm. He may be nice and sweet, but he is still a man. But I can't get over the warm feeling his hand left behind. I decided to simply blame it on the warmth of the coffee shop, and moved on.

"Alright then, I guess we're planning a wedding."