Marriage Proposal from a Princess

Chapter 1

Lacey's P.O.V.

I'm currently sitting in Jeremy Greene's office, with Cynthia and Janie. Jeremy said he had something important to tell me and that I had to come to his office. While we're waiting on Jeremy to return, I'm scrolling through Facebook. There's not really anything going on, as usual.

"Lacey, why are we here again?"

"Janie, we're here because Jeremy has to tell me something and said I should bring a support group."

"Okay."

I swear she's secretly a blond, even though she's a brunette. She's also very forgetful. She'd forget her head if it wasn't screwed on to her body.

Suddenly, there's a knock on the door, and Jeremy enters. He has a smile on his face, but I know it's fake. I've known him my whole life, so I know what he's about to say isn't something that I'm going to like.

"Lacey, it's nice to see you. You as well Janie." He turns to Cynthia. "Cynthia, my love."

"It's nice to see you too, Jeremy." Janie nods.

"Before we begin, I just want to say I should have told you sooner. There was just never a right time, and I knew you'd put it off anyways."

Now I'm nervous. What would I put off?

"Your parents had one final wish for their princess."

"Jeremy, I'm not a princess. I wish everyone would quit treating me like I was."

You see, my parents owned a label company in Nashville, Tennessee. They made a lot of money, so I never wanted for anything. Ever since I was a little girl, I was treated like a princess. At first it was flattering, but, eventually, I grew tired of it. Everybody else was making my decisions for me. It was like I was completely incapable of making rational decisions. I'm not. My parents sheltered me for pretty much my whole life. I very seldom got to go out with guys I wanted. They always picked some guy that was more privileged than I. The guys they chose were only concerned with themselves. I was disgusted by them. I can't stand conceited and arrogant people. They need a huge dose of reality. They aren't the center of the universe.

"Anyways, they had a plan for how they wanted the company to be ran. Those directions are stated in their wills."

"So, what did they have planned? Am I supposed to change something?"

"In a way, yes. They don't want you running the label. They want a family man just like your dad."

See what I'm talking about? "I thought they said I was going to be a part of the label. Why do they want someone they don't know running the company?"

"You are going to be a part of the company."

"Then why do they want someone like my dad to run the label? Especially a family man? My dad was hardly ever home."

"Lacey, they want someone to take care of you."

"I'm confused. What do you mean?"

"Lacey, your parents want you to be married by the time you're twenty-two so you can still help run the label and get your full inheritance."

Did he just say that I'm supposed to be married by 22. That's six months away. How the hell am I supposed to find someone to marry by then?

"That's only six months away? How the f**k am I supposed to find someone to marry in that short amount of time?"

"Lacey Michelle, watch your language."

"Sorry, Cynthia." I turn back to Jeremy. "I can't get married in six months. That's not enough time. Nobody in their right mind will agree to get married to someone they don't know in six months."

"You don't have to worry about finding someone to marry. Your parents already had a few men in mind."

"Of course they did. Everyone acts like I can't make my own decisions."

"Lacey, I know you want to run your life, but this is your parents' wish. Do you really want to go against what they want? You are their little princess."

"Oh my gosh! I am not a princess! I'm just a normal person like everyone else. I wish you people would quit treating me like I hung the damn moon. I just want to live a normal life. Can I have a few days to myself?"

"There's not a lot of time, honey. I've invited these young men to come visit tomorrow. I suggest you go home and get some rest. You're going to need it."

"So, instead of asking me when I would be ready to meet these guys, you went ahead and made the decision. Typical. Does no one respect me? Does everyone think that I'm just some little girl who needs help with everything I do?"

"I'm sorry, but what's done is done. They're coming tomorrow, and that's final."

"Whatever, Jeremy. I thought you, of all people, understood the need to be independent. I thought since you separated yourself from your family, you'd understand how I feel."

"Lacey, it's not the same thing."

"Why? Because I'm a woman? Because you want to do what's best for me? I'll meet with those guys tomorrow, but I'm telling you right now that you can't force me into a marriage I don't want to be in." I turn to Janie, who's been silent through the whole thing. "Janie, let's go. I need to get some air."

Janie and I leave Jeremy's office. When we reach her car, I begin to cry. I should have known that my parents would still be trying to run my life. I honestly thought Jeremy was on my side.

"Lace, you okay?"

"Not really. Why the hell does everyone think I need them telling me how to live my life? I'm completely capable of making my own decisions."

"I don't know. I think you need some food, though. We haven't eaten in a few hours. I think after we eat, we can look at this from all standpoints, and figure out how to go from here."

Sometimes Janie surprises me with her intellect.

"That's a good idea. Maybe I can make some sense out of this situation, and then again, maybe not. I just know it won't be easy marrying someone I don't know. It'll be even harder to get married to someone when I'm in love with someone else."

"I know." She puts her hand on mine. "Let's go eat."

"Okay."