Contract Wedding

prologue

The water dripped down the large window slowly, the thunder rumbling deep in the distance. The ground below was scattered with ant-sized people and cars. The people rushed and took their time getting to where they needed to be. They all had separate lives, some worse or better than others.

It was a gloomy Wednesday evening and Noah sat opposite his father in his office with a deep frown.

Marriage.

He despised the thought of settling down with someone so early. He was only twenty-eight, after all. He still had a few more years before he could even imagine dedicating himself to one woman.

"Noah, you realize how profitable this would be for the company, right?" his father asked with a frown.

Richard Banks, the owner, and CEO of Empire Inc., owned a company that had a series of hotels and restaurants in the New York and New Jersey area. In just a few months, he would be stepping down to hand over the company to Noah. Unlike most of his socialite friends, he worked hard to earn the title of CEO. His father made sure of that. At a young age, Noah was taught that in order to receive anything in this world, you had to work hard. Nothing was handed to you.

Apparently, except for a marriage proposal.

"I understand," Noah said, "but is a marriage really the only option?"

Richard sighed, rubbing his temples as if the conversation was wearing him down. Noah felt a pang of guilt but this was his life they were talking about. "Samuel wants to give his shares away to the highest bidder. Since his company has been doing spectacularly well for the past decade or so, it would be beneficial if we were to take it. We get eighty-five percent of the shares, Noah. This isn't a deal you'll find anywhere else. And considering you'll be taking over soon, it would give you a good image as a future CEO."

Noah understood clearly. This was a chance to make their business grow. They had been doing well since his father first created the business, fortunately, but this was something that was too involved in his own personal life.

"So in order for us to get the deal, I have to marry his daughter?" he asked, unbuttoning and buttoning the sleeve of his pressed white shirt.

"Neelam is the first daughter of two," Richard clarified. "I've seen her and her sister a few times at a few events and they both seem like two, well-behaved young women. Neelam was previously married at eighteen to Marcus Aldridge." A dark look formed on Richard's face. "I don't know what possessed Samuel to even consider allowing a man a decade older than his daughter to marry her, especially if it led to annulment two years later. She's twenty-four now." With a sigh, he shook his head and grabbed a manila envelope, taking out a few pictures.

Noah looked down at the pictures. There was no doubt that Neelam was a beautiful young girl. Her skin resembled the color of freshly made coffee, eyes a similar shade, maybe even darker. Her lips were full and plump, a shade lighter than red. Her face was expertly covered in makeup in some pictures whereas others were more subtle. In some pictures, she was in typical American attire while in others, she was wearing Indian outfits ranging from all colors and styles.

Noah looked up at his father. "And what about the other daughter?"

"Shania is a senior in college," Richard answered. "She's getting married in a few days, but we'll talk more about that later."

Noah sighed and glanced at the pictures again. "So what now?"

"That's completely up to you," Richard said, crossing his arms and leaning against his chair. "Neelam has no idea her father is trying to set her up from what I've heard. It's up to you, whether you want to woo her or tell her about the deal."

Noah frowned. It was more complicated than he expected. He debated for a moment whether this was worth it all but shook his head, knowing how good it would be for the company. He felt defeated but he could think of a way to get out of this. He could be married to her for a year, even two years before ending their marriage. It would go by quickly. Right?

When he looked up, his father grinned at him, making him look much younger than sixty-three years old. "Fine," Noah said, looking at his father even though he knew his father already knew the answer. "I'll marry her."