You Before Him

Wealth. That's what my family came from. Generation after generation, my family's business expanded and grew throughout the world. And what else added to my family's wealth? Marriage. Which is where my story begins.

Sitting across from my father, lips pursed, I processed the words that had passed through his lips.

"I found a man worthy of your hand. His family comes from a long line of business men who have invested into stocks, and they own many hotels all over the world. He'll be flying in next week to formally meet you while his parents and I go over some things. If things go well, you'll be married within two months."

I sighed as I glanced over to him, his face no longer held the bright and youthful looks that I was so familiar with from my childhood. Instead, his face had sunken in while a family of wrinkles adorned his face. He was still handsome at age fifty, but life had definitely taken a toll on him.

"So, what I'm hearing is that I don't have a choice," I deadpanned, sinking deeper into the leather couch I was sat on.

"You have a choice," he sighed, removing his glasses from his face and placing them onto his desk, "it's either the man I chose for you or Edward."

At the mention of that name, I felt my face fall slightly as a sudden sense of fear traveled my body. I would never marry Edward, not after what he did.

"I'll meet him," I said, looking at my dad, watching a small smile light up his face, "one question."

"Go ahead and ask," he replied, taking a swig of his whiskey.

"What's his name?"

He sat back in his chair, watching me with an amused look on his face, "Christopher, Christopher Bang."

And in that moment, my face grew red in embarrassment. Oh no.