Ethan switched off the large flat screen television in his lavish office because it was too noisy and he was going to have a headache because of it. His father, who was sitting at his desk while he worked, gave him a harsh glare.
"I wasn't done watching that." Clifford Sterling, the Chairman of Sterling Holdings stated to his son in displeasure. He had been watching the highlights of the Clayton's charity gala on the entertainment news Channel. Just as he was going to see his son and his date, Ethan had turned off the TV.
Ethan couldn't care less what his father was doing as he felt the throb in his head was getting realer and harder.
"You've seen all you need to see, haven't you?" He asked, massaging his temples.
"You think this one event is enough? There will be many more after this. The sooner you acquaint your self with that fact, the better for you."
"Don't you have any work to do in your office, Chairman?" Ethan asked his father. "You've been frequenting my office too much in this past week. Someone might think you live here."
"Are you sending me away? Get used to my presence, because until you get married, I'm not getting off your case."
Ethan reclined back in his seat. He knew this time, his father meant business. He would pester his son full-time until he got married.
"Fine then. Since you have time to babysit. Just don't distract my work."
Clifford Sterling scoffed. "Distract your work? The way you're going, you're on the verge of being jobless."
Now, the nonchalant Ethan shot his father a nasty glare. His father was referring to the clause in his grandfather's will which had stated that Ethan would relinquish his rights to the company if he didn't get married within two years of turning thirty. Now Ethan didn't have much time left and marriage was the last thing in his agenda.
But the older man just smirked knowing that he had finally gotten his son's attention.
"Why would grandfather even put such a clause in his will? If he didn't want me running the company, he should have just said so."
Clifford tsked at his son. So he was actually bothered about it? But he also felt for his son.
"He must have had his reason, son. Now tell me, how did you find the woman I paired you up with?"
Ethan's brow drew together in thought. What did he even think about the woman?
"She's okay." He said finally.
His father raised a brow. "She's okay? That's all you can say? Give me something to work with!"
Ethan shook his head as he watched his father who was an older reflection of him, throw a fit.
Memories of Saturday night came flooding into his mind.
There was a lot he could say about the woman, but one thing was clear: she was different.
The woman in question was modestly dressed. Even if her dress didn't look like it costed thousands of dollars, it was still on point and blended well with the theme of the event.
He didn't miss her bright smile when Antonia offered to donate to her school or the downcast look on her face when she spoke about the former owner of the school.
She wasn't attention seeking like the other women he had been with. At some point she got bored of the event and even yawned.
She was a quirky one too, to hum the tune of that silly song from start to finish. And then the funny eyes she gave to him when he was the highest bidder for her necklace.
She was interesting. Yes she was.
"You're the one who picked the woman for me. What did you think about her when you chose her?"
Clifford's eyes scanned the room as he thought of a suitable reply. He didn't think much about the woman except that she was an accomplished business woman and designer.
He didn't know much about her family or personality, but he couldn't tell his son that, else he would get a tongue lashing and he didn't want that.
There was a brisk knock on the door, Ethan knew it was his secretary, Lawrence. He was the only one who knocked like that. Like he was scared to break the door.
Lawrence came into the room and stood by the door.
"Good afternoon, President, Chairman. I hope I am not interrupting anything."
"There was nothing for you to interrupt, Lawrence. Chairman was just about to leave." Ethan said giving his father a sideways glare. "What is it?"
Lawrence walked into the room and acknowledged the chairman with a nod before speaking to Ethan.
"You need to know about this sir. It concerns your companion to the Clayton's charity gala on Saturday."
I sat up straighter and I noticed my father was also paying attention to Lawrence too.
"It seems there was a mixup with the invitation for the event."
"Mixup?" Ethan and Clifford chorused.
"Yes. The woman that the chairman had invited to the charity gala is Leila Sanders, the luxury jewelry designer and owner of MidasTouch, the jewelry brand.
"However the woman who was actually addressed and given the invitation is Leia Sanders, the owner of a small school for underprivileged children in mid F City. Due to the minor difference in their names, there was an error and the invitation was sent to the wrong person. "
Ethan nodded in realization. The woman from Saturday kept trying to let everyone know her name wasn't Leila. That's because her name really wasn't Leila.
It all made sense now. The down to earth manner and how she had a childlike genuinity was because she was really just a teacher.
Ethan glanced over at his father with a mocking smile.
"I think your plan was a flop, Chairman."
"I quite disagree, son." Clifford shook his head and turned to the timid looking Lawrence who just stood quietly by the side. "That woman, this Leia, get me her details. Every single thing about her. She seems perfect for the role."
The young CEO wondered if his father would ever give up. What was the old man up to now?
"And what role is that?"
"To be your wife. Since you have a problem finding one, I am very capable to help." Clifford Sterling said with a triumphant smile.
"Why her? Why not the original woman?"
"The way I see it, she has a lot to benefit from a union between you two. And someone like that can follow the rules and instructions laid down. And what better way to boost our company image than having a wife who runs a school for the underprivileged."
Ethan realized that his father had a point even if what he was doing was far from being right. But then in the corporate world, people rarely cared about doing the right thing anymore, so long as the end justified their means.
Ethan looked back up at Lawrence who was now waiting for his boss' final say.
"Do your research about the woman and bring your findings to me. I'll take care of it myself."