Chapter 2

HUDSON'S POV 

Hudson closed his eyes while talking to his mother on the phone. Elanor was speaking so fast that the only word I could understand was "marriage". Even though that was the only word I heard in my mother's very long speech, I already knew what she was saying.

My family wanted me to marry the heiress of Calleumston Airlines and Aceise Chains of malls. I knew for a long time that my father wanted me to enter Christenson's business in order for my family to gain more power and connections. Christenson's household wants to enter the business world in Spain and expand more, so they've decided to marry off their daughter to the Vasco's firstborn due to the fact that they couldn't do that without connection to the Vasco's household. And what every family wants will only happen when the only heiress of Christenson and the firstborn of Vasco get married.

Marrying someone is not my thing; all I care about is running the company and enjoying my bachelor days. But if marrying someone would help them stay on top, then so be it.

I was just hesitant to get married to Christenson's heiress when I heard that she got into a scandal recently. It might affect our business too, knowing that her name has been involved in every scandal.

"Mommy, stop talking and take a deep breath," I said, interrupting my mother's speech. "No matter what you say, I will never marry that woman. Okay?"

"No! We already talked about this son, and you already made a deal with your father. This is the only way."

My father wanted to widen the coverage of Rixco Wine Enterprise and Vasco's chain of hotels. That's what he's been doing since he took over. He put branches in every known country in the world. So far, all feedback has been good from each country.

Rixco Wine Enterprise was founded by my great-grandfather, while Vasco's chain of hotels was built by Leonardo Vasco. My father wanted to take care of the company until he finally bequeathed it to me. Leonardo thinks that our businesses will be more popular if Christenson and Vasco are together. That's why, when the Christenson family made a deal to marry their daughter to the firstborn of the Vasco's, my father agreed.

"Mommy, if you don't want me to run away and disappear like a bubble, stop pestering me with that freaking wedding. I don't want to be tied to the woman who just got into a scandal. I still have a lot to do in my life, and marrying her is not part of the plan." I knew what I did was rude, but I hung up the phone even though my mother was still talking.

I was really annoyed. I was just restraining myself from shouting at my parents because I still respect them, but they kept on forcing me to marry someone over and over again.

I threw the cellphone on top of the bed and left my penthouse. I have a business meeting with my business partners today about wanting to enter the business world in Asia and expand eventually.

After my meeting, my mother called, saying that we're having dinner and wanting me to join them, and I'm really sure that the topic would be marrying Christenson's heiress again. I don't want to go, but knowing my father, he would not let me, so with no choice, I join that fucking dinner.

————

My father and mother were facing each other at the dining table while we were having dinner. I was just waiting for them to open the topic. So I just silently eat.

It's been a half year since I came to visit here at our house. I chose to get my own place so that I wouldn't be staying in this house, which is like a prison.

"I already talked to Mr. Christenson, and we both agree that the wedding should be next month," my father said, wiping his mouth with the tablecloth, then looking at me.

I already knew what my father was talking about, and Mr. Christenson's reason made me sick. My father and Mr. Christenson plan the marriage to get benefits from both families. I agree with it because it was for the sake of the company, but marrying Christenson's heiress just to help her clean her name makes me want to just disappear. Getting involved with that woman would give me a bad image.

"I already agreed to marry her daughter in the first place, but having a child with her is not included," I said, not looking at him while cutting the steak. "And dad, do you forget that I already got married, and you knew it didn't end up well enough that it affected our company?"

It is still fresh in my mind to think about what happened two years ago. It's like it just happened yesterday, and I don't want to go back to that kind of situation again.

"You're not married to that woman anymore, Hudson, and yes, your marriage with her didn't end well, which caused our company to be in a critical state, and you knew who helped us in those times, right?" Henrico sighed, like what happened two years ago was a disaster. "I thought you wanted to run the business, and I'm telling you this is the only way that could secure our company's future. Even though we are at the top now, we still need the Christenson's family."

I sighed and put the utensils on the plate, which created a loud sound. "I just agreed to our deal because I knew it was my fault why our company had its downfall two years ago. But I didn't think I was going to have a child with the woman who likes to get her family's name dirty. Do you think it's that easy to have a child with her dad? Do you even hear what you were saying? Mr. Christenson's daughter just got into a scandal recently, and if people knew that I'm going to get married to her, it would have a bad effect on our company, so why would I do it when I knew it would cause us problems?"

 I can't control myself anymore, but I want to raise my voice. I know it's not a good move, but my father is forcing me to do things that are against my will.

I did everything to pay for what I did two years ago, but I think it's not enough for him.

"Hudson!" My father called my name in an angry tone; it looks like he doesn't like what I said.

"What? The only reason why Mr. Christenson wants my help is because her daughter is already crazy, and it's obvious that he just wanted us to join their downfall," I said sarcastically and got the small knife and fork to eat again.

"Stop it, Hudson. If people find out about your marriage to the heiress of Christenson, it will cause the scandal to slowly die, and people will think that she's changing into a reputable woman because he was going to have a family with a reputable man," my dad said, showing his veins in the neck as a sign that he was already furious. "Look, his daughter was involved in a scandal, so he wanted you to marry her and have a family so that the media and people would stop talking about it."

My ears perked up at what I heard. Even if I explained everything to them, it seems like they're not listening, and it's making me more furious.

"Dad, I already called Mr. Christenson. I said I could still help him by just allowing tabloids to state that we are married. In that case, we wouldn't need to be legally married and have a child; we just need to act, no strings attached." Hudson tries not to erupt in the fury he was feeling. "And dad getting married to that woman is no big deal to me if, in the first place, she is a decent woman who cares for her name."

"No. That's not enough," my father said, which annoyed me even more. "You didn't think it through. Do you think that tabloids or news can really help his daughter? We're not just talking here about helping her daughter. Come to think of it, if you marry the heiress of Christenson, it could help us too to expand in industry and gain more power and connections."

"I did my part, dad; I let the public know that we are married. It covers her daughter's scandal, right?" My voice was full of irritation. "I helped them—"

"Son, you didn't help them."

I looked at my mother. "What do you mean, mom?"

Elanor took a deep breath. "Yes, it covers the scandal because you let the public know that you two are already married, but that's only temporary. When the public finds out that you two are really not married, Vasco's chain of hotels and Rixco Wine Enterprises would be affected, as would the Christenson's businesses."

"I won't let that happen." I looked at my father. "No one will know. I have plans, so just leave it to me."

"Marry her, son, " my father said, making me stop talking. "Or else you will leave me with no choice but to not give you your inheritance and your power to fully take over the company."

I leaned back on the chair I was sitting on and looked at my father in disbelief. "Dad, I thought we're over this."

"No, son, we're not." He looked at me with a stoic face. "I am forcing you to marry her. Her family helps us stay on top again, and marrying Christenson's daughter is not even enough for what they did for our company. You see, son, Christenson helped us with the company before it went into bankruptcy."

I was stunned and this time my blood boiled even more. "No. I already did my part, dad. I already work at our company even though I have my own plans. This time you owe it to him; I'm out of it." Angrily, I let go of the spoon and fork I was holding and stood up. "I'm done eating."

I was about to leave the dining table angrily when my father stood up and stopped me by the arm.

"No!" Hendrico said, blushing with anger. "You are going to do what I told you too, Hudson!"

Elanor quickly approached my father. "Relax, Hendrico." My mother gave me an evil look. "Marry her, Hudson."

"No!" I shouted with pure annoyance. "I have plans, okay? You can't force me to marry that woman!"

"I told you to marry her! That's the only way to help them, you moron!" my dad shouted.

This time I really can't control myself when I say something stupid.

"Why don't you marry her instead of forcing me?" I shouted angrily at my father. I could no longer hold back the anger I felt. "I have a plan for myself, and you can't force me to do your bidding." The wind blew away the rest of what I was going to say when my mom spoke.

"Don't let this deal ruin our company, Hudson," she said, looking at me. "You know how powerful Christenson's family is; saying no to them will be the biggest mistake for us."

I strongly clutch my hand while looking at my father.

My father calmed himself before talking. "If you agree with this, I will let you do everything you want after you're done with what I want you to do."

Because of my father's proposal, I agreed to marry Christenson's heiress, even though it was against my will.