Chapter Three

~Arthur Callaghan

There were a lot of things one had to go through in life. One had to face the struggle of growing up, one had to face the struggle of the process of growing up, one had to struggle to do every damn thing and it was frustrating.

Life was supposed to be easy for the rich, like wasn't that why they made the money? But for fuck’s sake, why the hell did rich people have to have a money-hungry self-obsessed villain of a relative that just causes problems?

That was crap! I refused to live my life like a book written by a fantasy-living teenager. I was twenty-eight, not eighteen. 

“Mom I am not letting that money-hungry dwarf take what’s mine from me, for a fucking absurd reason” I raised my voice for the third time while I try to fix the fucking tie that keeps tangling. I groaned in frustration.

“Language Arthur, your father just died and I need you to calm down. At least for me. This is also hard for me as it is hard for y-“ She began to sob lightly and I sighed. 

“Listen to me, Mother. It is also fuc-“ I stopped the curse word from spilling when I feel her shoulders tense.

I sighed again 

“It is also hard for me, Mother, but I can’t sit back and watch everything my father worked for fall into the hands of a money-seeking bastard” I explained as I try to contain my anger.

I was not dumb. 

I knew my uncle was behind this. The old fool didn't even hide it so well. Like, come on, who talks about taking over the company just after his brother’s death and making up a darn excuse for the rightful heir to not be given his right. 

Come on!

We were in the twenty-fourth century, they were lots of CEOs that were fucking bachelors and were way older than me.

So why the fuck was marriage a criterion for taking over a company? 

“My father worked day and night to build that company to where it is now, but some Hispanic bastard wants to take what he never worked for!” I was getting angrier by the second “Mom it’s not even up to seventy-two hours yet and Uncle stupid Gregory wants to take over” The anger seeping through me was getting so much I felt like shooting my fist through a wall. 

“Arthur, I need you to calm down, you are making this harder to bear than it already seems. Your suspicions have no ground without proof and that man is your uncle” She flicked my forehead.

Ow?! Was that meant to hurt?

I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah that grandma had out of wedlock” I retorted and she sighed. 

I kept struggling with my tie and I was so fucking close to ripping it apart.

“Arthur give me the tie” She commanded and I didn't even argue.

“Why don’t you just go tomorrow? You’re too mad to be at the office today “ 

“No, a whole day is too much, I want to go there now” I was not one to back down from a fight and even if I was, this was not the kind of fight.

“See you at night Mom” I walked away but not before I heard her sigh again. 

Mom was probably going through a lot because of that…that old fart. As a kid, I never liked him and I damn well wouldn’t start liking him now

But in cases like this, I would do what I always did. 

Be quiet and just act. 

A wife?

Why would he even think of a wife? The thought of a woman close to me made me almost retch. 

Oh don’t get me wrong, it wasn't like it was so bad or anything, it’s just…I have had my fair share of women and trust me when I say those creatures were just gold-digging trolls. 

All you gotta do was give them the last name, and trust me it was like walking into a casino to place bets. 

Was it Sarah, or Matilda, Janelle, Donil —and I still didn't get how in the name of Apple products that Donil was an actual name— Franca, and the fucking worst of them all Gloria.

I have had enough of women, I preferred the use and dump. It was far better than some stupid commitment. 

Just fuck them and get out of there. There was no need for some sappy shit. No one liked cheesy.

Women didn't like the nice and caring, or cheesy and romantic, they just wanted to live a life out of some stupid storybook that my little sister never shut up about. But I would cut off the last of my balls than to see her at the mercy of some lame-ass wannabe toxic dude. Not on my fucking watch.

Being a normal guy, or a nice and romantic dude never got you anywhere with girls, even if you had all the money In the world, an average girl of this time and age would leave you if you lack just half of a toxic feature.

I was pretty sure they weren't up to five girls on earth who wanted a nice and caring guy.

Nope because they’re seen as weak.

But not me, because I was not a weakling who would stand by and watch some narcissist take over his dad’s company.

If this was the last thing I did, then I would do it till my last breath. 

I was one of the world’s most eligible bachelors and it was going to remain that way till I was actually ready to put my heart on the line again for another gold-digging bitch. 

I didn't have a sob story, and even if I did, it didn’t matter, I was way past that. 

This was real life and I planned to take it just as it was. 

I parked my car in the garage and walked into the building.

This whole place? My father built it. Not that bastard.

I walked into the elevator but a voice pulled me out of my thoughts

Women. Now here was another one, I was pretty sure she knew she should have waited but then couldn’t resist.

“That was close” I heard her mumble to herself.

“You should have waited” I kept my face forward. Something told me she was about to say something stupid.

I saw her pull up her fist and almost laughed out loud. But then we had a face to keep. 

She quickly pulled herself together after practically drooling.

Don’t worry darling. No one can resist this face. 

“Uh…No?” She stuttered. “Why would I do that when it’s right in front of me?” She clearly didn't know how to mumble.

“Because it’s common sense” I retorted.

“Why so grumpy” She furrowed her brows slightly and I turned to look at her. 

My words almost stuck in my mouth. But I didn't let it. 

“You’re just sensitive” 

“I was talking to myself” She retorted without skipping a beat. “And no…I am not sensitive, you're just nosy” She rolled her eyes. She practically rolled her eyes.

I am not sure she knew who she was talking to.

And just on cue the elevator doors opened and she glared at me as she walked out.

“So grumpy” I didn’t fail to hear that.

I walked into my Dad’s office and saw the bastard on my father’s seat.

Shoving my fists into my pocket, I struggled to keep a straight face. 

The idiot had some nerve if you asked me.

“Get up” My voice came out just as expected. Piercing and frightening. That worked on cowards.

He looked up from my father’s computer and walked out from behind the table.

“Ah Young Arthur…Come sit down” This fake bastard. Was he trying to be nice now, while he was sitting in my father’s seat?

Oh and Young Arthur? Me? This old man was delusional. If I was young why Insist I get a wife before taking over my own Father’s company?

“Get up from my father’s seat” I commanded slowly.

He sprang up from the chair like he was just realizing where he was. Then he recovered and started to speak.

“Look Arthur, this was what your father wanted. Anyone who has to take over the company must have an heir or at least be married. It was written in his will” He tried to explain.

“And how the fuck did you get your hands on my father’s will? That man has only been gone two days and you already want to take over something you never for one day lifted a finger to build! How did you get your filthy hands on my father’s will?” I stalked closer to him as I spoke. 

I was getting really mad and this man was starting to not just get on my nerves but was beginning to strike it hard and I never joked with my nerves. 

He cowered slightly but still tried to mask it as I stared him down, a smirk on my lips. 

His face turned serious as he squared his shoulders.

“I will not have my nephew speak to me like that-“ He started. 

“You’re not even my father’s blood, you are not even fit to lead this company!” I poked him in the chest.

Laughing slightly, he said, “I am your father’s brother!” His voice thick and full of disdain.

“Step brother! My grandfather married your fucking slut of a mother with a child that wasn’t even his. Your mother was picked off the fucking street and you have the guts to want to take over my own Father’s company?” I grabbed him by the collar.

“Listen to me you fucking gold-digging bastard! I’ll play your little game. You want a wife, I’ll get a wife and when I am fucking back, I don’t want your ass on my chair. Do you fucking understand?” I yelled at his face. 

Even as much as he tried to keep a straight face. I knew he was scared. 

He slightly nodded and I slowly let go of his collar. I smoothened it out on his shoulder and walked out of the office.

But not before telling him to-

“Get the fuck out of my father’s office Uncle George” I mumbled but loud enough for him to hear. 

I walked out of the office, walking around a bit and I noticed that girl from before. 

I stared at her for a bit before walking away. 

I stayed in a random office till dark as I made calls to work out a contract. A marriage contract.

If he was not ready to play fair, then so was I. 

After making all the calls, I walked out into the hall and heard a voice down the hall. Curious, I moved to check it out.

I heard her chirpy voice resonate through the hall and cocked my head to the side trying to find out if it was who I thought it was. 

And I was right. I stuck around to listen to the conversation.

“I have to figure out a way to get a new job, I can’t stay jobless, Reese. If I go down, my family goes down with me. I don’t know how fast I can find a job but I should.” I heard her complain.

Well, miracles happened every day

I stepped behind her and she bumped into me and immediately turned around.

I felt her body stiffen and I rolled my eyes.

“Are you scared or just playing dumb?” I asked. 

“Who-“ She stopped immediately as she realized it was just me.

“What kind of thing are you? Why are you creeping around at night?” I knew she was getting irritated at this point.

But did she?

“Did you just call me a thing?” That question didn’t need an answer but I wasn’t sure I was hearing well.

I didn’t notice her slip past me but I immediately went to grab her hand.

“What the hell? Let go of me” She tried to yank her hand away but then I tightened my grip slightly.

“I’m here to help you” I felt my phone vibrate and brought it out to read a message. My contract was ready.

I heard her scoff. 

“Uh no thank you, I was joking about wanting to die” I raised an eyebrow and analyzed her face.

She really didn't know who she was talking to.

“You obviously don’t know who I am so let me enlighten you.” I shoved my hands into my pocket. “I am Arthur Callaghan, and I want us to help each other out.”

I didn't stop the look of satisfaction on my face when her face morphed into shock as realization set in.

“I want you to marry me”