CHAPTER FIVE: A NEW DILEMMA

Sterling's POV 

“Are you sure you really want to do this?” Curtis calmly asked me but I knew that he already knew the answer to his question. He has been my PA for a few years now and he knew that I had no interest whatsoever in love and relationships not to talk of getting married. Throughout his time as my PA, this has been his hardest job yet.

I sighed. “Its not like I have any other choice and you said this was grandfathers decision right?”

“Well, yes.” He wanted to continue but I stopped him. “Its already done. Ive already informed Mr Sawyer that I'll be getting married to his daughter.”

“I'm only concerned about you. You looked very upset when you left the restaurant,” he pointed out.

“Hmph, she was an odd one.” I started, “and you say she’s from a wealthy family no?” I asked a somewhat confused Curtis.

“She is the daughter of Mr Sawyer, a wealthy business man. And from the information I gathered she was well brought up and attended the most prestigious schools.” he answered me.

“Is that so?” I asked rhetorically. I thought back to the date and played everything that happened in my head. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about my encounter with her. She seemed so different from the woman I had imagined. Her behavior at the restaurant was strange, and she seemed to be avoiding eye contact with me. I wondered if she was just playing along to please her father.

Or was it me she wasn’t interested in? I snickered. Which woman would not want me? That’s impossible.

“She’ll have to do, if that is what grandfather wants. I’m getting married to her” I was already tired of my grandfathers threats. If this is what he wanted then I had no other choice. 

I lost my parents at a young age and just when i thought I'll be alone all my life, my grandfather took me in. My grandfather raised me with a strict, business-focused upbringing, grooming me to take over his empire. I was taught to only take decisions that will favour him and the company. All my life i have carried the weight of my family's legacy and been pressured to succeed.

Now was the perfect time to show him that I was ready to take over. If I do as he says and get married, I'll inherit everything and that was my ultimate goal.

I stopped pacing in my office and sat down. "I can't believe I'm actually doing this.” I swung my head backwards and laughed out loud.

Curtis raised an eyebrow. "Doing what?"

"Getting married," I replied. "I never thought I'd see the day."

Curtis chuckled. "Well, it seems your grandfather had other plans for you."

I nodded. "He's always been a stubborn old man. He thinks this marriage will make me happy."

Curtis raised an eyebrow. "Do you think it will?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not sure how I feel about her yet. But you know I can't let my grandfather down."

Curtis sighed. "You're a good grandson, Sterling. But you also need to think about yourself. Is this really what you want?"

I opened my mouth to answer but then I hesitated. I couldn't care less. If this was all it was all it was gonna take to prove to him that I was ready to take over the business then so be it. And what was the big deal in getting married? I have a very robust experience in handing women.

As if he knew exactly what I was thinking, Curtis nodded. “Remember, you're not just marrying Evie. You're also marrying into her family."

I chucked. “What's the big deal Curtis? They should be thankful they're getting a successful, handsome son-in-law like me.”

Curtis nodded, but he wasn't convinced. He knew that marriage was a big step, and I wasnt ready for it. But he also knew that I couldn't disappoint my grandfather. Ah, dear Curtis, I thought. You could always see through me.

"I'm doing it" I finally said. "For myself." 

Curtis smiled. "That's the spirit."

“Get the car, lets head out” I instructed him, in a bid to change the topic.

“Yes sir.”

Whike the car sped down the road with Curtis at the wheel, I was able to arrange my thoughts properly. My mind was racing. I was about to marry a woman I barely knew. 

Having flings with women was one thing, but marriage is a different thing entirely. It was for life. Was I ready to make that commitment? I wasn't too keen on relationships but I knew that if I was to get married it would be with someone I loved.

Deep down I knew marrying Evie was more than just a way to please my grandfather. It was also a way to escape the lonely life I had been living. I had always been focused on my career, and I had never really had time for a personal life. I hoped that this marriage would give me a sense of purpose and belonging.

*************************************

Evie’s POV

I paced back and forth in my room, thinking of what to do. I had just agreed to marry Sterling Brooks, a man I barely knew, and I was terrified about what my father would say once he found out. I knew he had high hopes for me, and I feared letting him down.

While I weighed my options, my father's voice interrupted my thoughts. He called my name, and with a deep breath, I opened the door.

"Evie, come here. We have some good news," he said, his face glowing with pride.

I forced a smile. "What is it, Dad?"

"Mr. Brooks' grandfather, Augustus, has invited us to his estate for a family gathering," my father announced. "He wants to meet you and Sterling."

My heart dropped. This was the last thing I needed. I couldn’t let my father meet Sterling, especially while he still thought I was the one he had met on that date.

"That's wonderful, Dad," I replied, feigning excitement. "I'm really looking forward to it."

My mother smiled warmly. "You're going to make a beautiful bride, Evie."

I chuckled, but inside, I was panicking. I needed a solution—and fast.

Once my parents left, I immediately called Faye. I explained everything to her.

"I can't believe this is happening," Faye said. "We have to figure something out."

“I'm coming to you Faye, we need to cone up with a plan. My parents can never find out that I hired someone to replace me on that date.” 

As I hung up the phone, I turned around to see my mother standing in the doorway.