Chapter 2

N O E L L E

Ten years ago…

You know, it’s not normal to simply force someone to come with you, especially, a cute student like me, right?” I asked the man who approached me earlier. “Perhaps you should tell me who this chairman is and where we are heading.” I said while smiling at him.

He just looked at me and snorted. What the hell? Did he just snort at me? What the hell is wrong with this man? We are in a high-rise building in the middle of the city, and I ditched classes because of this.

I’m going to pull every hair on this man’s body if ever he’s pulling a prank on me. Wait, maybe it has something to do with dad and stepmom’s debt. Shit. It’s trouble. Why didn’t I think about it earlier? I’m so stupid for coming with this man. What should I do?

“I need to use the powder room.” I said to him. I need to escape from this man before it’s too late.

“We are already here, Miss Lewis.” Shit. It’s too late. “The chairman is waiting for you.” He said before opening the door for me. “Please come in.” He added, and I nervously walked inside the room. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I tried to stop my hands from trembling.

“Good morning, Miss Lewis.” The man sitting in the office chair greeted me with a smile. He’s wearing an expensively looking navy blue suit and gold-rimmed eyeglasses. He looks like with the same age as dad. A stack of documents is placed on the right side of his table and a computer on the left side.

The darkroom shows the luxury and the personality of the owner. There are big and comfy-looking couches and a table in the middle. Paintings, trophies, plaques, and certificates are well framed and are hanging on the wall.

“Chairman Andrew Mitchell.” I read the name plate placed on his table.

“Yes, that’s me.” The man said, and I quickly slapped my mouth for blurting it out loudly. Shit. Stupid mouth.

The chairman suddenly laughs while placing a pile of documents on the available space on the table. “Please take a seat, Miss Lewis.” He said.

I sat on the couch and nervously waited for him to settle on the couch across mine. The man who took me here brought coffee and cake for the both of us. The chairman called him secretary, so I guess that answers one of my questions in mind.

I sipped my coffee, hoping my nervousness would lessen a little. The cake looked tasty, so I quickly grabbed it and ate it before the chairman started his speech. I have a few questions for him, but filling up my stomach comes first.

“My secretary has already gathered your personal information for me.” The chairman started talking, and I almost choked. I hurriedly drink coffee, but damn, it’s hot. He was laughing when I started coughing. “Slow down. No one’s gonna take away your food.” He said with amusement on his face.

“Your name is Noelle Lewis, nineteen years old and currently studying biology.” He stated a few of my personal information. “So, you’re four years younger than my son. Why are you taking up biology?” He asked curiously.

I gulped first before opening my mouth to answer him. “It’s my pre-med course, sir.” I answered.

“Pre-med course, you say. Are you planning to take medicine afterward?”

I nodded. “Yes, sir. I want to be a neurosurgeon.” I stated. “It’s my second year in college, and your secretary dragged me here without telling me what’s going on.” I said while laughing awkwardly.

He chuckled while shaking his head. I know I did not say anything funny, so I don’t understand why he’s laughing. “It’s about your father’s debt.” His words made my eyes get bigger and my mouth gape. Shit! I knew it!

“He said he cannot pay the whole amount and the interest.” My hands started trembling again because of anger. “Therefore, we decided to come up with the decision on how he could pay what he owes me.” The chairman stops and looks me directly in the eyes. He is studying my face.

I swallow the lump in my throat as I wait for him to continue his speech. “He signed an official contract stating that you’re going to marry my son.” I looked at him in confusion while my eyes and mouth widened. I am scrutinizing his face while his words keep on ringing in my head. I am trying to process what he said. “I’m serious, Miss Lewis.” He said after few minutes of silence. He placed a few pages of papers on the table.

“I sent the copy of the contract to your house yesterday, and I am expecting that your father already explained these things to you.” He says while I am trying to compose my inner self. I want to shout and run away from here, but I cannot move my body. I feel numb, and my mind is all over the place.

“S-Sir, I don’t think you’re making the best decision for your son.” I said as I touched my chest. I feel like my heart is going to burst, and I am panting hard. Shit. What is going on with me? Is it because of the coffee? “I am just the average college student, sir.”

“I am well aware about it. My son is also an average businessman, but he’s difficult to handle. He’s just twenty-three years old, but he thinks like a fifty-year-old man. He’s strict, gloomy, aloof, and grumpy. I already introduced him to a lot of women, but they all turned him down, obviously because of his attitude.” He explained as he sighed deeply. Seems like his son is a pain in the neck.

“He’s still young, sir. There are still years or a decade more for him to look for the woman he desires, right?” I asked while smiling awkwardly.

“I agree, Miss Lewis. I considered that there were a lot of chances for him to get better and find himself a suitable wife.” I nodded as I smiled slightly. Yes, sir. Now you get my point. “That’s why I stated on the contract that when my son reached twenty-eight years old and hasn't found the woman who is willing to accept him, you will marry him.” And just like that, my world collapsed.

“Don’t you think I’m not his ideal girl, sir? Someone out there is more beautiful, sophisticated, sexy, and intelligent than I am. Perhaps you want to consider other women as an option, sir.” I suggested.

I am just trying to help you out here, Mr. Chairman. Please exclude me from your list. I am begging you. I don’t have a plan of getting married at the age of twenty-four. I have a long bucket list to do yet.

The chairman looks at me grimly as he crosses his arms over his chest. He looks mad. “You probably don’t understand, Miss Lewis. My son doesn’t need someone who can satisfy his needs, but also his hunger for attention and care.” He said that made me look at him with confusion.

What is he saying?