Arranged Marriage With The Billionaire

It was the morning of Annie's birthday, and she woke up feeling excited. She was turning Eighteen. She was finally able to go out and hang out in the league of 'big' girls. Her parents had granted her wish to go to an all-night club with her friends. She sat up on her bed, searched for her phone, and dropped a message on the group chat created for just her and her friends, Julia and Rose. "Hey, girls, who are ready for tonight?" She texted. "I picked out my dress already," Julia replies. "I'm ready; I need to tame this hairball, gosh." Rose texted back. Annie chuckled.

Rose was known for her full head of hair that she couldn't always keep in check. She got up from the bed and headed downstairs to the kitchen, the aroma of waffles already filling the house. Her mother surely knew how to make her mouth water. Her father was also in the kitchen drinking his morning coffee, head buried in the daily paper. "Good morning mum, good morning dad," Annie said in a sing-song manner. "Hey, baby, happy birthday to you. Hope you're set for your outing tonight?" Mrs. Rachet replied. "Yes, I need to get Julia and Rose moving and also book the ride. Hey dad, you don't seem so happy. Won't you wish your baby girl a happy birthday?" "Happy birthday, Annie; I can't be too busy for you, my love." Her dad announced, going around the counter to give her a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Don't forget the time for curfew, and also, when you get back, your mother and I have some good news for you." Annie frowned at the mention of curfew. She knew she was going to stay out way past her bedtime. She had already planned to appease her father with puppy eyes and an apology. But she was curious about the news, did they get her a new phone? A car? No, not a car. Her parents couldn't afford that with their current financial state. She couldn't wait to finish college and begin to drill as a certified nurse and ease some burden off them. She pushed all these thoughts to the back of her mind as she set the table for breakfast. She had a full day to catch fun. Any other news could wait. - Annie woke up with a hangover the following day; she tried to recall the events of last night. Julia and Rose had convinced her to have some tequila shots after all; she is 18 now and can drink. One tequila shot turned into two, two turned into five, and Annie couldn't remember how she got home. She got up, and a sharp pain hit her. She had to get some painkillers and coffee to clear her head. She headed downstairs and met her parents, having breakfast already without her. She mumbled a greeting. She couldn't tell if her father was angry or not. She came home late and drunk. Puppy eyes wouldn't get her out of this one. "Your mother and I waited all night for you, Annie."Her father broke the silence. "We let you go out, one night, just one, and you come home late and also reeking of alcohol, your mother and I were worried." Annie mumbled a feeble sorry. She wasn't ready for the drama this morning. She only wanted to take some painkillers and coffee and crawl back in bed. "Anyway," her father continued. "let me break the news to you, I got the job I've been seeking, but it came at a cost. Your mother and I have agreed to betroth you to Mr. Albert's son, Frederick. You're to get married to him once you're done with college. The contract also says we have to move to the US in a month." Annie couldn't believe her ears. She stared from her father to her mother and again to her father. Maybe they were joking. It could be a prank, she just turned eighteen yesterday, and they were already thinking of marrying her off? Was she that much of a burden? She couldn't help the racing thoughts in her head. She turned on her heels and headed to her bedroom, opened the door, and flopped on the bed. Tears rolled down the sides of her face. She didn't want to move. She was comfortable here, with friends that understood her and made her feel good about herself. She loved the school, her Coursemates, and the lecturers. She didn't leave her room for the whole day, and even while her phone was blowing with messages from Julia and Rose to check on her, she just read them and ignored them. She wanted to be left alone. Annie thought of Mr. Albert Westwood, owner of Westwood Architectural Company, a wealthy and influential man. Her father has been applying and sending letters to target companies for months now. He needed that job, and she was delighted that he had gotten it but not to her detriment. She hated that she was the sacrificial lamb for this particular job. She could do anything for her parents but not this. She grabbed her phone and typed in Mr. Westwood's name in the browser. She wanted to read about him and see the son they wanted her to marry. Annie was shocked to see that the son, Frederick Westwood, was much older than her. Maybe she could have considered a young heir but not this man in his early 30s. She was still going through the news page when her mother knocked on the door and entered the room without her permission. Annie pulled the blanket over her head. She wasn't ready to talk to her parents, talk less of her mother. "Annie, this arranged marriage is for the good of all of us. You know your father has courted this job for a long time, and now that he has a chance, please do this for him." Her mother explained. "But mom, I don't want to be in an arranged marriage, I've not even explored my love life, and I'm getting thrown into marriage; how do I do it, mum? Plus, the man is much older than me. He's the same age as Julia's eldest brother. What will my friends say?." "Sugar, you forget you aren't getting married to him now. You'll have to be through with college first before the marriage proper." "But now, with this arrangement, I'm tied to him. I'm now restricted. I don't like this arrangement, mom." Annie let out. "Too bad, dear. Your father's decision is final. He has signed the contract. Be good." Annie watched her mum glide out of the room, and all she wanted to do was cry herself back to sleep. One minute, she's a cute girl turning 18 and so full of energy to explore everything, and the next minute, she is being married off to a billionaire's son. - Frederick sat at his office table and drummed on it with his fingers. He just got off the phone with his mother, and he couldn't understand why his parents wouldn't let him be. They were breathing down on his neck every day, monitoring him, trying to see the people he hangs out with, asking him daily to bring a lady home. Frederick was too engrossed in work to notice any woman. He moved from one business meeting to another. He barely had time to appreciate a well-dressed lady. The few times he had tried to give a lady his attention, they ended up a waste of time. They all came at him for his money, blonde, bimbo girls that looked like they came out straight from a Barbie movie. He had Eva, his friends-with-benefits partner, and he was okay. She was always around when he needed sex, and she was enough distraction for when he didn't want to work. She was pretty but vain and shallow, but he didn't need to commit to her, so he was okay. He didn't understand what his mother said over the phone about their parents finding a suitable wife for him. He couldn't wrap his head around it. He didn't need a wife, and if he did, he'd get one himself. His parents need to take a chill pill and let him work things out. They worried about the Westwood legacy and grandchildren. And they also never liked any of the girls he brought home. They always had reservations about them and made the ladies uncomfortable. Frederick couldn't wait to see the lady they had chosen for him, but first, he had to see his father. He left his office and took the elevator down to the last floor, and got into his car. Albert Westwood was in the middle of a meeting when his son arrived, he excused himself, and they both went down to the lobby. Both men didn't discuss much, except on business deals and property. Frederick broke the silence. "Mother called me today and spoke of a girl you both have chosen for me to marry." "Ah, yes, we've found a beautiful lady for you to marry. You know, we worry so much about the Westwood legacy, and we feel like you're not so bothered, and the least we can do is give you a push in the right direction." Mr. Albert answered. "But, dad, I'm old enough to make my choice, and at my own time too. Choosing a wife for me is way out of your responsibilities." "Well, son, just have a look at her, I'm offering a great deal of money for this to work, and I don't want any disappointments." "This is just another business deal to you, right? Whatever, dad, I'll take a look at her. Have mom send me the complete details." - Annie walks home from lectures with her friend, Sarah; then she sights Leo. Leonardo is Annie's crush. He is a well-built, handsome transfer student from Italy. Annie had developed a crush on him the first day he walked into their class. She spoke to him first when the bell rang for recess, and they have been good friends ever since. Annie always hoped that one day she could take the friendship to another level, but it looked like the chances weren't coming. And now, her betrothal to Frederick is putting up an enormous barrier. She increases her pace to catch up with him, and she's been meaning to talk to him. When she is within earshot of Leo, someone stops her. "Hi, my name's Frederick, I don't go to school here, but I'm looking for a student named Annie. She's a nursing student." Annie looks at the face, and she feels it looks familiar. She remembers seeing it on the site when she looked up the Westwood family five years ago. So finally meeting Frederick; ever since her parents told her about the arrangements and moved to the US, he hadn't come to see her. Annie has only spoken to his parents because Frederick was always 'busy.' She didn't like that he had come to her school. "That should be me. Hi, my name's Annie, and your description matches me." Frederick is shocked. He didn't do what he expected. He wanted to see some Barbie-like girl like he was used to but met with the innocence in Annie's eyes, and he couldn't control himself. His face is immediately was filled with disappointment, and he turns around to leave Annie right there. "Annie, who was that?" Sarah quipped. "I don't know, probably a stranger that missed his way. Let's go home, and I need to call my mother." Annie gets to her apartment and lies on the bed, and she's had a hectic day. Studying nursing isn't for the faint-hearted. She recalls why she was in a rush to get home, and she picked up her phone and dialed her mother's number. The line gets engaged. "Hey, mom, good day. Guess who showed up at my school today?" "Good day, my Annie. Who, my dear? I have been meaning to tell you, Frederick is back in town." "Yes, I know. He showed up at my school today." "He did? That's so thoughtful." "Mom, how's that thoughtful? He showed up for the first time in five years. How am I getting married to a man that's comfortable with not seeing me for such a long time?" "Love, you know he's busy, he has branches dispersed all around, and he has to see that everyone is running fine." "And he couldn't spare 2 or 3 months to stay with me? So unbelievable. I've always been against this marriage. Mom, why can't we cancel this whole thing?" Annie whined. "Canceling the marriage will be a breach of agreement, and if your father issued to court, he'd lose everything, Annie. You wouldn't want that for us now, would you?" Annie bites down on her lower lip. She'd do it for her family, but right now, she just wanted to damn it all and be free. For five years, she has kept her feelings in check. She refused to go on dates or be attracted to anyone because she was constantly reminded that she was betrothed to Frederick. A man that couldn't spare a week to spend with her shows up and looks disappointed. Annie wonders if she didn't meet his expectations of high-class girls. She thinks of Leonardo, the adorable transfer student she likes. She thinks of how she just summoned to talk to him this afternoon, only for darned Frederick to show up. She thinks of all the ways she could have explored, at least before getting married to this man she barely knew. She makes up her mind to go out with Leo, to experience love before she gets married and becomes a trophy wife. "Hello, Annie, are you there?"Her mother's voice on the other end of the receiver called her back to reality. "Yes, mom, I'm here. And no, I wouldn't want dad to lose everything to the Westwoods. Bye, mom, talk to you later." She couldn't mention anything about Leo. He'd be her own little secret and maybe Sarah's.