Marriage Bargain by Daenne

RONALD POV

The family gathered in the mourning hall where all the guests were as we got notified that Father's lawyer had some  information to relay to the family privately.

The Hoffmans sat down in the private room quietly ready to hear what father's lawyer has to say. 

The lawyer cleared his throat "Mr Hoffman left a will detailing his assets, properties and share with a suspensive condition.His will is as follows: "I leave  my mansion and cash to be donated to Home orphanage" The lawyer paused for a while adjust his glasses 

"I also will all the  Empire business and affiliate and shares to a designated legatee.The designated legatee is Ronald Hoffman" My eyes widened when I heard my name mentioned.Shock written all over my face.

"Why?"I said with a low tone at no one in particular, staring at Father's picture.

The lawyer continued "The condition attached to this will is that Mr Ronald Hoffman can only have access to this inheritance if he  gets married within one month, unable to comply with this, the inheritance Should be passed to my brother, Luke Hoffman."

I was dumbfounded and didn't know what to say. Eyes were directed towards me ,the room was silent as graveyard.

I could feel the tension in the room,  some of the family members stood dumbstruck and few of them nodded in support of the will , while others glared  at me, making me uncomfortable.

Luke confronted me immediately and the lawyer left the room"You've got to be kidding. Why do you have to get all the shares? I worked my butt off to keep this company going for so many years , just to be used as a substitute," Luke said ,his voice brisk with a piercing edge that bordered on harshness , raking his hair with his fingers while his wife stood close to him comforting him.

"Don't tell me you would accept this?"Luke's wife spat irately ,staring at me with bulging eyes. I stared at nothing in particular as I was still in shock from the whole revelation. 

"Mum I don't see anything wrong in Uncle Ronald in taking over the company," Lily said

"Shut up you brat, Don't talk while the elders are talking," Luke's wife said, shutting my nephew up. 

"This is so unfair.Why does it have to be this way?I'm sure you manipulated the deceased chairman into transferring the shares to you,"An older man in the family said , his eyes blaring with fury.

"What are you insinuating?It wasn't his fault that the inheritance was given to him,"Another person said 

Instead of listening to them argue, I turned on my heels and walked out.

Colin ran after me yelling. "Wait for me man. You are not thinking of leaving me behind, are you?"

"I'm sorry dude,"I apologized

"I understand, you don't need to apologize.You don't seem to be in a good condition to drive, let's switch," Colin said looking at me while he took over the will.Colin drove for a while and we got to a fancy relaxation area.

"Colin ,I thought we were going to the house what are we doing here?"I asked him getting pissed off

"I just wanted to lighten up your mood since your emotions have been everywhere,"he explains with sincerity sitting down in the corner of the bar. 

" Listen, having fun is the least on my mind right now. How can I get a girl I would marry within a month? I wonder why father gave me such a ridiculous condition," I said worry evident on my face

"You don't mean it? The Almighty Ronald is finally agreeing to get a girl," Colin said laughing sarcastically

"You know how I feel about relationship things, it's just a waste of time,"I replied drinking the alcohol served for us

"Well, you can always count on me, I know my way around the ladies. You need not to worry about  getting a girl," he said smirking, his eyes directed to a blond who was sitting two tables  away from us.

Colin got up with his drink "I would be right back ,Bro," He said going towards the blond direction.

I breathed down heavily "I can't believe Colin ditch me for a blond," I hissed.

I drank for a while and decided to go home because it was already late.I texted Colin and notified him that I was going home but he didn't reply.

"I guess dude is already on cloud nine,"I muttered to myself smiling, getting into my car. 

"I didn't realize that it was this late, everywhere is now deserted , I guess it was because of the rain that fell earlier," I said in thought.

I was still in thought when a truck speeding  from a distance came at me ,I tried avoiding a collision but the truck came at me again and knocked my car over. My eyes became blurry as my the world around me faded away 

****

I felt a slight headache in my temple , my eyes opening, adjusting to the environment.