SOPHIE FERNANDEZ
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Narrators pov
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“The only choice you have available to you now is to get married.”
“No father, I won't.” crossing her arms Sophie went to take a seat.
“You know this is the only condition your grandparents gave if you want to partake.” her mother interjected, it was not an easy task trying to convince Sophie against her will. But truthfully she had no choice.
“Why is grandpa so old-fashioned, why must I be married, does getting married make me a better woman. I just hate this idea so much.”
“You have no choice darling, it's their company and you must abide by their rule.’ her father shrugged. “You are a very intelligent; hardworking and independent lady; you are more than able to do whatever you want to, look at your business; you built it to the level it is now from sheer determination and hard work. But to become the heir to the Fernandez empire you must get married.”
“But Dad, you know I’m not dating anyone at the moment.” Sophie's face contorted “and I am not ready to date anyone now.”
“That's understandable.”
“Who would agree to marry me, all my male friends are engaged or have serious relationships. Except for Mark's friend ……” she couldn't continue speaking as memories flooded her mind.
“Forget about him, you will surely find someone better than him.”
“But I loved him so much. How do I forget him, mum, tell me, how?’
“I don't have any idea, honey. But time heals.” her mom hugged her so tight
“It hurts so much.'' Sophie wept. After Mark stood her up at the altar she had buried her pains in her work, but she couldn't pretend anymore that it didn't happen, but as emotions took the better of her, she gave in. Maybe now she could have the closer she hoped for after almost two years.
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Saturday evening
Sophie was on the phone with her personal assistant Mia, she was pursuing a contract with a 5-star hotel that just opened another branch close to her office. She didn't notice her parents walk in and take a seat adjacent to her. She was so engrossed on the call as she always was especially when it was for business, when her call ended, she swirled herself on the office swivel chair and came face to face with her parents.
“Oh my goodness, I didn't hear you enter.” she gasped
“You were so engrossed I'm your call as always.” her mum retorted with a smile.
“Do I have a choice mum, I love my work and its financial benefits.” looking from one parent to the other “So what brings you and dad here.”
“Can’t we visit our daughter again, must we have a reason” her father pretended to be hurt.
“I know my parents well enough, your eyes have that look when you have something serious or important to say.”
Laughter erupted in the room.
“On a serious note dad.” Sophie said in between her laughter “I hope you and mum are not here to talk about my getting married.”
"Sorry darling, we just want the best for you.”
“I know.” Sophie wrapped her arms around herself.
"But we have decided not to pressure you, you can decide not to contest for the position .” her father said
“Do you mean that, dad?”
“Yes, honey. You come first, every other thing is secondary.” her father smiled at her
Giving her parents a tight hug, she sniffed and wiped away the tears building up in her eyes.
“I want to do this, for your sake and mine.”
“Are you sure.” her mother looked at her intently.
“Yes mum, but how do I get a husband so soon?”
“We already found someone.”
“Who?”
“His name is Caleb, the son of our chef, Craig.”
“But dad.” Sophie stared at her parents with wide eyes and raised an eyebrow.
“Don't look shocked. He is a good man and also an undergraduate at Harvard.”
“I won’t marry him, dad, did his father pester you guys to do this. I know this Caleb guy would be over the moon with this proposal.”
‘Well, he said no.” he had been surprised when information reached him that Caleb had rejected the offer to marry his daughter, the granddaughter of the Fernandez household. One of the richest families in New york.
“Seriously, does he know who we are?”
“Yep. The boy is no gold digger. But!”
“I knew it, no one says no to us.”
“Well, he agreed to marry you because he needed a high profile lawyer.’
“For what? Did he kill someone?”
“Oh my goodness, no. you have such a weird imagination.” her father shook his head a smirk plastered on his face/
“It's what it is dad, the world is strange.” Sophie insisted.
“Well, It's a contract marriage for a year or two, and we made him understand this.”
“I trust you, dad if you say this is the best way. Then I will marry him.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too dad and you too mum.”
“This calls for a celebration”
Popping a bottle of expensive champagne, Sophie filled each of the three glass cups and handed two to her parents respectively, and took one for herself. “To the future,” her father said, raising his glass cup for a toast.
‘To the future.’ Sophie and her mum chorused.