After hearing those words, his mind was reeling and he was shockingly confused. It was like two ropes were pulling him on each sides; one side was that the offer was an opportunity of a lifetime and Jared knew he’s very fortunate for a man like Paul Gregory Cunard to choose him to be the beneficiary of his multibillion corporate empire. On the other side however, his father is ordering him to proceed with the plan despite the old man’s condition. Then it hit him. As Jared looked at his father, a realization came to mind. His father wanted to secure the business for long term. Could this be possible? As stated by the lawyers, the document is binding and he had his chance of finding a woman fit to be his wife the last several years. The document said thirty-five. He’s turning thirty-nine! He realized the betrothal was put on hold for nearly 4 years to allow him to find a wife of his choosing. But he didn’t. Women he dated were not meant to be married into. They loved his money and the power he can give their careers but that was not enough, he knew. He now looked at his father, his eyes closed but knew he heard everything and is continually listening. His old man really looks weak compared to the past thirty-eight years Jared have known him. Very few his memories of his mother, but all of them with his old man and one thing he knew was that the old man doted on his wife. His father loved his mother, he realized with an unfamiliar joy. Tossing that thought aside, he had to admit that his father had a point when he told him that the corporation needed another generation to continue its legacy. A few more minutes of silence passed between all of them as Jared contemplated on the sudden proposition. Finally... as Jared tilted his head to speak, all faces were anticipating his answer. He knew he did not have a choice. Theirs were a family of deep-rooted lineage, traditions, and obligations. He knew that whatever arrangement his parents agreed during their years together was as binding, explicitly represented by the documents in his shaking hands. He still had questions but knew it was not the time to ask them. He was furious but knew too well that losing his cool in front of this audience, is never wise. He needed to understand the real reason behind the implementation of such an arrangement. Then he spoke in an almost whisper.
“I need to talk to your daughter first. When can I meet her?” It was like the whole room heaved a deep sigh upon hearing these words. The Cunards gave each other an encouraging smile and then Paul spoke.
“That would depend on you, Mr. Rickford. When do you wish to meet her?” Jared nodded and said.
“Soon if possible. I’ll give her a call soon” This was the worst thing Jared dreaded most.
One thing he hated mainly about wealthy daughters was that nearly all of them did not have a life. It was not in his plans to marry a wealthy man’s daughter for he knew what category they belonged. They were all spoiled women who lived their lives on an everyday routine of parties, and all sorts of glamorous escapades as if they‘re always happy. Nearly all of them are wild creatures who were once deprived of the freedom they didn’t experience when they were still young. It’s the main reason on why he likes dating them – he and the women have something in common: deprivation of childhood. But it is the same reason why he does not want to be married to either one of them. Of course majority of them are mindless and complete bores, but it wouldn’t hurt if he married one of his ex’s, would it? After all, they are his type of women. Shrew! Damn it, he never wished to marry any one of his women… he didn’t want to marry anyone… period. He had to admit though that he is intrigued of the elusive daughter of the Cunards.
“Actually,” this time Jared heard the voice of Rosalie. It was a very distinctive voice because of the German inflection evident in her accent.
Jared couldn’t help but listen to her. Despite her age, she still has a very beautiful voice, not to mention a still very attractive face, and an incredibly refined posture.
“She’s a very busy lady, Mr. Rickford. Her profession takes a lot of her time. A very demanding one”, so he was wrong about the boring life issue of his future wife, Jared thought irritably. Maybe she was a social worker of some sort, he mused trying to amuse himself despite the anger seething within him.
That would mean that there is a possibility that the ‘lady’ - as Rosalie referred to her daughter - is a ‘suitable’ woman for him. Damn! What is suitable anyway?
“That would not be a problem. We can arrange to meet, whenever her schedule allows”, Jared politely replied.
Rosalie was about to answer his question when a knock was heard and then Aurora came in. She was wearing a white lab coat over her ankle length slacks, navy and white stripe knitted sweatshirt, and loafers. Her brown tresses were tied in a ponytail, while a stethoscope hung around her neck. The look on her face was utter surprise and alarm rolled into one. And to Jared’s desolation, her eyes were riveted to the Cunards. The next few words rendered him speechless.
“Goodness what are you two doing here?” Aurora said as she walked towards them to give each a kiss. “I was hoping to check on Mr Rickford’s recovery status…”
Jared’s eyes went from Aurora to his father and then to the two lawyers. Jesus Christ! He was totally caught off guard. It didn’t occur to him that the surgeon he just sacked a few days ago was his betrothed.
He looked at his father. They both stared at each other’s eyes. And then, Jared saw Paul Cunard stand up while holding his daughter’s hand. He walked towards him.
Aurora glanced at her father to the man in front of her. Somehow, she suddenly knew what was going to happen. A few nights before, her parents voiced out their want for her to get settled. But as she looked around the room, there were men in suits with briefcases which gave them the look of lawyers on the brink of reading a last will. This scene is incredibly confusing. My god, she couldn’t be betrothed to someone, can she? There is the possibility, for she suddenly realized that all women in her family were once betrothed to the men they now belong to and call as husbands! Her mother herself was betrothed to her father! Oh christ! She wanted to be free of her father’s tight grip. But before she can utter words, her father spoke.
“Mr. Rickford, meet our daughter - Aurora Margarethe.”
Jared stared at her expressionless. Margaret my ass, he mused. It is Margarethe apparently, and she is presently in a relationship with someone he knows, which is bad luck. For Aurora however, it seemed to her that he looked bored – elegantly so! He was in a customized dark navy blue double-breasted tailored suit. His dark hair naturally combed to expose his handsome features and his marvelous gray eyes. Aurora, for the first time, though she already met him the other day when he sacked her - realized she was looking at the most handsome man – in a rough and hard kind of way - she ever laid eyes on. And the man did not just have the looks of a rough on the edges kind, but complete with height, aristocratic jaw lines and a muscular body that are usually built for a soldier or some sort - he was oozing sex. He made her feel breathless. It was simply devastating. He was devastating. He was tall, more than six feet and hard built, not big but bulky enough she thoug
Walking along the hospital corridor with her parents, the lawyers and her betrothed gave Aurora a feeling of dread which was slowly penetrating her tolerance. She was lucky that her department had additional staff and so she managed to get permission from her senior supervisor – Dr. Finnegan – to get out earlier than used to. They already left George Rickford III back at the Intensive Care Unit to continue his recovery. Recalling that she was dating an acquaintance of her betrothed three weeks prior was quiet disconcerting. She met Stephen in one of the hospitals’ fund raisers and he was charming and kind. Not to mention familiar with how their family business works though she does not talk about it as she has no idea how to run it. Stephen was a nice guy some days and disappearing in other days, reason why she decided to cut him lose. His inconsistency does not bode well to her instincts and having first hand experience in a toxic relationship, she did not want to be on the s
Jared was kind enough to drive her back to the hospital before heading back to his office. But again, they didn’t talk at all in the whole ride. This annoyed Aurora most of all. She couldn’t seem to grasp the man’s point of extreme silence! She felt uncomfortable whenever he’s too silent, and whenever he speaks… Aurora couldn’t understand it either for every letter of sound that comes out from his mouth has the obvious hint of repulsiveness on them. Does this man find her unpleasant? Is it why he never talks to her if there is no need to? Is it his way of showing he disapproved of her, that he doesn’t find her suitable for his standards as a man? Aurora hoped she’d know. It was very hard for her to comprehend the man who was supposed to be her husband soon. They should at least try understanding each other if they want to get along. She glanced at him for a while and when she was convinced that there’s no hint at all that he was going to speak, she mustered all her courage to speak
Jared, on the other hand did not fail to notice it too. He was now scanning the contents of the red folder his secretary prepared and an idea crossed his mind. He stood up from his high-backed chair and walked over to where the two women were. He then sat himself beside Aurora and without a word to both women, took the put of tea and poured into the empty cup beside Aurora’s. He reached for the creamer, poured a small amount, stirred, and began to sip. Both women exchanged a meaningful look and smiled. Renata then excused herself, and upon receiving Jared’s approval, walked towards the exit. “What are those?” Aurora asked as she sipped her tea eyeing the creative board paper in Jared’s hand. “Invitations for the Met, and the Gates Foundation” he replied nonchalantly as he leaned his back against the couch and rested his head. “Both are fund raisers, Met’s for breast cancer but we need to shell out at least five thousand dollars per individual, the other one’s f
“You will join me in New York,” he told her when they were inside the elevators descending towards the basement parking. “I beg your pardon?” she was not entirely sure if she heard him right, with the exhaust humming in the background as they reached the basement parking where Jared’s silver BMW X5 was parked. He smiled at her as he prompted its keyless controller to unlock the door of the vehicle. “We go together. It’s black-tie, this coming Saturday. We’ll leave for New York on Friday afternoon. We’ll fly back here the next day. Can you clear your schedule?” She heaved a sigh before answering his gentle orders. “You misunderstand,” she began her explanation. “I don’t go to these kinds of social events. In Germany and in Austria, yes but not here in the States. Absolutely not.” “Why not?” he was scowling now, irritated more with her foolish reasoning. “What’s the difference between the social events in New York than that of Germany and Austria? Excep
“How do you want our betrothal to go forward?” “I thought you’ve decided that you and I will marry?” “Yes. That is already decided for both our families,” he acknowledged. “My question is how do you want it to unfold? Do you want it announced in the papers suddenly? Your call. Let me know what’s comfortable for you.” Aurora nodded in agreement and gave him a grateful smile. “I prefer that you and I cut all strings that are currently attached to our personal lives before going forward. I’d like to go into this arrangement with clear expectations and terms if there’s any. I am not the only person in this arrangement whose life is going to change. You must also tell me how you want this to be treated”. “I understand. Perhaps it is necessary that you and I spend a bit more time together to figure out how we both want to proceed and decide on those expectations and terms along the way. Would that work for you?” “Can you be more specific about spend
He wasn’t sure how to respond. Then his father opened his eyes and the old man motioned him to come closer. “You have met her before. It was a long time ago,” George added. His voice was stronger now as he recovers from his drug-induced sleep. Jared’s attention was now fully on his father’s words. “If I did, when was this? I don’t recall anyone named Aurora.” “You met when both of you were still children,” his father explained and Jared immediately understood why he could not seem to recall her. “You were with us at her Christening. You were only eight years old then.” “I presume that’s the time when you and mother decided on the betrothal,” he concluded. “Though I don’t think that meeting counts. We would not recognize each other at all.” “She asked me to allow you to be betrothed to Paul Cunard’s daughter the moment she found out of Rosalie’s pregnancy. Your mother is half British and half Austrian, and she’s best friends with Rosalie. They communic
It took her five hours to finish the surgery, and the moment she left the operating theater, her colleagues started teasing her. When she went to the nurses’ station, they joined in the teasing too.“Stop it guys, please” she pleaded, her face red to the roots of her hair.“That was some kiss, Dr Cunard” one of her male co-surgeon, Dave teased. He was a tall man with green eyes and curly brown hair and wears a spectacle just below the bridge of his straight nose. “About time we see you with a guy.”“Not just any guy,” a petite nurse, named Minnie interjected. “The Jared Rickford, no less. He looks hot, Doctor.”She glared at them and shook her head in disbelief. “Since when did Jared Rickford become a branded entity of some sort?”“Since he began dating Olga Vladikova” Dave answered before Minnie can. He reached for one of the patient’s records and repla