Contract Marriage; Fated Love

Chapter 101

Liam smiled as he stood by the windows, overlooking the garden. His father, Noah Harper had promised to return when the flowers in the garden blossomed.

“Hang on, son. Look at these flowers, withered by the winter. Once the flowers blossom, daddy will be home,” Noah had said, standing at that same spot where he stood by the window.

Winter was over now and the flowers were budding. His father will soon be home!

Liam, who was five years old when his parents got married again was eight years now. He lived happily with his father, Noah Harper and his mother, Emily. His dearest aunt, Aunti Yanxi often came by to see them while he and his parents went over to see his grandfather, Joshua Harper.

“Liam?” Emily called. She was coming down the stairs when she saw him looking out of the window.

“Good morning mummy! Look mum, the flowers are budding, soon to blossom and dad will be back soon!” he announced excitedly and ran into his mother's arms.

“Yes, daddy will soon be back and that's the best news ever!” She too missed her husband. Getting married to him again was the best decision she ever made all her life. They lived happily and were all lovey dovey.

Every day for the next few days, Liam went to check the flowers to watch them blossom. His father had instilled his love for flowers in his son too. He was at the window one morning when someone tapped him on his shoulder. He turned and beheld Noah's smiling face.

“Daddy! Daddy's home!” he screamed and ran into his embrace. He felt safe with his father.

“How are you, dear?”

“I'm fine daddy. Look, you came back just when the flowers blossomed! Daddy always keep to his words! Let's go tell mummy!”

The servants took Noah's bags upstairs while father and son followed behind. Emily was super excited to see her husband. He had been gone for only three weeks but it looked like three years! She made dinner herself and the family had a hearty dinner that evening. Laughter rent the air, peace and bliss hung in the air. Their family was one to envy.

Emily helped him knot his tie and button up his jacket.

“Bye sweetheart,” she said and stood on tip toes to plant a kiss on his lips. He hugged her, took his briefcase and made for the door but on getting to the door, he stopped again.

“What?” Emily asked. He went back to her, held her waist and kissed her thoroughly again.

“Oh stop! Liam's going to be late for school,” she reminded him. As if on cue, the lad's voice came,

“Dad, I'm all set. I don't want to be late!”

“I'll be back for you in the evening,” he teased and hurried out. Emily smiled again, she loved her husband as much as he loved her.

“What? Dad? How can you say that? You came all the way to the company just to say this to me? You have to be kidding me!” Noah voiced.

“Does this look like a joke to you? How do you think I'll crack a joke with my company? Listen. I've been watching her closely and she's the right person for this. Moreover, the Swiss family has agreed to work with us if she's part of our team!” Joshua Harper disclosed.

“We might as well have to give up on the Swiss group. There's no way she's joining my team!”

“Why? I hope you aren't mistaking who I am talking about. Grace Shields. That girl is the perfect right hand man for this job. I will not be saying this if I don't know her. Did you see how well she handled the Troy project? That's the main reason the Swiss group wants her to join in!” Joshua tried to convince his son, Noah but he remained adamant.

The leading company in the country, Blackwood Towers, was about engaging on a new business. From the business proposal, it was estimated that this business was expected to yield millions of dollars every month, which means it was a very profitable one and must be handled carefully. Owing to that, Noah had to involve a well known company, Swiss group as his father had suggested. Blackwood Towers have been working with Swiss group for a while right from the time that Joshua Harper was still the CEO of the company. This was part of the reasons Noah had embarked on the last business trip. All of a sudden and out of the blues, his father was talking about involving Grace Shields! Of all people, Grace, whom even the mention of her name was forbidden in his world. As if that wasn't enough, their partner, Swiss group had said that she has to be part of the team for them to join in the business. All because of her recent breakthrough with a growing company and her friendship with the family.

“If the Swiss group is eager to have her in this project, then she should be part of their team and not mine. I've selected my team and only a personal assistant for the project is left. I'll do that in no time,” Noah pressed further.

“And that is why she has been selected for you. With her by your side, you have no fear whatsoever about the project. Why go look for someone we don't know the capability? I'm sure it's a hard task that's why you haven't found anyone. That has been done for you, accept it, let the project begin. We can't delay it further and we can't lose the Swiss!”

At this point, Noah could swear that his father had a hand in that selection.

“Dad, in your search for a trusted aide for me, why did you have to go for my ex? Why did you go for someone with whom I don't get along with anymore?”

“Ohh. That's it. Now, I know the problem. Do you not know that in business, there's no room for emotions like that? Are you telling me that even after all these years, you can't still control yourself around her? With a wife and a son, you still drool over Grace? Is that why you have refused this arrangement?”

Damn! That was a huge slap on his face! His father was insinuating that it was his lust over Grace that made him reject her for the project. In other words, Joshua just accused him of having loose morals and there was no way to defend himself when his father had a reason to stand on!

“Fine. I'll work with her,” he finally agreed.