Marriage Bargain

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.

“Mr Hoffman, thank goodness you are awake," A man clad in white coat said,tending to me.

“How am l here?"I asked him , adjusting and sitting up

" I am the doctor in charge of your treatment.You got into an accident yesterday and was saved by a young lady, Emily Adair. She brought you to the hospital but we took her details before she left,” The doctor explained.

I told the doctor to put a call across to the good Samaritan who saved me so that I can show my appreciation to her.

I was on call with my assistant in the afternoon when someone knocked on the door. “You can come in,” I said, lifting my face to see who it was.

“Hello,” a lady with long dark straight hair, sapphire eyes, rosy lips and a delicate build complimenting her smooth fair skin greeted us, while the nurse who came with her excused us.

“Emily Adair?” I called out . “I was told that you were the one who saved me?” I asked with a calm tone

“Yes,” She nodded in affirmation.

“What do you want in return for saving my life?”I asked her while gesturing for her to have her sit .

“I did not save you to get a reward, I don't even know who you were.I was just passing by when the accident happened and I saved you because I can't see someone in distress and pass by , letting the person die,”she explained,

“I don't like to be indebted to anyone. Ask whatever you want and I will give it to you,”

I watched her calculating eyes as she tucked her dark long hair behind her ear.The room fell into silence.

“I want power?” She said shapely, breaking the silence,crossing her arms.My eyes flickered immediately the words left her mouth.

“Power? what kind of power?” I asked ,my voice icy but polite.

“The power that will make me untouchable and superior that nobody will be able to tread on me or treat me as they like,I want that kind of power,” I replied sternly .

An idea suddenly popped into my mind ‘This is an opportunity for me , I won't have to go through the stress of going for blind dates if she agrees.I hope she does,’I said in my thought

“What if I give you my name?”

“Your name?” She asked with her eyebrows raised.

‘I wonder what's going on in her mind. I hope she agrees so that I can get my inheritance quickly because I can't afford to lose it,’I said in my thought

“Marry Me,” I said to Emily who stood with crossed arms,her warm sapphire eyes widened in surprise.

“Sorry? Can you come again?” she asked raising her eyebrows

You said you wanted power so I'm giving you the opportunity of getting the power you desire by marrying me,” I explained with a straight face

“I don't even know you,” She said, taking her seat on the chair .

“Now you know me. No one is forcing you here, I'm just offering you a deal. Let’s get married, you get what you desire and I get mine,then we go our separate ways,” I replied hoping that she would give me a positive reply

“What do you desire?” She asked curiously, glinting her eyes.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself , it's not you I desire, you aren't my type anyways,”I said smirking

“You don't have to be so full of yourself,” She said rolling her eyes

“I appreciate you for offering me this opportunity but I can't get married because I want power. Moreover I don't even know you. You are a total stranger,so I can't possibly marry you,” she said with raised eyebrows.

“I don't expect you to give me a positive answer now , this is my card. In case you change your mind you can give me a call,” I said to her, placing my card in front of her.

“ I won't change my mind but thanks anyways, I might need it or make use of it in the future,” she said

I watched her strapping her bag on her shoulder ,she took the card and walked out of the door without sparing me a glance.