Very early in the morning Lucas was already awake getting ready for work before someone came knocking. His brows furrowed immediately as he thought Lynn came back again but he swiftly relaxed his cold stare after he saw Butler Finch.
"Young master! Good morning, old master requests for your presence in his study immediately."
"Tell him I'll be there in a few minutes."
Lucas closed his laptop and packed his bag ready to leave.
Moments later, he came knocking on the door to old man Brook's study.
His grandfather didn't wait for him to speak first and instead he began to speak from the moment Lucas opened the door.
"I have allowed you enough time to choose for yourself and right now, that time is over." Old man Brook declared vividly in a strong voice.
"You and April will get married today. I have made an appointment with the civil affairs office." Old man Brook ordered.
"Grandfather! What do you mean I'm getting married today. I'm on my way to work right now, I have important meetings to attend to." Lucas turned to leave only to hear old man Brook's strong voice again.
"Don't you dare! Do you think I don't know the reason you decided to make a sperm donor." Old man screamed.
Lucas sighed as his eyes narrowed. Tired of hearing the same marriage argument everyday.
"Didn't you already decide to make her my wife from the very first day you met her? Then there's no point telling me you gave me time to choose."
"She just escaped her abusive marriage, and after two years you are setting up another marriage. Don't you think she deserves to make her own decisions."
"April is aware of everything from the first day she came into this house. She knew I was pushing her as a potential daughter in law. She's already at her auntie's salon, pick her up from there and then go to the registration office." Old man Brook sighed deeply.
Lucas watched his grandfather for a while as he massaged his temples before turning around to leave.
Swiftly, butler Finch came in and stood beside old man Brook.
"Do you also think I forced him too much?" Old man sighed as he asked Butler Finch.
"With all due respect master, you're saving him from falling to the wrong hands, I'm sure he'll see that one day."
Old man Brook nodded.
….
Moments later, Lucas arrived at Aunt Sophie's salon and strode in. He was already dressed in black tuxedo, looking like the big man he is.
The employees and the customers already began making side talks about his handsome expensive look. He must be a big shot, look at his arm and chest. His wife is so lucky to have him.
They all began drooling at his looks before Aunt Sophie rushed in and cautioned them to behave in front of customers.
"Mr-Mr Brook? What brings you here?" Aunt Sophie's eyes widened immediately she recognized him. So surprised to see him.
"I'm here to pick April, tell her I'm here." He spoke in his thick cold voice.
"Okay! I'll let her know. She'll be with you shortly"
Lucas didn't do anything and just stood there waiting for April to come outside.
Immediately Aunt Sophie entered the inner room to tell April, she couldn't resist the curiosity and asked her in a rush.
"April! What is he doing here? Why is he here to pick you up?"
"You mean Mr Brook? Oh! Grandfather ordered us to go for an event together. That's why I'm getting dressed up. How do I look aunt Sophie?" April lied but Aunt Sophie could feel something off.
This is the first time grandfather Brook would tell them both to go out alone for an event. She thought.
April came out of the inner room moments later as she's already dressed beautifully in a burgundy floral embroidered A-line short gown old man Brook gifted her to wear for the marriage registration.
Everyone wowed at her look, her white fair skin complimenting the dress along with her half up dreamy ponytail hair styled by her Aunt.
Lucas's cold stare eyes softened as he saw her beautiful look but he soon regained the cold demeanor.
While they were in the car, the both of them kept quiet for a while before Lucas began to speak.
"Since we are getting married, tell me more about yourself."
April widened her eyes. She wasn't expecting him to say anything due to his usual cold demeanor. "Wh-wha- what do you want to know?" She stuttered with her voice barely above a whisper.
"Your Parents, family, siblings?"
"I- I only have my mother and my aunty Sophie." Her heart already began beating fast. She quickly took a deep breath to calm herself. This is the second time they are having an actual conversation even if it sounds like an interrogation. The first one was about aborting the baby.
"And your dreams? What do you hope to achieve in life?"
"I- I want to be a fashion designer and I want to be able to create dresses and designs that resonate well with different people of color globally." April lowered her head but the next thing she heard felt as if the world had crumbled on her.
"That's good! Just to let you know, this marriage is against my will. We would only be couples by name and not publicly, so it's not too late to end this." His thick voice sounded firm with his eyes focused on the road.
April swallowed hard, feeling as if something was stuck in her throat. "I- I understand" she whispered.
How could she end the marriage? The old man pleaded earnestly for her to accept and how could she not accept after everything he had done for her.
Soon, they both arrived at the affair office. When it was time for them to sign, April's hand began to shake. She hasn't shaken off the thinking of getting married to another nightmare.
Jake Steele was once the nightmare and misfortune, and now it's Lucas, the man who once rejected his own child.
April got lost in thought before the officer called to her. She finally signed on the document with her eyes glistening with unshed tears.