1 Other Than Marriage

The page slowly turned when she raised her head and saw the man entering the restaurant she was in.

"Mr. Thaddeus, it's an honor you've heeded unto my request." Lanxter Klein shook his hands and directed him to a seat.

Avyanna tensed up as soon as she heard her father's footsteps approaching forward. Cold sweat dripped down her back, shooting a nervous look at her father.

"D-Dad..." she stammered, her father's eyes widened as it threatened her.

It took a lot of persuasions to have Narcester Thaddeus attend an arrangement. Lanxter can't let this moment slip off, would he? He gazed at his daughter, and she was trembling with apprehension and skepticism. All Avyanna thought she prepared herself, but once that chance arrived, she couldn't help but be nervous as it jeopardized her resolve.

Narcester Thaddeus was a tycoon of the century, and he is the President of Thaddeus Studios, an entertainment company that became very successful in just five years. All productions under the company's name skyrocketed fastly and became public worldwide. But, other than the chunks of information conveyed to the media, nothing else is known about the man that made Avyanna more uncomfortable. He's a stranger, yet she was urged to marry a man she barely knew of.

Her father sent a smile that sent chills down her spine. Avyanna had been defiant against the will of her father to marry.

"Mr. Thaddeus, would you like something to drink?" Lanxter asked, noticing how Narcester Thaddeus is unspoken.

"I am alright, Mr. Klein. I have an appointment, so mind getting to the point?" he spoke. He had a deep, husky voice that would give one a definite scare.

It seemed threatening and domineering. Avyanna couldn't help but be intimidated by him. Lanxter was horror-stricken after his voice came to an approach.

"Y-Yes, Mr. Thaddeus." Lanxter stammered, agreeing with him. What more could he do?

Lanxter placed a paper on the table, and he brought it along with a pen. Narcester knew what he meant by just his actions. He looked at him with an empty look — an unreadable man, indeed.

"Mr. Thaddeus, I am hopeless. Klein Entertainment had been second to Thaddeus Studios from when your company was built. We announced bankruptcy because we lost a chance to sign a contract with Caitlin Terra. I am sorry to say this. I'd be rather shameful in your sight, but please marry my daughter. A marriage between you and my heiress would save my company from hitting rock bottom." he pleaded.

Narcester scoffed, "Your failure is not my failure. What responsibility do I have with your company to save it?"

Avyanna became more intimidated by how the man in front of her was acting. But she was the one pleading here with her father, and she had to keep her composure and persuade the man.

"You already told me your company had always been second. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to lose the title of 'being second to Thaddeus Studios' since it's only second after all."

Deep inside, she was fuming with anger, filled with all the annoying crap that followed her way. This was the most absurd encounter she had had in her life. Avyanna was not a well-composed person, and she always ran with anger at every chance she got. She felt as if boiling water was spilling atop her head, like a kettle that would scream when the heat had already approached the waters.

"Mr. Klein, do you blame me for losing contraction with Caitlin Terra?"

"Certainly not, Mr. Thaddeus. I was just hoping...that you lend us a hand. That's why we have a contract. Once people know about the connection between us, Klein Entertainment will be sure to hit some projects. It's only a 3-year marriage. So, need not worry, Mr. Thaddeus, divorce will be filed after."  Lanxter kept on the persuasion.

"What about her?" Narcester averted his eyes on Avyanna, who was silent. He proceeded to doubt Lanxter, noticing how the young lady was unspoken. "Have you asked her about this? Did she agree?"

Lanxter was astounded. This man is different. Lanxter nodded, and a "yes" followed after as he replied.

Narcester had doubts about it. Avyanna looked at the man who was staring at her, and he seemed to be glaring down at her soul that she felt uneasiness run cold on her body.

"Ms—?" he wondered.

Avyanna was uncertain if she would answer. She looked at her father, and he was eyeing her as he nodded hesitantly.

She gulped and replied with a stammer, "A-Avyanna Klein."

She felt embarrassed afterward as thoughts came flushing to the surface of her mind. 'What was that, Avie? Stammering like a kid!' she reprimanded herself.

"Then, Little Avie..." he said as she jolted.

'Little...Avie?' she thought.

"Did you agree?" he was austere, eyeing down on her soul as if he's checking if lies would be unleashed from her mouth.

"I..." she became fidgety. She looked once again at her father. It was an order not to defy him and all actions should be consulted by her father.

Lanxter raised his brows, expecting an answer he would want to hear and not what was truthful to her. She looked back at Narcester and replied with an empty face. "Yes, I did."

Narcester was astounded. For a moment, he thought that she was shaking as for what he witnessed a while ago. But in the heat of the moment, she steeled herself in just a second.

He chuckled softly, and his eyes lit with interest. This woman before him had given him confusion based on her actions, one rare as this precious little gemstone would be great inside his keep.

"Then, it can't be helped, Little Avie." he beamed. He instantly signed the contract and mysteriously took off after.

Avyanna was confused. What just happened? Her mind came down like blocks that were only built. Then, it all came crashing to her with frustration.

'Now, I've secured a marriage! I can't escape now! Here I thought he'll reject it and walk away!'

She rolled back and forth on her bed as she thought of the night on. But something made her stop. The man she met this night is her groom-to-be. Who would've thought that such a fine man would agree on marrying such a hot-headed woman as her?

"A path to fate by none other than marriage." she thought.