1 Chapter Two Lawyer's Appointment
Hailey's POV
Settling back into the seat of the cab, I observed the driver taking peeks at me in the review mirror, making me uncomfortable even though the driver looked old and harmless.
Turning my eyes away from him, I looked out the window staring into the traffic lost in my thoughts, thoughts about people I can no longer remember, people I'm forcing myself to remember. My therapist told me to jot down my memories from my nightmares, which I have been doing, but it's just confusing.
I'm on my way to receive the gift my mom left for me, on my twenty first birthday. I have been taken care of all my life with, monies left to me. I just can't understand why I have no other relatives and have so much money. The question I've kept asking Mr. Knox, my late mother's lawyer, for the past five years. Where did the money come from? Who are my parents? What business were they in? He never has an answer. I need closure, to settle the emptiness within my soul. I have wanted to belong for so long that I sometimes think that the only way to belong in a family is to marry into one.
Smiling at my crazy thoughts, I continued staring out the window.
MR. Knox"S POV
Staring at the file in front of me, lost in my thoughts when my office phone started ringing. "good morning, Knox speaking" I answered.
"Good morning Carlton, How are you?" Amelia Knights answered happily.
Tensing up immediately as I sat upright, "Amelia, I didn't expect to hear from you this early" I answered back dryly.
Chuckling, "oh you know me, eager Amelia, I can't wait for the outcome of today's meeting", she babbled on.
Uncomfortable with what I have agreed to do, "Ameila do you think this is the right way to go about this?" I asked her with much concern.
Sensing my hesitation, her tone changes immediately, "Carlton this is the only way to make Melani's wish come through. If we don't intervene, Adian won't pursue a relationship with her on his own, especially if we introduce them." she says sadly. "And" she continues, "arrange marriages are not uncommon these days, it will be a success, I promise you" she encourages me.
"I hope she agrees without asking a million questions" I said hopefully, yet afraid of the outcome.
"Carlton, you cannot let her know she has a choice" Amelia pleads.
Sensing her despair, "okay, okay, don't worry, I will definitely try to persuade her" I promised Amelia.
"Don't try, do it" she says confidently.
Still concerned, "what about Adian?" I ask wistfully.
Pausing, she chuckles softly, "you know Adian, he will fight me but he will agree, knowing that it will make me happy. Pleasing me is his main goal." she says proudly.
Still unsure, "Yes I know that, but how is he otherwise?" genuinely concern about young Adian Knights.
"He is living the life the media loves and uses to make money" she says sadly.
"Do you think he will treat her right, because I tell you right now with no apologies, Haliey's welfare is my priority" I told her sternly.
"Oh my, Hailey's well being is important to me also that's why I know my son will eventually settle down and change his life style when he settles down" She says emphatically.
Sensing my hesitation, "Please Carlton, help me help my son become the man he is destined to be with the right woman at his side" she begs me.
Not fully convinced that I'm making the right decision, "yes, of course, I will help you" I agreed against my better judgement
Needing to prepare myself for my first appointment for today "Amelia, I'm going to have to hang up now because I need to prepare for my meeting with Hailey" I told her.
"That's fine, that's fine, just call me with the happy news" she says, hanging up.
HAILEY'S POV
"Miss, Miss?" the driver calls me.
Facing him in the review mirror confused."
"Are you okay?" he asks quietly.
Disoriented, I stared at him frowning.
"You're crying" he said pointing to his cheeks, making me touching mines, feeling tears that I quickly wiped off, embarrassed.
Smiling sadly at him as he informs me that we are at my destination. Looking outside, at the building that houses Mr. Knox's office.
Turning to the driver "how much do I owe you?" I asked.
Paying the driver and thanking him, I exit the vehicle wiping my eyes and adjusting my clothes as I stood on the sidewalk looking at the building contemplating entering.
ADIAN"S POV
"You have no right to force this on me" I shouted at my mother.
"Adian, understand this is what's right for you. I want you to be happy, but you continue to waste your life away on one night stands and casual hookups. that is not acceptable as the future CEO of Knights Incooperated and SullaKnights Investment." she raises her voices at me
Frustrated at the outcome of this morning's visit to my parents home. "how about I choose my future wife" I bargain with my mother.
Hesitating, looking flustered, "we already offered the marriage proposal to her" Mom says weakly.
Staring her disbelievingly at her, "so I'm doomed? Is that what you're telling me?" I asked.
Shaking my head, "why are you messing with my life? I asked her, fed up with this same lecture every time I enter this hell hole.
"Life? What life? You don't have a life right now. You're a shell of the man you used to be. You're a tabloid magnet drawing negativity towards you wherever you go. Your lifestyle is becoming an embarrassment to the companies and investors are presently questioning doing business with your father. So tell me what life am I messing with? All I'm trying to do is save your life, that's all" she finishes shaking and sobbing into her hands.
