“I don’t have to sit here and listen to this.” I begin to stand, but my father’s words stop me.

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he says, turning in his chair. “You forget your income comes from this company. You were born into wealth. You haven’t really worked a day in your life. I’ve been trying to teach you to be responsible, because one day you’re going to inherit this company and with that comes certain expectations.”

“Yes, and marrying me off to one of your investors’ daughters isn’t enough to show my commitment to this company, and to this family?”

“No, Alison Price’s money may save this company, but if you don’t handle things properly, you can still run it straight into the ground.”

“I refuse to marry someone I don’t even like.”

“When I married your mother I wasn’t in love with her. The love came later on. Sometimes it’s better that way.”

“Yes, because you and mom are a perfect example of a lasting relationship.” The words come out more bitter than I intend, but I can’t help the anger rising in my chest. My mother isn’t an easy topic for either of us. She married my father because of his wealth and she left us when we were at our lowest. She was everything to my father, to my brother, to me, and my sister Emily. Was being the keyword.

"You understand you’re making my life a living hell, right?" I ask.

Father chuckles softly. "Since when is living in luxury hell?”

"You know I'm not going to make this easy,” I warn.

"Of course not," he says, smiling. “I wouldn’t expect any less. Nicholas, just give Alison Price a chance. I need you to behave while we're in negotiations with her father. You’ll see; at the end of all of this, you’ll understand why I’m doing what I’m doing."

I highly doubt it.

"Keep her happy,” he says, eyeing me. "Our relationship with her family is critical. At this time, they're one of our biggest investors. I hope I don't have to remind you that any ties you have with other women need to end. Now."

“Like I have a choice,” I mutter. My father looks up at me with a smirk. He doesn’t have to say it. I know the answer.

"Perfect, I understand."

“I want you to know that this was all Alison’s father’s idea. Apparently, she has a strong attachment to you. With good reason I’m assuming.”

It was one night. One big mistake. I should’ve known Alison couldn’t see it as a one-time thing.

“It meant nothing.”

“I was afraid you might say that. I think you should seriously consider spending more time with Alison. You may find that she grows on you.” Father drums his fingers at my silence. "Perhaps, at some point, you may find the idea of her becoming your wife a pleasant thing. She’ll make you a great wife."

Yes, like mother? The idea of having a wife gives me a headache.

“Are we done here?” I ask, bored.

“One more thing. You will have a personal assistant. He or she will be here to keep an eye on you and keep you out of trouble. You're a public figure for this company, and I can't have your face splashed all over the tabloids because of your 'extracurricular activities.'"

His words sting with each emphasis. We couldn’t be more different. My father doesn’t seem to remember the importance of mingling at social events or parties with other New York powerhouses. He thinks all I do is sleep around, while he spends his time buried away in his office. He wasn’t always so cold or hard with me. He changed when my mother left. The memory of her still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

“I guess there’s nothing else to discuss.”

“Good, then will I see you Monday for the interviews?”

“Yes.”

I leave my father’s office without another word. Although I’m fuming inside, can’t but hope that this mess will somehow fix itself. Maybe if I speak with Alison I can make her understand how marrying me would be a mistake – for both of us.

On my way home, I get a call from Tristan Knight, my childhood best friend. I haven’t heard from his mug for several weeks now. He’s been working on some top-secret project and he’s pretty much kept me out of the loop. All I know is it has something to do with his art.