I’d been to Vegas too many times to be impressed by it anymore. The city always felt like a masquerade: too many lights, too many masks, too many deals that glittered like gold but burned like ash the second you touched them.
But tonight was about business and the woman who I was supposed to marry. Not entirely about her, but I guess tonight things will get pretty interesting.
Catherine Ashton.
The sounds alone carried weight. The Ashton name had power, legacy, and wealth behind it — and the last time I checked, a reputation for producing highly independent, notoriously stubborn offspring. The fact that she’d vanished for five years under an alias only confirmed what I’d heard.
Still, I was curious. Who wouldn’t be? But I don’t have time to be curious.
My grandfather arranged for us to meet tonight, but I have zero interest in meeting the spoiled princess. I’ve heard some rumours about her, but not a lot. I know I can’t just judge her by the rumours, but I prefer to just skip the arrangement than have to deal with her.
Tonight, I’m sending my best friend Barry to meet her. He’s going to pretend to be me, make her hate me, make her tell her grandfather to stop this nonsense. His job is pretty simple, and I just fucking hope he’s doing this right.
“Mr.Denver, Mr. Park just arrived. Should I bring him in?” Lena, my new secretary, asked. I looked up to her, “Give me 5 minutes, then send him in.” I grabbed my phone from the table and texted Barry.
Kyle: You better do this right, man.
Barry: Buuuut, what if she’s hot?
Kyle: Don’t even think about it, you dickhead. Her grandfather and mine will definitely kill me and you will never get his support again.
Barry: I don’t need his support, you asshole. I need you to give me that fucking Eastern share.
Kyle: I will consider it if you succeed in the mission, dipshit. Don’t mess it up and report back to me.
I put my phone back into my pocket, praying that Barry can make her hate me. He’s good at pushing girls away since he got lots of girls chasing him. Proceeding with my meeting with Mr. Park will bring me more money and happiness than having to deal with The Ashtons.
I don’t hate them, but I know how the Ashtons always have lots of drama inside of their own clan. I don’t want to deal with it, especially when I already have my own set of problems.
A few hours passed by and sealing a two million dollar deal with Mr. Park was easy. We ate dinner together, and he talked about how he wanted to expand to Europe. He wanted me to join his boat along with some of his colleagues. I told him that I wanted him to give me the full picture and proposal for it so the company can consider the deal.
My phone vibrated, indicating that there’s a text message. I excused myself from Mr.Park to check it. As I walked out from the room, my eyes lit up seeing Barry’s first text message.
Barry: I got you, brother.
Kyle: What did you do?
Barry: Before I tell you what I did, you should really consider seeing this girl. You’ll love her, Kyle. She’s different.
Kyle: I don’t need clingy and spoiled girls hanging around. I have deals to sign and businesses to run. So tell me, what did you do?
Barry: Surprisingly, I just talked to her.
Kyle: You’ve got to be kidding me, Barry. I’m going to get a call from the old man telling me she still wants the marriage.
Barry: No. She’s nice and actually different from the other Ashtons I’ve met. I mean Catherine is pretty private, but she’s cool.
Kyle: If you mess this up, you’ll kiss your shares goodbye.
Barry: You’ll see.
The rest of the dinner went great, I’m sure my relationship with Mr. Park will last long. He and I both have the same style and mindset when it comes to business. After wrapping up my meeting, my grandfather called.
“My boy, how did it go with Catherine?” He straight up jumped into the question.
“She’s great, but I don’t think we’re a good match.” I should have called Barry to ask more details about the meeting.
“Really?”
“I know you want me to get along with her and maybe go on dates, but we both have different views and values.” I better not mess this shit up.
“Why don’t you try to go on more dates with her? It’s too early to tell that you are not suited for each other.” I really wanted to protest, but somehow I held back.
“Not now, grandfather. We both are very busy and besides… we’re still young.” Hopefully this old man stops pushing me even further.
“Very well, I’m going to let you two decide the pace.”
“That’s the spirit, old man.” I let out a sigh of relief, but on the other side he was laughing.
“I’m going to talk to you again, my boy.” He didn’t even give me the chance to ask why he was laughing, he ended the call before I could say a word. I texted Barry that he’s so damn lucky because grandpa didn’t say anything.
***
Later I got a text from my grandfather saying that Catherine is going to Toronto in two days for a charity gala.
Old man: Tim will join our charity gala in Toronto, and I want you to join me.
Old man: Catherine will be there, and I want you two to talk again.
Old man: The arrangement is still ongoing, just because you two decided to focus on your own career, it doesn’t mean me and Tim will stop arranging for you both. The two of you will get married whether you like it or not.
Old man: And I want you to be there at the gala, or else… you will regret it.
I stared at the screen for a long time. Here we go again, he and his antics.
