Arranged •{ONC 2020}•

《 Chapter One 》

Ashlynn cracked one eye open and looked at her great aunt. "A requirement?"

"In order to inherit the company, you must-" Aunt Leah broke off. "Just read it, Leon."

The lawyer in the seat opposite Aunt Leah rested his glasses on the tip of his nose and opened a document. "'In order to inherit Whittaker United, our daughter, Ashlynn Jeanne Whittaker must have a husband. She must be married to this man for a minimum of six months in order to inherit the business. If she is not married for the aforementioned period of time, this will shall be annulled, and the company will be shut down.' They included a clause stating that your great aunt will choose a suitor if you do not yet have one."

Ashlynn stared at the lawyer. Chills ran down her spine as the meaning of his words set in. "I-I have to be married to inherit the company? Why?"

The lawyer shrugged. "They do not specify a reason in the will, but your mother included a sealed envelope addressed to you. It's dated from two months ago."

Ashlynn bolted upright, snatched the letter from the lawyer's hand, and tore it open. Her mother's cursive was scrawled across the paper.

To my dearest Ashlynn,

If you are reading this then it is likely that your father and I are dead. You have probably managed to bottle up your feelings and have at least read through the will at this point. I'm sure you're asking all sorts of questions about the marriage requirement. Hopefully I can provide a sufficient response to your enquiries.

You never had a great success when it came to boyfriends—an intentional move on your part, I'm sure. Thus, to prevent you from getting married for your money and dumped shortly after, your father and I designed this requirement. There are many greedy men in the world of business—which I'm sure you will soon discover—and many of them will do anything to earn money. That includes seducing you and stealing your inheritance.

Why six months, you ask? Well, that's how long it took your father and I to fall in love. Assuming you are not yet married, we decided it would be an appropriate amount of time to be in a marriage arranged by your great aunt. Do not underestimate her; she's the one who brought your father and I together under similar circumstances. If you are already happily married, then you need not worry about this requirement.

I'm sure you're quite angry with us about this. You always did have a temper--that's entirely at the fault of your father. Please understand, we want to protect you, even though it may not seem like it. You are my most precious daughter and I love you dearly. I have a rather difficult time expressing my feelings, but I assure you this is for your good.

Trust your Great Aunt Leah. She's been doing this for more years than I've been alive.

With love,

Janine Whittaker

Ashlynn's hand trembled slightly as she dropped the letter in her lap. Suddenly, the grain in the hardwood floors was the most interesting thing in the room. She didn't even notice María setting her glass of water on the end table. She was too distracted by the feeling of her world crumbling around her. Being forced into marriage was not what she expected; nor was it what she wanted.

Aunt Leah gingerly stole the letter and read through it herself. "Hmph, that girl. Always teasing me about my age."

Amidst the myriad of emotions, anger and panic rose to the top. Desperation tinged her voice, "Isn't there a way around this? I don't actually have to get married, do I?"

The lawyer shook his head, removing his glasses and tucking them in his suit jacket pocket. "I'm afraid you must, Miss Whittaker. Your parents consider many variables, including the prospect of you selling the company to avoid marriage. They clearly outlined all the requirements and left no room for loopholes."

"Oh, don't worry about it, dear." Aunt Leah patted Ashlynn on the shoulder. "I'll find you a good match."

That was the last straw.

"I absolutely refuse to get married!" Ashlynn snapped and rose to her feet. "Why would they force me into marriage if they're trying to prevent me from being robbed? That's the only reason anyone would marry me now!"

"My dear, there is a reason your parents entrusted the task of finding you a partner to me. I'm sure I can find a young man willing to marry you for you and not your money," Aunt Leah spoke in a soothing tone, but it only fueled the fire.

"No one loves me for me, Aunt Leah! None of them ever have! Don't pretend you understand what I've been through because of that!" Ashlynn stormed out of the room, nearly knocking María over on her way out.

Hot tears trailed down her face as she ran up the stairs to her room. Ashlynn hadn't cried like this since she was nineteen, and for good reason. It felt like she was being suffocated.

Her bed creaked when she collapsed onto it and gathered her blankets around herself. When her tears ceased, she couldn't help but laugh humorlessly herself. She didn't shed a single tear when she heard her parents died, yet here she was, crying like it was the end of the world because she had to get married.

Talk about pathetic.

When her breath evened out, Ashlynn stood and stared out the window. The rain had stopped, but the cloudy skies were as gloomy as ever. She watched the lawyer climb into his car and drive away.

A knock on her doorframe made her turn. Aunt Leah stood, concern revealing itself in her creased brow. "May I come in?"

Ashlynn nodded and drew the blanket tighter around her shoulders.

Aunt Leah sat on her bed and patted the spot next to her. Once Ashlynn was seated, she spoke gently. "I know this is a lot to take in. Your parents have only been gone three days and here you are being told you need a husband."

"I'm sorry for storming out. It was childish of me. I just," Ashlynn paused and buried her face in the blanket. Muffled, she continued, "I don't want to get married. I don't even want the company. I just want everything to go back to the way it was."

"I know, dearie." Aunt Leah rubbed circles on her back. "But life is fickle that way. One moment everything is perfect and the next our world is upside down."

They sat in silence for what felt like years. Or at least Aunt Leah sat in silence—Ashlynn's head was filled with the buzz of activity as she tried to think of ways to get out of this mess. But the lawyer's voice kept drowning out the buzz. I'm afraid you must, Miss Whittaker. Your parents consider many variables, including the prospect of you selling the company to avoid marriage. They clearly outlined all the requirements and left no room for loopholes.

"Tomorrow we will go over the funeral details and we won't discuss the marriage issue until Monday. Is that alright?" Aunt Leah pulled back the blanket to see her niece's face. Ashlynn nodded grimly and Aunt Leah continued, "I'll have María bring some tea up for you. Get some rest; the next few days are going to be very busy."

Ashlynn watched her aunt leave and stared at the door when it closed behind her. The anger was gone, and disgust, fear, and a hint of excitement had taken its place. By next week, she was probably going to be getting married.

Her stomach churned at the thought.

Deciding to take her aunt's advice, she cocooned herself in blankets and tried to push everything out of her mind. Still, the lawyer's voice rang in her ears.

No room for loopholes.

No room for loopholes.

No room for loopholes.

Ashlynn would see about that. Maybe the solution would come to her in a dream, or maybe as soon as she closed her eyes she would wake up from this nightmare. Either way, she would find a way out of this. After all, getting out of things was her strong suit. But for now, she slept.