373: STORM BREWING
LUKE’S POV
“I know what this is really about, Grandfather,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging within me. “You and Gray are just trying to save his precious business from falling apart. “You two don’t care about Ariel or me. All you care about is maintaining the wealth.”
My grandfather’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with anger. “How dare you speak to me like that, Luke? You need to learn your place.”
“My place? I scoffed. “I’ll tell you what my place is. You and Gray haven’t arranged my marriage. “It’s standing up for what I believe in, even if it means going against you.”
“We’re trying to do what’s best for the family,” my grandfather insisted. His voice was growing colder with
each word.
We had never had a heated argument like this before, but I couldn’t help it. This was my life; we were talking about it here. My life!
a
“Well, what about what’s best for me?” I shot back. “No one can force me into a marriage I don’t want.” Not by you, not by Gray, not by anyone.”
“You will do as I say, Luke,” my grandfather declared, his tone final. “This marriage will take place whether you like it or not.”
I felt a surge of anger and frustration coursing through me like a fire burning in my chest. “No, not sure if I have anything to say about it.”
it won’t.” ‘m
With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the office, leaving my grandfather’s words echoing in the empty corridors behind me.
I knew that this was just the beginning of this crazy situation. But Harriet was the one I loved, and trust me, no matter the obstacles that stood in my way, I would fight to ensure that my future remained in my own hands.
Storming out of the building, my mind was a vortex of emotions. I wasn’t so focused on my walk that I almost collided with Daniel, who was waiting outside the building.
“Luke, what’s going on? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Daniel spoke, and his features were filled with concern. Yeah, always the caring guy, I’d say.
I paused, taking a moment to collect myself before responding. “It’s my grandfather. “He’s trying to force me into a marriage with Ariel, all for the sake of his business.”
“A marriage? But I thought you were in love with Harriet.”
Was he surprised or what?
I gave him a skeptical look. “You haven’t heard the news?”
“Well, I did hear something like that.“I didn’t take it seriously. I hate listening to stories coming from the
373: STORM BREWING
news; they’re filled with fake shit most of the time, but come on, I thought you were in love with Harriet.”
I am,” I replied right away. “But my grandfather doesn’t care about that.“All he cares about is his helping that man’s worthless business.”
Daniel’s expression tumed grave, his eyes searching mine. “Luke, I know you’re angry, but you can’t disobey your grandfather. He’s the head of the family, and going against him could ruin your relationship
with him forever.”
1 shook my head. “I can’t just stand by and let him control my life. I have to fight for what I believe in, for
the woman I love.”
“But at what cost, Luke?” Daniel pressed. “Is it worth sacrificing your relationship with your grandfather and with your family for this?”
I hesitated, the weight of Daniel’s words sinking in. He was right–my father wouldn’t want to see me tear apart the family like this. But I couldn’t ignore the fire burning within me–the desire to carve out my own path, regardless of the consequences.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, the uncertainty gnawing at my insides. However, I cannot simply allow others to dictate my life. I have to take a stand, for better or for worse.”
Daniel sighed, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Just think about it, Luke. Think about what your father would want and what’s truly best for you in the long run.
“Do you think my father would want this?”
“I don’t know, Luke. But I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t want you to destroy your relationship with your grandfather.”
“You do not know what you are saying. You didn’t meet me before he died.”
“I know, I know, I didn’t meet him. Cool. But I have the feeling–the feeling that he wouldn’t want this chaos going around in the family. He wouldn’t want you guys fighting like this.”
I exhaled deeply, fixing both of my hands on my waist, “Yeah, that might be right.”
Daniel continued, “Luke, I know this is difficult, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the sake of our relationships with our family. You don’t want to regret your decisions later on.”
I nodded slowly, acknowledging his words, but my mind was still a typhoon of conflicting thoughts and emotions. The force of the situation bore down on me, pressing against my chest like a suffocating
blanket
Turning away from Daniel, I walked a few steps, distancing myself from the bustling street and the city’s noise. Finding a bench tucked away in a quiet corner of the park, I sank down onto it, feeling the cool
metal beneath me.
My thoughts enveloped me like a cloak, offering a moment of respite from the chaos of my abstractions. But even in the stillness, I couldn’t find clarity. My mind raced with questions, doubts, and fears, each one clamoring for my attention.
Was I making the right decision by defying my grandfather? Was I jeopardizing my relationship with him
57S STORM BREWING
beyond repair? But what about Harriet? Was she worth risking everything for?
I closed my eyes, attempting to silence the cacophony of voices in my head. But no matter how hard i tried, I couldn’t shake the sense of unease that lingered within me.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice the passage of time–the sun sinking lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the park. The world around me seemed to fade away, leaving me alone with my doubts
and fears.
The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with obstacles and challenges. But one thing was clear: I couldn’t continue to ignore the turmoil brewing within me. I had to confront it and make a decision that would shape the course of my future, no matter how daunting it may be.
With a heavy sigh, I rose from the bench, the burden of the world resting heavy on my shoulders. The sun had gone below the horizon, and I knew that I wouldn’t be drowning in these thoughts forever.
Bracing myself for the challenges ahead, I squared my shoulders and began to make my way back to the office, ready to face whatever may come
I was on my way back to the company, lost in my goddamn thoughts, and I didn’t notice the figure walking towards me until it was too late. I collided with someone with a jolt, nearly knocking them off their feet.
“Hey, watch where you’re going!” A sharp voice uttered suddenly, and I didn’t hesitate to look at who it was. The person I had collided with.
