It was nearly 2 pm. Annie's mood was calmed and she was reviewing the promotional plan for her new venture. Suddenly, her telephone rang.
"Hello.."
"Hello Annie. "
She immediately recognized the voice. It was her mother.
"Yes mom. You called suddenly out of blue. Has something come up?"
"Yes. There is an emergency situation in our family. Your grandparents and your First Uncle and Third Uncle along with their families are coming to New York in two hours. I want you to come and meet us at Beach & Bay Hotel at 5 pm."
The call was immediately hanged. She thought for sometime and then decided to go and see what was going on.
After reaching the hotel, she was surprised to see her clan gathered and enthusiastically talking to each other. She expected a worse situation but the things were completely opposite. She went to her mother and sat beside her. Suddenly her father spoke to her,
"Annie, I know that I was wrong in the past. I had not supported you and your decisions. However, now I want to ask something from you. I want a favour from you. Our company is now at downfall due to the recent accident. In order to prevent the downfall, I..I need your help."
"Father, please be direct and tell me how you want to take my help?"
"I want you to marry the client's son. The client is ready to wave the compensation for damage and also will promote our company."
"This is unreasonable." Annie shouted. "I can help you financially. What's wrong with my money? You don't need to take decisions for me. Furthermore, you had neglected me so much. How can you expect me to allow you to take my decisions?? I will definitely not agree to that client's unreasonable demands."
"Daughter, I know what you are saying is not unreasonable. However, I am not here to please you. I am here to order you. You are a girl after all. You will marry sooner or later. Your earnings cannot be a part of our family's wealth. So, you have to marry. We have cleared the hotel and have guards all over. You will be married off immediately without any delays. We have arranged everything. Lawyer will come soon to register your marriage legally. You also will be meeting future husband an hour later."
Akash left the place and left behind everyone speechless. Her aunt broke the silence by asking her mother about the dress and jewellery. No one was against the wedding and were looking forward for it. The family was busy chatting and left Alice alone speechless. Alice was completely devastated. She wanted to cry out loud and run away, but she knew that it was impossible. She was locked once again and her future was once again at stake.
On the other hand, Edwin was also called by his father to his company. After going there, he saw many people gathered in the office. He went in to see his father busy with some work.
"Is there a lot of work recently? Are your other sons not able to handle your workload that made that made you remember your useless son? It may not be that you called me because you missed me."
"Well, you are right. I have some work for you. But before that look at this."
He showed him a photo of a girl. Edwin immediately shouted Abigail.
"Well, I know that she is the woman you like. However, none of us in the family like her. Not because she is a model, but she is not suitable to be your wife. I have investigated her and also observed her. I feel she is not good. But seeing that you are not ready to leave her, I have made a decision. I have found a girl for you. You will meet her today and will be married soon. If you try to leave, this Abigail will be disappeared from your life. If you want her to stay, you have to marry at the earliest."
"Dad. You cannot do anything to her. I am warning you, stay away from her. I…I am ready to accept your condition."
Edwin was shouting and was in a position to cry. His father smiled and gestured the guards to take him away.
Annie had finally succumbed to the desires of her family. She was dragged to the conference room of the hotel. She was asked to sit there. After some time, she saw some people approaching and immediately stood up. She saw a man entering the room. She was shocked to see the man. It was Edwin.