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CHAPTER 12
Jake was not finding this funny the way his friends were but they were his pals and he knew their act was just them trying to ease the stress that came with his marriage.
"Hey, hey, calm down guys. The snow king is not finding this funny," Zane voiced out, as though reading his mind.
"Bu-hoo, I am glad you understand that. How estranged would you feel if you were in my shoes?"
"I wouldn't feel nothing, trust me. I would just take it as," he paused, trying to find the right words to say but after some time he resigned himself to fate. "Urghh! I fish I am not in your shoes, finish."
"Ah, so you see." He threw his hands up in the air then fell back against the chair rest. "My life right now but do not worry."
"Hmm, worry not? Why? This is not like Jake to just accept anything that is thrown to him. Your father must have had you tied or you are only playing to his games with a plan of your own," Liam analyzed.
"Hmm, you truly know me."
"Yeah, we want to know why you are agreeing like that. I know your inheritance is involved but then you must have a plan right? You wouldn't want to be tied down to that sassy princess," Zane added.
"Most definitely I do not want to. No one wants that. And my life…" he let out a sharp sigh. "I feel like my life has only just begun and now is not the time to be tied down by marriage," Jake explained.
"Great. So what's the plan? You know whatever your decision we would be here for you," Ian assured him.
"I do. My plan, my plan is something the old man would never see coming."
"What is? You are keeping us in suspense and I do not like it," Ian added.
"Relax. What's with the rush? Anyways," he sat up and leaned forward, rubbing his palm together. "Secret remains a secret guys. On no account should my family nor hers ever find out."
"Promise." They all raised their right hand to swear their promises like some boy scout.
"Fine. I intend to marry her and after a year, max, I would divorce her. By then he has nothing to hold me to anymore. I would have collected my money and been a freeman."
"Whoa!" Ian exclaimed.
"Dude, you rock!" Liam added.
"I bet your father did not see this one coming. He is going to regret forcing you into this marriage," Zane agreed. "But then, have you thought about the effect it would have on your company?"
The others looked at themselves and then back at Zane.
"No, why?"
"You are divorcing her, she is going to be richer, her family's wealth definitely increased but yours? I doubt you know the implication. Your father would not stand for it. I mean the whole arranged marriage is for more money and better business right?"
"Right?"
"Do you think breaking Mr Jay's daughter's heart after a year of marriage and making her the laughing stock of the full country would make him sit back and do nothing? He would fight it with all he got so trust me, you may have to think this through."
"I do not intend on living in a loveless marriage, Zane. I do not want that."
"And the woman you love? When would your snow ice heart find someone? After your wedding?"
"Hmm, I know you are making sense," Liam began, "But, it is not mine to answer but his. It is his decision to make."
'And that is why I left it on the floor for you all to think about."
"To hell with that! Consequences are damned. Then it would be my parent's fault. I would not jeopardize my happiness."
Zane let out a deep sigh as he shook his head at his friend. "You have always been one stubborn jackass. I hope you figure out yourself."
"Come on, what's with all the sad faces and gloominess. Let us celebrate. We came to have fun and that is what we would do. Keep the problems aside, chill out with some drinks, fish and take a chick if you want."
"Ian, you are always about having fun. At times you need to put your head clear and think about all the consequences of our actions," Zane advised.
"Tah! I am not the one getting married," Ian refuted.
"You may not be, but mind you, yours is coming or have you all forgotten that in this business of ours, we did not have much of a choice because we need to live up to expectations and keep our families' names soaring and remain top businesses."
"I know. We all do. In fact, our daily living is a constant reminder as though we owe it to them, whereas our happiness should always come first," Liam joined in.
"Hmm. Whatever decisions are being made, it is still up to us the way I see it. It is our destiny, our life, we may however control it in our favour. That is why I am not going back on my decision."