Find Myself a Girl to Marry?

KNIGHT

It was only when I downed the whole mug of coffee did I feel like a human being again. A human being that had workload the size of an animal in the forest. Usually, everything was blurred from meeting to meeting but today there was a weird zap in the air.

Something didn't quite feel right.

My heart was beating at twice the rate than usual. Seriously, what the heck was going on? I pressed a hand to my chest, right where my heart was and felt the dum-dum hard and fast in my ears.

Shit.

Must be the coffee, then.

I really needed to cut down the amount. Usually, I drank about two cups, max three. But when someone really nagged me . . .

As if on cue, my phone rang. I groaned. No way. Not him. Anyone but him.

Still, out of respect, and to not feel the guilt that followed whenever I refused my father, I pressed the phone to my ear.

"Baba?" I tried not to sound like a robot but I failed.

No hard feelings, just remember. No. Hard. Feelings.

"Did you find someone yet?"

Throwing down my head on my desk, I let out a long-drawn sigh. "It's only nine in the morning, Baba."

"And I've been telling you for the last two years to find a wife," he somehow managed to make that sound insulting. Like I'm so incompetent I haven't found a decent woman. You see, in order to find a wife, you have to be looking. And I was not looking at all. "My point is, we're both stuck with each other. So, if you give me what I want, I'll give you what you want."

I sighed again. "You're so evasive on this subject. What could you give me that would force me to get married? I'm not sure I even want anything." From you.

"I knew I shouldn't have made you the CEO. You think you're invincible now, don't you?"

The derogatory tone made me clench my hands. "I'm not getting married. Ever."

"I'll set you up with the most beautiful girls. You'll take them for a nice date; see if things work out. Are we clear? I'll have your assistant updated." And then he hung up.

I was knee-deep in trouble.

Coffee. I needed it like I needed oxygen to survive at that moment.

I rang the stupid bell that had my assistant running in like I was about to launch an attack on him. Ignoring his fearful eyes, I told him to get me a refill.

"Yes, sir," Just as he turned to leave, I stopped him.

"Actually," I said, "Tell me what to dial for the cafeteria. This coffee was too strong."

Maybe I was being pissy for no reason but Baba had sucked out everything I had in me. If there was anything in the first place. He rattled the number and a second later I was put on line with a female.

"Yes?" Hesitant. God, was everyone scared of me? What had I done? Stolen their firstborn?

"I'm guessing you already know who I am,"

"Y-yes, Sir," Why did the voice seem so familiar? "Can I get you something?"

Obviously, that's why I called. "Triple, venti, half sweet, non-fat, caramel macchiato."

"Ah . . . of course," There was a long pause. "Anything else, sir?"

I pursed my lips. "Anything chocolaty?"

She huffed out what I assumed was a muffled snort. "Right away." The line went dead.

I glared at Rees. Why did people keep hanging up on me? I was the boss.

"Sir, the meeting—"

I waved my hand. "Tell them to come here,"

"Here?"

I gave him a look that had him running out with his tail between his legs.

What a day it truly was.

. . .

A knock at the door made Mr Murat pause. I huffed out a breath I'd been holding. Seriously, today was a long, boring day.

"Come in,"

The door kicked open—truly—and what I saw next stole my breath away.

I stood up so fast, my chair flew back and toppled over. "Alana?"

Her wide, doe-like eyes didn't blink in surprise. No, come to think of it, she was the epitome of calm. With her dusty boots, she stepped into my office, leaving a trail of debris behind on the glossy white wood.

It was the first time I got a good look of her from top to bottom. Long, slender legs encased in skin-coloured leggings. A tight, tight skirt that had every man's attention in the room.

Anger bloomed inside me, so ret-hot and surprising, all I could do was clench my hands to keep my mouth from spewing out something I would later regret.

Or maybe I wouldn't regret it.

"Out," I commanded and saw Alana halt in her tracks, the tray in her hands jostling.

I looked to the men on the long oval table, noticing their eyes were elsewhere. The anger kept brewing until it resembled a monster with sharp teeth and claws.

"I'm talking to you all," The looks on their faces when they finally met my gaze. Oh, boy, yes, you are in so much trouble.

It was a clutter of a mess as they stood, bowed and left.

"I'll leave as we—"

"No," My attention was all for Alana now. "Stay."

"B-but, sir, I—"

"What in the hell do you think you're wearing?"