A peace treaty.
"Good morning ma'am" Rachel greeted in a polite tone as she walked into the office.
She stood some feet away from her boss, her mood has been sour since the news of her engagement to the heir of Lewis family broke out.
Many women would kill to be in her position but she is nothing but pleased about it.
"Why has this news been circulating since yesterday even though I asked you to get rid of it?" Jasmine asked, her voice crisp and clear.
"The chairman stopped the PR from doing so" She responded in a small voice and took a step back.
"Where is the chairman?" Jasmine asked coldly.
"He is in his office".
Jasmine walked briskly to her father's office, the bodyguard standing outside the door bow politely to her and she barely acknowledged him.
"Father, why are you stopping the PR from bringing down the rumors?" Jasmine asked as soon as she walked into his office.
He looked up at her after hearing her words and pondered quietly.
"You are getting married to him, those are not rumors" he countered.
"Why are you failing to see my point in this?
He can marry anyone but me!
If you want a peace treaty marriage, give
Bianca to him. I'm not an item you can use to pacify someone!" Bianca's voice boomed with anger causing her father to frown.
Bianca is her half sister, her father got married again a couple of years after her mother's death and her stepmom gave birth to Bianca.
"Bianca is too young, stop yelling at me and go to your grandfather. He suggested this" he replied sternly and turned his attention to the documents before him.
Jasmine knew there was no need to meet her grandfather, she is as stubborn as he is. Things would only get worse if she does.
She might as well meet with Jordan Lewis. At the thought of him, her inside turned in anger.
She hated the thought of bringing herself down to beg him to refuse the engagement.
~
At L&S Group
Jordan watched with an emotionless expression as his friend Austin made a jest of his situation.
"You chose the worst you could ever think of.
"There are several rich and respectable ladies out there from wealthy families but you went for that one?!"
Austin's voice went high in shock and disbelief.
To Jordan's surprise, he doubled over in laughter the next seconds.
"Will you just keep your voice down, I'm trying to think.
Whereas don't you have some work to do?". Jordan grumbled with a hand rubbing his forehead.
"Of course I have work to do, I am the marketing director of this prestigious company but you know I just can't pass this on".
"Come to think of it, you haven't told me what she said when you met her"
"Was she as scary as the media always said, she must be very pretty though. I saw her one time and although I was far from her, she was good looking"
A rapt knock on the door shut Austin's rant off, the secretary came in immediately to announce the presence of an impromptu visitor.
"Who is it?" Jordan asked, frowning.
"Miss Jasmine," the secretary replied curtly.
"What?!, I will be in the inner room" Austin dashed off in fear.
"Let her in".
A few minutes later, the door opened and Jasmine walked in elegantly.
Jordan absentmindedly observed her closely this time.
She appeared calmer and more relaxed than she was yesterday morning when he had gone to see her.
"I am sorry, I made an unannounced visit.
I am quite impatient".
"It's alright, have a seat". Jordan replied, gesturing to a chair.
"Why do you want to marry me?" Jasmine asked, going straight to the point after taking the seat across from him.
Her question was out of the blue and threw him off.
"To the best of my knowledge, our families don't mix together. We do not like each other and I don't think that has changed overnight".
"We do not have to like each other to get married, it's only a business transaction".
Jordan responded slowly, getting irked by her.
"I do not wish to marry you, you can go for my sister or any other person but why me?"
I decided to marry you, I do not want your sister or any other person. It's you that I want". Jordan said looking straight at her, the atmosphere in the room became stuffy and awkward.
It's funny you also think we should marry, I do not want to marry you".
Jasmine said bluntly.
"What do you want?"
Jordan asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"What do you have to offer?I don't need your money or properties. I have tons of that myself".
"How about we sign a contract?"
Jordan asked.
"A prenup?,
That seems interesting". Jasmine nodded in agreement.
~
Inside a private clothing store, in a lavish dress room.
Jasmine moves around, checking the clothes on display with curious eyes, while her friend, the owner of the store freaks out behind her.
"Are you even listening to me?". Sarah asked as she sat down dramatically on a cushion chair a few distance from an unfazed Jasmine.
"I can hear you loud and clear, judging by how much you have said today. I will be deaf not to hear".
Jasmine replied, shaking her head in disbelief.
"If you can hear, why are you not saying anything?.
That man is not a good choice, not even a bit close to being the right choice for you.
Baby, please don't go ahead with this madness" Amanda said in a pitiful voice.
"You are married, why are you trying to stop me from getting married?"
"I married Mike because I love him, can you say the same thing about him?".
"Love?
Love".
Jasmine let out a soft laugh.
"Our marriage will be one of convenience and on business grounds, there's no space for love.
I'm doing it for the company and for the family" Jasmine replied softly.
The words she said to her father some days back, replayed in her mind.
How stupid she feels.
"Oh my God, you fool.
When will you wake up from this dream and see what mistake you are about to walk into".
"Stop exaggerating, whereas he is not a bad choice.
Stop nagging at me, I need your help in choosing a dress for the wedding."
"Why did you agree to marry him?" Amanda asked, calmly this time.
"We won't be married in the real sense, we won't share a bed or a room.
He is free to indulge in whatever he wants and I will also do the same" Jasmine responded and Amanda's mouth went wide in shock.