“ I will not marry him !” Cara stood in front of her dad, angry tears streaming down her delicate cheeks .She stood in front of her father who was seated on the living room couch in her penthouse.

“ Cara I am your father,I know what's best for you , this man is one of the most eligible bachelors in the whole world .And to be honest with you , it doesn't matter your disposition towards the idea the agreement was made a long time ago and it stands ”

Mr Kings stared at her with a passive hard look. “ How could you decide such a thing , this is the twenty-first century? What were you thinking when you agreed to such a thing ! Did you consider my emotions at all ?”

Cara was almost screaming at this point , she felt like her heart was about to explode out of her chest .

“ Listen to me young lady ” His Stern voice made her jerk up her head and look at him .

“ It doesn't matter how you feel , you will not disrespect my wishes because of some childish fantasy you had that you never got to live .I will rather die than break my promise to my long time friend who is now dead. ”

More tears streamed down her face. How could he say such a thing to me ?

“ You were just sixteen and no I am in no way disregarding your emotions but understand he was nineteen and also young ,let it go it's been eight years ”

“ What if he leaves me for another woman huh ? What will you say you're the one always telling me old habits die hard ”

“ You talk as if you were married then , you weren't even dating my love .Stop being delusional it was a case of unrequited love, yes extremely painful my child but not his fault my dear child”

Cara felt her legs couldn't carry her anymore,she dropped to the floor . And eyed her father wearily “He knew about my feelings yes even if he didn't want me then , why did he move to my damn cousin ! As if to spite me he made me hate myself then , it's taken me years to work on myself to a point of confidence I won't have him shatter me again ”

“ Cara you're all grown up , and so is Xander let bygones be bygones . And pack your stuff up we're leaving for New York tonight”

Cara wanted to argue but the note of finality in her father's voice told her otherwise. She knew it was pointless arguing with the man .

“ One day you'll thank me for this and realize I had nobody but your interest at heart my dear child . You are my legacy,my world and I'll always do what is best for you whether acknowledge it now or not ”

Cara looked up at him with her bright blue eyes now tired “ I'm only doing this because I have no choice and as to whether this is or not the right decision only time will tell , as far as I'm concerned you're just bent on ruining my life over some promise you made years ago ”.

“ Like I said earlier pack what's necessary , we're leaving tonight ”.

In less than two hours they were back to the family mansion in New York the plane ride had been nothing but antagonizing for Cara ,she couldn't believe what was about the happen to her worse still how can the wedding be two days away !? When she was only just informed tonight anger burned in her heart towards Xander what an insensitive man, I'm sure he has been aware of this for weeks now .

Cara went straight up to her room and shut the door she didn't feel like talking to anyone especially her parents. She heard a soft knock on the door , at first she ignores it but the knocking is persitent .

“ Yes ?”she answers with irritation, her mother opens the door and comes in .

“ You knew about this didn't you ?” She said in an accusating tone .

Her mother sits on the bed and strokes her head lovingly.

“ Cara this is for your own good , we can't have you marry any random person that may just want to use you for your wealth .”

Tears flowed freely from Cara's eyes “ you know how much I loathe him , he is selfish and arrogant . He isn't even trust worthy ”

“ Cara give him a chance , I won't say more I know you won't listen . I came in here to tell you , Xander will pick you up for dinner and it's an official prospal dinner ”.

Cara jerked her head up from her mother's touch “ And if I refuse ?”

“ You'll break your father's heart and rouse a scandal .It's as simple as that ” she stood up and walked for the door .

“ sort your feelings out and be ready for 7 ” with that she closes the bedroom door .

Cara buried her head into her pillow last thing she wanted was to disappoint her father . I'll just have to endure this for his sake , I can't believe I'll be engaged tonight by that arrogant ,selfish thing !.

She glanced at the clock on her wall it was only 3 pm , she needed to catch some rest and get her outfit ready last thing she wanted was to look weak and pitiful in front of him .

7:30 pm

Xander tapped his foot in irritation, his lips thinned .He stared at the Grand marble staircase waiting for Cara to descend down.

Her Dad had called him and set up a date for two of them to finalize things up and get to catch up . He also planned to propose officially today , that should get the press talking and put the sudden marriage in a better light ,they could just claim they've been secretly dating.

His eyes fell on the family portrait that hung in the West Wall of the living room. He studied the picture keenly , and concluded it was taken years ago. He still saw the face and body of a young but cute girl , physically she had never really been his type per say but that didn't matter now .

He was doing this purely out of honor to his father , and the company affairs couldn't be postponed; they had a lot of competitors so the quicker he took control the better and his father made it imperative in his will he get married before assuming full control of the company. Much more importantly it would make his mother happy she was going through alot currently and a celebration could cheer her up .

He glanced at his custom made Rolex watch , his patience fast running out . He stood up and adjusted his navy blue Armani suite and crisp white shirt that flattered his tall, lean muscled frame so well.

Experated he was about to make his way out of the house but he heard soft footsteps that stopped him In his tracks .It's about damn time , he thought to himself.