9 Marriage

June 29, 20xx

Paris, France

Li Jie loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt as he entered his apartment. He hated the feeling of wearing tie. It's very stifling.

In his opinion, waiting at the airport for someone who never showed up was the most useless thing he did today. There were many unfinished things at his company yet, he left them in order to fetch Karlie's important friend.

But, with the photo she sent, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

It was simply an image of a woman's back.

How was he supposed to find her with that at the busy airport?

When the picture she sent can't be matched with any passenger disembarking from that particular plane flying from India, he called the airline's owner and gave the name her cousin provided. Thirty minutes later, his college friend informed, there was no record of Blythe Ricci on the flight manifest. He tried calling Karlie but the woman was not answering his calls.

In the end, he returned home. There was no point of waiting.

The strong scent of whisky hung in the air upon his entrance to his place. From the floor to ceiling glass divider, his eyes caught the sight of his father leaning in one of the sofas in the living room with his feet on the wooden table, the left hand on the backrest while the right held a half-empty whisky glass. The man's eyes were directed on the view outside.

Two people were standing opposite. His own assistant was next to his father's as if awaiting for his instructions.

Jack Ho saw his boss' dark expression and wanted to say something, yet stopped when he heard his voice.

"Just when did I start letting dogs come in here?"

There was anger and annoyance in it that Jack worried of his punishment because of allowing President Li inside. But what can he do, he's taken his mother as hostage. The man threatened to kill her if he doesn't provide the codes for the door.

The father ignored his own son's jab as he was already used to his sarcastic behavior towards him.Unaffected, he uttered "Good thing your home son. I waited for almost two hours."

When his son didn't respond, he changed his approach.

"The view of Eiffel Tower from here is worthy for this apartment's current value. Any plans of selling it? I'll pay double."

Li Jie disregarded his father's question. He got hold of the empty glass and poured himself a drink before facing him.

"What are you doing here?"

The man was silent for a few seconds before taking an A4 size brown envelope and handed it to him.

When the 6 foot tall man never bothered to reach it, he placed it on the table and spoke.

"That's a marriage application form. It only lacks your signature. The other party has already signed and my wife's law office has already drafted the prenuptial agreement."

His father's statements caused his eyebrows to raise.

"What makes you think I am going to marry one of your whores?"

His father's face reddened at his question and spitted out "Alissa Jiang is the most decent woman I've known. Although she's an orphan, she rose to the top and became successful. Enough to be at par with socialites or even better. She is the perfect choice compared to the ones your grandmother chose. If you take over Li Group next year, you will need her brains in running the company."

"Ah."

The sarcasm in his tone was evident as he nodded his head.

"If that's the case, why not make her wife number 3? I'm sure she'll be thrilled. Aren't you the current President?"

Unlike other men, his father maintained his youthful look for his well maintained lifestyle. He is charming and he's been blessed with good looks. Hence, he can still pass as a virile man in his 40's.

Additionally, his money and status add to his charm. Women are practically dropping on his lap.

That included Alissa, his younger brother's fiancee. When the woman realized, Li Hong was far richer than Gavin Li, Alisa left her fiance two years ago which eventually led to his brother's current state.

His grip tightened in the glass and his expression darkened at the thought of Gavin being tied to the wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Hence, he has no plans of marrying a woman who caused grief to people he cares for.

His father understood his bitterness for the events that happened in the past but Li Jie's marriage to Alissa is indispensable. The marriage will be beneficial for both parties. He promised Alisa's mother on her deathbed, he will take care of her. By marrying her to one of his sons,he'll be at ease.Despite of his carefree nature, this man who is a younger version of himselfis the most responsible one of the four.

At the same time, his firstborn will need a wife before he can sit at the helm of the company and Alisa is the perfect candidate. She's smart, beautiful and sophisticated. Unlike Li Jie's socialite mother, Alissa can assist Li Jie in managing the company.

"You can hate me for all you want but do not dare to insult her. She doesn't deserve your contempt."

Li Jie stared at his father's face red in anger to defend that annoying woman and found it funny.

Half a beat later, he said "I have no plans of entering the family business. As for my marriage, I will marry if I meet the right marriage partner. Not because there is a need for me to shoot off."

Hearing him say that, impulse took over, he grabbed the glass and threw it to the departing figure, but the man ducked like he anticipated the attack.

He turned to Jack and said in furious voice, "Make sure to have him sign this, if not don't think about seeing your mother."

Jack nodded and watched them leave.

When the door banged, he gave out a deep sigh.

'Being caught with two roaring tigers is a difficult job.'

Inside the bedroom, Li Jie remained rooted from where he was standing at, even with the incessant ringing of the phone.

From the bedroom's floor to ceiling windows, there's an an unobstructed sight of the iconic tower that is usually packed with shutterbugs and tourist. That's what made him buy the apartment the first time he'd seen it. It was simply breathtaking. Most especially at night when the lights emanate from all places, directly in contrast to the darkness.

He murmured "Where are you?"