CHAPTER 4 UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERS

Liam walked up to me, a charming smile spreading across his face. I felt a surge of unease as he extended his hand, expecting me to shake it. I had no other choice but to shake it.

As our hands touched, I quickly whispered, "What are you doing here?"

Liam's smile never wavered. "Business, of course," he replied, his voice low and smooth. "Do you have anything else we should be rather doing?"

He winked at me, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment. My cock hardened a little. Whoever thought I'd be grabbing the hands of the man I had been fantasizing of having sex with while jerking off? I gulped, trying to compose myself before my father noticed anything suspicious.

I quickly pulled my hand away, trying to play it cool. "No, nothing else." I muttered, taking a step back.

Liam chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Excellent." He said, turning to my father. "I'll let you get back to work, then. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Blackwood."

My father smiled, shaking Liam's hand once more. "The pleasure is all mine, Liam. I look forward to working with you and your company."

As Liam took his leave, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. But it was short-lived.

My father turned to me, a serious expression on his face.

"Ethan, I believe your mother already told you we have a serious discussion to have with you." He said, his voice firm.

I raised an eyebrow, feeling a sense of trepidation. "What is it?"

My father took a deep breath. "I've decided it's time for you to get married," he announced, his voice matter-of-fact. Leaving no room for argument.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "What?" I exclaimed, trying to process what I was hearing.

My father nodded. "Yes, I've already signed the contract with your fiancée's family. She's on her way here now."

I felt like I was living in a nightmare. Who was this woman? And why was my father doing this to me?

"Father you have no right!" I exclaimed, highly upset.

" I have every right!" He slammed his hands down on the mahogany desk, standing up.

"I have every right Ethan! Do you think I'd have the only child of me, copulating with a man?"

I turned to my mother, horrified. How did my father find out I was gay? I only entrusted my mother with that information. How on Earth had it gotten to my father?

"You're just clearly confused and I'll help with that confusion before it's too late."

" You shouldn't be trying to parent me now. It's too late for that."

I stormed out angrily but as I approached the door, it slid open and a well tanned goddess with the prettiest and longest legs walked in. Her green eyes held so much familiarity in them.

And then it hit me. I knew her.

She was the woman I had a one-night stand with a few months ago. The one who had disappeared without a word.

She smiled at me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. And then, without hesitation, she walked over to me and kissed me full on the lips.

I was frozen in shock, unsure of how to react. But as I looked into her eyes, I saw something there that made my heart skip a beat.

It was a spark of recognition, a glimmer of something more.

As I stood there, frozen in shock, I knew that my life was about to change in ways I never could have imagined.

My father cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Ah, excellent. I see you two are already acquainted."

I pulled away from her, feeling a sense of embarrassment. My voice was still glazed over with shock.

"Yeah, we've met," I muttered.

My father smiled, seeming to approve. "Good. I'm glad to see you two are getting along already and it won't be hard matching up like I had thought."

I felt a surge of anger, but I bit it back. What was the point of arguing with my father? He had already made up his mind.

As we stood there, awkwardly silent, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Was I really going to be stuck in a loveless marriage with a woman I barely knew?

The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

But as I looked at her, I saw something there that gave me pause. A spark of attraction, a glimmer of possibility.

Maybe, just maybe, this marriage wouldn't be so bad after all. But as I smiled at her, I knew that I was just fooling myself. This was a business arrangement, pure and simple. And I was just a pawn in my father's game.

The more I stared at her, the more I felt a sense of betrayal. Like I was betraying Liam. But to hell with them all. He seemed to also be playing games. He was no different from the rest of them.

'But at least he sparks your fantasies.' My mind spoke up. My face turned a shade of red and I saw my fiancèe smile, probably thinking I was thinking of the kiss we just shared or the one night stand we had.

As the silence stretched out, I couldn't help but feel like I was trapped. Trapped in a marriage I didn't want, with a woman I barely knew.

I looked at her, trying to see beyond the surface. Who was she, really? What did she want from me? But as I searched her face, I saw only a mask of politeness. A mask that hid her true intentions.

I sighed. I was stuck in this marriage, whether I liked it or not.

I looked at her again. I knew that I wasn't going to give up without a fight. I was going to find out who she really was, and what she wanted from me.

And I was going to do it, no matter what it took.

As the tension between us grew thicker, I knew that this was just the beginning. The beginning of a game of chess.

And I was ready.