A marriage for business

*Dear diary,  

As I came home today Duncan said he had some important matter to discuss with me. It's been an hour and I am sitting in my old room thinking about this "matter". I hope it's not anything bad.*  

"Miss Tessa, master Edward wants to see you in his library" the housemaid announced.  

"I'll be there in five minutes. "  

"Okay miss"  

This better is good. I had a nervous feeling and it had become more intense. The house was big enough or too small to labeled as a house. It was more like a mansion. I still remember when I first came to this house I was 12 at that time. My parents passed away in a car accident when I was only ten. I clearly remember how the officer had tried to explain that my parents had gone to a "happy place" while I was too dazed and confused to understand. Weeks later it struck me I have lost them not in some funfair but for real and forever.  

Two years later I am in this huge mansion. It's been a decade since I arrived here and I still find it difficult to find my way here I slowly managed to open the great antique wooden doors of the library room. I didn't want it to the creek but the damn antique door. As I entered Edward came down the stairs with his cup of tea in hand. He smiled at me but something about it was said 'I am sorry.'  

"What's wrong? Did I do something?"  

He laughed nervously and said, "No it's not you. Just make yourself comfortable I'll just finish this file and then talk to you". He gestured towards the red file  

Odd.  

I wandered around the library. This was the best part of the house. Some books over here were old and some were the latest publications and I could say Edward had a great taste in books.  

I was just going through a random book on history when he called out.  

"Tessa would you please come down."  

"Coming!"  

Keeping the book aside and I rushed down the stairs. And he was sitting there in his chair just looking at me. I got a little bit nervous.  

I sat opposite the coffee table waiting for him to talk and after a long pause he said, "Read through this file and then we will talk"  

"Okay I will"  

He pushed that red file across the table towards me and gestured to read it.  

Half an hour later I kept the file down on the table in confusion.  

"What is the meaning of this?"  

"I am sort of asking you a favor Tessa."  

"Wait for me?"   

"There is no suitable choice in my opinion. Selena is already with David and only you are left and I presume you are not involved with anybody?

I sigh, "No I am not. "  

We sat there in silence. I looked up and he was observing me. I tried to think of a possible solution to this situation but no. I went through the file again. 

"Your grandfather was smart to make this will."  

"Yes he did, he outsmart me in this one" Edward sighed helplessly.  

"What if I don't go through with this?"  

"I'll lose everything the company, this mansion, practically everything. This ancestral property and I have been in this family business for years."  

"You don't have any personal funds?"  

"Each and every penny I earn is because of this company. I inherited this company, Tessa. If I was the founder I wouldn't even bother about the damn will."  

I was exasperated at this. I huffed out.  

"With all due respect to late Sir Marcus Reynold but Edward this unbelief- I don't know.  

"I am agreeing with you on this."  

I read through the file once again. Marcus must have been a damn good businessman. The Reynold company is one of the most powerful imperials in the business world. They had their roots everywhere. Kind of owned the world. If I didn't go through with this the whole Reynold family would be on the road the very next day. Including me since I had their surname lawfully but that was least of all the problems. I would somehow manage a job. I was doing a master's in engineering and I could.  

I was snapped out of my thoughts by Edward.  

"He hasn't exactly mentioned the duration of the marriage."  

"What?"  

Edward kept his glasses down on the table and repeated.  "He didn't mention the duration of the marriage."

"Even if I would file for a divorce won't that make you lose all of this?" I waved my hands over the place.  

"Well, it's written that if the conditions of the will are fulfilled there is no loss of property. I think I should arrange a meeting with the family lawyer right away."  

"Yes you should"  

"Tessa?"

"Yes?"  

"I am really sorry about this". He had an apologetic look on his face.

"You don't have to force yourself to go through them with this. I am just asking for your help"  

"I'll think about it, Edward. I haven't made my decision yet." I said.

"Okay. Just think about it though."

 I just nodded in response. As I was crossing the main hall I saw my step sister Selena. As I was about to escape she called me.  

"Tessa!"  

Damn me for being slow  

"What happened Selena?"  

"You came back for the break...It's good to see you."  

"Yes, I did."

"Did you meet your father?"  

"Yes, I just did."

"Oh okay, he told you anything? Good talk with him?" Selena was fidgeting while asking me. Something prompted me that she had a good idea about the 'will'.  

"For how long did you know about the will?"  

"Tessa I am sorry... I mean I don't know what to say..."  

"Just answer the question I asked you, Selena."  

"Long enough I guess... I really don't know how much longer but yeah.."  

"Okay, I am going to go to my room now."  

Before she could utter another word I half ran out of there. As soon as I reached my room I slammed shut my door and crumpled to the floor. I was stuck in the hamlet situation now. It was clearly huge. Big. Highly unbelievable. Business deals and marriage. Two completely opposite things. MIXED together they sounded like a scandal. I had no idea what to do. Still not arriving at any conclusion I dialed up the only person I trusted.  

"Maria, it's me, Tessa."  

"Oh call off the search party people she's alive! I repeat call off we have found her."  

I laughed. Lord this girl  

"I have been trying you everyday Tess you could have answered at least one call!!"  

"You didn't call me... Oh wait what's this... you didn't have to send your call logs screenshot... I didn't receive any of it my logs are empty"  

"Whatever. Did you check my emails?"  

"Ah no?"  

"Girl I questioned you, you don't question me."  

"I am sorry Ria. I need to talk to you."  

"What's up everything alright? You sound stressed. Know what... we need to meet right now."  

"Yes, we do. Our usual hangout spot in 15 minutes"  

"Okay, see ya there."