He was classically handsome, golden/ light brown hair, strong jaw, light blue coloured eyes and stubble that scattered around his jaw. He looked perfect and I hadn't even met him yet...

When I had reached father u realized I was smiling like an idiot from staring at the handsome stranger. "Ahh daughter you're here." Father says as I approach him. "Elise this is Mr. William Edwin his wife Regina and their son Charles." He gestures to the old man and woman to his left and the young man behind them. I curtsy in politeness "Good evening." I keep my eyes trained on Charles as he does to me as well. We take our seats at the large mahogany dining table as father and Mr. Edwin talk about business, I glance up and see Charles is sitting right next to me and I blush a little. "So your name is Elise?" He asks me and I can feel his warm breath against my skin. "Yes." I smile back politely and position my posture. "Nice too meet you." He replies and flashes a smile. "Like wise" I respond as a small bowl of pumpkin soup was laid out in front of me.

As I slowly ate the pumpkin soup I tried to think of what to say to him but everything seemed stupid or childish. I also felt too nervous to say anything to him but I couldn't understand why...it wasn't like he was any better than me.

Stop being stupid he is just another business associate of father's, son. Just talk to him for Christ sake...but what to talk to him about....

"So do you like soup?" I blurted out before I could stop myself I looked down at my soup before he could respond. My face turned a deep shade of blush and I tried not to make it obvious but seriously do you like your soup? I can't believe how stupid I am sometimes. I then snap back to reality and hear a low chuckling coming from him I look up towards him and he's smirking "Yes I do like soup...do you?" he looks at me while having some more of the soup. I just let out a small chuckle as well, surprised by his response "Yes I don't mind it." I finally answer him.

We talked a bit more during dinner talking about ourselves and our lives. I found out he was 18 ½ and he lived in a penthouse with his father and mother he also went to college and studied economics. We had dessert laid out in front of us which was chocolate crème brulee one of my favourites. "So do you often attend business meetings with your parents?" I ask him. "Sometimes but this isn't just a business meeting is it?" he chuckles. I look at him scrunching up my eyebrows in confusion "What do you mean?" I look over at father who is now wearing a grave look upon his face. "You haven't discussed it with her Harold?" Mr. Edwin asks perplexed. "Uh no I haven't." he responds quietly which makes me worry father had been acting distant recently but I thought it was just because of business...what did this have to do with me? "Father what is he talking about?" I ask him ignoring my dessert and facing my entire body towards him. "I think my darling we had better go into my office." Father stands up and gestures for me to fellow him with a flick of his hand. I followed him to his office; the curiosity of what was going on was eating at me.

Father closed the door to his office and leant against his desk, "Please sweetheart have a seat." He signals to the burgundy leather cheshire couch. I make my way over to it and carefully take a seat my gaze never leaving father who looked very uncomfortable. "Father please tell me what is going on." I plead him. "That boy Charles do you like him...does he seem nice?" he looks down at his feet and then back at me rubbing the nape of his neck.

His question confuses me and catches me off guard...it was an odd question as I didn't see what he or the subject had anything to do with this. Once I finally realise father is still waiting for me to reply I respond "Yes I suppose so....but father what does he have to do with anything?" "Elise...his family are very wealthy and I want the best for you...so I...we made an arrangement." He explains. I sigh in frustration because I still don't understand "Yes but father what does this have to do with me?" I question him again. "You are to be married to Charles in September." He reveals.

It takes me a good minute to process what he tells me... I don't know how to react to what he says so I just sink back into the couch. My heart sinks and I feel like I am about to throw up I try to calm myself breathing in for four seconds and out for four seconds and it helps calm my churning stomach. I try to think this through make sense of it all... "Why?" I ask him inaudibly. "He comes from a good family. A wealthy, respectable family with a well know name if you two marry you'll become the most powerful family in all of New York. Elise, hunny that means you will never feel the sting of being poor like I did when I was younger." He tries to reason with me, he then motions to put his hand on my shoulder but I jerk away tears swelling up in my eyes.

My body filled with anger and wretchedness, how could father do this? All for a good name... I didn't even know Charles I didn't want to marry him! Sure he seemed nice and was handsome but that's hardly enough substance for me to marry him. I didn't want to marry him and it was as simple as that.

"I do not want to marry him father." I say trying to keep my voice calm and steady. He looks at me with great concern "Elise, please it's the only way." "No Father! I cannot and will not marry him." I can hear my voice rising and it's like I have no control over it. "Elise you will do this...it's for your own good and financially will be beneficial." Hearing that makes me even madder...so it's all just about the money. "Father I don't care about the money I want to get married because I am in love not because you arrange it and say it is so." I yell at him standing up and clenching my fists at my side. He takes a step closer to me and his face looks frightfully scary he looks so threatening but it softens "Elise I understand that and I am truly sorry but it's the way it is... please my darling for me." I don't say anything because I am so unsure of how I feel... "I'm going to bed." I say tiredly and exit the large room and head up to my bedroom not bothering to say goodnight to father's guests.

I enter my room and quickly shut the door behind me I let the sobs control my body and the tears flow down my cheek while I slide down the door and on to the floor pulling my knees to my chest. After a good 10 minutes of crying I pushed myself up off the floor with great effort and made my way to my WIR. I changed out of my dress and into my PJ's which was a red tank top and satin boxer shorts I didn't bother to change my hair or wipe off my make-up I just got into bed and snuggled under the luxurious covers and let sleep overcome me.

A/N

Hey guys i hope you have enjoyed this chapter! I will update at least once a week or at least try my very best. Please comment and give feedback because i would love to hear what you guys think :) Also a picture of Charles to the side check it out :)