Chapter 1 Decision Taken

The sun rises in the sunny blue sky and its sparkling rays fell on the Knight mansion, located in one of the most desirable residential locations in Central London, Knightsbridge. The guards opened the giant black gates of the Knight mansion and a high speeding Red Audi R8 limited edition sports car slid into the driveway. Seething in anger, Christian stepped out of his car in a charcoal grey suit. His jaws were clenched, and he removed shades from his honey-brown eyes, slamming the door of the car shut with a harsh thud. As he strides over to the gorgeous Italian-styled Knight mansion crossing the expanded water fountain. The servant opened the magnificent mahogany door and respectfully greeted him, but Christian cut him off. “Where is Grandpa?” He asked, his nostrils flaming in anger. “He is in the lounge area.” The servant responded meekly and Christian turned on his heels, taking long steps, and upon reaching, he saw his father Luke Knight and grandfather Leo Knight sitting together enjoying coffee and chatting about some forthcoming projects. Christian charged toward them with blazing eyes. “Grandpa, how could you do this to me?” He thundered. “How could you take such an important decision of my life without asking me?” He raised his voice and his eyes shifted to his father, Luke. “Dad, what’s going on!! Why does he want me to get married? And that too with an Indian girl?? INDIAN!!” Christian said in a high pitch, raving in anger, and glared at his grandfather. “Grandpa, it skipped from your mind, but I’m already in a relationship with Lia. I introduced you to her before your visit to India.” Leo took a deep breath. “Son, lemme get straight to the point. If you want to take over the position of CEO in the Knight Group, then you must marry the girl I’ve chosen for you. Accept it or reject it. The decision is yours.” He responded calmly with a small smile playing on his lips. “I can give the position to your cousin, Jake. He is ready for it!” “Even I’m ready for it and I’ve worked my ass off to earn it. But you are imposing superfluous conditions here and I can’t fulfil them. I’m already in a fucking relationship with Lia. I love her, damn it!!” Christian almost shrieked, adding the last part. “Chris, calm down!” Luke glared at him, but the latter was on a rampage. “Why doesn’t he understand? Why is he mixing my professional and personal life? It’s my freaking life and I have a right to decide for myself!!” Christian shrieked, but Leo calmly took a sip of his coffee, and it irked Christian. “Why are you doing this? Do you think I’m incapable of taking decisions of my life?” He lifted an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t have appointed an incapable man for the position of President in Knight Group!” The old man smiled. “But I believe marriage is a big decision. Yes, we have got an option to get divorced if it seems it was a wrong decision, but why make a wrong decision in the first place?” “I’ve made up my mind!” He added. Christian gave a nod. “Fine, I choose Lia!” “Son, you don’t love her. Come out of your dreamland! She is trying to fool you. Lia isn’t the right one! She is just after your money, like your other ex-girlfriends.” Leo clearly stated his feelings, and Christian rolled his eyes. He continued, “The girl I’ve chosen for you is perfect. She’s beautiful, bold, and brilliant, and she has all those excellence a guy wishes to have in his wife. You’re going to marry her and that’s final!” Leo stood up to leave. “Fine, if that’s your final decision, I’m giving up the Knight Group for Lia. I don’t need this company or Knight’s legacy to establish myself. I can achieve everything on my own!” Christian looked into his eyes confidently. “And yeah, that Indian bitch, get her married to your loving Jake because I’ll not marry her in this life!” Leo smiled at Christian. “Jake already likes her, and he’d certainly not turn down my request if I ask him, but I’ve chosen her for you! Anyway, there is no room for discussion when you’ve decided to leave. God bless you, son. I wish you and Lia get all the happiness in life!” Leo blessed the eternal soulmates, taking a glance at his wristwatch. “You have exactly two hours from now. Pack up your bags and leave this house. Goodbye, son!” Leo said and walked out of the lounge area. “Dad, what are you saying?” Luke, Christian’s father, followed Leo while Christian stood in his place, dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe what had just transpired. Grandpa, who always loved and cherished him, left him today for a mere girl whom he recently met during his visit to India. "Fine, I stayed here for all these years and didn't move out so that you don't feel alone but if it doesn't matter to you, It doesn't matter to me!!" He shouted to their retreating back and smashed all the bottles on the bar counter, cussing out the girl who has destroyed all his plans and left the Knight mansion to be with Lia *** At Lia’s apartment, “WHAT? Why did you leave everything?” Lia widened her eyes. “No… no… no, this is not happening. This cannot happen! I always wanted to lead a rich life and if Christian leaves his house and company, all my dreams of living a luxurious life will be shattered and I cannot compromise with that. Christian can’t leave his empire. He has to go back at any cost!!” Lia’s trail of thoughts paused when she heard Christian’s voice. “What… why? I just explained everything to you.” Christian stared at Lia, frustrated, and then he clutched her hands. “I love you, Lia. That’s why I left everything to be with you. I’ll establish myself soon, but it will take some time!” Lia smiled, removing her hand from his grasp. “I know you love me, Chris. But why did you give up the CEO’s position? The position for which you’ve worked hard day and night.” She said and paused for a few seconds as Christian stared at her. “Look, I’m so very lucky to have someone like you who is ready to give up everything for me. But I don’t want you to jeopardize your future!” Lia tried to persuade him. Christian heaved in a rage. “So, what do you want me to do? Go back and marry that Indian girl, grandpa has selected for me?” Christian rises to his feet. “I think I made a mistake coming here.” He sighed, glancing briefly at Lia, and turned to leave. Lia held his wrist. “Baby, I am sorry. Please don’t leave! We will figure out something, but don’t leave your dream for me. Else, I’ll never be able to forgive myself.” She said dramatically. Christian turned to face Lia. “We can’t do anything! Grandpa has clearly stated that I have to marry that girl if I want the CEO’s position. My hard work doesn’t matter to him now. And I know he’ll not change his mind!” He said, sitting on the couch again, and burying his face in his hand. Lia sat beside him and put her head on his shoulder. After a few minutes of silence, Lia shrieked in excitement, snapping her fingers. “I have a plan!!” “What plan?” Christian asked, removing his hand from his face. “Contract Marriage!!” Lia said, excitement lacing her voice. “A Contract Marriage?” Christian lifted an eyebrow. “Are you crazy?” He frowned. “What crazy?” Lia knitted her eyebrows. “I know it’s not legal, but if she agrees to sign, I believe the contract marriage is the perfect solution for the trap your grandpa has designed for you,” she smirked, pouring wine into glasses. “And what if he got to learn about this?” Christian questioned Lia’s brilliant idea. “I’m not gonna tell him, and as far as I know, you and Danny will likewise keep your mouths shut. So who’s gonna tell him?” Lia smiled. “But to make this arrangement successful, we have to persuade this Indian girl and it’s not gonna be easy!” Lia handed him a glass of wine. Christian took the glass of wine and put it back on the centre table, throwing his head back onto the couch. “Fuck, I already detest her so much. She is pushing me to do things I never wished to do!!”