A Marriage Of Reprisal

“Thank you, Ms. Norah, let's keep in touch. And please do not forget to send us a copy of the contract.” One of the elderly men said as they prepared to leave the room.

“Sure. I will definitely do that once I get back to the office. Before the end of today, you will get it.” Norah replied, extending her hands to shake theirs, before they departed.

As she reached for her bag to follow, she marched to the exit and unexpectedly came into view with the last person she expected.

Norah was awestruck; she hadn't seen him since the last time she kissed him at the party after she got drunk. It's been four months since he disappeared, and today, out of the blue, the first person she bumps into turns out to be him.

Her first encounter with him rushed in like a flashback. Four months ago, she attended a party with her boyfriend and got drunk. She was roaming the place looking for him when she bumped into Liam's hard chest.

He happened to be there searching for someone when a lady grabbed him. As soon as their gaze locked, their lips were already inches away. He didn't get to utter a word before she locked lips with him.

Liam, who hasn't been with anyone since he lost his wife, felt a sparkling sensation and went ahead to deepen the kiss.

“Have you thought about my proposal? I plan to come see your father.” He said in a calm, soothing voice, bringing her back to the present.

Norah's anger surged; she was unable to stand him.

“My father won't consent to me marrying someone as horrible as you. I'm not interested, Mr. Liam.”

“As long as I can recall, that's left for me to decide. I don't mind getting rid of anyone who stands as an obstacle; I'm not excluding anyone.” Liam stated he was planning to visit her father later that day in hopes of changing her mind.

As expected, Norah felt nervous and gave him a hostile look. She turned on her heels and carried her legs as fast as she could back to her car, then drove off.

Ever since the kiss, she blamed her boyfriend for leaving her behind. This all started because he left her behind and never told her where he went.

Norah, the second daughter of Anthony, is part of one of the most influential families in New York. She studied business at Veritas University, where she bagged her degree and a master's degree. It is rumored that she takes after her father.

Their company is dominating the energy sector with investments in oil, gas, renewable energy, and mining. She's currently the vice president of the company.

Arriving at the company, Norah breathes a sigh of relief. She stepped out of her car, picked up her bag, and marched to the entrance.

“Hey, you back? Welcome, how was the meeting?” Amber asked as she sighted her coming over. Norah just raised her hands at her, without a word, from her.

Amber knew there was something; this wasn't how she had left the office hours ago.

“What's with your expression? Did something happen?” She asked, and Norah unleashed her frustration about encountering Liam.

“It's been four months already. I thought he was gone, but I met him today after my meeting. I bumped into him unknowingly; I think he knew I was there.”

Amber raised her brows with a scrunched face, processing what she just said.

“Wait, you mean the man you kissed at the party?” She asked, and Norah nodded.

Amber's mouth gaped open, and she stared at her sister in bewilderment, holding back her laughter.

“No way, I thought you said you had not seen him for months? But wait, why don't you want him? I know countless girls who can't get over him.” Amber asked, her hands resting on her waist.

“I have a boyfriend, Amber. I can't cheat on him, and you know that. I'm loyal when it comes to relationships.”

“You mean your waiter boyfriend?” Amber asked, quoting the waiter with her hands, and continued. “Just forget about him, and give this man a chance to love you. Who knows, your boyfriend might be cheating on you.”

Norah ignored her and walked to her father's office. This isn't the first time Amber has insisted she should forget about her boyfriend. Sporadically, it makes her think Amber once caught him with a girl but never told her.

She pushed into his office and came into view with her father, getting ready to leave the office.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting; I had to take care of something.” She apologized.

With a tight-lipped smile on his face, he looked in her direction. “It's okay, I'm heading home early today. I want to spend time with my wife.”

Norah giggled and high-fived her sister, who was next to her.

“Love is beautiful, honey. Both of you should handle things here; I will see you at home.”

"Alright, Father.” They chorused. Waved goodbye at him and watched him stride out the door.

Norah picked up some documents from her father's desk and marched to her office with Amber trailing behind her.

She heard her footsteps but decided to ignore her until she marched into her office and closed the door behind her.

Amber has been trying to let Norah know that her boyfriend is after their father's wealth, but she seems to be madly in love with him and won't listen to anyone.

Later that evening, Amber picked up her bag and strode to her sister's office. She knocked on the door and pushed it open without waiting for a response.

“Hey sis, I'm leaving; I have to see a friend before it gets late.” Amber sounded excited, and it made Norah ponder what the occasion was.

“It's still early to leave; I'm sure you are still working on those papers I gave you. Finish up before you leave.”

Amber gulped; she might be older than Norah, but if she insists that she stay back and finish up, she has to obey as the vice president of the company.

She had been working with their father before Norah decided to come work for the company. But he never found her worthy of being a vice president; instead, he gave it to Norah just when she joined the company, claiming she knew how the company worked better.

“I will do that first thing tomorrow when I get to the office. I have to run along; see you at home.” She responded and rushed out.

Norah buried her head back into work without a word while sipping from a glass of juice on her desk. She just had to let her leave to avoid getting into an argument with her.

Norah spent the next hour still going through the documents when a call came through on her phone. It rang for the first time, but she didn't pick up until the call came in for the second time. She paused and checked the caller; it was from an unknown number.

“I don't recall giving anyone my number; who could it be?” She queried; all her thoughts were on Liam, but she proceeded to pick up the call.

“Hello Norah, it's Mrs. Kate, your next-door neighbor. Where are you at? Come to the house immediately; your house is on fire.”

Norah jerked up and abruptly ended the call. She dashed out of the office without turning off her computer. As soon as she headed to the roadside, she hailed a cab and hopped inside.