Downgrading Miss CEO novel Chapter 2

I paced around in the safe surroundings of my office on the top floor of the company building. How could they do this to me? I found it extremely hard to believe that my own family was forcing me to do this. To get married as if it was some kind of business deal. Was that all I was to them? Something to pawn to keep the business going?

Right at that moment, Alison walked in, carrying two cups of coffee with her. "I thought you could use one of these after that 'meeting' in there." She handed me one of the cups and brought the other to her own lips before she took a sip.

I took the cup filled with my favorite mocha macchiato from her and took a sip myself before I sat down in my chair, feeling absolutely defeated. Four months, one-hundred-twenty days to find a guy suitable for marriage, suitable for me. After everything that had happened, I couldn't understand what I did wrong to deserve this.

"This may be a stupid question, but are you okay?" Alison asked as she sat down in the seat across from mine, my desk in between us.

"I guess I'm fine, I mean, I am nowhere close to dying. I just can't believe they are forcing me to do this, that they take control over the last thing I had for myself. I don't want to be stuck in a loveless marriage, I don't want to settle for Mr. Good Enough," said I as I let out another sigh of defeat.

I used to be proud of the things I achieved ever since I changed my major in college before I went to business school. I always dreamed about becoming a pediatrician, to help and heal kids who have to miss out on a lot of their childhood because of their diseases or other health problems. I gave all of that up when the accident happened, and I was the next in line to be the heir of Harrington Inc.

"I just want to finish this stupid paperwork before I go home, take a long bath and then just sleep through the night. I'll deal with this mess tomorrow." As soon as the word left my mouth, there was a knock on the door. "Come in".

The big oak wooden door opened, and my mom peeked around the corner. "Is everything okay here?" She asked, an apologetic smile on her face. Somehow, she looked tired. Her wrinkles were very clear to the eye, as were the bags under her eyes. Her eyes on themselves looked dull and the white around her irises was now showing some redness in them.

It didn't matter how mad I was at my father and grandfather to pawn me off like that, I never would have the heart to hold it against my mother. So, I did what every civil daughter would have done, I got up from my chair and wrapped her up in a tight embrace. "I'm okay mom. Or at least I will be. I just have a hard time believing I don't seem to be any more than just a piece in their game of corporal chess. All I can do now is hoping Mr. Right comes along really quick now." I said before letting her go, my hands still resting on her shoulders.