Eleven

Ryan:

His office was suffocating, filled with the scent of cologne and polished wood.

My father's voice droned on about quarterly earnings, his tone sharp and commanding as if daring anyone to question him despite it just being me in the room. I sat on the other side of his desk, my jaw tight and my hands clenched into fists at my sides.

"Ryan," he barked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Are you even listening?"

"Yes," I replied curtly, though I had no idea what he'd just said.

"Good. Now, our next topic of discussion is you," his smile spread across his face like a predatory animal. I knew then I wouldn't like what he was about to say.

"The board and I held a meeting in your absence. It has been decided that you must marry before the start of the new year, or the CEO ……