Not The Life it Seems

Her eyes landed on the small piece of paper that her step-mother, in her eyes mother for all purposes and father placed in front of her. For the life that was inside of her, she couldn't make heads or tails with it. When Lydia Swift turns twenty-two years of age, or when Terran Grey feels ready for marriage. I Donald Swift give Lydia to him for their arranged marriage. For the debt that I owe to Thomas Grey, Terran's father for my bakery. Signed, Donald Swift.

"You fucking sold me into an arrange marriage, to keep this shitty place up?" Her eyes narrowed into slits at her father as her tiny, shaking frame rose from her spot in the small chair. "How the hell could you?" She screamed at her "so called" father.

"Because. I couldn't lose this place your mother and I built from ground up." His response was cold and vicious towards his only daughter. "Go get something decent on, Lydia Marie. The man will be here shortly." Lydia's father said before turning and leaving her to ponder and wonder why he'd done such a cold, heartless thing.



Climbing out of his limousine, Gregory Holland stared at the business before him. It was a business that was competing against is own. And one that could soon become more powerful than his own was. Something he didn't like. Not even to think about. It was an idea that was out of the picture. Striding into the business he grinned seeing them just opening up for the day. "Mr. Holland." A man said approaching him as he smiled nodding his head.

"Mr. Greene. So good to see you once more." Gregory said to him as he smiled. Sitting with Mr. Greene Gregory began to discuss things to him. About how the two should join companies and everything.

[[Hope it's okay! C:]]

Lucille's father owned a multi billionaire company and he was one of two of the popular companies in the entire world. Except her father's company was growing rapidly, something she had known would cause problems in the industry, this was something her mother had warned her about ages ago - so being prepared for anything. Lucille had been raised to do anything she was told, of course it seemed backwards given how society had changed; her mother assured her that they'd never do anything that would harm her or be something she couldn't handle.

Having just graduated from college with a bachelors in architecture she had a lot of job offerings; considering who she was her last name was going to get her jobs in high paying areas. Right now she was in her home looking over some job offers, all of them seemingly looked to pay well over what most people would be paid. The last name Greene was well known, and despite the constant struggle most women had in this area of work she didn't seem to have a problem.

Her father looked at Gregory and smiled, he knew he should call his daughter into the office but he didn't feel the need to disturb her right at the moment. "I can say the same, I hope you've been well," he said as he motioned for his assistant to bring in the hot tea and coffee in case the either of them would like something to drink.

"Now getting right down to business, I have a offer that you can't deny I find you'll love it just as much as we do," he said to him as he folded his hands on the table and off-white folder set beneath them. All he could do was hope that took the offer - the joining of the companies was something he had been looking to get into for a while now.

---

Terran was dressed in a black suit, his tattoos for the most part were hidden and he had to say he was bit skeptical about the entire ordeal . He had been quite a bit younger when his father had signed the deal - of course it was a lot easier to arrange a marriage than to find someone with the same values as your own but he still wasn't sure what that meant for the girl. He'd never met her in his whole thirty years of life - even being as successful as he was he didn't think marriage was something he'd ever have. At last not a loving one like his parents, he found that the contract seemed kind of like a slave contract for someone who probably wanted as much part in the business as he did - which was none.

When the BMW pulled up the house he nodded, it looked quaint so obviously the business was doing well enough to support them to have such a nice house. When he walked up the steps to the front door he could smell something ; cinnamon? It was a nice flair given he only smelled it once a year usually which during the holiday season. He rang the door bell and waited he could only hope that she wasn't crazy and that he wouldn't be forced to marry a girl who didn't have her wits about her.

@ Scott McCall;

Placing his hands into his lap, Gregory stared at the older man before him. An offer, was something he slightly was expecting. And to curiosity was wondering what he could have to offer. A sly grin formed into Gregory's lips as he stared at the older gentleman before him. "An offer you say?" His tone turning into rather sarcasm. "What would that be Mr. Greene?"

Gregory's thoughts began to race. Maybe it would be something bigger than he'd expected. Or something simple. He couldn't wait to hear what the man had.

---

Her shaky hands fastened the necklace around her neck as she let a soft sigh escape her lips. Wiping the stray tear off her cheek she couldn't believe this. How her father had sold her like he had. It felt like slavery. Or that sex trafficking stuff she'd seen on Dateline and all. Minus the sexual activities though. Steeping away from her jewelry box that laid in the corner of her room. She walked over to the floor length mirror and looked at herself. This was the best she could get dressed up, especially for a stranger as to whom she was promised to.

Stepping out of her bedroom she could hear the front door being pulled open. She glanced over the railing at the the top of the stairs to see the man standing there. His blonde hair peeping, muscular form. He was rather charming in some sense. She slowly began to walk down the stairs preparing herself mentally for what was to come.

"Well considering you're threatened by me - why don't we join companies? Our profits would quadruple if we did that, we could work together on new products and both become even more successful than we are now," he told him. "Holland & Green Inc. Can you't you see it? It even sounds nice," he said to him as he showed him the contract.

"To bind the companies... and for you to get something more out of this since you're companies makes more money than I do - you can have my daughter's hand in marriage," He said as he looked at the man, he wasn't sure how to gauge his reaction to his offer, "she is freshly graduated from college, an architect and she is a wonderfully smart and patient woman,"

---

Terran looked up at the girl when he heard her heels hitting the floor as she walked - he had to say he felt a little better about the situation when he saw how pretty she was, it would make the marriage a little easier if her personality was shit which he hoped it wasn't because he really didnt want to live with a woman who was pissy all the time.

"You must be, Lydia?" he said as he offered her his hand so he could help her down the last few steps.

@ Scott McCall;

Glancing over the contract Gregory glanced up at Mr. Greene. "You'd be willing to give me your daughter's hand in marriage?" He questioned the man as he nodded his head. Raising an eyebrow. It was kind of an offer he couldn't refuse. Two birds in one stone. A smart wife that could build anything on his arm. His company bringing in triple of what it was now.

"You Mr Greene, have yourself a deal." Gregory said extending his hand to the elder man and shaking it as he signed the contract.

---

Looking at the man she gave slight nod and a small smile. She took his hand and walked down the final two stairs as she stared at him a moment. "I am Lydia." She replied softly. Once she was onto the floor she glanced him up and down a little more. He was a true gentleman. She gave him a light smile before her father came out.

"Lydia this is Terran Grey and Terran this is my daughter Lydia." He said introducing them officially. Lydia nodded her head to Terran and smiled lightly. "Nice to meet you." She said.

He gave her a crooked smile, "Come on, I'll take you out for lunch," he said to her, "We can get to know one another," he said to her - he couldn't imagine the fear she was feeling. Most women wouldn't take well to their parents deciding whom they would marry, most men wouldn't either but it was apart of the life from which he was born into.

Terran didn't fight what his father said much, he knew that he never really had a choice if he wanted to have even a small career - so he followed every hook and line his father spoke. His life wasn't bad, he was content for now - but he saw something in the girl before him; she wasn't at all what he'd expected. Lydia seemed meek but he was sure she had a fiery temper when she was pissed, it wasn't that he looked forward to it he just wanted to know everything about her - how she ticked, her likes and dislikes and for some reason he wanted her to like him.

---

He shook the mans hand with a smile on his lips, "I'll call Lucille into my office then so you can meet her, she is very pretty," he said pointing to a picture on his desk, "She'll compliment you nicely," as he picked up the phone and called his daughter.

"Sweetheart, can you come to the office - there is someone I'd like for you to meet - I know you're working but its important I promise it shouldn't be long," he said to her kindly, "Alright see you soon,"

Lucille huffed a little as she closed her work and put everything away then grabbed her purse walking out of the study then to her car. She didn't live that far from the office so it would take her less than ten minutes to get there - when she arrive she took the elevator to the floor they were on and sighed.

"Daddy?" she said when she saw him, his eyes lit up when he saw her.

"Sweetie, this Gregory Holland," he said to her with hopeful eyes.

Politely she smiled at the man and held her hand out for his to shake, "It's nice to meet you," she said kindly.

@ Scott McCall;

Gregory stared at the young woman as he shook her hand. He smiled at her as he took and looked her over. She truly was beautiful. Clearing his throat lightly he took and straightened his posture a little as he stood. "Lucille would you like to go out for lunch?" Gregory asked the young woman. He smiled at her, he already liked her appearance. She was polite. He couldn't help but to wonder what else she was like. What made her tick, what made her happy, and so forth. He was looking forward to getting to know her and make her his wife.

---

Nodding her head lightly Lydia stared at the man, "Sounds really good." She replied to him as she grabbed her pink sweater from the banister. She slipped into it as she grabbed her handbag as well. She walked with the man out of the home and towards the BMW that was sitting outside of her home.

Lucille looked at him for a second then to her father who nodded eager - she sighed knowing what this was, "Of course, I know a great place just down the street," she said to him as she held her bag in her arms. Lucille played a part - one she didn't have much choice in, due to being born into this family she had to do what was expected of her.

"I'm sure they can open up a table for us if they're busy - they make the best egg plant Parmesan," she said to him. She knew this man was quite a bit older than her, but when it came to the world of business age didn't matter - only who had the prettiest wife and who owned the best company. Lucille had come to terms with the fact she'd be a trophy wife a long time ago - her friends thought it was insane, but with her father in the kind of business he was; it was unavoidable.

---

"I know a good place, they have burgers that are really good," he said as he loosened his tie as they walked out of the house - he really hated this get up, he only wore it because his father was adamant about him look professional despite all his tattoos - he had a lot of them and he swore it was breaking ninety degrees out. "You don't mind going out for burgers do you?" he asked her.

He really hoped she didn't it's not that he didn't mind going somewhere nicer - it was just he really wanted burgers, and he liked a woman who could keep up with him where food was concerned.

Gregory looked at her and nodded his head, "That sounds good." He said to the petite woman as he looked back at her father. "Mr. Greene. It's been a honor doing business with you." He said shaking the man's hand again. He walked with Lucille out of the office and to the elevator.

He opened stepped on with her and smiled. He lent back into the wall holding his brief case as he stared at her. He took and smiled at her once more. "So you got a degree in Architecture?" He asked her making conversation with her.

---

Smiling at him she was already beginning to like him. Burgers was something she could consume all day. She noticed him undoing his tie a little as she smiled getting in the car with him. "Burgers sound really good. That is something I could literally live off of if the world came to an end." She giggled lightly as she sat there.

Terran smiled a little as he looked at her, "Good, good," he said as he opened the car door for her then told the driver where they were going. He climbedi nto the back seat with her and smiled, "So what else can you not live without?" he asked her.

"Me personally it's music," he said to her smiling a little as he took off his blazer.

---

She nodded, "I have a bachelors, I'm currently deciding which job I want to take since I have so many offers," she smiled a little, "They're all paying exceptionally well, it'd be enough for me to live on for a while,"

That was one thing no one knew about her - she made her own money even if her name gained her more money than the job was worth, she made her own living. Right now she only have about forty thousand in the bank - considering the name she had for herself you would think she had more.

@ Scott McCall;

Gregory couldn't help bit to smile hearing her words. She reminded him of himself when he had begun in this business. He wanted to make a name for himself, not by his father's last name. He shook the thoughts away and smiled at her, "That's good that they pay well and all." He said to her as he took his tie off and slid out of his jacket.

"So tell me Lucille, what kinds of food do you like?" He asked her. He wanted to know her more. She seemed so kind and interesting, something he'd been looking for so long. But work had gotten in the way and blinded him from having something true and something worth being happy for.



Lydia couldn't hide the smile that was forming in her lips. He liked music too. She giggled lightly, like she normally did when she was nervous. "Music." She replied seeing the grin form into Terran's lips.

"I mean my father doesn't approve. He has it set in his tiny mind that I am to help in the bakery. And be a trophy wife like my mother. Obey every single thing that he says and what not." She paused and smiled at Terran. "But music is just who I am. He never gave it a shot. I have a degree in music, but...." She shrugged it off and smiled at him.

"Do you write music or sing or what?" She asked excitedly to learn more about him.

"I sing, I used to be in a band but it never took off," he laughed a little as he looked at her- he enjoyed that she liked music, it was something they could have in common if nothing else. Terran enjoyed her company, he rolled his sleeves up showing his tattoos before looking back at her. Terran had waited for so long for a girl who had similar interests as him and now they had food and music which was great.

---

She smiled a little,"I like my expensive foods," she said sheepishly, "I grew up on only the best but fresh italian food is my favorite," she said to him as she licked her lips, "What about you?" she asked.

@ Scott McCall;

Gregory grinned at her as he nodded, "So do I. Italian food is truly the best. You know I know how to make some mean Italian food." He paused and looked at her smiling. "Maybe sometime I could take and make some for you." He said to her. He was enjoying her company and seeing they both loved Italian food was something the could grow on or begin with anyways. "So what else do you enjoy?" He asked.

---

"That's pretty amazing." She said to him and smiled. "I tried the singing thing, but like I said. Because my father didn't approve, it didn't go anywhere's." She frowned lightly and smiled at him. She glanced down at his arms seeing his tattoos as she smiled. "I see you like tattoos as well." She smiled pushing the sleeve of her sweater up revealing the star and music notes on each wrist.

He nodded and smiled, "Cute," he said to her, "I have more, but they're hidden," he grinned at her sheepishly, "My dad doesn't like mine either but he can get over it - if I'm stuck in his business cycle than he can live with my tattoos," he said to her.

---

She smiled a little as she folded her hands in her lap, "I like reading and hot tea, silence is good - I grew up in a world where silence was rare so I might enjoy it more than other people," she said to him.

Lydia shrugged her shoulders and smiled at him, "I think tattoos are a way for someone who is creative to show their creative ways." Lydia smiled at him and grinned hearing about the one's hidden. She blushed lightly and lent back into the seat. "So, Terran. What else do you like?" She asked him.

---

He nodded his head and smiled to her, "I do agree with that. I like my silence too. Especially when I am writing or reading. It gives me more of a peace of mind to enjoy what I am doing." He said to her and smiled.

"I like going hiking, anything to do with nature and silence of the busy world; it's like a release for me," she said to him, "It's why I want to design houses but, with sales down on houses I'm stuck building corporate buildings,"

"This is the place," she said as the car stopped, "The lady in here is so sweet, the grandma I never had,"

Lucille climbed out of the car and walked into the cafe, "Hey!" she said hugged the old woman, "I've missed you, are you resting like your doctor told you?" she asked.

"Oh doctors don't know anything," she said and Lucille sighed.

"You're going to relax while I'm here then, when I leave you can continue your work - Ivan can serve us today," she said to her pointing to the woman's office that had a couch. "Last thing I need is to lose my favorite person," she said and the woman kissed her forehead.

Lucille picked her favorite spot, "She is stubborn, Ivan is her son - he is sweet too,." she smiled a little as she looked at the menu.

---

He smiled a little, "I like spending my time wisely," he said to her, "If something feels off, I will ignore it," he laughed a little, "I play video games a lot, much to my fathers annoyance,"

Terran didn't feel like he needed a filter with her, and for once it felt nice to just say what was on his mind without being scolded for it.

Sitting in front of her he noticed her looking the menu over. He could see the love and caring ways that Lucille had for the older woman. He admired her for that. He could tell how greatly and truly genuine that she truly was. "I must say this because it's on my mind." He said to her as he noticed her look up at him.

"You truly are an amazing woman. You're kind, and caring for others. You're truly specially and genuine." He said to her

---

"Video games, huh?" She smiled at him and grinned sheepishly at him. "I like them too, especially Call of Duty. One of my favorites." She said smiling at him.

Some odd reason she could feel herself opening up to him like she had never to done to anyone else. Not even her own family. She felt like she could be her true self with him, and not some trophy her father would call it.

She smiled a little as she looked at him, "Someone has to look out for her, she is so stubborn I'm the only person she'll listen to," she said to him as she set it down and thanked Ivan for her iced lemon tea.

"What can I get your , sir?" Ivan asked with a pleasant smile. The entire family was really sweet - she didn't know why people didn't like this place more.

---

He nodded, "I love that game, it's better when you have someone to play with though," he said to her as he licked his lips.

Looking up at the younger boy asking what he wanted. He decided on the house salad and some lemon water. Once he placed his order he smiled back at Lucille, "I guess you're right. She does need someone looking after her. She seems very sweet, so does that young boy too." Gregory said and smiled at her.

"So besides your dream to build homes and everything. What else do you dream to do? I hate to ask all these questions, I just.... Just want to get to know you better." He told her.

---

Grinning she nodded her head, "I do agree with that." She smirked lightly and looked out the car window. She lent back into the seat as she sighed a little. "Do you like the finer things in life or simply anything?" Lydia asked him.