《The Convenient Marriage》 Chapter 1 - Finally out of school "At last am done with school" jade thought to herself feeling very happy,she was now going to manage her fathers company, her dream come true.she has been waiting endlessly for this day to come. since jade was a kid her dream had been to manage her father''s company, she didn''t care working elsewhere, she just loved her fathers job and wants to follow his step and her dream was coming true, cause jade''s father Mr Douglas had promised his daughter that once she was done with school she would join his company as the manager and jade had never known her fathers word to be a lie. Jade is the only child of Mrs Stacy Douglas and Mr Douglas.she is loved by her parents who handles her well and she was also given the best education she ever wanted which makes her life just wonderful. Chapter 2 - Finally out of school 2 Mr Douglas owns a book manufacturing industry while Mrs Stacy Douglas is an actress who is thinking of a retirement in few years. Coming back to reality jade sights her parents with his best friend Mr Pritchard together with his wife all looking happy,she waved at them and shouted "over here people".Her parents and friends came over to where she was and her mum with smiles all over her face said "you made it baby" and hugged her while her dad gave her a handshake and congratulating her said "I''m proud of you young lady" drawing her close he said "come here and give daddy a hug"and they hugged happily.while Mr and Mrs Pritchard congratulated her also. Just as they got home late at night,her parents took in her things in and called the servants to arrange them for her since she had a hectic day.Mr Pritchard and wife joined them to have dinner before going home and while at the table Mr Pritchard spoke up"with your permission friend I''d love to hold a party for your daughter at my house, what do you think" staring at Mr Douglas for a response he added "and you dare not refuse that" smile showing off his teeths. "my my you think am gonna throw this opportunity away hmmm you must be kidding"said Mr Douglas glancing at his daughter to see if the answer annoyed her. jade barely smiled and said "it''s okay with me if you are looking for an answer dad,I won''t appreciate you less Mr pritchard and at least I''d get to see the invincible son of my dads best friend" and they all laughed. Chapter 3 - Finally out of school 3 "no don''t think that dear,you know my son''s now managing my company,am an old man that needs rest so I just left most of my works to him"sipping a drink to clear his throat Mr Pritchard continued "you see he''s always busy that''s why you''ve never seen him,you''ll get to love his company when you two meet.and I don''t think he would miss your party young lady so cheer up......" not letting him to finish jade shouted "woow its not like am rushing to meet him Mr Pritchard but just get my point here,you are my dads best friend so the both families gots to know each other,and why I called him invincible is because he never shows up in any of our parties,or gatherings or even visits" stirring her drink and with amus_e_m_e_nt in her voice she said "who even knows if my parents knows him" they laughed at her joke and her mum joined in the conversation saying" jade dear we have seen him and he''s a nice young man trust me" Mr Pritchard stood up and said "the dish was lovely and we''ll like to take our leave now," looking at Jade and adjusting his suit he added "and I think you may need a rest young Lady cause you''ve had a long day,we will keep you guys updated with the date of the party." Mrs pritchard stood up and cleared her throat" its been a lovely day with you guys"she said.we''ll take our leave now". "Jade dear you can see them to the door".turning to Mr Pritchard and wife Mr Douglas said "and goodnight friends, thanks for always being there". Mrs Douglas waved at them and went to call the maid to clear the dishes while jade saw them out. Chapter 4 - Changes in plans Jade woke up to the noise outside, she was so tired last night that she didn''t know when morning came,it was already 10:00 a.m. She opened her curtain to view what the noise was all about and as the sun shone on her face she looked so fragile and beautiful, her golden hair falling backwards exposing her straight face and those pink lips one would die to kiss,she inherited her huge sea green eyes from her dad while some of her looks came from her mum. Gazing outside to check the cause of the noise jade saw her mum bringing out groceries from the back of her car,looking up her mum shouted "jade dear come help me out with these,I didn''t know you are already awake".jade just nodded and rushed downstairs before asking her mum about their housekeeper as she collected the remaining stuffs from the back of the car,"mum what about Mrs violet the housekeeper I thought she''s the one to buy the groceries since you''d be busy at work today"before her mum replied jade chipped in "now wait a minute mum" staring at her mum she finished " you are supposed to be at work now, why are you home?" keeping quiet the whole time while jade talked her mum just smiled and said "you''d be surprise your dad''s also home" walking past jade she added "stop staring at me like that dear, I''ll make us some coffee while I brief you" taking in air she said "its not like its a very bad thing you know, but your dad would discuss it with you later, cheer up girl your face has gone so pale" laughing at her daughter Mrs Douglas walked inside the house leaving jade behind. Chapter 5 - Changes in plans 2 jade caught herself and followed her mum to the kitchen still thinking what the discussion was all about.Dropping the groceries on the table jade stared at her mum heating water for the coffee.ignoring her stare her mum asked "jade dear how was your night?" not waiting for a reply she added "its good to be home don''t you think so?" she made the coffee adding much sugar and poured both a cup leaving the rest in the kettle, ignoring jades silence and sipping her coffee she said "jade dear I know you must be thinking what the discussion is all about but don''t worry, mum and dad just wants to spend their day with their baby girl and also discuss a slight change in plans" taking another sip from the cup she said "a slight change won''t hurt you know, its all for your good baby" taking jade by the hands she said "now let''s join your dad in his study for the little information". jade just slipped her hands from her mum''s grasp and said "go ahead mum let me pour a cup of coffee for dad I''ll join you two in 5mins". her mum nodded and went ahead. Mr Douglas in his study was still reflecting on the discussion he had with his best friend Pritchard. clearing his throat Mr Pritchard said "Douglas we''ve been very good friends since birth and we help each other in times of need no matter what, I still want it to remain that way" looking Mr Douglas straight in the eyes he said "I have an issue here and its for the good of both of our families, can I go on?"."go on"Mr Douglas said. "I don''t know how you may see this but I want my son George to marry your daughter" mr pritchard said stopping for the words to sink in he added "my son is always busy and doesn''t have time for girls....." not allowing Pritchard to finish his thoughts Douglas said "that''s exactly my point here, how can we make them get married since they both can''t spare a second with each other cause my daughter will be working in my company and as you can see we still have lots of project to cover so she would end up also with a busy schedule" Mr Pritchard picked up again "that''s what I wanted to explain before you chipped in,you see"stopping to grasp air he continued "I want you to tell your daughter that she has to undergo some interview before managing your company and that is to work under someone in another company, and having spoken with me,I volunteered to employ her as my sons personal assistant (P.A) in my company and since my company is also a book manufacturing industry,I don''t see any reason she won''t accept the offer,then they would get to know each other more and may fall in love but if not, with our pressure they would get married". Chapter 6 - Changes in plans 3 Mr Douglas had agreed and they both promised not to tell their wives it was their idea but that friends suggested so. Hearing a knock at the door which drew him back to the present he replied with a thick voice "come on in". Mrs Douglas opened the door and came in,sitting opposite her husband with the coffee in her hands she said "you look so pale are you alright?" Mr Douglas replied I don''t know how jade would feel about this,she may even hate me for it cause she''d wanted this all her life but am still making it far from her reach" "no don''t think that,you can''t keep on suffering yourself like this,its all for her good cause she has to know how it feels to work under someone so when she starts managing your company, she would know how to handle others who work under her,besides its not like she''s going to be s servant,she would still be respected".Mrs Douglas said,encouraging her husband. just then the door opened and jade came in carrying two cups of coffee,she handed one to her father saying "there you go dad" and gave him a peck,while Mr Douglas replied "thanks baby,you can sit next to your mum". Mr Douglas began by asking how her night was "dad it was splendid"jade replied then added "can we please go on to the discussion" eyeing her mum she finished "mum has already kept in enough suspense". Mr Douglas chuckled and started "you have to wait till I finish talking before you reply.i''ll have to make it short,you know how I started my company,thinking my dream would never come true and feeling like its always prolonged, I and my good friend later joined together and produced a company and not many years later we got footed each and had to separate the company,I made mine and he made his" stopping to sip his coffee he continued "I just want to let you know that you have to work under someone before I make you my manager,you have to know how it feels to work under someone,not given that much privilege and to work to your masters satisfaction".Mr Douglas stared at his daughter for a response. "dad but you promised me I would start work when I graduate"jade said tears filling her eyes as she continued "but not to worry am okay with it". Mr Douglas said "Mr Pritchard had volunteered to employ you as his sons P.A" Chapter 7 - Changes in plans 4 "what??" jade shouted feeling surprised. "dad I really appreciate his concern but I can''t work for his son,he might be a mean type and that''s the last thing I need now" Jade poured out. sipping his coffee Mr Pritchard continued "then do you prefer working for someone who isn''t close to this family? well that isn''t possible cause Mr Pritchard has already volunteered to help which I''ve accepted and there''s no going back young lady so you better make up your mind or we do it the hard way" saying this Mr Douglas stood up and walked out of the study leaving jade in shock. "mum why would dad do this to me,it isn''t fair" jade cried out. "jade dear as you can see I have no say in this,but you really have to listen to your dad" Mrs Douglas said and kissing her daughters cheek left the study also. Jade was left with no other option but to follow her dad''s instruction,she was resuming work at Mr Pritchard''s company. Mr Pritchard discussed the date of the welcoming party of jade with her parents and they kept themselves prepared,and Jade followed her mum to her favourite boutique to pick out an outstanding cloth for her party. "Jade dear hurry up,we are keeping your dad waiting at the car"Mrs Douglas shouted over her daughter, she was wearing a long straight blue gown matching her bracelet which her husband gave her at their last anniversary, her black lady heels also made her attractive matching the black designs fixed on the upper side of her gown,she was just gorgeous. Mr Douglas waiting at the car wore a blue suit matching colours with his wife and a black tie which made him look gentleman like Chapter 8 - The party Mr Douglas still waiting at the car sighted his wife looking more beautiful, wondering why jade wasn''t with her he sighted his beautiful damsel looking more younger than her mid twenties, she wore a straight short black gown showing off her s_e_xy long legs,her black long sandals heels were more like the- flirty- girl- type and she looked admirable in them.she wore a sea green crystal necklace and earrings matching her lovely eyes and her hair cascaded down her back which made her light make -up more attractive. "wow you look so stunning jade" Mr Douglas said still staring at his daughter "now come and give daddy a kiss" said Mr Douglas drawing her close,jade close to him made him aware of her strawberry feminine scent. "we have to get going dear,we won''t like to keep them waiting" Mrs Douglas said. As the Douglas family reached the party hall they met Mr/Mrs Pritchard already waiting for them. "you trio looks stunning especially jade here" said Mrs Douglas welcoming them. jade took in the atmosphere and didn''t know when she blurted out "America is just wonderful especially with this summer,there''s really no place like home". The party was full of fun and meeting new people.jade waited to see Mr Pritchard''s son but unfortunately he didn''t come for the party and came up with some excuses. she didn''t bother herself much after all tomorrow was work and she was his P.A and so she would get to see the mysteriously George but she also got along with Mr Pritchard''s daughter Sarah and she was fun to hang around with. The Douglas family thanked Mr Pritchard and family before leaving,the party was indeed awesome.