CHAPTER 4

Luke paced around the parking lot, his face lined with frustration.

He had driven to Swiss to get some toiletries, and as he got to where his car was parked, he was annoyed to see that some unreasonable person had parked their car directly in front of him.

He had waited for about forty minutes now, as there was no way to drive out. There were cars parked by his side, which he had no problem with because they were rightly parked.

He had thought about calling security earlier, but he decided to wait a bit. He checked his wristwatch and rested his arms on the hood of his car.

The owner of the car was going to get an earful from him, for his time.

Five minutes later, the car in front of him beeped and Luke turned, ready to vent.

His breath caught as he set his eyes on her. Light-skinned with Honey blonde hair, a bit tousled, full lips, and large brown eyes.

His eyes slowly raked down her body. Round hips, full breasts. Straight legs.

He caught himself and looked up at her face. He had openly ogled her. Something he never did. He felt the heat creep into his cheeks. He was embarrassed.

Ava walked up to her car and stopped. She looked at the man who stood beside the red car she had parked in front of. He stared back at her.

She flinched, a bit intimidated. "Can I help you?" She asked, feigning ignorance.

The man folded his arms, still studying her. The heat that emanated from his gaze made her mouth dry.

She swallowed hard, opened her car door, and dropped her bags in the passenger seat.

"You parked in front of my car," Luke finally broke the silence. A trace of accusation in his tone.

His voice, however, sent chills down Ava's spine. She closed the car door, stood straight, and looked at him.

"I'm sorry about that," she paused and moved closer. "But, I have to ask. Who the fuck drives a red car?"

Luke stared at her. Confused and embarrassed at the same time. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

Ava folded her arms and watched him. Luke was finally able to recover a bit and he regained his stance.

"What does the color of my car…" he stated, placing a strong emphasis on 'my car', "have to do with you parking directly in front of it? You don't realize you parked wrongly?" he asked finally.

"I'm sorry, but I've had some silly experiences with red cars. I hate them".

With that, she got into her car, turned the key in the ignition and as she started to reverse, she put her head out the window. "Goodbye, Mr. Red".

Luke just stood there, completely flabbergasted. After a while, he got in his car and drove out of the parking lot. His father had called earlier in the day about a meeting in the family house, and how his presence was necessary.

His mind was preoccupied throughout the drive to the family house.

He couldn't get his mind off her, which hadn't happened since Farida. She annoyed him, yes, but there was something about it that amused him. No, there was something about her…

An hour later he pulled into the driveway of the Carter Mansion. Beatrice Carter was in the garden.

"Afternoon, Beatrice" he greeted as he walked to

the huge mahogany doors. Beatrice acknowledged him with a nod and continued humming while watering the plants.

Three doors were opened by the butler, who ushered him in with a stoic expression. Luke always wondered why he never smiled.

"Afternoon, Gary" Luke greeted as he breezed past him.

"Good afternoon, Luke". "Where's my father?" Luke asked.

"In his study, I believe." Gary retorted.

Luke thanked him and turned in the corridor that led to his father's study. He got to the door, waited a second, and knocked.

"Yes?" Pharrell called from inside. "It's me, father."

Pharrell recognized Luke's voice and responded, the eagerness in his voice unmasked. "Come on in, Luke".

Luke went in and closed the door gently behind him. "Afternoon, Father.." He sank into the couch in the center of the study and crossed his legs.

"I'm surprised you honored my invitation" Pharrell quipped as he poured two glasses of apple juice.

He handed one to Luke and sat across from him.

"I mean, you hardly come home. That's why I'm surprised."

Luke shrugged and raised the glass to Pharrell "Thanks, Father."

Pharrell nodded and took a sip of the juice. "You're always on time though. Eve and Matthew always had a knack for lateness." He sighed and dropped his glass on the table.

Luke raised the glass and gulped the juice. "So, what's this meeting about?" He asked, observing his father from the rim of the glass.

"Let's wait till everyone is here," Pharrell said and dismissed him.

Luke left the study, juice in hand, and went upstairs to his room.

He opened the door and was immediately impressed with the sight that met his eyes. The room was tidy.

He never stayed there, hardly even slept there, but the room was always neat. He had Margaret, their household manager to thank for that.

He lay on the bed and closed his eyes, trying to think.

"Large brown eyes" he opened his eyes, annoyed. He wasn't about to let some random stranger befuddle his thoughts.

Later that evening, he was summoned to the study. Everyone had arrived, and the meeting was about to start.

He took his seat next to Eve and squeezed her hand.

"Let's skip the formalities, we can do that later," Pharrell began as he opened the brown envelope on the table.

"The reason for this meeting is to discuss the only way we can save Carter Pharmaceuticals from eternal doom"

He held up the document from the brown envelope, "This" he paused, looking from one to the other "this is a marriage contract."

The silence that followed after the statement was eery. Finally, Matthew broke it. "Father, if this was a family meeting, then where are our cousins?" He asked, spreading his arms "I mean, the entire extended family," he added.

Pharrell could feel the rage build up in him. "Shut up, Matt. That's not the right question to ask," he blurted out.

Matthew shrugged.