The Merger

(Elizabeth’s POV) Time seemed to crawl on the wall clock during that tedious board meeting. Dad took charge, presenting his plans for the company this month, and the rest of us, including Mom and myself, were mere listeners. I could feel every second pass by as I watched the hands of my watch glide at a snail's pace. "I can't wait to escape from here," I thought to myself, feeling the weight of the Friday evening sinking in. Nobody wants to be stuck in a boardroom for an extra hour, listening to business plans. "President? Hello? Miss Astor? ELIZABETH!" My dad's voice finally snapped me out of my daydreaming. I shook my head, trying to regain my focus. "Huh, what?" I looked around, and the entire board stared at me with questioning eyes. "You would think the president of the company would be paying attention," remarked Jim, an older guy from marketing. My eyes rolled involuntarily. "You would think someone I have the authority to terminate from the company would have a little more respect," I retorted with a smirk, drawing a few giggles from the room. Jim sank into his seat, embarrassed. Ahem." My dad cleared his throat, his eyes narrowing at me disapprovingly. "What did you say, Dad?" "We are planning a merger with Baldwin Enterprises," he stated. My curiosity piqued, I took a few sips of my now lukewarm herbal tea. "If you were listening a moment ago, you would have known that your mother and I, along with the Baldwins, would like for you to be courted by their son." I couldn't believe what I was hearing, and my reaction was reflexive as I spewed tea from my mouth. "What! You're trying to betroth me to someone I've never met? All for a merger of our companies?" I exclaimed, jumping to my feet. The boardroom fell silent; even Jim was at a loss for words. Some of the women in the room gazed at me with sympathy. My eyes frantically searched for my mother. "Mom, are you seriously considering this?" I walked over to her side of the table, seeking an ally. "Yes, dear, I think it's a great idea. You're almost thirty, and Benjamin is a smart man. He's logical and strong-willed. He would make a fine suitor for you. I believe both of you can elevate our companies to new heights. You never know, you may end up fancying him," she said reassuringly, causing disbelief to wash over me. My parents were ready to trade me away to a man and a family I didn't even know, all in the name of business growth. I shook my head in disbelief. "This is ridiculous!" I whispered, but the whispers of the board members could still be heard. "Everyone's dismissed for the day!" I declared, and the room slowly cleared out. "Now!" I shouted, urging everyone to leave. As my anger swelled, I confronted my parents, unable to contain my frustration. "Dad, are you seriously going to sell me to the Baldwins like I'm a piece of property? I want my marriage to be for love, not for business!" I seethed, and my parents felt the intensity of my emotions. "Listen, Elizabeth, this is for the greater good of the family, of the company! You will do as I say, and that's final!" my father responded with authority. "I can't believe this!" I screamed, grabbing my belongings and storming out of the room. As I walked to my office, I felt the stares of multiple employees, humiliated by my parents' announcement. This was precisely why some of the male employees didn't respect me; they viewed me as nothing more than an accessory to the company. When I entered my office, Jennifer, my best friend since high school and the head chemist at the company, was lounging on the couch, engrossed in her phone. "Hey, Liz, I heard about the merger," she said without looking up. "How did you hear about it?" I asked, surprised. She turned her phone around and showed me a news article detailing the merger and the personal relationship between the presidents of both companies. I snatched her phone, exclaiming, "Are you kidding me?" "I don't want to marry this guy. I don't even know him," I lamented. "Give the guy a chance; he's a looker," she commented, gawking at his photo. "I don't care about that. I want to marry for love, not business," I asserted, feeling frustrated. "I know, girl. But you know how these big companies work. If you aren't married by a certain age, your parents will arrange it for you," Jennifer explained. "I hate it when you're right, Jen," I sighed, feeling trapped. "Just give the guy a chance. If you don't like him in the end, just leave him and the company. You've got to stand up to your parents or they'll run your life!" she urged sternly. Jennifer was right; I needed to assert myself more. But how could I do anything other than be a part of the family business? It would tarnish my parents' name and endanger the company. Although I had my savings, I was not one for drastic changes. Just then, I received a text from my mom. "Hey, Elizabeth, we are having a formal dinner tonight at the estate, the Baldwins will be there. Seven o'clock sharp. Dress nice!" I threw my phone aside and let out a scream. Jennifer picked up my phone and read the message. "Girl, I'm going to this dinner; I have to see this!" she squealed with excitement. "Whatever," I replied, my mind filled with anxiety about what the evening held in store. (Ben’s POV) "Come on, Benji, it's just one dinner!" My mom whined from the office door. "Mom, how could you and Dad agree to marry me off without my consent?" I furrowed my brows, feeling frustrated. "Son, none of your past relationships turned out to be serious! It's time you settle down. Elizabeth is a beautiful and responsible girl from what I've heard, and this merger of families could bring the valuation of the company up by billions. Don't you want to push the company to the next level?" I gritted my teeth, feeling the pressure of their expectations. "I don't love this woman; I want to find a wife on my own. I want to marry who I want, not someone you and Dad decide I should marry," I firmly stated, seeking autonomy in my personal life. “Is it because of Sheila ?” Mom asks. My eyes widen at my mom’s nonchalant mentioning of Sheila, the love of my life who died tragically in a car wreck years ago. I give her a deadly glare and she shrinks within herself. "Son, what's done is done. If you want to stay the president of this company and someday be the CEO, then you will do as I and your mother say," my dad demanded, leaving me feeling cornered and suffocated. "Get out," I said solemnly, my emotions boiling over. My father glared at me with anger, but my mother quickly ushered him out of the room. As the door closed, my best friend Andrew, Baldwin Enterprises' chemist, entered the office. "Hey, man, was it necessary to bark at your parents like that?" he asked, trying to gauge my emotional state. He settled into the guest seat in front of my desk. "This merger thing can't be that bad. I looked up this Elizabeth Astor chick, and she's a total babe!" Andrew attempted to lighten the mood. "I wouldn't care if she was the sexiest woman alive. I don't want to be forced to marry anyone," I insisted, feeling the weight of my parents' decision. "Well, I'm going with you to that dinner. Maybe I can find myself a girl before my parents decide to marry me off too," Andrew joked, trying to offer support. "Yeah, whatever, man. Let's just get ready to leave the office and head over there," I responded, trying to brush off the tension. (Later that evening) (Ben’s POV) Arriving at the address my mom had given me, I straightened my tie and tried to maintain my composure. Andrew patted me on the shoulder, reassuring me that everything would be fine. After all, I considered myself a lady's man and one of the city's most eligible bachelors; this girl, Elizabeth, should consider herself lucky my parents had chosen her. The door opened, and a brown-haired woman in her early fifties stepped out, giving me a warm, motherly hug. "Hi, you must be the Benjamin we've heard so much about," she said with a smile. "Good evening, Mrs. Astor," I replied politely. "Please call me Elena!" she insisted. I nodded, appreciating her warmth. "And who's this strapping young man you've brought along?" she inquired, pointing at Andrew. "Good evening, Mrs. Astor. I'm Andrew Simms, head chemist at Baldwin Enterprises," Andrew introduced himself with a smile. Elena seemed delighted to have him there. As we entered the house and headed to the dining room, I caught Andrew's mischievous glance, and he whispered, "Score!" I smirked and shook my head, acknowledging his playful enthusiasm. "Ah, Benjamin, it's a pleasure," an older gentleman greeted me with a firm handshake. His voice was stern, in contrast to Elena's pleasant demeanor. "Mr. Astor, it's nice to meet you," I replied respectfully. "Hi, honey!" My mom called out from her seat, and I sighed, not entirely thrilled about her presence. "Dad," I greeted my father with a tone of indifference. "Benjamin, this is my daughter Elizabeth," Mr. Astor said, introducing me to Elizabeth. She looked to be around my age, with curly brown hair like her mother's, and her father's hazel eyes. She was beautiful, but that didn't mean I wanted to marry her. As I observed her, my face contorted slightly, and she noticed, breaking our eye contact. "Damn," I thought to myself, realizing my reaction was noticeable. I extended my hand and placed a chaste kiss on hers. "Nice to meet you," I said with a husky tone. She withdrew her hand, oozing sarcasm in her reply, "Pleasure." Andrew and I took our seats across the table, bracing ourselves for an eventful evening. (Elizabeth’s POV) I couldn't believe the audacity of this man. First, he made that rude face at me, and then he had the nerve to pull off that suave act by kissing my hand? It was evident from the beginning that I wasn't going to like him. As the servers brought out the first course of dinner, I glanced around the table. Our parents were engrossed in their conversations at the end of the table, while Jen and Andrew chatted about science, and Benjamin fidgeted with his watch. "So you're the President of Baldwin Enterprises?" I asked, pointing in his direction. "Yeah, who else would I be?" he replied sarcastically. "How long have you been the president at Astor? From what I've read in the papers, it hasn't been that long," I scoffed, my patience waning. Was he asking to get his ass kicked? I forced a plastic smile on my lips. "I've been the president for the last four years. And since then, the company's revenue and value have quadrupled. I heard that in the last two years alone, your sales have dropped by 49%. Is that why your parents are pushing for this merger? So that I can bring more value to your failing company?" I questioned, hitting the nerve I had intended to strike. His face turned red, a clear sign of his irritation. I smirked and took a bite of mixed veggies, feeling all eyes on him now, waiting for a response. He sat there silently for a moment, seething, before a smile rose on his face. "I don't think you should question my competence in my company's numbers when your employees don't respect you," he retorted, taking a sip of his drink. My eyes widened in shock. I knew everyone was listening now, and our parents were in utter disbelief. But he didn't stop there. "I don't think anyone respects a president who has slept with every woman in the company except his mother," I lashed out, my voice dripping with venom. "Says the woman who wouldn't be able to get a man to sleep with her even if she paid them!" he snapped, slamming his fist on the dining room table. My anger surged, and my face flushed with heat. "Now, son, apologize this instant!" Mr. Baldwin intervened appalled. "No, I am not apologizing to her uptight ass!" he rudely replied, fueling my rage further. I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up, gripping my wine glass tightly. I'd had enough! I splashed my wine on his face, causing everyone to gasp in shock, and he was furious. "I'd rather be uptight than get an STD from an ex-employee like you did!" I shouted, unable to hold back my emotions any longer. Without another word, I grabbed my purse and phone and rushed out the door. I hurried to my car, tears streaming down my face. I was seething with anger. How could he talk to me that way? Insinuating that I was a prude because I haven't slept around like him? There was no way I was going to marry this douchebag or do business with him. I turned my car on and drove away, feeling both hurt and empowered by my decision to stand up for myself. (Benji’s POV) "I can't believe this b***h threw a drink in my face!" I muttered, trying to wash the wine out of my shirt in the bathroom. "Well, you kind of deserved it, man," Andrew whispered loud enough for me to hear. I glared at him, feeling both irritated and embarrassed. "She ruined a $300 shirt and my favorite suit!" "Well, you shouldn't have called her uptight or said her employees don't respect her. Even I know that was wrong," Andrew pointed out. Just then, my mother burst into the bathroom, her anger evident. "Benjamin John Baldwin Jr! How dare you speak to a woman in that manner! I have raised you better than that. I don't care about your attitude towards me and your father's decision to put together this merger. You don't ever disrespect a woman like that. You have embarrassed your father and me in front of the Astors, and most importantly, you have embarrassed yourself! You deserved that drink thrown in your face! Monday morning, you better fix this, or I will kick your ass," she fumed, leaving no room for argument. Without waiting for a response, she stormed out of the bathroom slamming the door behind her. "Geez, your mom is scary when she's mad, Ben. You f****d up this time," Andrew remarked cautiously. "Get out, Drew!" I yelled, needing some space to process my emotions. "You mad, bro?" Andrew joked as he walked out and closed the door behind him. After finishing my futile attempt to clean my shirt, I walked out of the bathroom and bumped into Mr. Astor on my way out of the house. "I'm sorry, Mr. Astor," I apologized, feeling ashamed of my behavior. "You should be! Even though I helped put this merger together, I will not stand for my daughter being disrespected. Some of the things she said were wrong as well, and I will talk to her about that. But as a man, you should respect a woman, especially if she is your prospective wife," he lectured, holding the door open for me before slamming it shut behind me. I scoffed, not quite ready to process everything. As I looked around for Andrew's car, I realized he must have already left. I grunted in annoyance and pulled out my phone to call an Uber. My mind raced with thoughts about how to fix this situation on Monday. What am I going to do to make amends and salvage the merger? I wondered, waiting for the cab to arrive.