Business as Usual Read Free Page A

he could not only apply for a green card
right away, but also permanent residency after three years.”
    Daddy sat his briefcase on the table, took some
documents out, and sat one before me, Mr. Yu, and Ethan.
    I looked at the document, which read
    Prenuptial Agreement:
    ‘This agreement made in triplicate this
    12 th day of February, 2012
     
    Parties:
     
    Ethan ‘ Xiaoming Yu
    (Of the city of Las Vegas in the State of
Nevada)
     
    and
     
    Elizabeth Byron
    (Of the city of San Diego in the State of
California, & the city of Chicago, in the State of Illinois)
     
    This prenuptial Agreement is made between Ethan
‘ Xiaoming Yu’ thereinafter referred to as “Mr. Yu”
and Elizabeth Byron, thereinafter referred to as “Ms. Byron”, who are
contemplating marriage to each other…’
     
    I read the line ‘who are contemplating
marriage to each other’ twice. When had I contemplated marriage to anyone
other than Danny?
     
    “What in the hell is this?” I asked, unleashing
the fury building within me ever since my father revealed that he and Mr. Yu
had already worked out an agreement.
    “I am not to be bartered as a part of
some business deal!” I shrieked. “How dare you!” I was out of my seat, pointing
my finger accusingly at my father’s face. Dad had seen me angry before, but
that anger had never been directed at him. He looked shocked, not quite
expecting my reaction. Realizing that I was on the brink of losing control I
rescinded the invectives rolling to the tip of my tongue and waited for my
father to speak.
    “You have two minutes then I am out of here!”
    Dad was on his feet in seconds, hands on my
shoulders as if to keep me from leaving the room.
    “I’m sorry, Elizabeth, I had no idea this would
upset you so much.”
    “How could this not upset me? You lied to get
me to come to Vegas when you already worked something out with Mr. Yu. Then you
present me with some prenuptial agreement for Ethan Yu? Are you mad? Have you
lost your mind ?”
    Who did my father think he was, planning my
life in such a manner and under such shady conditions!  
    “You have no right to ask this of me. I’m not
marrying him or anybody else !” I scoffed. I felt Ethan’s now piercing
gaze on my back as I glared at father.
    “Perhaps, we should give the two of you a
moment,” Mr. Yu suggested with a disappointed look on his face.
     
    The
situation was my father’s fault. Mr. Yu and Ethan discussed their end of the
deal at length, perhaps weeks in advance of coming to Vegas. They were on the
same page, but my father and I were not. I felt bad about my choice of words
and for flat out refusing in the manner I did. I realized how mortified the two
men must have been. Though neither could have been more mortified than I felt
when my father and Mr. Yu finally revealed their hair-brained scheme.
     
    “I
apologize for my behavior, Mr. Yu. It’s just that, this is a bit unexpected.
Not to mention illegal.” I ignored Ethan and focused on his father, who over
the years had been so kind to me.
    “I
can make my investments in China or some other company,” Ethan snapped, the
color draining from his face. “I don’t need this.”
    He gathered the documents he had been given
from the table, dropping some of them on the floor as he stalked out with Mr.
Yu chasing his haughty son out the door. Finally, my father and I were alone.
     “How could you?” I asked.
    “I’m sorry I lied, baby. But I knew you
wouldn’t come if I told you.”
    “What about Danny? What about the fact that you
are asking me to commit a crime?”
    “I would never impose on you if it wasn’t
absolutely necessary, sweetie. I don’t feel good about this,” he said, lowering
his head. “But I wouldn’t ask if Ethan wasn’t a good guy. I’m not asking you to
consummate the marriage.”
    “Dad!”
    I started to storm out, but Dad lifted a hand,
gesturing for me to stay. “Lizzie, come on. You said you would do anything for
me. I’ve