A loud bang reverberated of the walls, jerking Mr. Malfoy senior out of his thoughts about the new expansion of the company. Putting down the pages of numbers upon numbers that he had been reading, he stood up and turned around to face the giant windows behind him stretching from ceiling to floor. The snapping of leather-bound footsteps became increasingly deafening as the expected guest walked steadily close to the office of one, Lucius Malfoy. He sighed and rubbed his temples out of habit, trying and failing to remain calm about what was going to happen as soon as that door…Thudding open, the doors bounced off the walls and in the gaping mouth of it all stood a young man, behind him a lady dressed in a beautiful dress of red satin. She had obviously followed the boy all the way here but apparently in no hurry to stop him or even reason with him. She, like his father, knew that once Draco had decided to do something there was little use in attempting to talk him out of it. Narcissa shifted her amused gaze from her beloved son to her regal husband, waiting in the shadows expectantly. Panting heavily, more out of anger than lack of breath, Draco Malfoy, the only heir to his fathers company, strode confidently into the room and deposited himself gracefully into one of the chairs in front of his father's desk, placing an opened letter on the desk as he did so.

"Good evening Draco," said Lucius finally turning around to face his family "and to you to my dear."

"Good evening Lucius" grinned Narcissa "I believe Draco has something he is um…eager to discuss with you, right darling?"

"Good evening father." greeted Draco, his low voice barely concealing his well-justified rage. Many a person had fallen prey to that sexy timbre in his tone, and yet more had been terrified by the darkness emanating from it. Lucius Malfoy was neither of those people. "Would you mind leaving us mother?"

"Oh dear, I hardly want to miss out on any of the fun." giggled his mother. Apparently she wasn't one of those people either.

"Very well," growled Draco, throwing his luscious golden hair out if his smoking grey eyes.

He was handsome, there was no doubt about it, and had broken many hearts. He was known as a player throughout his social circle, but in reality he wasn't. He had enjoyed a superfluous amount of company in his bed but never without them knowing that he was not looking for anything serious. It was up to them whether they came with him, but he had never been turned down before and so hence dubbed a player. He was arrogant and proud of it, there was little he couldn't do and he almost always got what he wanted so why shouldn't he be? His body was muscular but not to an extreme point and his six-pack had been admired by many a hand. He was tall too, and had broad shoulders that made it hard not to notice him in a room. He was presently dressed in a white collared shirt and tight black jeans, as he had just been about to go out when he had received the disturbing letter.

"You can be at no loss as to why I am here father. Why on earth would you set up an arranged marriage to Daphne Greengrass after you know how much I detest her and her greedy mongrels she calls parents? Why would you want to torture like this father?" cried Draco.

"Her family is very advantageous and it will be for the best if the both families united their companies instead of remaining enemies" replied Lucius simply. He sat back down in his chair and eyed Draco carefully.

"I refuse to marry her father, you must break this engagement at once" demanded Draco " I told you, I want naught to do with this company. I have made it clear that I do not mind if it goes to the VP. Kingsley is an excellent man and perfect for the job, you yourself said so!"

"And when I die" hissed Lucius, his temper rising "then what will become of you and your mother!"

"Oh please father," sighed Draco exasperatedly "could we not be so melodramatic. We have more that enough money already and mother also has her own business."

Lucius Malfoy scoffed at the fact that Mrs. Malfoy's small café could be called a business. He sighed grumpily; he knew that it would be difficult to convince his son to marry Ms. Greengrass but he knew that his son was adamant in not running the company. Lazy, ungrateful little bugged thought Mr. Malfoy well if he is so confident they'll be fine on their own then let's test that theory.

"All right Draco," smirked his father. Draco flinched, that smirk was never good news for him. "How about a wager, just a small bet and if you win, I will break your engagement with Ms. Daphne Greengrass and never ask you to associate yourself with my company ever again. How does that sound?"

"What will the bet be on?" asked Draco carefully. He always knew when his father was up to something and he was most definitely up to something now. For years, his father wanted him to take over the company and yet here he was offering him a way out. It was just too good to be true. He must have something up his sleeve thought Draco.

"On you" answered Lucius internally laughing at the suspicious look his son was giving him "and your mother too I suppose. You will work with your mother at her café and see if you can survive on your own. You can take your clothes and other small belongings but you cannot have your cars or jewelry nor can your live in the manor anymore. You think you can make it on your own, then prove it."

Draco considered to a minute. What his father was asking was not impossible nor that improbable, in fact it was completely rational. Something wasn't right. There had to be a catch somewhere. Draco looked up expectantly at his father. Lucius smiled knowingly across the table at him, his son may be a lot of things but he wasn't a fool.

"You my boy" explained Lucius "cannot work as a manager or person of superiority. You have to work and I mean work as in lower-class jobs. Oh and you can't stay with any of your rich friends. You and your mother must live in the apartment above the shop. You are not allowed to ask anyone for help including me. You will fund yourself, which means no taking money from your bank accounts if they are under the company name. You will have two years to keep the company afloat on its own but if, before the time is up, you have not managed to maintain profitability you will marry whom I choose and train as my apprentice until I deem you fit to take charge of the company. Oh yes Draco, if you lose, you WILL become the president whether you like it or not.

Draco gulped. Menial labor…oh that so wasn't his thing. He was good with numbers and paperwork and computers but he didn't like chores, it was stuff for maids and servants. Draco did not do servant work.

"As long as its okay with you Cissy?" inquired Mr. Malfoy as an afterthought.

"Of course not!" smiled Narcissa "It sounds like fun!"

What color was left in Draco's face drained from it.