"Axel, come in here a minute, would you?" Alexander Woods calls from his study as his only child walks by the room.
"Yes father?" Lexa questions, coming to the doorway.
"In here boy, we need to talk."
Lexa doesn't say anything as she takes a seat, folding her hands in her lap.
"It has been awhile since you dated," her father states.
"I have been focused on work," Lexa points out calmly, knowing getting upset will not help the situation.
"Yes, I am sure having your last girl turn out to be a, whatever they call them these days, did not help your confidence."
Lexa bites the inside of her cheek, taking a deep breath to calm herself.
"However, the Woods name must go on. You have stopped looking for a wife, so I have started."
"Father, you can't-"
A glare cuts her off. She forces her face to become the stone she's known for and listens to her father.
"I know you care deeply about work. I have been blessed to have a son who truly cares about the company in the same way I do. Your mother and I came together for the company, and I expect you to do the same with your wife."
"So you have already found me a wife? Without my knowledge or thoughts on such a thing?"
"There are many factors at stake here Axel, I hope you understand. She is the daughter of a brilliant man who passed away many years ago. In order to use his technology, I had to assure them she would be taken care of. Her mother was pleased with the offer."
"So you used me as a bargaining chip? And her mother used her?" Lexa questions, her jaw sliding back and forth before clinching.
"Don't get that tone with me. You are my child. You are lucky to be here, got it?"
"Yes sir. Sorry sir," Lexa says, not looking away from her father.
"Good," he puts on his reading glasses, "Clarke will be here tomorrow night for dinner. I expect you to be the respectful man I raised you to be."
"Yes sir," Lexa says, standing up.
"And Axel?" he says, stopping her at the doorway.
"Yes father?"
"Don't turn this one into a fag. Once is bad enough, but twice is downright disgraceful."
Lexa grits her teeth, "yes sir," she says, calmly walking to her room.
Lexa closes her door, taking great care as to not make too much noise. She throws herself on her bed, not bothering to change out of her dress shirt and slacks.
"Fuck," she mumbles to herself, her arm coming up to cover her eyes.
She falls asleep quickly, wondering what her wife is going to be like and if she can get out of it.
"I'm being married off? An arranged marriage? It's the twenty-first century mom, it doesn't happen like that anymore."
"Clarke, you and I both know I have no say in this," Abby sighs.
"You're the one who brought me into the conversation!"
"I mentioned wanting you to be safe, taken care of. I didn't suggest arranging a marriage!"
"But you didn't shut it down! He isn't unreasonable, he's just good at getting what he wants. I doubt one of his goals is marrying his only son to a random artist," Clarke points out.
"Clarke," Abby sighs, "I don't see what's the big deal. You're going to be marrying the air to one of the biggest companies in the nation."
"A man who is used to getting everything he wants is going to be my husband. Sounds super safe mom. I don't know the guy, I don't know who he is or what he'd expect of me as his wife. I'm not ready to do anything with some random guy mom."
"Axel is a very respectful young man. I wouldn't agree to it if I thought he might harm you. However, this seems like the perfect time to tell you that you're going over there tomorrow for dinner with him. If you aren't okay with it afterwards, then we can talk about it. Woods will give me whatever I want to get his hands on your father's work."
"And you want me to marry a stranger?" Clarke rolls her eyes.
"I want you to be taken care of for the rest of your life Clarke. Axel will take care of you better than I can."
"I can take care of myself Mom. I have been for a long time."
"I want you to be able to focus on your art, not on working. You are talented, and your father would want you to pursue that, instead of working table for your rent. No, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, I just want you to live your dream. This deal can help you do that."
Clarke sighs, biting the inside of her cheek.
"Just go to dinner tomorrow. That's all I ask. Meet Axel and you two can decide on it together. If he's an ass, forget about it, okay?"
Clarke sighs again, "fine. I'll go."
"Thank you honey," Abby smiles, pulling Clarke into a hug and pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"Worst comes to worst I'll just kick him in the dick and run away."
Abby chuckles, pulling Clarke closer, "please don't do that."