Few hours later, Eric was still busy whining over the work load Rose had left him with, she stayed through to her words as she wasn't one who made empty threats.
It might seem weird that the assistant is commanding the vice CEO, well even though they were friends and shouldn't have personal matters mixed up with business matter.
Well reasons were only known to Eric as to why he was willing to submit to her command and also the fact that Rose have potential greatest than he could ever have and if it wasn't for Rose sticking close to him, he never knew where he would find himself.
"My child."
Rose had immersed herself on her working table, staring intensively at the data in her hand. A line could be seen between her brows.
She broke her concentration after hearing the voice that had addresses her intimately.
Her eyes lifted up to the elderly man that stood at the entrance of her office, he was in his late 50's yet still looked younger than his actual age, his dark brown eyes aged with experience as he took in the sight of Rose behind the desk.
The corner of Rose mouth quirked up at his appearance.
"Good morning Mr Bacheman."
She greeted him warmly while he ventured to a seat opposite her taking in her opened PC and bundle of folders placed on her desk. Despite the load her desk still looked presentable.
"How are you this morning?"
Rose mouth set in a hard line once she was sure he was settled on the seat, her features hardening as she scrutinized him with her eyes.
"I'm fine thank you, sir I noticed some irregular changes in the financial account from the past three month, it says here that we have been giving out funds instead of receiving in."
She peered closely at him, trying to cut each hidden layers to reveal his secrets.
Dywen Bacheman let out a worries sigh. He grimaced, knowing he was down for.
He knew for sure that his beloved daughter would find out what was happening to his company. He was too ashamed to face her when he also felt disappointed in himself.
But what more could he do? the damage was already down, his company was ruined. He couldn't let Rose suck herself dry just to save him, she already had enough on her plate which was also why he was willing to go to extreme length just to secure her future.
"Rose, my child I know you are trying your best to help this company but our competitors has given us a critical blow that the only way out is to give up on Goldmine Co. You don't want too, I don't want to, yet there's nothing we can do but just give up."
A flush crept up her face as terror overtook her. Goldmine Co meant more to her that he realized, it was a source that also help hid her past.
A glint of fear went through her, she didn't know why, but she suddenly felt helpless, had a sense of dread like something beyond her hand was about to happen.
"No! There has to be something, something I can do I can't.... I just can't see this company fall."
Dywen's heart went to her, he saw the panic
she tried to hide and also felt helpless, he doted on this Rose so much he hated seeing that look on her face.
"I regret every contracts, that mistake I blindly made in the past, If I hadn't been so so....."
His glum tone had Rose resting a hand on his while he caught his breath fighting over the sadness that clouded his features.
She couldn't blame him when she knew the life of a business man is never steady, one has to face losses before success, one had to fall before rising.
Sometimes no matter how much you want things to happen, all you can do is wait.
All she could do was sigh out deeply to relive little tension from her shoulder.
"The board has come to a conclusion, They have decided to start the company auction in two weeks time."
Rose had just let out her breath only to have it choke her, she turned scarlet as she coughed out deeply.
Her eyes widened before she released dangerous aura that would have anyhow shivering from making eye contact with her.
Dywen looked calm while taking in all these, the only expression he had were the guilty ones that reflected through his eyes.
"Two week time!!!!! That, that. I need more time Dad, I promise I can save this company."
But could she? the faults were from the past just as how Dywen said. When the foundation is imbalance how do you expect a building to stay afloat.
She clenched and unclenched her fist feeling the anger to lash out consume her helplessness. The board decisions were final, who was she to say otherwise.
Dywen saw her dedication to the company, he saw the fire in her eyes something even his two kids didn't have.
He let out a sigh. He knew he was doing the right thing, he had to do it even if she found out later and hate him, at least his conscious was clear for doing it for her own good.
"Next week will be June 17. I know you aren't really keen on celebrations but I wish to celebrate this year grand with you my child"
She face soured as she glowered at him.
"Mr Bacheman!!!!!!"
If she could, she would have chased him out. but she couldn't. She might have been labeled as arrogant and spoilt but she had respect for her elders.
He raised his hand to stop her protest, taking the look of seriousness.
""We will celebrate this year big, can't you do that for this old man after all the years I had cared for you as my own. I took you in as my god daughter, can't you just use this opportunity to find a suitable man for yourself as payment, I would really appreciate a godson as my birthday gift."
(So now he acknowledge that she was his god daughter and not his child. Gosh he was using the 'guilt trip' trick on her)
She had a look that says she wanted to protest but then she suddenly held it back. She decieded to hold her tongue cause she knew he wouldn't listen, he had that look he makes whenever his decision was final and there was no way to change it.
She sighed deeply, gritted her teeth then gave a reluctant answer.
"Fine."
Dywen's face lit up like a kid given a treat on Christmas day. He was all rainbow and sunshine with a huge grin.
"Splendid! Have that brat take you and the little one shopping, okay?"
"As you wish, dad."
Dywen finally left her office feeling satisfied, with a spring to his steps.
Half an hour later Eric came tumbling into her office looking like a kid on sugar.
"The old man finally gave me half the day off on his own initiative, come on! lets go to this really good restaurant, the park then the mall. Oh!! so little time and lots to do."
Rose raised a brow staring at him with a disgruntled look before returning her gaze back to her phone. She hadn't been able to get back to work after Dywen left, she was trying to conjure a plan that would get her out of Dywen's plan or just that she couldn't give up just because she was told to.
"I'll meet you there."
She said nonchalant, taking Eric's shameless nuisance as just air passing by.
He felt struck by lightening, he quickly tried gathering his wits.
"Wait! What! Why? Dad specifically said that we should head straight to the mall."
Rose continued giving her phone her attention while she replied matter of fact.
"Kiara hasn't closed from school, not till another hour. "
Something glint in his eyes it went before it fully came, Eric slide beside her the buttons of his shirt revealing smooth chest, he flashed her a flirty smile lowering his voice a bit more deeper, his hair swiped across his forehead, his hazel eyes darken.
His appearance was that of seduction, he wasn't labeled Prince charming just in name alone, he had the looks that could capture the hearts of any girl who was to see this scene. She would instantly swoon, squealing at him like a fan does a famous model but not Rose.
"Then we can go get lunch first."
Rose wasn't concentrating on him so she didn't notice his expression, the anticipation in his eyes that she would agree, that they would finally haven't alone time just the two of them, that yearning, that hidden affection.
But alas all these were just wishful thinking, he knew better than to hope for the impossible, but still the heart knows what it wants.
"I have somewhere to go."
Rose fianalize still staring at her phone, this time a small smile appeared at the side of her mouth. She could not have recalled every details of when she was drunk last night but she knew herself to be very ambitious, even in her unconscious state she would leaves clues to her conscious about things that would benefit her. Like how the owner of 'Pink Cherries' was specifically selected by her.