Joan's mother who had already begun to cry stood up and excused herself from the living room. She couldn't sit there and watch her husband talk about his death as if he was going on some vacation. It was hard for her to come to terms with fact that he was leaving her and she would never see him again, and hearing him talk about it only worsened the ache in her heart.
"But why do you need to do that?" Steve asked Joan's father after his wife already left the room.
"I mean, Joan isn't a child. She is a grown-up lady who is capable of taking care of herself and her mother. Besides, if you are scared of your properties being taken away by your people after your... After you leave, then all you have to do is leave a will, surely no one can contend with that."
Joan's father smiled, "Ayo, you still don't get it. It's more than just writing a Will and giving everything to Joan. Of course, she is the sole heiress to my empire, but it's way more than that."
"I don't get your point, sir?" Steve asked.
"You are still young, but I know you have been in the business sector and have worked with your father long enough to know how things are run in this State. You know some cabals run the affairs of this State, and amongst them are the ruthless ones who are constantly sniffing around looking for the next person's wealth they can convert to theirs. And once they notice that you have no strong backing, you are gone."
Steve knew he was right. What he was saying doesn't necessarily apply to every citizen in the state, but it does for the one percent that controls the resources of the state. His and Joan's family happen to be among that one percent. Belonging to the elite class in the State isn't a child's play, and once you attain that height you have to constantly fight to remain in it, as the worst thing that could happen to anyone was to go down the ladder.
The cabals were the ruthless ones among the elites, whose source of wealth was mostly gotten by taking over businesses of those who they knew to be weak and had no strong backing.
Joan's father continued, "Now, we both know that Joan knows next to nothing about running a business, and she doesn't even know anything about these cabals and their modus operandi. All she is concerned about is her career. Going to Court and winning cases," he paused when he started coughing, and then continued when he was calm.
"If I'm to leave the business in her care there is no way she would be able to manage it well. And it's only a matter of time before the business collapses or one of these cabals comes sniffing and forces her to sell off, and I need not tell you what will become of your best friend if that were to happen." he paused to take in a deep breath again. Talking so much when he was supposed to be resting was wearing him down, but this was important, and he had to do it.
They both looked up when the maid walked in with a glass of water, and he gave her a smile of gratitude as he took it from her, knowing his wife who had heard him cough a while ago, had sent the maid.
"I understand what you are saying, but does it really have to be me?" Steve asked, even though he already knew the answer to that.
"Yes. It has to be you. It has to be your family since your father isn't just like a brother to me, but you are the only other male in Joan's life who she listens to. With a family like yours in the picture, anyone in their right senses would think twice before they play any foul game because no one would want to go against your father. And also you are the only person I trust who can be able to handle my business and take care of my daughter in my absence." Joan's father paused once again to drink from the water.
"I know this is a lot to ask of you, but please I want you to do it, if not to protect your best friend but do it for a dying man. I want you to love and protect her as I know you can, please."
In all the years that Steve had known Joan's father, which was the same as all his life, he had never seen Joan's father this way. The man looked so emotional and frail. Without even thinking about it, Steve blurted out, "I will do it! You don't have to worry, I will marry Joan and make sure she and your wife are well taken care of and fully protected," he promised.