Ewan entered his grandfather's office and saw Michael talking to him, but turned when he heard the door opening.
"Oh, hey, Ewan. How've you been? How was your date yesterday?"
"I don't have time, Mike. I need to talk to Mr. Ulrich." Ewan hadn't turned to see his friend, his eyes fixated on Anthony.
"I am in the middle of a meeting with Mr. Brownfield. Could you wait for a moment?" Anthony did not want to have another argument with his grandson so early in the morning.
"I'm sorry, but I can't. This is an urgent matter. You'd say it's an emergency."
The office stayed quiet for a moment until Anthony's puff broke the silence.
"Can you give us a moment, Mr. Brownfield? My apologies."
"No, no need for apologies, Mr. Ulrich. If it's a matter of life or death for the company, especially in the situation we are right now, I'm more than happy to leave you both to handle whatever you need to handle." Michael stood up, stopped next to Ewan for an instant, put his hand over Ewan's left shoulder and whispered, "see you, buddy. Tell me later about your date," and finally left the room.
Even after the door was closed again, some moments passed. The office was quiet, but there was tension in the air, as if two warriors were about to fight to death. Finally, Ewan took a seat.
"So, grandson. What is so important that you forced me to ungraciously end my meeting with your friend?"
"The company is in crisis, grandfather, and it's because of you."
Anthony opened his eyes, surprised.
"Why, my boy, I know we are taking some important yet risky steps, but I would not throw the word "crisis" so irresponsibly."
"You know what I'm talking about. You can't just change the CEO like this," Ewan snapped his fingers, "I'm the CEO of this company. That's my job. It's not for you to fulfill your egotistic desire for me to marry. It's not a game."
"Do not give yourself so much importance, Ewan. You are expendable. Anyone can fill your shoes. I can literally take any of the hardworking people under my wing, train them for a little time and they'll keep the whole system working. So, tell me again, what crisis are you talking about?"
Ewan did not answer, but his face got red. All he wanted to do was hit his face. 'How dare he treat me and my job that way? He's playing with all this.'
"Look, Ewan. I am sorry, but this is for your own good. You are the legacy of the family, but the legacy will not be safe if I am not sure it can go on. The name Ulrich needs to be carried on for generations. It is a tragedy your parents died, but this family can and will continue, as I said, for generations. I need you to understand this is for you and your offspring."
"Stop saying this is about me, old man," Ewan's words were just a whisper.
"Excuse me?"
"I said, stop saying this is about me, old man!"
Ewan stood up and hit the desk with both his hands, making everything on it tremble. Even a little statuette fell to the floor. Anthony hurried to take it back from the floor.
"Be careful, you insolent!" Anthony's eyes were still on the precious object.
"Yeah, that's it. That's what this is all about. That gift and the person who gave it to you."
"I suggest you plan your next words very well, young man." This time both were looking at each other.
"You're being unreasonable, old man. You know you are."
"Of course not. You need to get married. This is how things need to be."
"Oh, yeah? Did that work with grandma, too?"
Anthony stood up, filled with rage, but stopped before saying anything. His head was a cyclone of emotions, jumping from one to another. He was not in the office anymore. He was lost, wandering without any sense of direction, hoping to find an exit to all the madness that was tearing his heart apart. Finally, his eyes were filled with tears. All the anger Ewan was feeling vanished at the sight.
"Grandfather, sorry. I shouldn't haveꟷ"
"No, Ewan. You're right. I'm being unreasonable."
Some birds passed behind the big window wall. It seemed as if they were clashing together, but in reality, they never touched. It was as if they were dancing in the air, dancing a dangerous dance. For some seconds Ewan was mesmerized by the scene, but Anthony brought him back.
"Let us have a new deal, Ewan. Try your best to make things work out with this girl, with Millie. I won't force you or her to marry. I am just begging you to try. If it does not work, then it is fine, you will keep working here and I will not bring the issue ever again."
"Areꟷare you serious?"
"Yes. But you really have to try. I will be watching you. Do not sabotage yourself. If you let me be honest, I think there might be something special here."