The following morning at Michelle Designs, Michelle entered Daniel's office
"For the last time Mr. Moore, I appreciate your offer, but we can't associate with you and you are well aware of the reason." Daniel said on his call before hanging up.
"What was that about?" Michelle asked as she took the file on the table and went through it.
"It was Mr. Moore."
"And why aren't you agreeing to his offer? As far as I can see, it does seem lucrative." She said as she continued reading.
"Dwane is one of their major stakeholders, the Ford business doesn't associate in 'Anyway' with any of the Farehyas." Daniel replied sternly.
"Because of what I did?"
Daniel neither agreed nor denied.
"How did the meeting with the marketing department go?" He asked, change the topic.
"Good, can't complain. But why weren't you there?"
"I can't always be there, this is your enterprise and you need to take charge of everything. I've got my own businesses to take care off"
Michelle's face fell, "Are you leaving South-Hills?"
"Not right now, but soon." Daniel replied.
She flattened her lips in disappointment.
"I'll take my leave." She said and left with the file in her hand.
Michelle was in her office, going through the rest of the file when she heard her phone ring.
Her face scrunched recognising the unsaved number. Nonetheless, she received the call.
"Mr. Farehya."
"Good Morning, Miss. Ford." Dwane greeted.
"It's Mrs. Wilson." she corrected him like she usually did.
Dwane let out a smirk.
"It has come to my knowledge that you've denied Mr. Moore's business offer." He paused and continued, "and I'm the reason behind it."
Noticing Michelle didn't answer anything, he continued speaking.
"I hope you are wise enough to figure that the offer is more profitable for 'Your' firm."
"Have you called me to talk me out of it?" Michelle asked.
"In a way, Yes. But more specifically, the reason why I've called you is to.."
He inhaled deeply
"Bury the Hatchet."
Michelle's eyes popped out in shock listening to Dwane's words.
"So you no longer intend to kill me?" She asks in bewilderment, still trying to digest his word.
"What will I gain from killing someone who isn't afraid of death?"
Michelle remained speechless.
"We have caused enough damage to each other, You were forced to go into hiding for four long years because of me and there wasn't a day I spent in which I didn't look for you. You were away from your family and I didn't have any in the first place."
Dwane's voice got low.
"Let us not be the judge of who suffered more."
Michelle smirked.
"You left a permanent scar on my chest and I caused you an irreplaceable loss." he said referring to her unborn child.
Michelle felt enraged, "Dwane don't you dare…"
"I deeply apologise for that, Michelle. It shouldn't have happened, it was never my intention. If I was aware, I wouldn't have done what I did." Dwane said feeling guilty.
Although he preferred not to venture into those lines of thoughts, he couldn't help himself. Everytime he thought about her miscarriage, immense guilt would engulf him and his emotions and words would get out of his control.
Michelle knew it wasn't Dwane's fault that she had a miscarriage.
"What do you want Mr. Farehya?" She tried to keep her voice firm.
He cleared his throat, "Like I said, let's let go of our feud and live our lives peacefully."
"And separately." Michelle added.
"Fine, I won't interfere in anything. I'll be a silent stakeholder." Dwane agreed.
Michelle found his behaviour odd and fishy.
"I still haven't agreed to Mr. Moore's offer." she replied.
"Any wise person will." Dwane said and hung up.
Michelle knew the offer was lucrative, so even if Dwane was trying reverse psychology on her as she suspected, accepting the offer wouldn't result in any mishaps.
However, she sought the professional advice of the legal team and her business advisor. She also convinced Daniel before agreeing to the offer.
That evening at Rags and Riches,
"This steak is delicious." Michelle exclaimed, relishing the taste.
"You've hired new staff too?" She asked, noticing the new faces.
He nodded.
"I've had the chef make all the special dishes again, only for you. Bon appetite." Ricky said.
"Scallops sir?" The new waitress asked Ricky.
"No, we are allergic. Serve him." Ricky said, pointing at Alec.
"How do you know I'm allergic?" Michelle asked.
"Isobelle told us yesterday," Ricky casually replied.
"Oh yes, I got it from my mom."
"So did I," Ricky replied.
"You hardly talk about your mother." Michelle said curious to know about his mother. No one knew anything about Ronald Dawson's wife.
"She died when I was an infant."
"Uh..uh.I.. I'm Sorry." Michelle said sympathetically.
"Don't be," Ricky let out a saddened chuckle. "It's not like you did something."
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Ricky asked the server to get more drinks.
After a few drinks, Michelle started feeling tipsy.
"Dad's planning to leave South-Hills." she pouted.
Neither Alec nor Ricky had expected that news. Alec knew Daniel didn't approve of him as Michelle's husband, when he got to know that he might leave, Alec felt relieved.
Ricky on the other hand, felt displeased anticipating that even Isobelle will leave with South-Hills.
"I don't want him to go, it's only now that I've reunited with my fam..falimy.. family." She stuttered in a drunk voice.
"There, there Love. Relax" Alec moved her drink aside and stroked her head.
"I'm only halfway through planning your sur…surpise B-day..bir-day." she inarticulately said and leaned against Alec's shoulder and closed her eyes.
"How she managed to keep a huge secret from me for almost eight long months is beyond me." Alec rolled his eyes.
Ricky smirked, revisiting the past memories where he stopped Michelle from revealing her identity.