Camila
My arms were folded across my chest as I watch my father pace around the room after I explained the whole event to him. How Antonio initiated the silly condition. I don't think he knows what marriage is. Like, how in hell will I marry a stranger and that a dangerous man. A man I dislike. Yes I hate him. I know associating myself with him will bring nothing but danger. And now he's talking about marriage. That will not happen. We will come up with another alternative.
"Why would he come up with something like that. I thought you schedule a meeting with Caesar"
"Exactly father. He said he has a control of the company. He said something about being an under boss. I didn't know the man has a son"
"I met him once"
"What's the way out now?" I asked. After the encounter, I don't think we'd consider them.
"We sh-" Father didn't get to complete his statement when the door burst open and his secretary Linda walked in.
"Sir, we have a bad news" She said. The expression on her face wasn't pleasant. Father grabbed the tablet phone from her outstretched hands. My brows creased in question when he dropped the phone and casted his head down.
"We're doomed" He muffled out. "What happened father?" I uttered. Linda passed the tablet phone to me. My body sank in weakness looking at the news on the internet.
"How did this happen? What did Raiden do?" I ushered confused. We're not done solving the problem at hand and another surfaces. What in hell is going on?
The door bursted open with Raiden rushing in. "Father, I-"
Father raised his hand stopping him. "I need no explanation from you. Are you happy now? I always knew you're up to something. Well, you got what you wanted. Our company is going bankrupt"
"You know what we're going through brother. How did this happen?" I said. I was taken aback by the answer he gave me.
"That's none of your fucking business. Focus on being the good daughter" if I say his words didn't stung I will be lying. I hold nothing against him. Yet, I felt as if he's holding a grudge against me.
"It's not about being a good daughter. You know how hard father worked to get his company to the top. And now seeing this will make our investor to pull out when we're trying to restore the company" I explained as calmly as I can. Nevertheless, the look on his face isn't satisfying.
"Enough of it. Allow me to focus. If you guys are not going to help kindly leave" Father ushered. My body sank down at how his voice was down.
"What should I do Sir?" Linda asked. I have even forgotten she's still standing there.
"Set up a meeting with Caesar Di Salvatore"
"What meeting father? They're clearly not willing to help" I was in a standing position.
"We don't have any other option. You said it yourself. How I worked hard to reach this stage. I can't let this company go"
"What do you intend to do then?" I inquired. I hope he's not going to accept their condition. Because I won't agree to that.
"Are you-"
"Yes Camila. This is the only way. Please help your father" As the words left his lips, I felt the heat occupying my body.
"Father I can't marry someone I don't know. Not to talk of Caesar's son. That shouldn't be the only solution" I shake my head as I shifted back.
"I'm afraid it is. You've seen how the shares are plucking down. At this state, we might lose all our investors. You know what that means. Caesar is our only hope"
"Our only hope? What of me then? Am I also the only hope" I don't think father care enough about his children if not he wouldn't have had the thought of accepting their offer. For someone saying he trust my capabilities. Was that all a lie? Can't he trust and believe I can come up with a solution to solve the problem rather than getting into something dangerous.
His silence gave me enough answer to my question. I stared at him not believing he actually want to trade me with his company. Linda walked in again. "Sir, I just spoke to Mr. Caesar, he said no need for any meeting if you agree to their condition then everything will be settled"
"What the hell!" I didn't know when I snapped at Linda.
"And we've been getting calls from the investors. It seems they want to pull out"
"Shit!" I heard father said raking his fingers through his hair. A pile of silence fell in the room when Linda walk out. My phone chimed with ringing.
"I will talk to you later Sam. I'm-"
"Ma'am the situation at the office is bad. Client are pulling out" I didn't wait to hear the rest of the explanation when I ended the call. I managed to grab the seat armrest to calm myself from falling down.
What in hell is going on? First father's company, then Raiden news and now it's affecting my business. Everything is linked together. Will it be the downfall of the business that was there for a long time? Is there not other way to solve the problem only through Caesar Di Salvatore? Will accepting their offer solve all the problems?
That was the question that echo in my head.
"I think you guy should go home since everything is falling apart, we'll sit and watch what will happen next" Father has a way of making one feel guilty. I know I will never be able to forgive myself if father's company go bankrupt knowing I can be of help. But then, I should think about myself. This is not the way I want to venture into a married life. Not with a stranger and a man I hate. I'm only doing it for the sake of my father and to save his company.
"I agree father" I muffled out. He watched me with a questionable expression. "I will marry him" I hushed out the words sounding bitter on my tongue.