Amanda trudged through the front door, her shoulders hunched, a storm of hurt swirling in her chest. Her father, Mr. Wilson caught a glimpse of her tear-streaked face as he was about to leave in his car.
He paused, his hand on the door handle, concerned about etching his features.
"Amanda?" he called out softly. She didn't respond, just shuffled past him, her eyes fixed on the ground.
Mr. Wilson's heart sank. He knew that look. Something was terribly wrong. He quickly parked the car and followed her inside the house.
"Amanda, sweetheart, can we talk?" he asked, standing outside her bedroom door, his knuckles rapping gently against the wood.
"Leave me alone, Dad," came the muffled reply from within. But Mr. Wilson wouldn't have it.
"I'm not going anywhere until you let me in," he said with a firm gentleness.It took what felt like hours, but eventually, the door creaked open.
Amanda stood there, a shadow of her usual self. Mr. Wilson stepped inside, his heart heavy.
"Dad, it was awful," Amanda began, her voice quivering as she recounted the evening.
"Kelvin... he just blew up when I mentioned the contract marriage."Mr. Wilson sat beside her on the bed, his brow furrowed.
"But why? That deal is supposed to be good for both families."Amanda sniffled, wiping her eyes.
"I thought so too. But when I reminded him that it would make our parents happy and benefit us, he lost it. He called me... he called me things I can't even repeat. Then he just walked away."Mr. Wilson's jaw clenched.
"He insulted you?" His voice was a low growl.Amanda nodded, tears streaming anew.
"Yes, and in front of everyone at the restaurant."Mr. Wilson wrapped his arms around his daughter, his heart aching for her.
"Shh, it's okay, Amanda. You're worth more than a contract or a deal. We'll figure this out, I promise."
"But Dad, what are we going to do about the business? Without this marriage, the deal could fall apart," Amanda said, her voice laced with worry.
"We'll think of something. Business is business, but you, my dear, are my priority," Mr. Wilson assured her, his mind racing with possibilities. Amanda leaned into her father's embrace, finding solace in his words.
Yet, the uncertainty of the future loomed over them, an unspoken question hanging in the air.As they sat in silence, Mr. Wilson pondered the gravity of the situation.
The deal had been years in the making, a merger that would benefit both families immensely. But at what cost?
The doorbell rang, slicing through the quiet of the house. Mr. Wilson stood up, a protective fire in his eyes.
"Stay here, Amanda. I'll see who it is." He strode to the front door and opened it to find a figure standing in the dim evening light.
A chill ran down his spine as the visitor spoke, their words laced with an ominous tone.
"Good evening, Mr. Wilson. We need to talk about your daughter and my son."The door swung shut behind them, leaving Amanda alone with her thoughts.
The silence of the house was suddenly oppressive, filled with the echoes of a deal on the brink of collapse.And as the night grew darker, a single, haunting question lingered: What would become of Amanda and the broken deal?
Amanda sat on the edge of the couch, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt. Her father's voice, muffled by the walls, rose and fell in a heated conversation.
She couldn't make out the words, but the tone was enough to tell her that things were not going well. Minutes ticked by like hours, each second stretching out before her.
She tried to distract herself with a book, but the words blurred together, her focus stolen by the weight of the unknown. Finally, the voices ceased, and there was a heavy silence.
Amanda's heart raced as she heard footsteps approaching. The door creaked open, and Mr. Wilson walked in, his face drawn and pale.
"Dad?" Amanda's voice was a whisper. "What's going on?"Mr. Wilson sighed, taking a seat beside her.
"It's about the deal I made with Mr. Anderson, for the merger of our companies. It seems there's been a complication involving you and his son, Kelvin.
"Amanda's eyes widened. "Me and Kelvin? But I don't think I like him anymore, I'm getting bored with him!"
"That's not what Mr. Anderson believes. He's convinced that you two are not involved, and that it's affecting the negotiations."
"But that's ridiculous!" Amanda protested. "I've only spoken to Kelvin a few times yesterday. And he doesn't seem to be interested in this contract marriage of a thing" Her father rubbed his temples.
"I know, sweetheart, I know. But Mr. Anderson is ready to do anythingl unless we... unless we ensure that you and Kelvin have agreed to this contract." Amanda felt her world tilt.
"You can't be serious. You're going to let him dictate what to do with my life? And by the way it's not even my fault but his so called son who act like a demi-god I've to teach that brat a lesson"
"It's not that simple, Amanda. This deal could secure our future. Without it, we could lose everything."Amanda stood up, her anger flaring.
"So, my life is just a bargaining chip to you?"
"No, of course not!" Mr. Wilson reached out to her, but she stepped back.
"Amanda, please understand. I'm trying to protect us."The room fell silent again, the tension thick in the air. Amanda's mind raced.
She thought of Kelvin, with his nonchalant attitude and the way he embarrassed her at the eatry the previous day. They weren't close, but the idea of getting married to him felt wrong.
Suddenly, there was another knock at the door. Mr. Wilson's head snapped up, and Amanda felt a surge of fear.
Who could it be now?Mr. Wilson went to answer it, and Amanda followed close behind. Standing on the doorstep was a young man, his hair disheveled and his eyes wide with urgency.
"Mr. Wilson, I need to speak with you," he said, his voice breathless. "It's about Kelvin and Amanda."Mr. Wilson frowned. "And you are?"The young man took a deep breath.
"I'm Hebry, Kelvin's best friend. There's something you need to know, something that could change everything."Amanda's heart skipped a beat.
What did Henry know? Could it be something that would save the deal and her newfound friendship with Kelvin?Mr. Wilson gestured for Henry to come in, and they all sat down in the living room.
Henry looked between Amanda and her father, his expression serious.
"It's about the previous night at the eatry," Henry began.
"Kelvin didn't tell his dad the truth about what happened and he sent me here to apologize to your daughter."
Amanda leaned forward. "What do you mean?" Henry glanced at her, then back at Mr. Wilson.
"Kelvin and Amanda were together that night and he doesn't mean every words he uttered. I was there, I saw everything. Kelvin was actually…
"He was cut off by a sudden, loud crash from the kitchen.
They all turned toward the sound, hearts racing. Mr. Wilson stood up.
"Stay here. I'll check it out."As he left the room, Amanda and Henry exchanged a look of confusion and worry.
You were there? how possible is that so what now? The sound of shuffling and a low voice came from the kitchen. Amanda couldn't stay put. She had to know what was happening.
She tiptoed to the doorway and peered around the corner.There, in the dim light, stood her father, face-to-face with a shadowy figure she couldn't quite make out.
They were speaking in hushed, urgent tones. Amanda strained to hear, catching snippets of the conversation.
"...can't let them find out..." "...the truth will ruin everything..."Her mind was racing. What is the truth? What was so important that it had to be kept secret?
Suddenly, the figure turned, and Amanda gasped. It was…she paused for while pretending a smile.
Who was the mysterious figure in the kitchen, and what truth were they hiding that could ruin everything?