The 49th floor held three things. My father's office, the biggest and most luxurious suite available to our guests and the elevator that led to the penthouse where we lived. Theo was quick to match my stride arm resting on my shoulders once more as we entered my father waiting room, his newest secretary simply pointing at the door. I had to admit out of the last five he had already this year, she was the worst.

Rolling my eyes at her I took a calming breath, she really was useless. Walking to the set of a large set of frosted double doors. I took a deep breath before pressing down on the handle cautiously pushing the door open. Theo held the door open as we walked inside, all eyes instantly on us as my father pulled his attention from my eldest sister on to us.

"Oh look, she brought the stray" Catalina taunted placing her perfectly manicured nails on her crossed knees.

"Don't you have a cat to go and eat?" Theo jabbed back, the two glared at each other.

"That's enough, At this point, I would have been more shocked if Theo or Zarauhi didn't come along to our family meetings" my father insisted motioning to the empty seats on the small leather couch near his desk.

"Now that they are here, can we move this along?" Catalina hummed eyeing up my father.

Catalina had always been the impatient one in the family, I looked out the corner of my eye at her. Catalina was fidgeting with her long straightened locks. There was one thing that set Catalina apart from Rosario and me. She was the living embodiment of the spoiled princess, Theo joked she was a Hispanic barbie doll. Always primped and proper, on the outside, she was a perfect princess, but Rosario and I knew it was just a mask, a cover for our fathers' approval. Our family didn't talk about it, but we all knew our father, and most of our more traditional family members had issues with her sexual preference being female, It was something that didn't bother Rosario or I, It was Catalina choice, love is love, no matter who it's with.

"Cat, do us all a favour and take a Xanny. I can guarantee Mercy is just as concerned as we are. so why don't we just let father tell us what's going on." Rosario insisted giving a warning glance to Catalina.

If looks could kill the eye daggers Catalina shot at our older sister would have taken us all out in the process. Rosario wasn't the least bit phased, she had spent most of her early twenties as a mother figure in our family, meaning Cats attitude rolled right off her shoulders. My father shifted in his luxurious leather chair clearing his throat to gain our full attention as he did.

"As you girls, and Theo know... the company has been in a rough patch for some time..." My father's voice was monotone as he spoke, his eyes slowly gaging my sisters and I. The three of us knew instantly what was ahead was not good news.

"It has come to my attention, thee only way to regain our financial equity, power and to keep control of Espinosa Corporation is to merge companies, in a binding agreement." My father continued for anyone who didn't know him wouldn't have noticed the shift in his disposition, something worse was coming.

"Okay, so what's the big deal. you just dial one of the numbers in your little black book and were all good" Catalina suggested casually, but even I knew it wasn't that easy.

"That's not how it works Cat." Rosario insisted her eyes lingering on my father, she knew something, I could tell the way she bit in her bottom lip.

"I can talk to my uncle, you could merge with Tseng Institute" Theo suggested, Rosario shook her head avoiding eye contact.

"I know you as well as your uncle would help without a second thought, unfortunately, this is something that goes beyond the capabilities of Tseng institute. However, we do have an offer from Zheng Organization..." His normally stoic tone faltered, his eyes lingering on me as he spoke .

"That's good isn't it?" I questioned eyes scanning the solemn look forming on Rosarios face.

"Ms.Zheng offered to merge our familys buissnes on one condition. Marriage." my father swallowed harshly. My eyes grew wide with shock.

"What!! NO you cannot be seriesous just cause mama is in a coma and the buissnes is in trouble you can go mary some other women behind her back!!!" Catalina screamed rising to her feet.

Our father didnt flinch his eyes still focused on me as Roasrio was quick to her feet. Her eyes darting between the three of us as Theo shifted awkwardly beside me, if he hadn't regretted coming before he was now.

"Not him Catalina. If you actually paid attention to how buissnes works. You'd know at their age, no offence father. It makes no sense for them to marry not when they both have heirs to take over soon enough." Rosario insisted, her tone only filed Catalina

" Hell no. You think cause your married that in going to marry some stranger to save the family business! " Catalina voice rose as she snapped back at our older sister

Both their voices blurred into a loud angry hum. With flailing hands they screamed at each other over my fathers desk. He hadn't moved slightly leaned back in his chair his big espresso pools filled with a mixed emotion I'd never seen in them before, few moments passed as everything finally sunk in like the titanic hitting an ice burg.

I could feel my throat dry up, a streak of fear ran down my spine as I gently pushed myself up into standing position. From the corner of my eyes I could see Theo looking up at me his brows webbed together confusion realization much like with Catalina not yet reaching him. Reaching out my hands I placed one on each of my sisters shoulders they both fell into silence attention now brought to me.

"Its me. There is no other option. Rosa is married and Cat would move to Brazil with Avó before a man. It's me.." my voice faulterd as I spoke, I tried to be strong, professional but I could feel my world starting to shake

"Mi hija..." my. Fathers voice was soft as if speaking to porcline he was afraid to crack.

"No. It's... It's fine. I don't like it, I don't really agree with it, and I can't promise I won't fight it, but I will do it. For company, for the family." I started inhaling a deep breath.