Christian

The door to the elevator opened and then I stepped out just like a few other employees that waited patiently as well. As I headed straight for the CEO's office, a few employees greeted and I nodded in approval trying my best to put up a smile although these days, I was finding that act quite hard to perform. Nevertheless, life must go on and so that was what I did. I moved on. The company hadn't changed much since I left although it hasn't actually been that long since I left, just a few months but those months felt like years. Years of thinking, heartaches and trying so hard to forget the past.

"Good morning Mr. Hendrix." Lucas's new assistant greeted as soon as she caught sight of me. I put up a weak but brief smile as I finally stood in front of her.

"Morning Grace. Is Lucas in?" I asked and she nodded.

"Yes sir. Do I let him know of your presence?" she asked looking up to me expectantly for a reply but then I thought for a second. Lucas had no idea that I was back in the country. It would be better to see the look on his face as soon as I walk into his office.

"No. It's a surprise." I told her and she nodded. Afterwards, I walked straight to the office and after a second of taking in a deep breath, I took hold of the door knob, turned and pushed the door to slightly open. I first pooped in my head to get a look of what Lucas was doing. He stood in front of the window, his back facing the door while he held a phone stuck to his ear.

I finally walked in, carefully shutting the door behind me as I realised Lucas hadn't noticed my presence. As I approached him, his voice grew a bit louder enough to my hearing.

"What do you mean by they rejected our offer!?" He asked, annoyance evident in his voice and as he waited for the person on the other line to speak up, he ran a hand worriedly through his hair.

"Fine! We still need to meet up with Rockwell Gryffin? He's probably our last resort. Gather enough details and make sure we don't lose him as well." Lucas ordered before he cut the call and finally turned.

His eyes widened in surprise for a second as he stood frozen staring at me. I managed to put up a smile.

"Christian? How did you... When did you get back?" Lucas asked quite surprised as he took steps towards me and engulfed me in a light hug. Hugging part was still a little bit awkward for the both of us but there's nothing that couldn't be fixed. Someday, we are going to behave like true brothers.

"Yesterday. I got back yesterday." I told him as I took my seat in front of the desk and he took his behind the desk.

He sighed just staring at me and I could see he wasn't himself. Lucas's was scattered with all sorts of files and he only attempted to pack them all up when I took a look at them.

"What's all this? Is something wrong?" I asked as he busied himself with sorting everything out.

"Nothing. I'm just a little busier, that's all." He stated before looking up to me. He ended his statement with a brief smile. It was obvious he was trying too hard to look all tidied up.

"I don't believe you. Tell me, what's going on? Emerson is alright, right?" I asked feeling a little nervous and scared at the thought of something happening to her although I tried my best not to let it show.

"Emerson? No, Ema's fine. The baby is fine. Everyone is fine." Lucas stated all at once then remained quiet staring at me. I narrowed my eyes at him. He was definitely hiding something. Lucas might not know it but he was a terrible at pretending.

"Hmm... I see well I'll just have to find out what's going on with the company through the employees." I told him as I got up from my seat.

"Okay." Lucas finally gave in and I took my seat once more. That wasn't so bad after all.

"You just got back and I didn't want to trouble you with our present problems."

"We're brothers Lucas. Your problem, this company's problem is my problem as well. You shouldn't try to solve everything yourself." I told him the honest truth. In as much as we had denied this fact for years, it still remains the truth.

I watched Lucas sigh before picking up a red file and handing it over to me. I collected it without hesitation. I opened it and as I read through, I couldn't help slowly furrowing my brows at the content of the file. Afterwards, I looked up to Lucas.

"I don't understand. Why does this say Hendrix enterprise's profit has gone down by twenty percent? I've just been gone for a few months, right?" I asked, trying to be quite sure that I hadn't hit my head somewhere and returned after years. Hendrix enterprises was quite okay when I left. How was this possible?

Lucas sighed as he looked down for a second and then back to me.

"Well... It all started a few months ago after the... the charity ball event aired online and the whole world watched the truth about Vivian." He started but all I could do was stare at him as he waited for a few seconds as if to see my reaction. I wasn't mad at the moment. I was just in a state of confusion.

"Are you trying to say that people finding out about a member of the Hendrix family being that cruel and having got away from the law for years got people enraged?" I asked quite summarising the whole thing. Lucas nodded in agreement.

"Yes." He also replied which made me let out a sigh as I relaxed back on my seat. The past was really hunting us and no matter what we did, it was never going to stop.

"Christian, I'm not saying we can't get back on our feet but... but if our sales continue to drop the way it's going then I'm afraid... in a few years, we can even become bankrupt. I've decided to invest in something else just to get the public to forget the past but no company is willing to take the risk. They're all refusing to invest in our company. They're refusing to work with us and so it's a problem." Lucas narrated, sighing at the end quite stressed out from all the work he had been doing.

I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. Mum was gone but she left us in a state to forever remember her. She had put us in a tight corner and the entire wealth our great-grandfather worked so hard to accumulate was slowly going down the drain. I couldn't help but blame myself. If only I had stopped her on time. If only I hadn't let my anger rule over me but instead did the right thing, then we wouldn't be in such a situation as of the moment. It was entirely my fault. I truly take responsibility.

There was a knock on the door and Lucas replied for the person to come in. A second later, Grace, his assistant walked right in with a planner in her hands.

"Mr. Hendrix, Mr. David Marcelo asked me to let you know that Rockwell Gryffin is making his way up at the moment." Grace narrated and Lucas nodded before getting up to his feet.

"That's good. We'll have to get to the meeting room before he does." Lucas explained as he got himself ready. I, on the other hand stood to my feet as Grace left the office.

"I'm coming with you." I told him as he tended to walk past me. He stopped on his track.

"No Christian, you just got back and besides I can handle this myself." He explained as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Lucas, I'm part of this company. I want to be there and help out in whatsoever way I can besides... It's because of my mother as well as my stupidity that we're in this state. I need to be there." I told him looking him straight in the eyes. Lucas looked away for a second. He had no choice as himself was in a hurry.

"Okay. Fine." He stated before hastening his pace towards the door as I followed behind. All I wished for was for everything to work out.

Both Lucas and I sat directly in front of Rockwell Gryffin. The first thing I did was do a thorough physical scan of the slightly middle aged man in front of us. There was nothing special about the physical appearance of Rockwell Gryffin. He was the cliché epitome of every business tycoon every movie, T.V show or even reality could portray. He was dressed in the official business-like suit. His hair neatly brushed backwards with grey hair standing out by the sides of his black hair. There was a slight appearance of crow feet by the sides of his eyes. A light bit of wrinkles showing up here and there on his face. Rockwell wasn't alone. He showed up with two men which sat each by his sides. David Marcelo sat on the other side of Lucas.

We watched Rockwell let out a light sigh as he opened the folder in front of him.

"I read you proposal, Lucas Hendrix." He stated before looking up to him, his hand still on a page from the folder. He held a dramatic silence as we waited for what comes next from him.

"Honestly, it's not bad at all. Covering your company's new found reputation with a good one like mine isn't bad at all but." He suddenly stopped, now staring at us.

"But?" Lucas asked, a sense of having heard this same line before.

"It's a huge risk on my part. If business flops due to you company, mine stands a chance of losing a lot as well."

"It's not going to fail besides, your company's name is going to be in the front and ours a little behind... we're just going to split the profit, fifty-fifty. Isn't that more than enough?" Lucas explained a little bit more of probably what was already in the folder right in front of Gryffin.

The middle aged man stared a little longer at Lucas before slightly shifting his eyes to me. I knew I wore a frown on my face but this was business. He needed to understand that we weren't joking. Rockwell shut the folder before relaxing back on his seat.

"I don't quite think so. Unlike you Hendrix brothers... I built my empire myself. It wasn't passed down to me by any of my ancestors so I give a little extra care to it." He stated and something about his eyes gave out the fact that he was interested in something else. A little mischievous on the inside. After all, he was a greedy businessman. A man who proceeds his reputation. Greedy and ruthless when it comes to business.

"What do you want?" I asked definitely sure this was the right question.

A sly but definite smile appeared at the corner of his face.

"You can call it whatsoever you feel like but I'll just describe it as an insurance. I want an insurance for my daughter. She's a little stubborn, little childish but she's a woman alright. She's the only family I've got left in this world. My entire wealth belongs to her alone. Before I die or anything bad happens, I want to make sure she's safe and happy so... I'll work with you Lucas Hendrix. I'll save your company only if..." His eyes shifted once more away from Lucas to me. I slightly furrowed my brows getting a sense of something terrible about to happen.

"... Christian Hendrix marries my daughter." He ended and my eyes slowly widened at such a proposal.

Marriage? He asking for a marriage between I and his daughter whom I've never set my eyes on in other for him to help save our company. Was that even possible? Getting married to a total stranger just for money.

"No." Lucas stated out and I turned to him. Rockwell tilted his head a little to the left.

"Christian is not going to mar..."

"I'll marry her." I stated interrupting anything Lucas had in mind to say.

They all turned to me, quite with a shocked expression on their faces. I couldn't quite care about that as of the moment. To begin with, the problems this company is presently facing was all my fault. I've lived in guilt this past few months, regretting so much as to how I turned into a monster. I was angry with the woman I love just because she did feel exactly the same way as I did for her and instead, she fell in love with my brother. I was caught up in my anger that I did the wrong things. Today, I had finally gotten a chance to rectify my mistake, to take responsibility for my actions. I wasn't going to let this pass me by besides, this could be another way to finally tell my heart to forget Ema. Getting married will serve as sort of a rejuvenating mechanism for my heart. In summary, it wasn't such a bad idea.

"Christian you don't have to do this. Let's talk later. I can always find another way to save this company." Lucas told me trying his best to snap me out of what he might think as my illusion but that wasn't the case. Unfortunately, I was wide awake in reality. I understood very well what Rockwell Gryffin just proposed and I accepted it wholeheartedly. If only Lucas knew how hard I've been trying to move on the last few months, then he would support me but he couldn't understand. He wouldn't know how hard it's been on me. How long and hard that I battled with a broken heart. I couldn't tell him that a part of me still felt something for his wife. That would just be dreadful. I needed to move on. I needed to make myself better, to heal my heart and if Rockwell Gryffin's daughter was the only way fate was throwing at me then I'm going to gladly accept it.

"I know perfectly well what I'm doing Lucas." I told him, hoping he would understand but he still stared at me quite confused. The look in his eyes, shocked that I would take such a step.

"Business marriages are very common these days. It's no biggie." I added before turning away from Lucas to Gryffin who waited expectantly for a sure reply.

"Fine. I'll marry your daughter only if you keep the end of your bargain as well." I told him and watched as a broad smile grew on his face.

"Sure. The deal will be signed on the wedding day. They'll both be official on the same day; our deal and your marriage to my daughter. Besides... the public loves it when two people from high class society ties the knot. This will also serve as a good campaign for our business." He explained further and I could do nothing but sit still and listen. Lucas didn't object any further. I was grateful for that.

Rockwell got up to his feet as well as his associates. He stretched out his hand to Lucas who heisted quite a while before getting up to his feet and accepting Rockwell's handshake. I got up as well.

"Nice doing business with you, Lucas." He commented as he shook Lucas before letting go of his hand and turning to me. I accepted the handshake.

"I'm sure you'll want to meet my daughter before any sort of wedding takes place. I'll let you know when everything is set to meet her but till then, stay alive... son-in-law." He stated but the only part that quite got to me was the mention of son-in-law. As I watched Rockwell Gryffin walk away, I only hoped I wasn't make the worst mistake of my life.

I turned only to meet Lucas staring at me. His eyes quite filled with a lot of questions. David left to give us our privacy.

"What in the world are you trying to do?" Lucas asked but I only looked away for a second and then back once more.

"Nothing extraordinary. You know I'm doing the right thing so let's leave it that way."

"Right thing? You're getting married to a woman whom you've neither set your set on nor don't love! I don't see any right in that!" Lucas stated seemingly a bit flipped out about the whole situation. He needed to understand that I have things under control.

"Maybe I don't love her but the woman I love isn't..." I stopped realising I was saying the wrong things and to the wrong person. Lucas eyes softened a bit like that of pity. Oh, how I hated that look.

"Christian..."

"No. No, it's okay. I'm fine. I've long accepted the truth. I'm not going to suddenly turn evil like I did in the past. This is my redemption Lucas and I hope you respect my decision." I told him, shaking my head a bit as I took a step backward. I wasn't going to accept his pity although at the moment, my heart was beating so loudly as I recalled all that had happened in the past from when I first met Ema and down to the time I tortured her with my words. Everything. The memory of it all still seemed so fresh. So fresh that it still hurts quite a lot. I needed to leave this place. Lucas cannot find out I was still hurting this much and so I turned to leave. On my way to towards the door, I heard Lucas's phone ring.

"Hello... What!? Right now!?" Lucas's voice heightened, quite filled with surprise along with a hint of worry. I had to stop and turn to take a look at him.

"Okay. I'll be right there." He stated before cutting the call, worry suddenly drawn across his face. I haven't seen Lucas look that worried in my entire life. Something must be wrong.

"Is everything okay?" I asked Lucas as he approached the door. He made a quick stop.

"It's... it's Ema. She's having the baby." Lucas narrated. I couldn't stop my eyes from widening in surprise. Okay, I wasn't expecting that.

"Like... right now?" I asked and Lucas nodded.

"Yes, right now." He replied as he finally rushed off towards the door. He neither looked so good nor was calm. Heck, I was in confusion as well but I felt the right thing to do was help him out. Be by his side in support as a brother.

"I'm coming with you." I told him as I followed behind out of the room, glad that he didn't object. I have neither seen nor spoken to Ema since we bid goodbyes at the airport. Now, I'm going to have to meet her when she's about to have Lucas's child. Not quite what I pictured. Fate truly had a way of adding salt to my wounds.

Harieth

"You broke up with Spencer!?" Stacy asked, eyes wide open, mouth slightly agape. Honestly, I don't see why she's so shocked about that. She knew exactly what having a boyfriend truly meant for me.

I drank a sip of my iced tea as I stared down at my phone, busy with one of the Instagram and quite bored with her question. I heard Paris gave a light chuckle.

"Did you really have to ask that question, Stacy?" Paris asked and I raised my eyes to her. She probably wasn't able to read my eyes as they remained hidden behind the dark tinted sunglasses I had on to prevent any kind of sun rays from affecting my eyes sight. We sat outside right under the umbrella at one of our favourite coffee shops. Their coffees as well as their delicacies were to die for. They were one of the best in the city with great reviews and visitations from a few celebrities.

"After all, it's Harieth Gryffin. She changes boyfriends like where a lady changes her dress." Paris stated staring me quite in the eyes. Unlike me, she wasn't putting on sunglasses so I could read her eyes. As I brought the straw once more to my lips to sip, I slightly tilted my head to my left.

"It sounds like you have a problem with the way I live my life." I stated exactly what was going on in my mind. If Paris had issues with me then it's best she says it right to my face. The air around us became filled with tension as we stared at each other silently. Suddenly, she put up a smile.

"No. No, I don't." Paris stated broadening her smile but I could see right through it all. I know she has a problem with him. She has always been jealous of me but... she's my friend and I'm ready to overlook her flaws.

"In that case, can I have him?" Stacy asked interrupting my thoughts. At first, I didn't quite catch her question but after a second of replaying it in my mind, I immediately turned to her.

"No. No, you may not. Geesh Stacy! We're friends. You can't date my ex." I warned her and she sadly retracted her hope filled eyes. I watched her pick up her fork to cut a piece from her cake and then into her mouth. I shook my head at her, quite disappointed at her request. She should have known better than to make sure a request.

The few minutes more we sat there was filled with silence and boredom. All I did was sip my iced tea and press my phone. I only looked up when I realised my iced tea was finished. Stacy was playing with her food and Paris busied herself with her phone.

I sighed quite loudly so they could know of my distress.

"I'm bored." I stated afterwards as they raised their eyes to me.

"Then shopping it is." Stacy stated quite excitedly which put a smile on my face as well. I took a look at Paris and she was smiling as well. Although both Stacy and Paris belonged to reputable and high class society families, mine was still higher than theirs. That was the bitter truth and fact. Shopping was fun for them because at times when I'm in a great mood, I buy them something of value. I know what everyone might think. That I bought my friends with money but that wasn't so although there's nothing money can't buy. Paris, Stacy and I had attended the same kindergarten, but only became friends in high school. We grew quite closer as we attended the same university. We even had our graduation on the same day, last year. Our bond had grown stronger over the years so there was no way we were together for the money.

"I'll pay the bill." Paris stated as she reached down into her handbag for her purse.

"No, don't worry about that. I'll pay the bill." I told her interrupting what she was doing. She looked up to me and I gave a warm smile. She reciprocated it with one of hers before relaxing back on her seat.

"Waiter!" I called with a single wave as I noticed him just walking away from serving the order given by another table. Thankfully, he heard my call and soon enough was at our table.

"How much is our bill? You know what..." I stated quite tired of having to calculate anything and so I reached down into my handbag for my purse then got out one of my ATM card. I handed it to him.

"... Just take as much as our bill is." I told him and he nodded in accordance before walking away. I smiled to Paris and Stacy as we waited. They smiled back.

"I'm sorry Miss, the card's been denied."

What!?

I immediately turned to the waiter who was now back with the card stretched to me. I took another look at Paris who looked equally as surprised as I was. This couldn't be possible. My card has never been... denied. A gave a week smile as I turned back to the waiter. He was so going to get it from me if it's their machine that's faulting and not my card.

"That's impossible but anyways, use this." I told him as I snatched the card from him and gave him another. I took in a deep breath as I returned to busing myself with my phone to get my mind off what just happened.

"I'm sorry Miss but it's the same with this." I immediately looked up to him, taking off my sunglasses in the process.

"Look, something's definitely wrong with your machine! My cards work perfectly and I have tons of money in my account!" I warned quite pissed at what was going on.

"I'm sorry miss but we can accept cash as well." He stated quite humbly which made it so hard to pick a fight with him. I slightly took a look into my purse and I had no cash with me.

I silently gulped down. God! I was presently penniless. How could this even be possible? Slightly taking a look at Paris and Stacy who hadn't said a word throughout the entire scene, I felt really embarrassed. I had never been in such an embarrassing situation my entire life.

"It's okay, I'll pay. I have cash as well." Paris suddenly stated as she reached down for her purse once more. I watched her ever so embarrassingly pay for something I should have paid for. She smiled at me when I slightly took a look at her and I managed to smile back but I wasn't one bit happy. Both my cards had been bounced meaning I couldn't access my money. I still couldn't understand how that was possible. My father was Rockwell Gryffin, one of the top business men in the city. A pro-business magnet and a money maker. He never forgot to equip me with enough money as allowance every month. I had more than enough in both accounts. Something has to be wrong. Something was definitely wrong and I was going to get to the root cause of all this before it gets out of hand. Harieth Gryffin isn't some average personality. I'm not a pauper.

Hi guys! Please don't forget to vote and comment to show your supports. Next chapter will be up here on wattpad in the next seven days. Can't wait that long then please check it out on inkitt? 

Inkitt Username: Mercy Kalu

Link:

Https://Inkitt.app.link/RA_mercykalu86