The Billionaire's Daughter

Chapter Three

Everything was the same in Attica's life. She still had the same routine. Just one little difference, She was in love with her best friend and they were dating. Of course, no one knew it. At least in Attica's eyes. Everything was going good. She was just published in the business times as the most successful youngest bachelor. But, only Attica knew she was not a bachelor. She was dating Jasper. They never stayed the night at each other's homes. They never even had s*x. She was still a virgin. She would not let it go that far. At least not until marriage. But, that was not going to be for a long time. She still had one thing on her mind... making her father proud of her to be the owner of the company. 

It was the night of the Company New Years' Eve party. Of course Jasper was her date. He showed up to pick her up as usual. He was dressed in his usual black tux and she was dressed in her usual blue ballgown. He showed up with red roses and she put them in the vase with water. He kissed her hello. And they were off to the party. They dance all night. She would talk with all the co-workers and their significant others. When midnight hit, her and Jasper shared a midnight kiss like they always do. One that was friendly but not too obvious. Just a simple peck. 

Everything was great until it all changed. Her father announced for some news to share with everyone. Attica was lost with the news. She did not know anything of it. What was the news that was so important to share with everyone? When it came time for the news, her father got up on stage in front of everyone and said, "Ladies and gentlemen... thank you for all your hard work this year and I am thankful for all you. I have some important business news that I need to share with all of you. I am at that age of retirement. I have decided to name the one person that has been there from the beginning and I feel that this person is more then ready to take over my company." Attica gasp. Has her father changed his mind finally? 

"I would like to introduce you to the new owner of the company and my soon to be son-in-law, Jasper." Attica gasp. What was her father talking about? Jasper and her was not engaged. So why is he going to be the owner of the company that she worked so hard to get? Jasper got up to the mic and the first thing he said was, "Attica, I am so sorry for this. I know that you have worked so hard to achieve this and for your father to give it to me is a shock from both of us. But, I would like to thank Mr. Baker for the opportunity to become the leader of this company. I know that I will do you proud. But, before I stop, I do have a question to ask..."Attica, will you marry me?" Everyone gasp including Attica. She was so upset. How could he have blindsided her into taking the company that she has been working so hard to achieve? And now, she is being asked for marriage to the love of her life that just back-stabbed her. Attica thought about it... "No, not now and not ever will I marry you Jasper." With that she turned around and walked out of that party. She didn't say anything to anyone. She just left. 

At 5am, there was a knock on her door. Jasper there for their morning routine of the gym. How could he think that I would go there or anywhere with him? After what he did to her. She answered the door. "What do you want?" He smiled. "I'm here for our morning gym. Are you going to let me in and talk to me?" Attica opened the door and left him in. She walked over to the couch and sat down in her pajamas. Jasper sat down next to her. "Look, you know your father was never going to let you take the company. Why not let someone you know and trust have it instead? We can run it together. Your father is not going to be around forever and I know you deserve to be in charge of it more then me so why not let's get married and we run it together. We are great together. Don't throw this all away with your stubbornness." Attica sat there silent. Could he really be offering me this? "How could you back-stab me? You know that I have worked hard for this and now all of a sudden he's giving it to you? How did he even know that we were together? Did you tell him?" Jasper sighed. "Yes, I did when I asked him for his daughter's hand in marriage. I had to do the right thing. Please marry me. I love you and you love me. We can make this work. Don't throw it all away." 

Attica thought about everything that he said. She did love him but how could she trust him after what he did to her? How could she overlook this? She needed to think long and hard about it. "Jasper, I can't answer this right now. I need you to leave and give me sometime. If you love me, you will understand and do this for me." Jasper was sad. He knew what he did was wrong. He did not want to loose her. So he nodded and left. But, before he left he gave her one soft kiss and said, "Please don't throw this away. I don't want to loose you. But, if you need time, I will give you all the time in the world because I love you." 

Attica got dressed and went to her parents house. This was out of routine but she needed to confront her father and mother on this. When she got to the Baker's home, she sat there in her car for a minute to get her thoughts in order. She went to the door and knocked. Her mother answered the door with open arms. "Attica, what a surprise to see you here. I know you are here to see your father. He is in his office. Please sit down so we can talk." Attica and her mother walked into the living room and sat down. Her mother looked at Attica with concern in her eyes. "Attica, you are a beautiful woman. A very hard worker like your father. The youngest CEO of the company. And you have a man that loves you and is willing to do anything for you. Don't throw it all away on the company. You deserve to be happy and being with Jasper is the happiest that I have ever seen you. You think he back-stabbed you but he didn't. You and I know that your father would never let you have the company. So, Jasper wanted you to have the world so he came to your father for his hand in marriage so he can give you everything that you ever wanted and more. Don't let him go because of it." Attica sighed. "Mom, I have worked so hard for father and he goes and gives it away to Jasper. I feel like I can never trust  Jasper again. I love him and I am happy with him but how can I just ignore what was done and let it go?" "Sometimes in life, you work hard and still do not get what you want due to being a woman. We are more stronger then men but in the end, men always think that they are stronger. Your father wants what is best for you and he don't want to see you work your life away when you can be with a man that loves you and can give you the world." 

Attica got up and walked into her father's office. Of course he was in there working when he looked up from his computer to see her walk in. "Attica, what a surprise. What can I do for you this morning?" "Father, why did you do this to me? You back-stabbed me and gave the company that I have worked hard for to a man. Why? Because I'm a woman? This is unethical and unfair. And, how do you even know that I was going to say yes to Jasper for marriage anyways? You are being wrong. I am your daughter and the company should of went to me, not him." "Attica, I understand. You think that I am being unethical and unfair. But, I see your future with Jasper and feel that you both can run this company. What happens when you want a family? You can't just put a company on hold for your life. You can't throw your life away for a company. I want you to have a family and not be like me. I missed so much in your life due to work. But, I don't want that for you. I trust you to run the company but I know that you are like me and you will throw your life away to the company. Don't waste your life for it. Let you both work together to run it. I am dying of cancer. Please make this my dying wish for you to marry Jasper and be happy. I want you to have a life and to have a family. I want to be able to meet my grandchildren before I pass." 

Attica could not believe what her father said. She had a lot to think about. Could she really give up everything she wanted in life to have a family and to marry Jasper? Could she give up the company for a family? Attica got up and left without saying another word to her parents. She left and had to go somewhere to talk. The only place she knew was Jasper's but she couldn't go there. She couldn't trust him. So she went to a bar. She never been to a bar. She had a few drinks and thought long and hard about everything. That was all she remembered.