A TYCOON'S PROPOSAL

Marry Clara Kings

CHAPTER ONE:

There's silence in the room right now, no one dared say a word, or even dared to move. Everyone is just staring, waiting for the president to make the first move. As if sensing what's on the minds of his employees, Ryker spoke up.

"Everyone, leave. We'll have this meeting another day."he said

They all stood up, packed whatever thing they were using for the meeting, bowed their heads and scurried off.

Ryker stood up, facing the only person left in the room aside him. Clara Kings.

"You must still be in shock. I'll let you cool off for a bit first. Let's grab dinner tonight and talk better."Clara said and stood up then grabbed her purse.

She winked at him, making her way for the door. Ryker stood up at that point, going after her. Immediately she opened the door, he appeared behind her, shutting the door.

"Ry?"Clara raised an eyebrow

"Read my lips. You are f*****g sick to think that I'll agree to the rubbish you just spouted"he snapped, his veins popping out.

"I said let's talk at dinner. Let me out now."

Ryker chuckled, then nodded, taking his hand away from the door.

"We aren't talking anything over at dinner"he smirked

"Oh really? We'll see how that plays out. You should start thinking of the kind of suit you want to wear. I'll have my tailor come see you. Trust me, he's the best." Stepping on her toes, she reached out to peck his cheeks and Ryker could have avoided it, but he let her have her way.

"You'll come to dinner"she smiled and walked away.

Ryker groaned out, as he walked back to his desk. He loosened his tie then undid the first three buttons of his perfectly ironed white shirt. He grabbed a file on the table, taking a look at it. The file contains bad reports from the publics. They're asking for Moore's Villa to be shutdown.

"Shutdown? The company I built with my strength and sweat? The company I've served as president since I was f*****g 22?"Ryker yelled, throwing away the file and pushing everything on the desk away, including the system.

Staring at the now littered office, he remembered Clara's words and he clenched his fists.

Moore's Villa is a wine company. A well known wine company in New York City. It used to be among the top 15 best companies in New York City and they were even aiming to be among the top 3 best wine companies in the city. But right now, after the scandal that recently took place, Moore's Villa is not even among the top 30 best companies in the city. That's how bad the scandal was. Their sales dropped drastically and investors pulled out. Some share holders of the company even withdrew back their shares, wanting nothing to do with the company again.

The staffs are the only ones not leaving, probably because they need their salaries paid or because they love what they do. But eventually, he'd have to start laying off staffs if nothing is done on time because there'll not be enough money to pay the staffs.

The ringing of his phone made him pull out of his thoughts and as he answered the call, he walked out of the office.

******

Ryker arrived at the restaurant and he was directed to where his parents sat, waiting for him. But not only his parents are there, there's Clara Kings too, sitting all high and mighty while sipping wine.

"What's she doing here? You said a family dinner"Ryker asked, staring at both his parents.

"Sorry I said that but I wasn't lying either. This is a family dinner, Clara's family. She's always been"Mr Moore said

"What makes her family? The fact that she's your friend's daughter?"Ryker raised a brow

"My best friend's daughter. Clara's family, and the fact that she's going to be your bride to be is enough to consider her family"Mr Moore said

"Who said anything about marrying her?"Ryker yelled, facing Clara.

"Did you already blab to them about your stupid idea of a business alliance with me? Who the f**k do you think you are?"he yelled and slammed the table, drawing attention.

Clara said nothing, she just kept sipping her wine. Ryker's anger right now is cute to her.

"Calm down Ry. You're drawing attention"Mrs Moore said

"What's there in marrying Clara? You've known her your whole life. She's popular too. Do you know what good your marriage to her will do to Moore's Villa?"Mr Moore asked

"I don't need her help, or your help, or that of your friend who can't help his friend without asking for something in return. I'll deal with the company myself. I won't get married to Clara just because I want to save my company"Ryker said and stood up then began walking out.

"Don't forget, that it's my company. You're just the president. I'm the chairman. So you'll save my company on my terms"Mr Moore stood up too.

"Really? Then take in Clara as your second wife and save your company."Ryker smirked and walked away.

Clara stood up, going after him.

"I told you, you'd come to dinner"

Ryker stopped and turned back. Five steps was what it took and he was standing in front of Clara. He grabbed her neck instantly, choking her. She smirked.

"I... I love it when you get like this. It's sex..xy as hell"she stuttered and Ryker choked more.

"You badly want to kill me right? G.. go ahead"she stuttered again and Ryker let go of her.

She began coughing and rubbing her neck.

"You're delusional"he spat and walked away.

******

The kids are playing around in the compound, jumping from one place to the other. There's a young lady before them, smiling as she watched them.

"The kids get all hyper like this anytime you come around" An old lady stood beside the young lady.

"Should I visit more often then?"the young lady asked

"Of course not, Mitchell. You have a life outside this orphanage. An incredible one at that"the woman said

"You think so?"Mitchell asked and the woman nodded.

"But I grew up here, granny May. This place is still home to me"Mitchell said

"And it'll always be"the woman replied with a warm smile.

"Now, let's go get you stuffed up with food. Remember to take some home to Yuri"

"Of course I will"Mitchell nodded.

"All right then kids, let's go back inside. It's breakfast time"the woman said and the children began entering inside. Granny May followed suit and Mitchell entered.

Breakfast was served and as they ate, they chatted happily. There are over 100 kids in the orphanage home, including boys and girls. The home is being run by Granny May and she has 10 workers helping her. The orphanage gets sponsored often and that's why it's still in existence despite all these years.

Mitchell grew up in the orphanage and since then, she's formed a strong bond with Granny May. Now that she's grown and no longer stay at the orphanage, she comes around sometimes, making contributions where necessary.

"How's life after fashion school?"Granny May asked and Mitchell smiled.

"It's really great. It's..."

"Don't lie to me Mitch. I can tell when you're lying"

Granny May said and Mitchell sighed.

"It's really hard. Getting a job is so hard. Getting people to like my designs is so hard too. I'm so tired"

"And Yuri?"

"It's so hard talking to Yuri these days. She's always lecturing me, I'm so sick of it. I can't wait for her to land another job again so that she could get real busy for awhile. She's on my neck all the time"Mitchell complained

"I'm sure she has your best interest at heart."Granny May smiled

"Yes of course. You'll always support her. Gosh! I wish there'll be an event in the company she works for so that she can busy herself with planning for awhile."

"You complain alot. Finish up, you still have to give Yuri food"

"Yes of course, Yuri again"Mitchell rolled her eyes and Granny May laughed.

******

Immediately Ryker opened the door and found Clara standing in front, anger surged through him immediately.

"Take a chill pill will you? I'm the one that got choked last night but you're the angry one?"Clara asked

"What is it you want?"

"Photos. Pre wedding photos. We have to take one"she smiled

"I really think you should get your brain checked out. You're delusional and you're sounding really crazy right now"Ryker replied

"Really? You think so? But I've been taking my pills and my doctor even said I'm doing great"

Ryker said nothing, he only stared at her. Clara smiled then raised up her right hand.

"I brought brunch."

******

Mitchell arrived at home, inputted the door pass code and slumped on the couch immediately she entered.

"You went to the orphanage again?"Yuri appeared in front of her.

"And I brought you food."Mitchell raised up the nylon she was holding.

Yuri snatched it from her and began looking inside the nylon.

"You can't be going there all the time."she said

"You shouldn't be eating the food I bring back home then"Mitchell replied, standing up and reaching for the flask. Yuri moved back, holding it tightly.

"I'm going to pay respect to father today. Are you coming?"Yuri asked

"I've never gone to pay respect to him since he died. What makes you think I'll go today?"Mitchell raised a brow.

"Oh come on, Mitch. He's still our father"Yuri groaned out

"Well, you're not the one who was dumped at the orphanage"Mitchell snapped and began walking towards her room.

She already opened the door and was about going in but then she stopped.

"I'm going to move out from here soon. I'm just letting you know. And also, I'll be meeting with your boss today"

"What do you mean you'll be meeting with my boss? What are you up to today?"Yuri dropped the flask, going over to meet her.

"Wow. You're so protective of him. You didn't hear me say I'd be moving out? But you heard I'd be meeting with the almighty Ryker Moore?"Mitchell laughed.

Yuri sighed out.

"I'm tired of living off you okay? And I know you hate the fact that you're the only one contributing amongst us. I'm tired of having to ask you for money before I can get myself a nice dress because I'm jobless and broke"Mitchell said

"And what do you think my boss can do for you?"Yuri folded her hands

"Simple. I just have to show him my designs. He has connections, he'll know how to handle the rest"Mitchell replied and went into the room, shutting the door.

She walked towards her wardrobe and opened it. Inside the wardrobe contains just 3 beautiful dresses and a drawing book. Ever since she left fashion school, she's only ever been able to make 3 gowns. But she has lots of designs on her drawing book. No one except Yuri has ever bothered to look at her designs so, she just keeps on drawing not bothering to make the dresses. Why should she anyways? No one's going to take her or her gowns seriously.

But since the scandal of Moore's Villa, Mitchell is hoping to make a deal with Ryker. Since it looks like the wine company will be getting closed down, it wouldn't be such a bad idea for him to venture into fashion. After all, she heard Ryker's mom used to make dresses in her youthful age.

Looking at her designs, she smiled widely.

"This is definitely a new beginning for us."she put back the drawing book inside the wardrobe and shut it back.

Next, she picked up the only picture beside her bed rubbing it softly. It's a picture of herself and her mother. The only one she has.

"I'm going to make you proud, mom. I promise you"

She kissed the picture as a drop of tear fell from her eyes.