An Arranged Forever

Episode Four

Samantha’s POV

“Mr. Andrew!” I called out of surprise. Upon hearing me call his name, he laughed and opened his hands, inviting me for a hug. I went to him and hugged him. Although we only talked for a few minutes at the event, I felt like he was someone I could connect with.

“You must have so many questions to ask me,” he told me after the hug.

“Exactly, but come in first. The questions will come later,” I offered. He entered our living room and my dad was surprised just like I was.

“I was not expecting you here at all,” my father told him.

“I had to make this visit without telling you. I’m sorry about that. I was at the gate for over thirty minutes before the security man answered. It seemed he was sleeping. That’s poor service!” Andrew noted and sat down on one of our chairs even before we offered him one.

“That was a bad experience, sir,” my dad took a deep breath. “I will talk to the security man and I apologize on his behalf. This wouldn’t happen again for sure.”

“Stop being formal, Jenkins. We are both men, alright?” Andrew laughed. My dad joined him and I remained watching.

“I will get champagne,” my dad stood up.

“No, I’m an old man,” Andrew excused himself. “Just get me a glass of water. That will do.”

My dad stood up and instructed the in-house butler about the guest’s preference. In no time, snacks were served with a glass of water for Andrew as instructed. We got into the conversation with me being on the lead.

“How did you find this house?” I started by asking.

“Google maps,” Andrew replied. “My driver is a badass at that. I asked around and got your address and my driver did the rest of the work. Plus, this mansion is unique. It is not hard to find.”

“Thanks for the compliment!” my dad grinned loudly.

“But-” Andrew muttered. “What happened to the exterior staff? The main gate should have more than one sleepy security man, the garden seems to be messy, and the surroundings hasn’t been swept neatly. Is anything wrong?”

“Oh, you noticed all that,” my father muttered uncomfortably.

“It is a minor problem and we will sort it out, Andrew. You don’t need to worry at all,” I told him carefully. I could see that my words had no impact on Andrew. From his facial expression, he knew all about what was happening to us.I paused for a moment and allowed him to take the floor.

“I have heard all about your situation. I think I know what happened with the staff. My guess is that they haven’t been paid and they had to quit. It’s not a new thing and the last thing you should do is feel ashamed,” Andrew said slowly. My dad and I kept looking at him.

“I appreciate your understanding,” my dad said slowly. “I was a wealthy man and my finances-”

“I know, Jenkins!” Andrew stopped my dad before he could delve into details. “I know everything already. I came here to help you and you see, I will do what you want. There are two options. The first is, I will buy the company for fifty million dollars. I’ll settle your debtors and you can start up a new business somewhere. You could do it in the United States where Nicholas won’t be able to reach you.”

I looked at my dad carefully. The deal was good enough in my eyes since we didn’t need to settle any debtors. However, my dad didn’t seem to think like me. He was going to say something.

“The best bet for me is if you will finance my company,” my dad started. “Other investors will flock in the moment they realize you are involved. That is all I need.”

“It is the second option,” Andrew smiled.

“I want that!” my dad replied quickly. This looked too easy and from Andrew’s facial expression, I knew we were up for a bunch of surprises.

“But that comes with a price,” Andrew eventually said the magic word. “I want something from you and if you’ll do that for me, you won’t need to pay me back for financing your company. That few millions would be a form of payment for that thing you’ll do for me.”

“What do you want? Just say the word,” my father said urgently.

“Samantha!” Andrew exclaimed. “I want your daughter, Samantha.”

“You-” my dad frowned in shock.

“Not for me, but my grandson,” Andrew replied and brought out his phone instantly. He opened it and gave it to my dad. I expected him to ask this already. I peeped and I could see that it was a picture of his grandson. The guy looked more handsome than I would have thought. He didn’t look like his grandfather and he was manly. My dad checked more pictures and there was one in the gym. He looked endowed with this muscular outlook.

“What is his name?” my dad asked curiously. He handed me the phone and I had to go through the pictures. There was a video too. He was speaking at an event.

“Davis, quite a handsome one, don’t you think?” Andrew smiled.

“He is fine, but marriage is no joke too. He should be here,” my dad replied, trying to be proud for once.

“Oh, you’re right!” Andrew replied. “I have never used my child for a business transaction in my life but you’re about to do it.”

“It’s not a business transaction!” my dad exclaimed.

“Stop being on the defensive, Jenkins. Both of us are businessmen. This marriage won’t have been in the discussion if you didn’t have a financial need. You need an investment from me and in exchange, I have your beautiful daughter married into my family. It sounds like s**t but it is what it is. You’ve got to accept,” Andrew explained without stress.

“Dad, he’s right!” I touched my dad carefully. “This is a business transaction and I am aware, dad. I think I want to do it. It’s our best bet.”

“We could pick the first option, Samantha. We could sell off the company and-” my dad tried.

“Come on!” I exclaimed. “You are still pretending, dad. You want me to be married to his grandson. Even if I want to do otherwise, you’ll scold me and remind me that I am your heir. Stop making it look like you’re being convinced. I should be the one playing that role.”

Saying this, I stood up and left the living room. I was pissed off already and I didn’t want to hear more. I hurried to the veranda and there, I sat and thought about my life.

Davis was one hundred times better than Nicholas even though I haven’t seen him before. I wouldn’t need to worry about being embarrassed publicly and told to lick a dusty pair of shoes.

I heard footsteps behind me and they didn’t sound like my dad’s at all. It was definitely Andrew. He sat beside me now and looked at the sky.

“You love looking at the sky, dear,” Andrew said carefully.

“The stars are beautiful,” I replied. “I was reminded how long it’s been since I stepped out to observe this beauty. It’s been a really long time.”

“You should go easier on your dad,” Andrew caught my attention at once. “It might not look like it but that dude loves you more than what you think. Just be cool with him. The man’s going through a lot.”

“I am, too,” I replied without losing my composure.

“Yup!” Andrew exclaimed. “Everyone is going through a truckload of s**t. Your dad’s not the only one.”

“Did he agree?” I asked soberly.

“He did,” Andrew replied. “You’ll be in the United States this time tomorrow. You might feel it’s a bit rushed but I am not in the position to slow things down.”

“It’s fine. I have got no friends here anyway. No one will notice I disappeared except my poor dad who will be all alone,” I sniffed. I was going to cry but seeing Andrew near me made me control my emotions. He was still someone I didn’t know deeply.

“It might be for the best!” Andrew replied. “Your space will be filled up easily. Your dad might even get remarried soon. I am sure he has been seeing someone. He just kept it from you.”

I laughed as we looked at the stars together.

“Your grandson-” I muttered. “Has he been arrested for a crime before?”

“None,” Andrew replied.

“That makes it more scary!” I exclaimed. “What’s his status on drugs, alcohol, and women.”

“I don’t think he has the time to use drugs. He frowns a lot about that. For alcohol, he is a heavy drinker but he rarely drinks out. Instead of going to clubs, he would rather use the bar at home. He rarely gets drunk too. For women, I haven’t seen one with me for the past five years. I have eyes on him and intel tells me he is cold when it comes to women.”

“Are you sure he isn’t attracted to his own gender?” I asked carefully, dreading the answer already.

“The thing is-” Andrew said. “I am not sure.”