MARRY ME, UNCLE DMITRI (ENGLISH)

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Despite the heaviness in my chest, I forced myself out of bed and got ready for work.

When I came downstairs, I noticed Dad's car was already gone. I usually rode to the office with him, but since he'd already left, I decided to use one of the spare cars in the garage. I had barely driven it toward the gate when one of the security guards hurried over and stepped in front of the vehicle, forcing me to stop.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, puzzled.

I even rolled down the window so I could hear him clearly.

"Ma'am... Ma'am Susane will be using this car. She asked me to tell you to take a taxi instead."

Susane had her own car in the garage. If she needed to go somewhere, she could use that. The car I'd been driving for years was still in the repair shop after she crashed it.

And now she wouldn't even let me use this one.

Instead of arguing, I simply grabbed my bag and got out of the car.

The guard apologized over and over, but none of this was his fault.

As soon as I stepped outside the gate, a taxi happened to pass by. I flagged it down and climbed inside.

After giving the driver the office address, I remembered to check my phone.

Magnus had called several times, but I didn't bother returning any of them. Instead, I scrolled through social media for the rest of the ride.

When we arrived at the company, I quickly paid the fare and got out.

I was in a hurry because I didn't want to be late. As I entered the building, the security guards greeted me with friendly waves. I smiled and waved back before rushing inside.

The elevator was already crowded, so I squeezed my way in until I ended up standing near the back.

Everyone in the elevator knew me. They were already used to seeing me ride up with them every morning.

I was the last one to get off since my office was on the top floor.

I shared an office suite with Dad.

When I arrived, his secretary was already there. She gestured toward his office, silently telling me that he was already inside.

I nodded before walking to my desk.

The moment I sat down in my swivel chair, a wave of dizziness washed over me.

"He's in a terrible mood today," Miss Jean whispered.

"Why?" I asked as I turned on my computer.

She only shrugged.

Apparently, she didn't know why my father was so angry.

"Louella!"

My father's booming voice echoed through the office.

Here at work, he wasn't my father.

He was my boss.

No matter how foul his mood was, I had no choice but to face him.

The moment I stepped into his office, he tossed a folder onto his desk.

"Review this. Find a way to convince the owner to sell us his five-hectare property. You have one month to get it done, Louella."

"Sir—"

He immediately raised a hand, refusing to let me speak.

I knew exactly who he was talking about.

I also knew that several employees had already tried negotiating with the landowner.

Every single one of them had failed.

"Don't disappoint me, Louella. Prove that you can handle even the impossible."

"But, Sir—"

"Leave."

I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment.

Silently, I picked up the folder and walked out of his office.

The impossible task only made me feel even worse.

"Are you okay?" Miss Jean asked.

I shook my head.

"Dad wants me to handle this." I held up the folder helplessly. "How am I supposed to convince someone who's refused every offer to sell? What am I even supposed to do?"

I slumped into my chair.

It was still morning, yet I already felt completely exhausted.

Yes, my father's company paid extremely well.

But the workload was enough to kill anyone.

And this assignment might literally be the death of me.

"The last employee who went there said the owner chased him with a machete," Miss Jean said. "Whatever you do, don't go there alone, Louella. It's dangerous."

I rubbed my temples.

Just my luck.

Why did this assignment have to land on my desk?

"For now, let's focus on work," Miss Jean said. "Don't think about that yet. Review the folders I left on your desk. I need to submit them to your father."

Before any document or report reached my father's office, it always came through me first.

I reviewed everything.

If I found mistakes, I marked them.

Although my father owned the construction company, I was practically the one keeping it running.

An overwhelming amount of responsibility rested on my shoulders.

Nothing reached his desk without my approval.

Every proposal passed through me first. If it wasn't worth my father's time, it never reached his desk. I was doing everything.

I set the folder aside and began working through the files Miss Jean had brought me.

The office remained quiet as we worked.

I became so busy that I almost forgot I wasn't feeling well.

By lunchtime, our meals arrived.

Miss Jean stayed at her desk while I carried the food into Dad's office and arranged it neatly on the table.

"Sir?"

He stood up immediately and walked over to inspect the meal.

"Let's eat," he said formally.

He took his seat, and I quietly sat across from him.

We ate in silence.

Then he was the first to speak.

"I trust you haven't taken last night's incident to heart."

My chewing slowed.

I looked at him cautiously.

"N-No, Sir," I answered, even though every word they'd said and every cruel thing they'd done had already been carved into my memory.

"Good. I don't want another fight between you and Susane. Try to understand her. And if you can't, then keep quiet. Mommy Susana might start feeling uncomfortable around you if you keep arguing with Susane. My wife has always been good to you, Louella. I don't want you becoming a problem between the two of us."

"Yes, Daddy."

My gaze fell to my plate.

I'd barely finished half of my meal.

My father would never choose me.

The family he'd built with Mommy Susana would always come first.

The family he'd had before them...

He had abandoned so easily.

My mother begged him not to leave.

I cried in front of him.

I pleaded with him to stay.

He never listened.

He chose Mommy Susana.

He chose Susane.

He left us behind.

Then, when he realized I could be useful for his business ambitions...

He took me in and paid for my education.

"Eat."

His voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I quietly resumed eating.

My chest ached with resentment, but I couldn't bring myself to say any of it aloud.

I still owed him too much.

Without his help...

My mother might not even be alive.

So even if staying by his side slowly broke me... I would endure it.

Someday, this will all be over.

Someday, I'd finally be free from this life... without having to fear what would become of my mother.