Jessie's Dilemma

Chapter 2

"Mum?" I called my step mother. We were at the shop and it was already the end of the day.

"What do you want?" She asked me, looking tired.

"What should we do about Dad's debt?"

"Your father's debt?" She paused and then stared at me. "You have to find a way and pay up, I guess."

I was literally shocked. How could she say that, after all, my father took care of us all when he was alive, so why would she put all this on me.

"But Mum, where can I get that amount of money?"

"I don't know and I don't care. He was your father, wasn't he?"

"But he was also your husband?"

"For a short while." She replied and left me standing.

I almost broke down in tears. I remembered when my Dad told me how he wanted to get me a woman that would take care of me as mum did.

"She will be a good mother to you." He had tried to convince me, then.

"No, daddy. I don't want another mother. I just want to stay with you." I said, advising him against the thought of getting married.

"My sweetheart, you know I travel day and night. I need someone who would take care of you and also help you with the bakery while I go on my journey." He said to me.

I wasn't satisfied. I didn't want another woman in my life because the only love I had was for my mother and no one else.

I had tried to convince him but he had made up his mind to marry Lena. She was always so self centered but had pretended to care for me only when my father was at home but treats me like s**t when he travelled. It was really terrible for me but I held on hoping that Dad would finally find out one day.

"Can you please lend me the money I would surely pay back." I pleaded with her hoping she would listen.

"You know I don't have the money to give you. I don't have the money. I have an idea." She paused, then continued. "Why don't you go meet the man who owns the company. Talk to him and plead with him to give you time to pay back. He will surely listen to a young lady like you."

"Mr. Ruger." I thought. I have heard lot of things about the particular man. Many said that he was dangerous and not a man to be joked with. I felt a sudden emptiness and wished Dad was still here with me but it was only a wish and here, wishes don't come through.

I knew I had to go to him before he comes to me. Again.

Everything was left to me, so I decided to give it my best. I didn't want to lose my father's properties.

*********

"Ruger group of companies." I told the cab driver as I entered.

At first he stared at me like he couldn't believe what I just said, then started driving.

"Do you know anyone there?" He asked.

"What?" I asked, not understanding his questions at first.

"Do you know anyone who works at The Riv?" He asked again.

"No sir. I don't." I answered and turned my face towards my window. I knew he had other questions but I wasn't ready to answer them.

As I was preparing this morning, I felt pain and heaviness in my heart. None of this was meant to happen like this. It was supposed to be me and my Dad, forever but now, he was no where to be found.

Lena didn't want any ceremony for him so we did a quick burial without inviting anyone. I sniffed, trying to stop the tears from dropping and just then caught the driver glance at me from the rear mirror. I could oy imagine what he was thinking.

By the time, I had gotten down the car, it was already 9:00 am and I was sweating profusely. I didn't want to face the harsh issues.

"Hello, please I would want to see Mr Ruger." I said when I got inside, to the secretary.

"You mean Mr. Leonard Ruger?"

The woman seems shaken that someone like me would be looking for the boss.

"Yes ma'am."

""Do you have an appointment?" She asked.

"No but I would like to see him. Its very important."

The secretary kept staring.

"Just tell him that Mr. Kennedy Brooke's daughter is here to see him." I said shortly.

"Have a seat." She directed me to a comfortable sit and that was where I stayed. The walls were polished to a high shine, the air was redolent with the smell of fresh perfume and flowers.

The employees all walked graciously engrossed in work.

I was directed into the huge room filled with chairs and there he was.

Mr. Leonard Ruger.

His eyes were cold and calculating, his gaze devoid of emotions. His voice was cold that it sent chills down my body as he spoke to me.

"Good day." I said.

"You are Jessie, Mr. Kennedy Brooke's daughter? I hope you brought my money."

I immediately stopped on my tracks. I didn't come with any money and I didn't know how else to start this conversation.

"I'm sorry Sir"

"Sorry is a word I do not like to hear." He looked up and then continued what he was writing. "Miss. Brooke do you mind going straight to what brought you to my office without my money, I'm a very busy man."

He was harsh. I hoped he would listen to me.

"My father had an accident a month ago and since then I haven't been able to come up with the amount to pay back his debt. I would like to please for more time."

Mr. Ruger laughed heartily.

"More time? Do you know who I am?" He asked and I that single question startled me.

"Yes sir. "

"Young lady, get me my money or your family would face the consequences."

It was now time to play my card as I knelt down swiftly, closed my eyes and pleaded.

"Please Mr. Ruger. I beg of you. I will do anything just please give me some time to pay you back. Please I beg of you, sir."

"You would do anything? What would someone like you offer me?" Mr. Ruger seemed disgusted.

"Please Sir. Give me more time.." I pleaded more and more.

I glanced as Mr. Ruger smiled as he ran his hands on his beards showing he was thinking.

"He would finally show me mercy." I thought.

"Well.. here must be something you can do..." Mr. Ruger paused, smiling.

"I can work for you for some time and I will pay you little by little." I suggested but it seemed that was not what he had in mind for me.

"That's not it. I have something better you can do."

"Sit down Miss. Brooke, you need to sit and listen to me. I advise you to make the right decision."

"OK, Sir." I affirmed sitting down.

"So.. Miss. Brooke, the only way I can think of you should pay your debt is by getting married."

"Getting married?" I asked, confused on how paying my father's debts was related to getting married.

"Yes, Of course." He agreed and stopped talking. He stood up quietly as he looked at me. "I have a son who is interested in getting married."

"I don't understand you, Sir. I came here to discuss my father's debt not marriage."

"Don't interrupt me again." Mr. Ruger barked and I got startled.

I could hear myself breathing heavily.

"Don't be startled Miss. Brooke, this is for your own good." He assured me. "Let's go back to business. So since you can't pay up your debt, this is my offer to you. Get married to my son and I will reward you handsomely."

I sat there thinking of an answer for this man. A man I have never met until today, asking me to get married to his son whom I have also not met. I didn't have an answer for this man and and I didn't want to sound rude.

Mr. Ruger could see the confusion my face and decided to clear them. "I have 2 sons and the eldest of them is currently single and not ready to settle down so I'm fighting to get him settled down.. you know I'm worried."

I still did not understand why a man was looking for a wife for his grown up son. A son whom I heard was busy touring the world and living the life.

"I know you are confused here and I'm going to give you time to think about this offer but this is not me giving you an option because there's none for you."

I stared in utter surprises at the guts this man displayed.

"You simply have no choice. You either agree to my terms or you pay your debts in three days."

"But sir.. you can't force me to get married to your son just because I can't pay up the debt."

"I gave you an option already. Pay in three days or accept my terms. You can leave." He said walking me out of his office.

I couldn't accept the terms he was giving me… How could I get married to a man I do not know and never seen.

I knew this would be the best news my stepmother would get today because she had always wanted me to leave the house for her.