The Bitter Choice
1742 Words
“Very soon, we'll witness the lavish wedding of The Wilson Group and Stuart Corp. What do you think about this merger of two major companies? Will it lead to a monopoly?” The big screen went dark.
Rose glared at John. “Why did you turn off the TV? I was watching Liana Collin talk about her fiancé’s wedding.”
“It's time for you to meet Mr. William.” The announcement made Rose sigh heavily.
Before leaving the table, she slipped a thick folder into her bag. “I have to fix everything.”
Rose got out of the car and walked straight inside. Her steps were both graceful and haughty. She passed several tables until she finally reached the one where Mr. William was waiting for her.
“You’re late, Miss.” William took a sip of wine from his glass.
John pulled out a chair for Rose.
“This place is different from where we agreed to meet.” She motioned for him to leave them alone.
She felt William’s condescending gaze. “I wanted to buy you a drink to celebrate your wedding.”
“This drink isn't worthy of my lavish wedding.” Rose pushed the wine glass away.
“So, what’s the equivalent of your marriage?” William was starting to become interested in the conversation.
Rose took one of the folders from her bag and placed it in the middle of the table.
“I want you to withdraw your report as a congratulatory gesture for my wedding.”
William picked up the folder. “You want to save your husband's family.”
A small smile appeared on her beautiful face. “Why would I do that?” She leaned back and folded her arms across her chest. “I'm here to take over the hydrogen core.”
“You want to take over this failed project?” William gently tossed the papers he’d been reading onto the table.
“Edward has caused you great and painful losses.” Rose leaned forward. “And I'm here to make up for all of that.”
The man began to push his wine glass away. “What is a young lady like you going to do?”
“Edward Stuart took on this massive project out of blind greed. He rushed through everything, making things difficult for the very people who had helped him.” Rose sat up straight. “But, unlike him, I will save this project from ruin by assembling a competent team, ensuring that success is all you'll hear about.”
William nodded. “What if I turn down your offer, Miss Wilson?”
A smile returned to her face. “I won't suffer any loss from your refusal because finding a more competent investor is easy for me.” Rose leaned back in her chair. “On the other hand, if you reject me and file a lawsuit against Stuart Corp, you will only incur massive losses.”
The man’s fingers tapped the glass tabletop. “What kind of profit would I get?”
Her smile widened, every word she spoke was filled with certainty. “I'll return what you've given me twofold, or even more, along with interest. Your name will grow with the success of this project.”
“What will you do if the project fails again?”
Rose shrugged. “I don't know because the word 'failure' doesn't exist in my life.”
William nodded, took a sip of wine, and raised his glass. “I'll follow you.”
Rose gestured for him to finish the wine in his glass as a sign of agreement.
*****
The evening light touched Rose’s sleeping skin. As the car came to a stop, she slowly opened her eyes. An employee tapped on John’s window to inform him that a journalist was waiting for Rose.
John turned around to face Rose. The corners of her mouth turned up. “Show her to my office.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The employee promptly carried out her instructions.
The steam from the coffee created a warm atmosphere between Liana and Rose.
“Did you come as a journalist?” Rose blew gently on her coffee before taking a sip.
The soft clink of the mug against the glass table echoed clearly in their ears.
“Or as the girlfriend of my fiancé?”
Rose’s sharp eyes noticed the tension Liana was feeling.
The woman took a deep breath and confidently met her gaze. “I'm here as Liana, Levin Stuart's fiancée.”
Rose gave a small smile in response to her boldness. “What do you want to talk to me about?”
“Why do you want to marry him?” The disapproving tone pricked Rose’s ears.
She crossed her legs and leaned back. “Because I love him.”
A mocking smile spread across Liana’s face. “Can someone like you even feel love?”
“Of course. Just because I look like an angel doesn't mean I'm not an ordinary human who can fall in love with a handsome prince like Levin.” That reply angered her conversation partner.
“I'll rephrase my question because someone like you wouldn't understand what love is.”
Rose raised her hand, gesturing for Liana to continue.
“What is the purpose of The Wilson Group merging with Stuart Corp, which is currently suffering massive losses?” The woman’s weary eyes turned sharp.
“Now you're asking as a journalist.” Rose leaned forward and took another sip of her lukewarm coffee. “My answer will remain the same, Miss Collin. This merger happened because I love Levin Stuart.”
A frustrated, disbelieving sigh escaped the woman’s mouth.
“Now it’s my turn to ask you, Liana Collin.” She folded her arms across her chest, her face fierce. “Which choice will you make? Let go of your lover or become a mistress?”
“What?!” Her anger grew more intense.
“My lavish wedding is just two days away. You need to make up your mind soon.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see her clenched fist.
“Are you going to give me your answer now?” She raised an eyebrow, demanding a response.
Her trembling lips finally parted. “It seems our conversation must end here.”
The woman stood up and left, leaving her coffee untouched.
Rose let out a heavy sigh and slumped backward in her chair. She closed her eyes, letting exhaustion overtake her.
The sound of the door opening and approaching footsteps forced her to open her eyes again.
“Do you need another cup of coffee?” John already knew her condition.
“Please.” She stood up. “I have to finish my work.”
She staggered over to her desk, turned on her laptop, and got back to work.
*****
With just one day to go before her wedding, Rose was still busy signing papers and checking documents.
A knock on the desk caught her attention. “What is it, John?”
“Your last appointment today is dinner with Mr. Stuart.”
A relieved smile immediately spread across her weary face. “Thank you for reminding me.” She took off her glasses.
“How do I look? Do I look bad?” She stood up and checked her wrap dress.
“You look fine. You just need to fix your hair.” John handed her a comb.
She immediately smoothed out her black hair. “I'm ready. Let's go.”
The car, which had been driving along, began to pull over. Rose took a deep breath before getting out and entering the restaurant. A small smile returned to her face when she saw the man waiting for her, and her steps felt light as she approached the table.
“Did you meet Liana?” This greeting left Rose speechless for a moment.
Before answering, she motioned for John to leave them alone. The warmth she’d felt earlier faded.
“You should have let me sit down first.”
Levin gestured for her to sit down. She took a seat, her gaze cold.
“What were you talking to her about?” The question created a huge wall between them.
“Did you order food for me?”
“Answer my question!” The man was annoyed.
“I’ll order the best steak and wine for us.” She ignored the stares directed at her.
“Why don’t you just ask her directly?” Rose raised her hand to call the waiter. "She's the one who approached me."
“Did you hurt her?” His firm voice caused a slight tightness in her chest.
She picked up the glass and swirled the wine inside. “She was the one who asked me. I asked her what choice she would make.”
“Choice? What choice did you offer her?” The man leaned forward.
“She had to choose between letting you go or becoming your mistress.” Rose sipped the expensive wine.
“What?!” Levin clenched his fists, trying to keep his anger in check.
“Why are you all so shocked?” She set down the tall glass. “Isn’t the choice obvious?”
Rose folded her arms on the table. “Do I have to explain your situation to you?” Her defiant gaze made the man flinch.
“Tomorrow is our wedding day, when you'll become my husband in the eyes of God and everyone else. If you don’t like being called a ‘mistress,’ you should end the relationship.”
“I'll end my relationship with you.” That statement took Rose by surprise.
She leaned back against the chair, searching his face for any sign of resolve. Her fingers trembled beneath the table.
“I'd rather rot in prison than marry you.” Those words felt like a knife piercing her chest.
She hid her pain with a smile. “You shouldn't have said that before I gave you this gift.”
Rose took a thick folder from her bag and held it out to the man. "I'll be waiting for you at the altar tomorrow."
She stood up, feeling suffocated.
The streetlights along the road seemed dim. Rose closed her eyes.
“John, will that happiness come tomorrow?” Tears began to glisten on her beautiful face.
To Be Continued~~~
- Writer
