The Compromise

Chapter Six

Daniel's Pov

The news of Bernard Tamson's bankruptcy didn't shock me in any way, because I made that happen. He needed to pay for what he did to my family, and for putting me in this state. What annoyed me the most, is the fact that he doesn't even remember what he did twenty years ago.

I'll surely do him the honor of reminding him, but just after I make every member of his family pay.

My first target was his daughter.

"Sir! This just got out." Lucas said. I could tell he was a bit tensed from his tone, and I knew something was up.

"What is it?" I asked him. He handed me a magazine, and the headline on the front page almost made me lose my mind.

"What kind of stunt is that old fox trying to pull!" I could feel my blood boiling. "Was he trying to play a fast one on me? Oh Bernard Tamson, you sure don't know who you are messing with" I thought.

For five years I have envisaged acquiring Flora Tamson as my wife and turning her into a shadow of herself. Was he about to ruin that? Never!

"Lucas, set a meeting with Bernard tomorrow by ten a.m. sharp."

"Yes Sir. " Lucas said and hurriedly left the room.

I wondered what Bernard was really up to. I picked up the magazine but the name Kira Tamson did not ring a bell. I thought I had thoroughly checked-mated the Tamson family and knew every single detail about them. If this girl was really his daughter, I sure had failed myself over the years.

"What then have you been doing Daniel? How could you miss this? I'm sure it isn't true anyways." I thought.

The next day, I got so impatient waiting for the time. By 8:30 a.m., I ordered the driver to take me to the office.

Surprisingly, Mr Tamson came in with his wife by 9:00 a.m.

"Good day, Mr Daniel." He said as he walked in.

"Mr Tamson, I'm surprised you got here this early. The meeting was fixed for 10 a.m., or were you misinformed?" I asked.

"Not at all, sir. I've heard well enough about you to know that you come two hours early to your meetings." He said.

" Oh well. Have your seats please." I said.

Surprisingly, his chatterbox of a wife, was quite composed today.

" What is this about?" I asked as I flung the magazine on the desk.

"Oh..it's.."He wanted to say but was cut short by his wife.

" I'm sorry Mr Daniel. I know, this must have come as a surprise to you, but it is true. Kira is our daughter and heir to all we have." She said looking sullen.

" And what is that supposed to mean?" I asked not even shaken.

" Um.. we resolved to give out our first child and heiress, to you as wife," Bernard said.

"What sort of drama is this?" I thought.

"Listen to me Bernard Tamson," I said with clenched fists. I tried hard to hide my anger, but I guess my temperament wasn't helping matters.

"I don't know what you are up to, but I hope your findings made you understand that Daniel Peterside is not a personality to be toyed with."

"I know Mr Daniel. Please calm down. We are honest people and can prove it to you now " He shuddered.

His wife handed me a brown envelope.

"What is that?" I asked.

" Proof of Kira's paternity." She said.

"She is our child. We only hid her from the world because we didn't want all eyes to be on her. You know, we needed to look out for our heiress." She added.

Indeed the envelope contained a DNA test result, showing that one Kira Tamson, was the child of Bernard Tamson.

"This proves nothing," I said and tossed the paper away. "For all I know this could have been forged."

"Not at all, Sir. If need be, we can go with you to your doctor, who will run a DNA test on us. You'll see we are telling the truth." Mr Bernard said.

" Oh. If that be the case excuse me then. I'll be right back." His wife said and stood up to leave.

" What is she up to?" I thought.

" What is going on?" I asked the nervous man before me. Almost immediately, she was back. But not alone. She was with a young lady, wearing a short red dress. She looked partly Chinese but more American.

For some weird reason, I couldn't take my eyes off her, from the moment she walked in.

"Why is she walking in slow motion? I'm i the only seeing this?" I thought, wondering what was going on.

She was doing something strange to me, and I didn't like it. The dress accentuated her curves so well that I barely held myself from drooling.

"And who is she? " I asked, trying to sound stern.

"She is Kira. Our daughter." Mrs Tamson said.

"I see," I said with my eyes still fixed on the young lady.

"She is the best gift we've ever had, so we resolved that if we must give anything to you in return for what you've done for us, it should be our best. " Mr Bernard said.

"So Miss.." I said referring to the lady, waiting for her to respond with her name, but she didn't even bulge. Her eyes were fixed on the floor. She looked so sad. Not like I cared though.

" Kira.." Mrs Tamson said nudging the young lady.

"Miss Kira, the magazine which announced your existence didn't have any picture of you, so this is my first time seeing you. Can I know you?" I asked. She kept mute, her eyes still fixed on the floor.

" Is she mute or something?" I asked, now feeling quite impatient and irritated.

" I'm sorry sir. She is just very shy." Mrs Tamson said looking embarrassed.

"I see. You shouldn't be. This is just a business arrangement.." I said and I noticed she almost flinched.

"Tell me. Are you Mr Tamson's daughter?" I asked.

She slowly lifted her gaze and looked straight into my eyes and for some reason, my heart clenched.

"What do you think?" She asked.

"Gosh! Her eyes.." I thought.

"Mr Bernard," I said, still unable to take my eyes off her.

"Yes sir."

"If my doctor confirms her to be your daughter, the wedding will be happening in two days. "

"What? Really?" The couple asked in unison.

I couldn't read the lady's expression, but I could tell something was hidden behind those deep green eyes of hers, fixed on mine.

"Get ready for a horrific experience." I thought as I glared at her.