A MUTUAL AGREEMENT

HER DAD'S DECISION

Davis was relieved to find everything in his wallet intact. As he left the hospital, he considered visiting the lady but decided against it. He needed proper rest. I’ll go see her tomorrow, or maybe the day after, he thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Pretty Crystal was fast asleep in her room when a maid knocked to inform her that her father had come to see her. She slipped into her flip-flops and made her way to the living room to greet him.

“Dad, you’re still recovering. You should’ve called me to come to your place,” Crystal said, taking a seat beside him.

“You worry too much, sweetheart. I’m getting better, thanks to the doctor,” Mr. Jude, Crystal’s father, replied firmly.

Crystal gave him a curious look. “Alright, Dad, so what brings you here? You only visit me when it’s about business. Spill it.”

Jude chuckled. “You’re a smart girl, Crystal. Of course, it’s business.” He paused, studying her intently before continuing.

“Should I get you some juice?” Crystal offered politely.

“Yes, please,” Jude replied with a small nod.

Crystal returned moments later with a glass of juice and handed it to him before sitting down again.

“So, Dad, you were saying? Go on.”

“Well,” Jude began, clearing his throat, “you’ve heard of Mr. Maxwell Sky, the CEO of Sky Group of Companies, right?”

Crystal nodded slightly, signaling she knew who he was referring to.

“His son, Maximo, has proposed marriage to you. It’s a business alliance. If you agree, this could be a jackpot for us. Their company is the talk of the business world. So, what do you think?” Jude leaned forward, watching her intently.

Crystal sighed, clearly unimpressed. “Dad, I’m not going to marry someone just to amass wealth. I’ll marry someone I truly love. So, with that said, I do not give my consent to this marriage.”

“What? But why?” Jude asked, stunned. He wasn’t used to her defiance. “Maximo is wealthy—he can give you everything you could ever want!” His irritation was evident.

Crystal held his gaze. “He might be able to give me everything, but not love. Dad, you already have everything, yet it’s never enough for you. Even when Mom was sick, you couldn’t give her what she needed most—your time and love. You’re selfish.”

Her words stung. Jude raised his hand and slapped her across the face, cutting her off. The room fell silent, except for the sound of her sharp intake of breath.

“You’ll do as I say, Crystal. That’s final.” Jude drained the juice in one swift gulp and rose to leave.

But Crystal’s next words stopped him in his tracks.

“No, Dad. You’ll do as I say. You don’t control my life anymore. And for the record, I already have a boyfriend.”

Jude froze, his back to her. He said nothing as he exited the house, but her words lingered in his mind.

The truth, however, was that Crystal had no boyfriend. She’d lied to provoke her father, hoping it would make him leave her alone for a while.

Crystal retreated to her room, her emotions a storm. She hated how her father tried to control her every move. I’m twenty-four years old, she thought bitterly. I won’t let him dictate my life anymore.

Elsewhere, Davis returned home, exhausted from the day’s events. He decided to take a nap. When he woke up, he pulled out the card the mysterious lady had given him and stared at it for a moment. Finally, he dialed the number.

The phone rang a few times before she answered.

“Hello, my name is Davis Grey. I just wanted to thank—”

He was abruptly cut off.

“Meet me at Pretty Crystal’s Eatery at 3 p.m. Please dress smartly,” she said curtly before hanging up.

Davis stared at his phone, stunned and irritated. Who does she think she is?