The Widow And the Heir

Chapter 5

Celia blinked.

For a moment, her expression was unreadable as usual. Then unexpectedly, she burst out laughing, she leaned against the counter, shaking her head and laughing uncontrollably.

So the woman knew how to laugh?

“You're unbelievable,” she said between chuckles. “That has to be the most ridiculous proposal I've ever heard.”

I leaned against the counter too, folding my arms as a smug smile crept across my face. “What's funny about it? Is it that bad?”

“It is.” She said with all seriousness now. “Throwing a marriage proposal at your stepmother is not only funny but disrespectful, I'm only going to overlook this joke of yours today.”

“Ex-stepmother,” I corrected, raising a finger. “My father is dead, remember? That chapter is closed.”

She frowned. “I don't think so.”

It was my turn to laugh now. “Relax your rigid bones. I was kidding.”

She only hissed and turned to leave the kitchen when my words stopped her.

“I thought you'd say yes, Celia. You could marry anyone for money, am I right? Maybe if I had promised you a position or shares in the company, you would have said yes.”

Celia froze, I noticed her shoulders stiffen. The kitchen was silent for a heartbeat. Slowly, she turned back around, her eyes cold as ice. “What do you think of me? That I'd sell myself to the highest bidder?”

I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. “Everyone has a price. Yours is a hundred billion, a house and a few cars.”

We stared at each other, unblinking. For a moment, I thought she might slap me or throw something, but instead, she turned on her heel again.

This time, I didn’t stop her. But I couldn’t help adding one last word.

“You know, Celia,” I called out, “You keep pretending you’re above it all, but we both know if I made the right offer, you'd at least consider it. You did the same thing with my father.”

She walked out without saying another word. She could pretend all she wanted but I knew the truth. Someone like her is moved by money and material things.

I strode into my room to think about better things. I would go to the company tomorrow, make myself known and get familiar with the board and staff. I didn't work for my father but I knew everything there was to know about business. Then the next step would be to look for a woman to marry. That would be very hard to do, should I just walk up to a random woman and ask her to be my wife?

Damn you Weston Tate, for making me do this.

I wasn't the kind of man that believed in love or marriage and he knew that, he would have known that and that was why he added such a stupid clause in his will.

First things first, visit the company tomorrow. Then maybe sign up for a dating app and meet a nice lady there, date her for a while and propose. No lady out there would say no to a proposal from Charles Tate…it was impossible. Celia just did though. I chuckled, that's only because she bagged Weston Tate himself and got a billion dollars! Smart move I must say.

******

The next morning, I drove to the office and realized that I had to keep explaining who I was to people. They knew the name but not the face. Then I heard that there was a board meeting going on. A board meeting without the CEO? What sort of madness was going on?

I barged inside despite the secretary's attempts to stop me. There was really a board meeting going on and seated with the board members was David and Margot was delivering a speech about God knows what.

“Oh there he is!” She exclaimed as all eyes turned towards me. “Your new CEO!!”

They looked disappointed, as if the news didn't please their ears. Murmured voices began erupting from within the board members. Margot gave me a sly smile as she walked towards me and whispered in my ear.

“You see, no one wants you here. You should just give this up, Charles.”

I ignored her, walked up to the front and bowed to greet. “Hello everyone. Let me formally introduce myself to you.”

“We already know who you are,” a voice erupted. It belonged to an elderly man.

“You ignored us at your father's burial and now you want us to acknowledge you?” Another voice said. A woman's.

“Celia had to come up with a silly excuse just to defend you, but we all know that you don't care about this. How can we trust you?”

That was when it occurred to me that I was on the wrong side of this war. I wasn't even prepared for anything, I didn't know anyone, I had no allies. Margot must have filled their hearts with hatred against me….the disobedient son who knew nothing about the business.

I apologized and staggered out of their presence….I wasn't cut out for this, I should just give up, let Margot do her thing. I hate my father so much so why should I care if someone wants to run down all he has built?

I would go home, pack up and leave. After three months, Margot could do whatever she wanted with Tate Industries and I would be away, and at peace.

I met Celia in the living room…that woman was everywhere. I intended to ignore her and go pack my things but it seemed she was up to date about my current life issues.

“I heard you made a mess of yourself at the board meeting.”

“Yes I did. Are you happy?”

She stood up gracefully. “Of course I'm not. You should have told me you planned on going there, I would have advised that now is not the best time.”

“Well news flash, I don't need your advice. I'm giving it all up.”

“You're giving it up for what? Because of a little rejection from the board? They don't have a choice anyway, you'll be the CEO whether they like it or not.”

“What if I don't want to be the Ceo?!” I fumed. “I don't want any of this!!”

“Okay,” she reacted cooly. “I guess David will do a better job then.”

“No, they won't,” I blurted out. s**t. I shouldn't have.

“I heard Margot and David talking,” I explained. “They plan to destroy the company.”

Celia’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”

“I went there to give them everything and walk away, be done with this bullshit. But I overheard them. They’re planning to ruin it all.”

Celia’s expression turned serious. She stepped closer. “Are you sure about what you heard?”

“Every word.”

A long pause followed.

“You still want to leave? Prove everyone right and let them win.” she asked carefully.

“No.” The way she said it made me rethink my decision. “Now I want to fight.”

Celia gave a slow nod, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Then do it.”

She turned and was about to leave the room, when I stopped her. “Are you just leaving?”

“Is there anything you wanted to talk about?”

I hesitated. “I thought you would give me a few pointers. You seem to know a thing or two about the board members.”

She gave me a confused look. “What if I do?”

“Do you really want me to directly ask you for help?”

She smirked. “Yes, and you also have to apologize for yesterday.”

The gold digger wants me to apologize for saying the truth to her face? Never.

“I'm not going to do that.”

She simply shrugged and turned to go upstairs when I reached out for her hand.

She missed a step and suddenly, her ankle twisted and her body pitched forward. My arms shot out, catching her around the waist just before she hit the ground. Her body collided with mine and her hands clutched at my shirt for balance. I noticed how soft and warm her body felt and for a moment, I got confused. Her eyes were wide and fixed on mine, probably confused too.

I felt my grip tighten around her, and I could feel her breath on my face.

And I knew I should have let go but I didn't pull away and neither did she…