A step of faith

A petrifying request

Chapter 2

A petrifying request

The next morning

"I'd assume you are well aware of the topic for today's meeting, correct Mr. Parker?" Andrew directed his question at the slightly shorter, middle aged man. His frosted hair framed his oval shaped face. His hazel eyes sat upon his slim, yet long nose, while his moustache laid underneath. It was merely both of the men in a boardroom that was meant for at least thirty.

"Mr. Andrew I'm not exactly sure what you speak of." Mr. parker lied through his teeth. Andrew tired of the time wasting small talk, handed the man a file containing the day's matter.

"So it seems that you and your company owe my company a rather plump sum of money. It's been years, yet absolutely none of it has been paid back. Not only do you owe the company fifty million, but the interest of it sitting in your care. Do you realise how much money that is, with a signed legal document binding you to this?" Andrew kept a professional tone, not letting personal emotion interfere. Although internally, he was boiling. How dare some scumbag try to take advantage of his father's goodwill?

"Mr. Andrew, my company is still in a crucial state... I don't believe we will be able to give that kind of money now, or in the near future" Mr. Parker exclaimed.

"I don't understand, how on earth are you possibly thriving as a company, yet unable to make simple payments back on a loan. I am not afraid to play repossession. I am well aware of the fact I have the opportunity to take your company for all it's worth and I am ready to take legal action on this matter Mr. Parker. Andrew threatened. Their success shall not come from his downfall, that was one thing he was sure of.

"Mr. Andrew, I'm not sure what I have to offer you, my company has no financial room to pay you back at this point," Mr. Parker defended some more.

"You read the contract, correct? The agreement was clearly stated, that is what you legally bound your name to." Andrew added determined to put him in the wrong.

"When I agreed to that your father was still in charge! He was understanding. He fully understood the situation and how desperate we were!"

"So you took advantage of him!" Andrew snapped.

"Well, now is different, He's not here and you will have to find a way to pay us back."

"What do you mean by that? I've explained the company's situation and that is next to impossible."

Mr. Parker exasperatedly spoke. The atmosphere felt suffocating as Mr. Parker stared at Andrew trying to figure out what the greedy business man had in mind but it was hard to read his face as he had no expression on his face. His eyes on the other hand were cold.

"I shall take your eldest hand in marriage." Andrew finally blurted out and waited for a reaction from the elderly man. Mr. Parker's eyes slowly widened in surprise. His pulse slowly heightened at this new proposal.

"Not happening! No way am I going to put the life of my little girl in the hands of a cold hearted and self centred man like you!" Spat Mr. Parker

"Don't flatter yourself Mr. Parker. I do not take any personal interest in your daughter. In fact, I know nothing of her other than the business benefits that comes with the union. But Mr. Parker, this cold hearted and self centred man is giving you the opportunity to redeem yourself and your company. You can either hand her over, or your company," Andrew reasoned

"It's your choice. The deadline is the end of the week." Getting his stuff together, he stood to his feet. Andrew stretched out his hand to Mr. Parker for a simple business handshake but parker looked from his hand to his face then shifted his eyes away from him entirely. He hated his new found position.

Andrew on the other hand was least bothered about the elderly man's emotion or what he thought of him. To him, this was just pure business and he was ready to go to the extremes to get what he wants.

"well Mr. Parker. Till we meet again." Andrew stated as he withdrew his hand before turning away to leave the room, his assistant following behind him.

Mr. Parker loved both his company and his daughter very much. He didn't want to give either of them up to the Devil himself. He didn't want to, but is now caught in a dilemma.

Savannah Was about twenty four years old, She has an hourglass body. she has a burnished complexion, a pair of arched eyebrows looked down on sweeping eyelashes. Her delicate ears framed a button nose. A set of dazzling, angel-white teeth, a shadow-black hair, an enticing, constellation-blue eyes, and a puffy heart shaped lips. She has a bouncy personality and a sugary voice, which many adored. Not content to be just another drone, she wore vibrant clothes.

Her eyes shine with intelligence, compassion and kindness.

She has faced numerous challenges in life from her career, academics and family. Apart from academics, Savannah had a thing for painting.

She was painting herself in her apartment. Breaking her concentration, her phone rang in her back pocket. "Hello?" She answered, still trying to paint.

"Savannah? Where are you? We need to talk." called the muffled voice of her father.

"Dad. I'm busy. Can it wait?" Savannah sighed, her father seemed to call her about every little thing that happens.

"No savannah, this is important. How fast can you get to my office?" he asked, his voice sounding quite unusual.

"Dad, I'm in the..." savannah started trying to quote what she was doing but stopped on recalling that her parents would flip if they found out she was back to doing what they said no to.

"Um... I can't get there right now!" Savannah redirected her statement heightening her voice as well so he could hear her properly.

"I need you here as soon as possible. it's important... very important savannah." He told her in vague words which left her confused. What could possibly be so important that they couldn't talk about it over the phone?

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Walking into the office building, her straight hair was flying behind her. Her blue jeans were clinging to her legs while her white chiffon top and stiletto heels gave off a look of business casual. chest out a little

with a smile on her face before walking into her dad's office.

"Good morning dad." She greeted with a smile just as she walked in. She walked over to him and gave him tight warm hug. Sitting down on the other side of the table, shr decided it was time he let out what was troubling him.

"Savannah, I needed you here a day ago. Where were you?"

"Dad, I had to drive to the airport and then take a jet. The flight itself took a few hours and by the time I got home, it was late. What is so important that we couldn't talk about it on the phone?" She asked just after she was done with her explanation. Her brows squinted as she noticed a strange wave of despair wash over his face.

"Dad, what's wrong?" She asked as worry filled her. Dad was rarely a serious person around her. Something was very bad about this situation.

As he got some papers together, he stood up and made his way over towards her. Cupping his face with her hands, she told him, "Dad, I love you so very much. What is wrong? How can I fix it?" She asked truly ready to fulfil his heart's desire. Anything to make sure the smile on his face returns. He exhaled quite loudly as his face paled.

"Savi, he said as he usually calls her. when you were younger, this company suffered a lot of financial troubles. I took a loan from a friend of mine, then President of the klien enterprise. After some time, I simply couldn't pay back yet. We've been reinvesting our money so we can grow further and Mr klien was a very good friend of mine so he understood. After klien passed away, his son took over. Unfortunately, he's not nearly as compassionate as his father. He now demands we return every single cent or he's going to take away everything. Your grandfather worked so hard to own this, he put in his blood, sweat and tears into this Our family cherishes this company too much to let go of it without a fight."

"Dad, we don't have to give up the company, we'll find an alternate solution. There are multiple ways to fix everything. I know what this company means to you, and I know all of the jobs at stake if this doesn't work out. I'll help you fix this dad in whatsoever way I can. Alexa meant it." She assured him as she put up a warm smile and squeezed both of his hands in hers but the sad look in his eyes remained. It was devastating to see him look that devastated.

"If we are unable to pay him back soon, he's going to take our company but... It does not have to be so only if you could... agree to his condition." Mr parker stated and she furrowed her brows for a minute trying to analyse what all this might be about. Nevertheless, she was ready to pay heed and work my ass off to help him.

"What is it?" She asked still holding his hands in hers.

She watch him hesitate for a while, lurking his eyes left and right. Contemplation filled his every move. She could see something was really troubling him. If only he could understand how willing she was to help him.

"He wants to marry you, he wants to take you as his wife".

"What?!