DECEPTION AND DESIRES

The Dubious Offer

“Good day, Jacobs family,” said Don Joseph with fake politeness, entering the living room with his lawyer, Mr. Thompson.

Anastacia’s eyes narrowed, and her instincts were blaring at her. Mrs. Jacobs, her mother, and Davies, her brother, looked at each other in discomfort.

“What brings you here, Don Joseph?” Mrs. Jacobs said, her voice courteous but guarded.

Don Joseph sat down on the armchair and never took his eyes off Anastacia. “I am here to propose something that will be in the best interest of your family. ”

Anastacia's skepticism grew. "What kind of proposal?"

The smile of Don Joseph was as slippery as a snake moving in the grass. “You know, Anastacia, your father’s business is almost bankrupt now. … Certain business tycoons are waiting for an opportunity to take over Justin’s business and fortune. ”

Davies stood up, his lips curling into a frown.

"It's not possible; father had everything worked out." Don Joseph let out a sour chuckle. "Oh no, young man, you are incorrect; these executives are prepared to take advantage of the void left by your father's... er... unfortunate passing."

Anastacia felt her heart beating as she felt Don Joseph staring at her. ‘What is the relevance of all this to me?’

Don Joseph’s eyes sparkled with greed. ‘I can help you, Anastacia, I can use my power to save your father’s business but for that, you have to marry my son Raymond. ’

Everyone was silent for a moment, stunned by the gravity of Don Joseph’s words, which seemed to have cut through the air like the blade of a guillotine. Anastacia’s thoughts tumbled in her head as she tried to come to terms with what she had just heard, the shock, the anger, and the fear that overwhelmed her.

“You want me to marry your son in exchange for your help?” Anastacia asked in a very low tone.

Don Joseph’s nod was stiff. “Yes, that is correct It is a small price to pay for the preservation of the family’s fortune and honor. ”

Mrs. Jacobs’ face was pale and her eyes were filled with horror. "Anastacia, we can't—"

‘Excuse me, Mr. Thompson, Don Joseph’s lawyer, cut in, his tone as polished as the silk that he wore. ‘Just consider the situation, Mrs. Jacobs. Your family’s name and wealth, are safeguarded and kept intact. Your daughter is married to a man of influence, and with a bright future awaiting her. ’

Anastacia stared at Don Joseph straight in the eye and spoke to him in a very emotionless tone. “I need time to think about it. ”

Don Joseph smiled again and his eyes sparkled with victory. ‘Time is something you do not have, Anastacia. ’ You have 48 hours to make up your mind, otherwise, the offer is off the table and the future of your family is doomed. ”

With that, Don Joseph stood up, his lawyer rising with him and they left the Jacobs family to think over the rather shady deal.

“I cannot believe this is happening!” Mrs. Jacobs shouted in anger and worry the moment Don Joseph and his lawyer left the room. ”All that we believed we had is slipping through our fingers!”

“Mum, it’s okay, don’t kill yourself over this,” Anastacia said in an attempt to make her mother relax. “Let us try and reason with our minds and see if there are some things we can do to prevent this. ”

But Mrs. Jacobs was not going to have any of it. ”You cannot marry Raymond Joseph Anastacia! He is a wicked man, a cruel man, I can’t let you marry that man. ”

Anastacia shared her mother's concerns. "Mum, I believe there are ways to resolve this without me marrying Raymond. He's everything I detest in a man. I can't marry him."

Davies, who had been rather reserved until this time, said something. ”We have to come up with a plan soon. Don Joseph’s deadline is in 48 hours. ”

The family discussed, and everyone was coming up with ideas one after the other. Anastacia proposed that legal action should be taken, while Davies believed that they could attempt to reason with the business executives. Mrs. Jacobs insisted that there was no other way to get to the root of the problem than to talk to Don Joseph.

‘I will go to his office tomorrow and discuss it with him,’ she said with a lot of determination. “I will explain to him that we shall not be forced into this marriage.”

Anastacia and Davies looked at each other nervously. They were aware that their mother was a lioness but they also knew that Don Joseph was not a man to be messed with.

“Mum, are you sure that is a good idea?” Anastacia asked with a frown on her face.

‘Perhaps that is why you could not withdraw money from Dad’s account yesterday,’ Anastacia said, her eyes growing small as realization dawned on her.

Mrs. Jacobs’ face then became a little pensive. ‘Well, you may be right,’ ‘It may be possible that the business executives are the third party that the account manager was talking about. ’

Anastacia shook her head. ”This is getting stranger by the minute. ”

Mrs. Jacobs put her hand on her daughter’s shoulder and said in a calm voice. "You need not worry, Anastacia; I will take every precaution to ensure that you are safe and never forced to wed that... that... Raymond."

Anastacia scowled and turned her face up in disgust. “Oh, I can’t even bear the thought of it. And to think he had the nerve to tell me I was crying like a baby at Dad’s burial. I hate him, Mum. ”

Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes and Mrs. Jacobs hugged her. ‘Sshh, my dear, I know how much you are in pain, but I want to assure you that I will do all in my power to ensure that we escape this situation - Mrs. Jacobs assured her daughter. ’

Anastacia stepped back, her eyes flashing with determination. ‘I will not marry him, Mum’, I said, ‘I would rather die than be chained to that proud, arrogant…ugh!’

“Mrs. Jacob’s face set into a determined look. “I will go to Don Joseph’s office the following morning and confront him. I will ensure that he knows that we cannot be forced into this marriage. ”

Anastacia’s face scrunched up in worry. ‘But what if he doesn’t listen, Mum? What if he just stands his ground and does not back down?’

Mrs. Jacobs’ face tensed and her jaw clamped shut. “I’ll do my best to persuade him, Anastacia,” she answered, "I know he can be rather set in his ways sometimes, but I think he will listen. I'll do my best to persuade him, Anastacia." “And if that does not work…?” Anastacia asked.

Anastacia was fuming, she was walking up and down the sitting room saying, “I can’t believe this is happening”. ”It’s like I am being put in a position where I have to decide between my family and my happiness. ”

Anastacia, you should not be so angry, you should think about it,” her brother Davies tried to make her understand.

“Calm down? How can I calm down when my future is being planned for me? I am being sold like a commodity here!”

“Anastacia, that is not fair,” Davies protested, “Mum is just trying to find a better way to solve this issue. ”

‘Better way to handle the situation ?’ By allowing me to marry a man I do not care for, a man who does not care for me?

Anastacia ceased to pace and looked at her brother. “I can’t do this Davies, I can’t marry Raymond, mum should find another way to save our family’s heritage. ”

Davies sighed. “I believe Mum will come up with a better plan.

Anastacia's eyes flashed with determination. "I'll find a way if mum doesn't Davies. I won't give up without a fight."

Just then, their mother walked into the room. "Anastacia, I've made an appointment with Don Joseph for tomorrow morning. I'll go and discuss if there is any way out aside from marrying his son.

Anastacia's heart sank. "Mum, please... Try and convince him.

Mrs. Jacobs' expression was firm. "Anastacia, I will try to do that, I promise.