When vows Ignite

The meeting

The following afternoon, McKellen drove straight to Bentley Maple Syrup Company in honor of the invitation he received the previous day from Mr. Bentley. The atmosphere was filled with pressure as most of the employees were all running around with documents in their hands, running helter-skelter. The buzzing sounds of telephones filled the air. McKellen carefully assessed and observed the environment as he walked to the receptionist's office. It seemed like they had everything under control and business was booming and moving well for them.

Bentley Maple Syrup Company was run by Bradley Bentley, who is also the CEO of the company but will soon be handing the job over to his son, Williams Bentley. BENTLEY MAPLE SYRUP specializes mainly in the processing and production of maple syrup and other products that can be made from maple syrup. Everybody knew Bentley Maple Syrup Company and McKellen Sweet Tooth to be competition against each other. The employees from Bentley Maple Syrup Company already knew that Mr Bentley and Mr McKellen were silent competitors. They all wondered what McKellen came to the company to do.

"Excuse me, I have a meeting with Mr Bentley the CEO"

While flipping the papers on her desk and staring into them, she responded, "Oh, yes, sir. Mr Bentley made it clear that he'll be having a special meeting with you, Mr McKellen. Right this way." The receptionist led the way as she also directed him to Mr Bentley's office. "Give me 1 minute" she gestured with her finger. She gently knocked on the door and gave Mr Bentley the information that he had a visitor.

"You can go in now". With a smile on her face as she walked away.

He walked over to the door, "McKellen!" Bentley greeted as they both handshaked. "Thank you for honoring my invitation. Have a seat. I already know you're waiting to hear what I have to say and the reason why I invited you to a private meeting. You already know the condition of your company and mine too".

McKellen had confusion written all over his face." What was wrong with his business? It looked like it's in perfect condition," he thought to himself.

"Owh don't give me that look. It's all over the news. I mean, it's the newspaper headline," he chuckled. what do you plan to do about it? I'm pretty sure you've tried your best to trace where the fault may be from. I know. I invited you here to offer you help. I've got advice for you".

McKellen was desperate to get the company back on track and back to getting its normal revenue and profit, even if it meant going through drastic measures. McKellen was a bit ashamed because Bentley had such a high ego, and he always considered himself superior to McKellen. In a way, his company was thriving compared to McKellen's. It did feel like they were in a silent competition, but deep down, Bentley was winning.

He slides a document across to McKellen's reach. "What do you say? I want to be your sponsor; I'll help you get back to where you used to be, at least later on we can even merge the companies if you want. We'll share the profits and revenue, the employees will be paid a good sum and it's a win win for all of us. Asides the fact that we run similar businesses I don't think it will be odd if you agree to be my business partner."

Mckellen just stared at the paper while he listened to everything Bentley said. Bentley's idea was actually very smart and made sense it was exactly what Mckellen sweet tooth needed but obviously he would want something in return, he wouldn't just want to do me such and big favour like this and not ask for anything in return.

"So what do you get in exchange for this favour?"

"Me? Okay since you asked, you know very soon I'll hand over my duties to my son and there will be an official CEO celebration party. My son is of marriageable age and he hasn't made any efforts to find a wife for himself and there's no time. I'm aware you also have a daughter who's around the age of my son, so I think they would make a great couple, simply for the betterment of your company that is. So what do you think?"

Mckellen was uncertain but he was very desperate at this point.

"So you're saying in exchange for being my sponsor, my daughter has to marry your son?"

"Yes exactly"

Mckellen seemed very unsure of what decision to take because there were a lot of factors to consider.

"you know what? How about you go back home and think about it. I trust that you'll return with a positive response huh?"

"I would really appreciate that. Thank you so much for your time. He stood up and gave him a handshake and then he left the company. The only thoughts he had in his mind was just relating to the deal Bentley had just informed him about. "Will Catherine be in support of this? Bradley Bentley did have a point, Catherine is 22 and is old enough to get married but she hasn't brought up that topic to either me or her mother, it wouldn't be a bad idea I guess. Asides the fact that my daughter will be married into one of the most successful families in New York City, my company will go back to normal. It truly is a win win for all of us" he thought to himself.

Later that evening when he got home it was almost time for dinner." The chefs were in the kitchen preparing the food they will have for dinner he walked up the stairs elegantly to his room where his wife was waiting for him Welcome back my love" softly giving him a hug, you're just on time for dinner today. She smiled. How was work and how did the meeting go .. Mckellen looked very tired from the day's work.

"It was hectic. Apparently Bradley Bentley wants to help us get our company back on track --"

She cut him off immediately "My oh my!! That's such great news" his wife clapped in excitement.

"Only if we offer our daughter Catherine to his son Williams for marriage".

"What?!" Her smile simply turned off after hearing this. "Catherine?" While starring at her husband. Deep down in her heart a part of her didn't really see this as a bad idea afterall the company will go back to running smoothly and her daughter will finally get married instead of going around the city shopping and visiting fancy restaurants. "I don't think it's such a bad idea, although, how does he want to assist us?"

"He has offered to be a sponsor for us plus he wants us to kind of merge our companies and I don't think it's such a bad idea either"

"So you mean like an arranged marriage right?"

"Yes exactly--

**Knock knock**

"Open".

"Sir, madam, dinner is ready. Gertrude bowed after she sent the message, then she quietly walked away"

"We'll discuss this later let's go have dinner". The couple walked downstairs to the dining room where they met their daughter already seated at the table. While the maid was done serving the foods they all began to eat. The clacking sounds of spoons and plates fill the room and it was awkwardly silent because neither of them said anything to each other.

"Daddy so you're just going to sit there and pretend nothing is happening?" Catherine started. She furiously pulled out a newspaper from under her seat and showed it to him "daddy when were your going to tell us?"