When vows Ignite

A decision has been made

Catherine isn't back yet". Charlotte's arms were folded with her hand supporting her head, she was starting to get very worried about her daughter Catherine.

"Honey, this isn't the first time Catherine has run off before; we both know where she is. she'll be home soon, at least by the end of today, so we shouldn't be worried about that; what we should be worried about is that we haven't concluded yet concerning Bentley's deal".

"You're right. That Catherine is of marriageable age. This marriage part shouldn't be a problem. Moreover, I heard that Bentley's son is a very hardworking man I think he would make a good suitor for Catherine. Plus he's wealthy and from a wealthy background".

"So we should go ahead with the deal right?"

"Yes, please, before we go bankrupt,t," she muttered.

"Okay, then, and I hope Catherine doesn't blow this up; you know how she can be. ""

When Mckellen was done with his break, he immediately drove straight to Bentley's company to let him know that he had finally made his decision.

*************

"Good morning, Mckellen, welcome." Bentley had a smile on his face, hoping that Mckellen would accept the deal because it felt like Mckellen was his last hope.

"Yes, about our last discussion -" he brought out the document from the file in his hands and placed it on Bentley's desk, and he signed it. "I accept the deal."

"Wow, wow, wow, this is amazing!!. Thank you for trusting us; within a year, you'll see that your company will go back to the way it was, blossoming with funds." Bentley smiled while offering Mckellen a handshake. Bentley was very much excited to see and hear this, his heart was racing in excitement.

"My secretary will send the necessary documents over to your company so your daughter can sign them, I hope that's okay?".

"Yes, it's perfect. I'll have to be on my way now; I have a very important meeting to attend now with one of my clients ".

"That's alright." They both stood up and handshake simultaneously. Mckellen walked out of the office and drove his way back to his own company. When he got to his destination, he went to his office and sat down behind his desk, hoping he hadn't made a decision he would regret later. He picked up his phone and called his wife Charlotte and told her he had signed the deal and it was on now; all that was left was for them to play their role in the deal, which was to get Catherine to sign the marriage papers.

"I'll call Catherine in now so that we can talk about it" When he hung up the call he picked up his office telephone and made a request to his secretary "Send in Catherine please" After about 5 minutes Catherine walked into her father's office and sat down without saying anything to him because she was still upset with him and her mother after what they did.

"Babygirl," her father called her, but she ignored him. He knew she was still upset with him: "I'm sorry on my and your mother's behalf for keeping such information away from you". Mckellen and his daughter had a very strong father-daughter bond or relationship. His daughter was one of his most priceless possessions and he always got her whatever she wanted.

She finally turned to her father. "Why do you both treat me like I'm not part of this family or the company?"

"Honey, it's not like that, honestly; I was going to take care of it; I didn't think it would get that worse, which is why I and your mother didn't tell you yet".

"Daddy, I want to be part of everything going on both at home and at work; I'm not 5 anymore! I have reasonable suggestions that can help this company succeed, but if you guys won't let me in on anything going on here, how would I know?"

"Baby, I'm honestly very sorry, okay? Although Daddy needs you to do him a favor"

He opened his lower drawer and brought a file out from it. "Here," he handed the papers over to her and watched her read it and go through it, hoping she wouldn't overreact. Catherine looked a bit confused with her gaze still fixed on the paper.

"Daddy.... What's this?"

"Read it dear"

"I know, I've read it, so what am I supposed to do with it?"

"Bradley Bentley sent this document to me; this is the only option we have left, my dear. All we need is your signature on those marriage proposal papers and then our company will go back to normal--"

"Wait so I'm supposed to sign these papers in agreement to a marriage to who? And for the well-being of the company?"

"William Bentley and yes exactly "

"THE WILLIAM BENTLEY? Son and current CEO of Bentley maple syrup company?"

"Yes dear "

She slowly kept the papers back on her father's desk and stood up slowly while trying to process everything. "so you hid the company's dilemma from me and out of the blues you invited me in here and apologized to me just because you wanted to ask me to sign a marriage document for the betterment of the company?"

"Yes, dear?"

"You have got to be kidding me". She angrily stormed out of her father's office without arguing any further or letting him say a word.

"Catherine?--"

****************

Later that day, after work and everything, office hours were over,r, and it was dinner time at the Bentley mansion. Bradley was going to inform his family about the new development and also discuss the marriage with their son to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as it should. While digging into his food with his knife in his left hand and fork in the right,

"I have good news." William and his wife Michelle, while eating too, were somewhat eager to hear what he had to say.

"Mckellen signed the papers; he agreed to the deal," with a big smile on his face. "What's left now is for him to play his role in our deal".

"Wow, this is good news." his wife was very happy and excited.

"Sorry, what are we talking about? What deal?" He wiped his mouth with the serviette on the table.

"Owh Micheal McKellen --"

"Owner and CEO of Mckellen sweet tooth?"

"Yes, son. We struck a deal for both our benefits, I help him get his company back standing strong while his daughter gets married to you--" he responded proudly.

"Sorry, I didn't quite get the last part; his daughter marries who?"

"You son! In the meantime we'll help Mckellen get his business moving back on track--"

"Isn't Mckellen our competition? Why are we helping him? And I thought I've always told you guys about this whole marriage right-hand woman s**t! It's very much unnecessary honestly."

"Son, please let your father finish"

"Mother I do not understand you people any longer! So this is what both of you were gossiping about the other day huh?"

"Son, before you jump to conclusions, at least hear us out and consider the benefits! It's for your good! Stop being stubborn for once and listen!"

William kept mute. He didn't want to argue neither did he have the strength to speak any further. He just sat there and ate his food quietly. When dinner was over and everybody had returned to their rooms to settle down for the night, there was a knock on his door. It was his father.

"May I come in son"

He just kept mute, and his father walked in and sat on the chair. "Son, I know we should have informed you about this, but it was very urgent, and we need to get this done as soon as possible. I need you to understand the benefits, do you know how much we could make from sponsoring McKellen's business? That's a lot of money we are talking about". William just sat there while staring at his father. He was also processing everything he was saying. William was only interested in all the money they would make from this, and that would be the only reason why he would accept the marriage; after all, it's all for the sake of business.

"I know he is our competition but we'll still always have the upper hand. Don't you see?"

"That's enough father. I understand." he paused; he had to swallow his pride and accept it all as good fate, only looking at the bright side; they would make more income. He shut his eyes and opened them slowly and faced his father. "Mckellen's daughter, right?"