Destined with you

CHAPTER 8

“Who?, Aunt Margaret adopted daughter?”

“You heard me right Henry” Mr Albert grumped and cleared his throat flipping at the newspaper page on his hand. The flames from his coffee cup filled the air surrounding him.

He had visited his grandpa the day before and spent the night listening to his grandfather's naggings and adding to the fuel his mother also visited, making him regret his visit the most.

He had been away for a six month business trip and remembered his filial duties and thought of spending the day and night with them.

“What is this silly aunt up to?” he mumbled

“When did she get a daughter and why would aunt give a stranger that much power? And me? Why do I have to partner with a stranger?” His stern was as fierce as ever and his voice as cold as ice.

“You would have to, you know you need your aunt’s support to lead the organization” Mr Albert slowly sipping his hot coffee

“Liara Garson?”He stared at his tab and his face slowly gave a deep frown.

“ Why does this name sound familiar? …I'm sure I would not like anyone with the name Liara” He whispered, remembering the memorable night he had with that strange woman that had hurt his ego,her name was definitely Liara if she had given him the correct name.

“You should prepare to meet her today…Margaret told me She would be at the company this morning”

“I'm happy she's finally gotten someone of her own” Mr Albert continued

“And don't forget the blind date I arranged for you this evening” Mrs Joyce added as she walked downstairs elegantly in her blue night gown looking so much younger than her age, she had been eavesdropping at the duo.

“I'm not going mom, you know that already” but seeing the disappointment on her face he added “ I'm not a fan of blind dates, it makes me look desperate and I'm not” he finished the coffee on his hand and headed upstairs toward his room tired of their naggings.

“He never listens…. Father please do something about him, he's not getting younger”

“He got his stubbornness from me but I'm way more heady than him…. I'll show him that” the corners of his lips carved out a feigned smile.

“And you? You are still looking sweet like ever, why don't you also go for a blind date?... I won't be a grumpy and over protective father-in-law… I'm sure Clem wouldn't want to see you lonely”

“Father!” She said softly, remembering her late husband made her heart sink, they were both in love and everything was perfect before his sudden accident.

She had never imagined marrying someone else, though she is lonely but she was keen on not remarrying.

“I'm too old for that Father” she knew he meant it and would be Happy for her but she was still in love with clement and not ready for anyone to take his place.

“Alright..alright daughter… take your time” His warm laughter filled the air and Joyce joined, He thought she was only shy.

Henry descended in full grace, his manly aura filling the atmosphere, His mom and grandfather looked at him with full pride, with his domineering physiques he was perfect for the role ahead of him they thought.

“Charming aren't I?” He said and turned three sixty for the duo watching him.

“What a waste of finery” she smirked

“I won't repeat myself Henry, you know what you need to do, this old man is not getting younger or maybe you think it's only a mere threat I'm handing the company over for charity? …That is the document?” He pointed at the file on the desk before him and Henry anxiously grabbed the file to glance through and glared when he saw his grandfather was not making empty threats.

“How could you? old man!!!”

“Tick …tock, you only have a month before the deal is finalized” He glared back at his angry grandson, Mrs Joyce couldn't help but grin “only a Lion can handle a Lion” she murmured silently, watching her son walk out in anger.

“Going back to my villa after work, I'm sick of you both” He dashed out, dialing his phone to call Ken.

“You won't have breakfast? Henry!!” His mother yelled but seeing him walk away in annoyance she sighed.

“ Let him be”

“ But father, are you really going to give out the organization, it's your years of hard work”

“I wouldn't… you think these are real” pointing to the documents and laughing out loud.

“He couldn't detect it…. He really has a lot of work to do” His face turned serious suddenly.

“ Hey man” Ken's ever vibrant voice could be heard at the other side.

“I'm on my way to the company, meet me in thirty minutes” Hanging up still furious, He slammed the car door immediately he entered.

“Drive quickly!!” The innocent driver ignited the car immediately, wondering what could have spoiled his boss's mood this early morning.

The drive was a long and silent one, all through the drive Henry was just pondering on what his grandfather just told him.

“Why is this man keen on frustrating me, and how am I supposed to get a woman within a month” He remembered all his past experiences with ladies and how they end up insulting each other on their first dates or after few weeks, Apart from Linda his ex-fiancee who left him years back, He had never been in love with anyone.

But the strange woman he met six years ago really hurt his ego and made him traumatized. He believed she had run out of his sight because she belittled his abilities, making it more hard for him to go into a relationship.

The psychiatrist he had met secretly had diagnosed him of philophobia and had advised him to find the woman that was the source and probably discuss with her.

Still lost in his thoughts till the car stopped in front of the company and he lifted his head.

“ We are here sir”