The Billionaire's Submission

“Wh… what?” Mr. Ryan Spencer sat staring at Nathan, speechless and in absolute horror. He swallowed nervously. He looked around at his executives and partners and noticed they had the same expression, which he suspected was on his face too. “This wasn’t part of the plan,” he whispered audibly, returning his gaze to Nathan. “No, it wasn’t,” Nathan’s deep, calm voice filled the room. “But you weren’t handling it well, like I expected you would. So, I had to step in.” Mr. Spencer’s face went pale. “Imagine the stress you put me in,” Nathan added dryly. “Stress?! You’re practically taking everything away from me!” Mr. Spencer exclaimed, his voice raised, almost jumping out of his seat. Nathan gave him a narrow look and he sat back down. He realized his executives were still in the room. “Leave the room,” he said to them. “Now!” he added loudly when they hesitated. They immediately left the room. After they left, he walked to the seat beside Nathan and sat. Nathan raised an eyebrow as he leaned in, almost too close. “Mr. Freeman, please, you can’t do this. If you do, I’ll be out of business,” Mr. Spencer pleaded. “You don’t deserve to be in business if you can’t handle it,” Nathan replied. “I don’t really have the time for this. My assistant will get you the documents. Do well to sign them. I expect the handover to be over and done with by Monday.” He stood up. “I strongly advise that you don’t make this whole process tiring. I won’t look at you favorably if you do.” He turned to leave, then paused, looking down at the hand holding his sleeve coolly. Mr. Spencer quickly removed his hand. “Please, a lot of people would be out of jobs,” Mr. Spencer begged. “I don’t think that’s any of my business,” Nathan replied. “No, don’t say that. I have a family too. They would be devastated if they found out that I lost the company. Christ! My son looks up to me. He just finished high school and is about to go to college.” He sighed. “If you had kids, you’d understand.” “It’s a good thing I don’t have kids then. They can be a headache. Mr. Spencer, I think we are done here.” He buttoned up his suit jacket and turned again to leave. “What can I do? What can I do to change your mind? I’ll do it. Just tell me,” Mr. Spencer pleaded. “Please…” He said, almost sobbing. “My girls… this will break their hearts. One just got engaged, and the wedding is soon. I promised her a lavish wedding. The other one is about to get signed into a label…” Nathan kept walking to the door when his assistant stopped him. “Sir,” he said quietly. “He has daughters.” Nathan turned to look at him, irritation on his face. “So?” “Foxlore deal,” the assistant whispered. Nathan stared at him for a moment, then swore darkly. He walked back to where Mr. Spencer was still sitting dejectedly. “Your daughters, what are their names?” “Um… Roselyn and Rachael…” Mr. Spencer replied, looking confused. “My son’s na…” “There is one thing you can do to maintain your position and that of your staff in this company,” Nathan interrupted. “Anything…” Mr. Spencer stood up quickly. “I’ll do anything…” “Of course, you’d still sign the document handing the company to me,” Nathan continued. Mr. Spencer stood still. “But…” Nathan continued. “You get to run the company as usual. However, I’ll have to intervene from time to time, and you have to answer and report to me, since your expertise in running a company is totally lacking. Nobody has to know about this. Like I said, you can continue in your position as usual.” “And what do I have to do to earn this generosity of yours?” Nathan raised an eyebrow at his sarcastic tone and smiled. “I will marry one of your daughters.” “What?!” Mr. Spencer asked disbelievingly. “I am very certain you heard me clearly. If that doesn't bode well with you, then I give you and everyone here until the end of today to leave the premises.” “You have one hour to make a decision. The proper documents for this agreement will be drawn up. Just one hour.” He said and left the meeting room with his assistant on his heels. *************************** “The idea of marriage makes me sick and very angry. It's a useless and tasteless institution designed to tie one down,” Nathan said angrily when they were in the car. “When is the Foxlore final meeting due?” “In a fortnight, sir,” his assistant replied, stopping for the red light traffic sign. “This whole thing is becoming a headache. That old man and his demands!” “I don’t even know what Spencer’s girls look like. I might have just proposed to marry someone unattractive and useless for all I know.” He muttered. “I need all the details on his daughters on my desk by the end of today.” “Yes, sir.” After a moment… “Larry, you were quick to dampen my feeling of victory today after acquiring that company,” Nathan said, looking at his assistant pointedly. “It wasn't my intention, sir. There is a greater victory ahead,” Larry replied. “Indeed, there is. Mr. Fox wants a married man?” He scoffed. “Well, he's going to get one.” “And all the better… I'm not getting any younger” he muttered. ****************************** “Is it Collin?” Rachael asked as Roselyn ended the call. “Yes.” “How is he?” she asked, toying with the object in her hands. “He’s fine,” Roselyn replied. Rachael sighed. “I know you’ll make me stress about details.” “There’s no detail, Rachael.” “Really?” She scoffed. “Yes, really. He just wants to hang out tomorrow. See? No details. And not that what I do with my boyfriend—fiancé, actually—is any of your business.” Roselyn said as she walked over to her and collected the object she was playing with. “It is… You're my sister” “Why do you still have that thing anyways? It’s old and worn out,” Rachael said, pointing at the object Roselyn had taken from her. Roselyn looked down at the object in her hands. It was a small, intricately carved wooden box in the shape of a piano, with a little knob on the side that when turned, used to play one of her favorite childhood songs. However, it no longer worked, as the battery was dead, and Roselyn hadn’t gotten around to replacing it. It really was old and worn out like Rachael pointed out. The box also had a small crack from when Raphael, their younger sibling, had thrown it as a toddler. “I don’t know,” Roselyn replied. “I just like it, I guess. Don’t touch it again.” She placed the box inside her drawer. “Whatever,” Rachael rolled her eyes. “So, have you guys decided on a wedding date yet?” Roselyn chuckled softly as she joined her sister on the bed. “Are we back to this conversation?” “You know me,” Rachael said. “We haven’t decided yet. He wants the wedding to take place in September.” “September? That’s three months from now,” Rachael exclaimed. “I know, right? I told him it was too soon and we should consider February next year to have enough time to plan. He’s not happy about it. We almost argued about it.” She said softly. “So, we’re yet to come to an agreement on the wedding date.” “He called to apologize for our last conversation. He’s so sweet. I really don’t know what I’d do without him.” Roselyn hugged the pillow she was holding. “And yet, you’re not making him happy,” Rachael pointed out. “What do you mean?” Roselyn asked incredulously. “He wants to marry you as soon as possible, and you’re delaying the date.” Roselyn smiled. “I’m not delaying. I’m considering Mom’s feelings. You know how she can be. And you’re my sister; you’re supposed to be on my side.” She tossed the pillow at Rachael. “Whatever…” Rachael started, but they were interrupted by their mother’s raised voice. A door slammed, making them both jump. They exchanged worried glances.