Late Love

Chapter One

One question, Sir! According to the report gathered anonymously, is it fair to conclude that BB Company has stopped operations due to its losses in the past six months?

Mr Barnes turned back in the direction where this question came from, he stared at the reporter with pain, regret and disbelief that a day would ever come when he would have to hear such a question from a media personnel. He was too broken, wrecked and could not find the right words to respond with. He hurriedly left the conference room and got into his car before he would get hit by any other heartbreaking question from the inquisitive reporters, because if it ever happened his reactions would be completely unpredictable.

BB Company was known for being the best leading automobile company in LA until there was a minor flop in the management and affairs of the company. This occurred when Mr Barnes left his company in the hands of his top employee. That was the greatest mistake he ever made.

As the day passed and rolled into weeks, the minor flop became bigger and went out of hands thereby leaving the company in ruins and debts. Over the years, Mr Barnes has given his company all the attention, commitment, dedication, everything! Yet, his twenty eight years of hard work came crashing down in his sight in less than twenty eight hours.

Mr Barnes arrived home angry, frustrated and yet desperate for a good turn around! He said to his wife, “I hope you had enough time to speak some sense into Ella's head”. He faced his daughter, Ella, and said, “I hope you have enough time to think it through and have decided to help this family maintain her dignity and honor.

Fear and pain had been regular in the atmosphere at the Barnes base and one thing they all had in common at the moment was pain. Mr Barnes, with the pain of the loss of his hardwork and his wife burdened with confusion and helplessness, finally, Ella, with the pain of being left with no choice other than to marry Andrew to save and clean up her family's mess!

The silence in the room lingered for a while until Ella slowly gulped her saliva and said “Welcome, Daddy, I'll take your briefcase inside”. She said this hoping it would ease the tension. She grew up knowing her father had a soft spot for her, but then, all of that faded away since Andrew came into the picture.

Emmanuella, I can take my briefcase inside myself. I see you have proven stubborn and would not do what I ask of you. We will be visiting the Willows at 10am tomorrow. Get yourself ready.

Dad! Please think about my life. I still have dreams. I want to make things work out for myself. I don't want to fall cheaply into the arms of some rich guy. Dad, I can get a job and help you get the company functioning again. We can sort the debts from my pay and…

Her dad cuts in... Are you listening to yourself?! Mr Barnes yelled at his daughter" You know what, I will not waste any more time negotiating with you, I'm done here. 10am tomorrow, don't keep me waiting.

Mr Barnes stormed into the bedroom, leaving his wife and daughter in the living room. Ella's mom had not uttered a word since Mr Barnes came in, she was just clueless about what to do, and she knew there was nothing she could do or say to convince her husband as regards the matter at hand.

***

Earlier, Mr Barnes ran into his friend before the conference started. “Oh Barnes, I've not heard from you since we had our last discussion. I hope you will make a decision quickly as I have other options as well. I'm only holding on for old time's sake”, Mr Cole said.

Mr Cole and Mr Barnes were friends in high school. They lost contact when Cole relocated to India and just recently they met again. Barnes told him how things had been with him since he got hit with what he feared most in his business. Cole, on the other hand, had become very successful and well known in India and his company's headquarters had just been moved to LA. Cole had some underlying health conditions which had caused him to retire quickly, leaving his company to his son's hands, Andrew. Though Andrew does wonderfully well in the business world, his exploits are undeniable, the one, but he had is- he would not get married and give his father a grandchild. Cole feared he would not be alive for long due to his health issues and all he truly wanted, despite his wealth and influence, was to have his grandchildren call him grandpa. He may not be alive to see his son's children when Andrew finally decides to have his own family on his own time.

I will help you. Besides, I believe we met again to do ourselves this favor. I'd like your daughter, Ella to marry my son, Andrew. When that is done, all of these problems you have, consider them over.

It was as though Barnes had gone dumb when his friend said this. All his life, he wanted the best for his daughter. He never thought he would ever have to force anything on her against her wishes, especially not who she would be getting married to. But then, that is it, life is happening and slapping him right on the face. Something has to be done!

After a deep sigh, he said, “I will discuss this with my family and make arrangements for our visit to your family very soon,” Mr Barnes replied.

Barnes thought about this for days before he discussed it with his wife. He had considered their feelings and knew they would oppose, but this was his only option to at least survive at the average level. He summoned the courage to speak to his wife and just as expected, she disagreed. Her reaction to this was completely off.

Will she go against her husband and fight for her daughter's will?