CHAPTER 4: FATHER'S THREAT

TALON'S P.O.V

My assistant, Manuel, could be such a shithead some days and today was one of those days. I couldn’t believe the idiot hit a lady while on the way and she passed out. Now, he was calling me while I was working, probably trying to give me an update about the lady.

Growling angrily under my breath, I snatched my ringing phone up to answer the call, “What?” I snapped.

“We are at the hospital, sir,” he replied briskly, not put off by the obvious anger in my voice.

“How is she?” I asked.

“She’s fine, sir,” he answered, calmly. His calm attitude was getting on my nerves. “I didn’t hit her. She passed out from the shock and sustained just a minor injury which the nurses are taking care of.”

“Very good. Make sure everything is settled before coming back here. Is that clear?” I demanded.

“Of course, sir.”

I paused at his tone, a frown etched on my forehead as I observed how hideous he sounded.

I would have asked him what was wrong, but it was none of my business. I was his employer not his brother and as long as he did his job effectively, I shouldn’t have any issues about how he sounded. So, instead, I said, “Good,” and hung up the call to resume working.

Everyone who knew me, closely or not, knew I was a workaholic. It wasn’t a trait of mine that I particularly tried to hide. As a matter of fact, I made it very clear to anyone that cared to listen that my work came first. It was one of the very many reasons I had no time for dating or marriage and I preferred it that way.

I worked late into the night all the time, no matter where I was. Even if I worked at home, I still worked late into the night. There were days when I didn’t even get any sleep at all. It was that hard work and consistency that made me the most eligible candidate for the CEO of Apex Oil and Glass. It was one of the reasons Apex Oil and Gas was the most successful oil industry in Los Angeles. I left no stone unturned when it came to my business. I made sure my employees worked hard and I made sure I worked twice as hard as they did because that’s what a leader does – he leads by example.

But I couldn’t work late into the night today. I had a huge day ahead of me tomorrow and I needed to sleep in order to get to it early.

I was getting married.

Surprise!

Talon Thwaites was getting married.

Even I was shocked. It wasn’t a decision I would have taken on my own though. Like I said earlier, I had not time for dating or marriage, I was too busy working. But my dear father, Eric Thwaites, got it into his head that I had to get married and so he threatened to strip me of my inheritance if I didn’t get married.

Sometimes, I wondered if my father was becoming senile. This man knew how much I worked. He knew how hard I worked to get to my position. I had always thought I’d become the CEO because he knew I was the best person to run this company. So, why was he trying to ruin that?

Why did he suddenly just wake up one morning and decide that he would strip me of my position and inheritance if I didn’t get married as soon as possible? Worse of, he was planning on giving both positions to my brother? The hell was he thinking?

I knew how much my father cherished relationships and marriages - which was ironic because he had a very terrible relationship with my mother – but to go as far as making that a condition for my inheritance? Or to use my brother ousting me from a position I worked hard for to threaten me? That was way too far.

But I knew my father. He could be adamant. The moment he set his mind to something, nothing could change it; no amount of begging or pleading or shouting could change that. I knew that about him already and that was why I had to arrange a marriage for myself as soon as possible.

I hired a model to be my pretend wife; not necessarily pretend though because I planned to get married legally in the court but it wasn’t a marriage of choice, love or affection. It was a marriage of convenience. I drew up a contract for the model to sign and it included a lot of things including the amount of money I would pay her, our divorce in a few months after my father must have given me my inheritance and an agreement to keep silent about our deal during our marriage and after our divorce.

It was all well thought out and planned.

As I rose from the table in my home's office and headed for my bedroom, I heard my phone ring.

Cursing under my breath, I picked it up and sighed when I saw that it was my father, Eric Thwaites, calling. I knew what my father was calling to talk about. I knew he just wanted to remind me of his condition and that time was running out. Not anymore though. I already had my plans set in motion for tomorrow. So, I swiped the answer icon and placed the phone in my ear.

“Good evening dad.” My voice was gruff and stiff. Our relationship had strained when my father announced that he would pass my inheritance to my brother if I didn’t get married.

“Talon, my son! How are you?” My father’s cheery and warm voice filtered through the phone to my ears. Okay, so, maybe the strained relationship was only on my side.

“I'm fine, dad.”

“Good. That’s good son. So, when are you coming to visit your old man?” he asked and I rolled my eyes. Anyone hearing him talk would think he lived far away from me or would think I don’t go to visit him often. I shake my head.

“Very soon, Dad.”

“And hopefully, you’d bring your girlfriend or wife along,” he baited me casually.

I said nothing, merely grunting in response.

“I hope you are considering my proposal, Talon,” he said. Proposal? More like threats.

“Yes dad,” I grunted, as I walked into my room and slammed the door close. “I already told you I’m considering it.”

“Good. You know I love you son and I want the best for you. I don’t like to see you alone and miserable,” my father rambled on.

Miserable? I almost scoffed. I was not miserable. Not at all. I was rich and I had everything I could ask for. How did that translate into being miserable? “Yes dad, I get it,” I told him. “I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow dad, how about I call you back some other time?”

“Of course, son. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Dad.”

Immediately I hang up, I flung my phone on the bed, angry and upset as I walked into the bathroom to freshen up and retire for the night.

There was no use getting upset though because the next day, I would be fulfilling the condition my father gave me. I would be getting married and hopefully, he would see that I was serious about my inheritance. I couldn’t let my sleaze of a brother get it. He would run everything I’ve built into the ground.

By this time tomorrow, I would be married to a stranger and she would be living with me. Would we sleep on the same bed? No, I don’t want that. I would give her a separate bedroom. It would be much better and less complicated that way. We would go and visit my father and after a while and he would see just how serious I’m taking his words.

I would be married tomorrow and be one step closer to getting my inheritance.

At least that’s what I thought before I slept.

It’s hard to believe how things just change overnight.

I woke up the next morning, got on the road, ready to meet up with my assistant, the model and get married when my phone beeped. I frowned, wondering who it was. As I picked up my phone and unlocked it, I saw that it was a message from my assistant.

I read the message once. A wave of shock watched through me.

Then, I read it again. And again. And once again.

The shock of the message had me pressing my brakes wildly, the car screeching to a stop in the middle of the road.

The more I read it, the more my shock turned to anger and fury boiling inside me as my eyes stayed glued to the message.

Manuel’s message was short and deadly.

“Model has ended contract.”