CHAPTER THREE

BENEATH THE FACADE

Behind the façade of wealth and power, a web of secret awaits.

CHAPTER 3

Emily's POV

“Good day Mr Ethan,” my father greeted politely, as he saw him sip champagne from a glass. I watched him as I stood behind my father

“Good to see you again, Mr Caleb.” Have your seat. “You're behind time, we both agreed to a certain time. You're thirty minutes late.” He said, staring at me intently.

“I'm a wealthy man you know, I don't have any extra time to spare. Time, they say, is money”. He continued.

“Your daughter I suppose? You’ve got a pretty daughter, I must commend you”. He said as he returned his gaze to my father.

“I apologize for my lateness sir. It was not intentio-”. I heard my father say, bowing his head.

“Let's get to work. Let me take a look at the document and sign where necessary. She moves in by next weekend.” Billionaire Ethan interjected.

All along I sat, glued to the chair still watching him.

How would I be able to live with this horrible creature? A man that doesn't respect my father. He didn't even hear from me, no form of introduction at all. What an audacious being! I gave him a look of disgust,as I rolled my eyes at him.

At some point, I was tempted to talk but I managed to keep my cool, respecting my father. One thing was certain, there was no way this marriage would hold, I would never get married to Ethan except he apologizes, not in this life and the next.

“I forgot to add, no wedding party, just a simple thing in the court to sign the necessary documents. She moves in and that's-” He was cut short by my father.

“Mr Ethan, aren't we rushing things? Are you sure this is what you want in exchange for my company?” my father said in a whisper, tilting his head towards Mr Ethan's direction.

“Mr Caleb no one cuts me off while talking.” The tone of his voice increased.

By now, a few eyes were fixed towards our direction, wondering what the noise was all about. But Ethan wasn't bothered, he just continued bluffing.

“You only talk when I ask you to. And as for your company, I'm only doing you a favor. There's no potential in it. Or do I take back my offer? Mr Ethan said, rolling his eyes.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. You can proceed with the signing.” I heard my father plead.

It broke my heart to see someone bring him down like that. My father took a second look at me and squeezed my hand in his when he saw a tear drop from my eyes.

“You’ll be fine”, he said to me.

I nodded my head as a sign of response

And right there my father signed the last page of the document. I sat there glued on the chair as I watched my father bid me off to the highest bidder. Truth be told, my face held no emotions. It was emotionless. The deed had been done, what I feared the most had eventually happened.

“Lest I forget, the court wedding is held on Friday at 10:00a.m. Send me your body size, so I can get your dress. I’d send you the style of hair I prefer”. The hall for the wedding can only accommodate fifty guests. So pulling out crowds won't be advisable.” He said and walked out on my father and I.

My eyes followed him until he got out of the door. I immediately turned in the direction of my father, now standing in front of him.

“Dad, are we really sure about this?” I asked, my voice laced with irritation. “Dad, I'm in the car,” I said and stormed out.

During the ride back home, no one said a word. My father and I were lost in our own world. The eerie sounds of cricket and frogs were the only sounds that could be heard.

We got home late and no one was interested in dinner. We immediately retired to our beds for the night.

As I lay on my bed, I drifted into thoughts again.

“Is that the man I'll be spending the rest of my life with? I fantasized on living the best life while growing up. God is this what you reserve for your little girl? Ethan is so mean. He has no single regard for dad. I fantasized about a man that would love me, just like dad. A man that would respect my decisions and father. A man that would pamper me. But this is what I get, Ethan. Oh Godddd!

I sobbed profusely, soaking the purple feathery pillow on the bed.

I cried all night and couldn't get any sleep, which was unusual. Other nights, I would cry and fall asleep, although I would wake up with eye bags. Eye bags which now made me look a shadow of my former self.

But tonight, I just stared at the ceiling. I had concluded with this saying “if life gives me a lemon, I should be able to make a lemonade out of it”.

***

The following day was a Saturday, I lingered on the bed a little longer, which was very unusual for a Saturday.

I heard the knock on the door again and turned towards the direction of the door.

“Come in, it's not locked”, I faintly said.

And my father walked in, in his sky blue pajamas, carrying a wooden tray.

“Good morning daddy”, I greeted, as I sat up and leaned against the bed frame, the wooden slats creaking softly beneath my weight.

“Good morning my princess”, he smiled as he put the tray on the bed and kissed my forehead.

“I brought you breakfast”, he continued, grinning from teeth to teeth like a child.

Breakfast in bed had been our usual routine before the company's issue started. Everybody had become a shadow of themselves and breakfast in bed was now seen as a big deal.

I was having freshly baked french toast with scrambled eggs and tea. My father rarely cooked, because of time but he was a great chef. I remember growing up, he always set out dates to prepare my lunch for school. I always looked forward to those days, they were very special.

I missed being a child, the fun thing about being a child is you have nothing to worry about. Whether your father's company is thriving or not, you don't have to bother, all you just had to do was to be a child.

He didn't say a word, he just watched me munch on my food. Immediately, I took the last bite, he cleared his throat to speak. I think he didn't want to disrupt my food, he wanted me to enjoy my meal.

“Emily, how about a date with me?”, he held my hands, his brown eyes boring into my blue eyes.

I honestly wasn't in the mood for any outings, I just wanted to be left alone, but how could I say no to my father.

“Maybe not this morning, later in the evening or afternoon but not now”, I shrugged.

“Alright then, as long as we spend some time alone together”, he said and carried the tray out.

“I'm sorry, but I won't be marrying Billionaire Ethan” I said just before he got to the door.