Part 5

/Erin's POV/

As soon as their scents fade in the meeting room, I let out a loud exhale, still able to feel the musk hit my nostrils. My eyes bore hatefully in their direction, hoping it was enough to burn their back. Both of them dared to show up and give an ultimatum. Then again, after their father's death, they had no obligation to invest in our company anymore.

Still, it stung. The harsh reality that we had no one to back us anymore slowly settled in. Our staff paychecks relied heavily on monthly payments from the Pack Alpha and few royalties. How will we survive? Most importantly, Alpha Reed mentioned us paying him back.

What am I going to do now? Panic began seeping into my bones, legs clamped together. My head slammed on the cold desk, eyes stinging with unshed tears. Our savings were used up in the first year to support the company until Pack Alpha found our situation. We managed to exhaust every dime of it to keep the company floating.

My mother had sharply reminded my father not to do it, save it up for Esther's bonding ceremony. He did not pay any attention to her advice, something I am sure he will regret now. Should I tell him?

The question hung in the air, a lump forming in my throat as I thought of his worsening condition. He was unable to cope up with the death of his close friend, choosing to stay indoors. Naturally, we were all concerned for his well being.

The receptionist knocked on the door, almost startling me and pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, Helen?"

"Is everything alright? Why were they here?"

I straightened my back, mustering a fake smile on my lips. The receptionist was a huge gossip, and fortunately for us, I had closed the door on her. She might not have caught our conversation and now tried to coax me into telling her.

"Of course," I said, my voice a tad bit chirpy. "Why wouldn't it be? They were here for business purposes. You can get back to your work now."

Helen twisted her lips, hands on her hips, and eyes narrowed in my direction. "Are you sure? It seemed like a serious discussion."

"That's how business meetings go."

I refrained from rolling my eyes at her. She had to be the most nosy person in our office, but my father still insisted on keeping her. The beta was only nineteen and had no one to support her but a grandmother.

"Alright, if you say so."

"Please get me a strong coffee. Two sugars."

"Sorry!" Helen innocently blinked. "We are out of milk."

Moons! A groan escaped my lips, and my head fell back on the cool surface of the desk. Just when I thought the day couldn't get any more worst.

***

There's a shiver I can't seem to shake that's coursing through my body, and it went with the tingling I felt at the back of my neck. A general unease that made my body thrum with it, heart beating fast ever since this afternoon.

All because of those Armani twins.

Why did they have to come back? I huffed under my thought, but then my heart twisted at their situation. As much as I wanted to hate them openly, they were grieving their father. It's not fair.

I glanced up when my dad walked in from the kitchen, two steaming mugs in his hands, his face crumpled and tired, looking like he's aged another five years in the last one week. Sliding one of the mugs across the table towards me, he slumped on the couch and leaned heavily on his forearms.

"I made you coffee."

"Thank you, dad! You have no idea how long I have been craving for a cup." I cradled the mug between my hands, letting the hot steam rise and cloud my vision for a moment. After they left, I was distracted the entire time, ate half a sandwich and wrapped things up.

Renee was annoyed as I kept zoning out and took it personally by giving me the cold shoulder for the rest of the day. Her ideas were marvellous, and I should tell her that the next day.

"You should have asked Helen to make you a cup."

"We ran out of milk today."

A laugh forced out of him, setting the mug on the table. "Wow! How did that happen?"

"I am sure you might have heard that the Armanis showed up today for a business meeting."

He hummed. "Yes. Helen called me in the morning after Charles scheduled a meeting."

I knew it! My father was not slick at all, nor was Helen. It's expected of her to report everything to my father anyway.

"Right, right," I conceded, eyes flickering up for a beat, grip tightening around the mug. I took a long sip, my eyes rolling back as the hot liquid slid down my throat. "They came to see me with Charles. I think he's their assistant now."

"Good for him," My father made a sound, taking a sip of his coffee. "What did they talk about? It must be nice catching up with them, right?"

I almost choked on the coffee at that, letting the liquid burn down my throat too quickly, too hot, and I felt it down to my stomach. "Uhh...we only talked about business, dad. Nothing else."

My poor naive dad. He had no idea what happened between us or why we were not on talking terms all these years.

"Oh?"

"Yes. They wanted to talk about the investment and our upcoming book fair."

I replied after a moment, licking my lips, relishing the slightly bitter taste of the brew that's never quite strong enough for my liking.

We did not speak anything for a few minutes, and I soaked up the silence.

"That's all?"

I stuttered. "Y-Yes."

"Thank moons! I was worried they would want to stop investing and demand their money back. They are our only hope right now, honey. We would have crumbled a long time ago if not for their support." He said with a sigh, a long look on his face. My father stared at the wall behind me. "The company has been our business for almost four generations now. I cannot imagine our family without it. Those two are just as generous as their father."

I hummed, cringing internally. What would happen if he found out the truth about them? It would break his heart and possibly affect his health even more. That's the last thing I wanted right now.

"Dad, I have a few things to take care of, so..." I trailed, already standing on my feet, the mug numb in my hand.

"Alright! I'll see you for dinner then." His back cracked as he stood up with a wince, gaze weary. His stare fixed firmly on me, stirring nausea in my belly, but I tried to keep my steps light, walking towards my room.

"Don't work too hard!" I heard my dad, his voice heavy with things we have decided to leave unsaid.

***

The next day's dawn broke with a tension in the air that made me feel a bit uncomfortable.

Helen beamed upon seeing me walk through the doors, making me almost double take. "Mister Rowan and Mister Reed Armani are waiting for you again."

"Huh?" I blinked, rushing towards the meeting room, my heart in my throat. What was the hurry? Could they not wait for another day? Is it too much to ask?

The identical heads turned to me, creeping me, but Rowan's lips twitched. I slammed the door behind me before coming to stand in front of them.

"Couldn't you both wait for a day?"

"I am afraid we cannot." Reed piped, his arms crossed together against his chest. "This is rather pressing."

My cheeks flamed as I let out a breath, clenching my eyes shut. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. It was very embarrassing to admit that we had no money to pay back.

"Umm...regarding the money, I am sorry, but we do not have any funds to pay you back."

"We know." Reed huffed. "That's why we are here to talk."

"Oh." I squeaked, quickly coughing to cover up as I finally sat down in the chair opposite them.

"We thought about it the entire day and concluded that we do not want your money." Reed drawled, lazily leaning back in the chair. "We will continue to support the publishing house."

My eyes widened at that, mouth opening and closing. Silence settled in the room, jaw falling slack. "Oh, Moons! I-I cannot believe this. Thank you, thank you so much for reconsidering. I don't know how I am ever going to return this favour."

"There's a way you can return the favour, Woods."

"Huh?" I blinked confusedly. Hope blossomed in my chest as I flickered my eyes between the identical twin Alphas. "Really?"

"Yes," Rowan smirked, but there was a glint in his eyes that made me nervous. He glanced at his brother, who gave him a nod. "You have to be our omega."

***

What do you think Erin will do?