CHAPTER FOUR

GRANT

When Muna told me that she had plans of taking over the position of director of Rowland Galleries, I was really surprised.

I know Muna and from what I remember about her, she's not the type who'd want to do be in charge of a company.

She must have really changed over the years. I could see the determination on her face. I tried my best not to laugh at that admission of hers.

"Okay, you think you've got what it takes to lead the Rowland Galleries back to it's feet again? Don't worry your beautiful self, okay? I'm sure with all the reconstruction you've done to your body, you're too fragile for the job," I said, eyeing her perfectly proportional body.

Muna used to be famous for being very slim in high school. She was the leader of the cheerleading squad which made her even more popular back then.

Slim and graceful was what she was called, but the person who sat in front of me now bore no resemblance to her.

She had a curvy body now, but still managed to look a bit slim and was I wrong or did she stretch up three inches or so farther than her previous 5ft 6inches height?

"What reconstruction? I'm not the anorexic Muna of before. I've grown up to understand how important good food is. Now back to the focus of today which obviously is not my body," she snapped.

"Okay then, I think you might want to look at this files," I said pushing the files I was going through earlier towards her.

She scanned the document for a full minute while I sat watching her beautiful face contort into a frown.

"What does this mean?"

"I thought you were perfectly capable of reading, seems I overestimated your intelligence. Don't worry I'll interpret for you. It clearly states how much your father has been borrowing from GS Capital since eight years now. There's also an agreement where your father and mine decided that when the debt reaches a certain amount and is still yet to be paid, he'd have to forfeit Rowland Galleries or risk going to jail."

"My father would never agree to such a ridiculous thing. Rowland Galleries is his life. He loves his art and that of the artists under our galleries. He'd never put their interests at risk like this," she said fearfully.

"I'm sorry to inform you, but these are authentic signatures of both of our fathers. It's an agreement they've had since we were in high school. Luckily, your father has been able to pay back every penny, but since two years now the debts have been left unattended to and have now reached the limit stipulated in the contract. I'm afraid that your father might just have to relinquish his rights to the galleries or risk going to prison instead."

"You wouldn't do that. No matter how much you hate me, my father has nothing to do with any of that hatred," she said rising to her feet.

I stood to stand in front of her and replied calmly, "Even if I don't do it, my lawyers will only make moves to protect the rights of GS Capital. This has nothing to do with any feelings I have for you. The only reason that Rowland Galleries hasn't be seized now is because of your father's health condition. As soon as he's better all the procedures will be put in place to get back that money or he'd be put in prison."

The expression of fear was one that I'd never seen on Muna's face. She wasn't even scared all those years ago when she was rumoured to be hooking up with the dean's son. She was simply nonchalant about it, but I didn't want to think of all those years ago.

Not now when the perfect chance to get back at her has just surfaced. She was obviously ready to do anything to prevent her father from going to prison.

Was she truly worried about him? She couldn't possibly be, I knew for a fact that she was only here to ensure that the spoilt and expensive lifestyle she lived, wouldn't be compromised.

She didn't want a situation where she have to sell all those designer bags, shoes and clothes of hers. They were too precious to her and according to what she told me back in school, she'd rather die than have to relinquish her luxurious belongings.

It was time I totally understood that Muna was nothing but the cold and unfeeling bitch I thought she was when I first met her. 

She proved that when she was caught in a room with Jackson back then, I could never forgive her for that.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she queried, with innocent eyes as though she was anything close to the word.

"I was wondering how far you'd be willing to go to prevent all that from happening. I'm sure you wouldn't want to get kicked out of the Rowland Mansion and have all your assets frozen, right?"

"What do you mean? Dad is critically ill and if he finally regains consciousness and learns of all these, he wouldn't be able to handle that, he could die. I can't lose anyone else. Not again," she brushed her hand through her hair in frustration.

As I watched her looking devastated, I almost believed her, but then I remembered how much she hated her own family. She didn't even attend Somto's funeral back then. She's only doing this for her sake, I needed to remember that.

"Well, there could be something that you'd do to prevent your father getting so distressed. Something that leaves everyone satisfied in the end of all these," I said, my voice coming out deeper than usual.

"Just what could that be?" She queried, eyeing me suspiciously.

"What do you think about you and I, together I mean?" I asked, clearing my throat.

"No way! I'm not sleeping with you, never! Don't tell me you think I'm stupid to accept that offer!" She yelled.

"Keep your voice down, Muna. This is an office, remember your manners, alright?" I warned in a cool voice.

"I wasn't suggesting that you should pay me back with your body, but then if I were, why would you react that way. You weren't against hooking up with Jackson in that hotel room like some cheap bitch!" I raised my voice in anger.

As the words came out of my mouth, I watched her face cloud in anger. I knew she was going to deny that, but I was there and saw her with Jackson with my own eyes.

There were even pictures later and she would have been in serious trouble if the pictures weren't deleted from that site.

How could she stand there and act like some victim when I was the most affected after everything.

This is just my chance to get back at Muna after the stupid games she played with me back then. I would surely make her pay.