Chapter 3

Emilia Peyton

Wednesday came by much more quicker than I expected. I wasn't ready to face my uncle. I had spent last night thinking of possible reasons as to why he would want me in Switzerland but none came to me. I guess I'll just have to find out myself.

Taking one last look at my appearance, I  take my luggage. Not knowing how much time I was going to be spending in Switzerland, I decided to just take a few clothes and shop for more if my stay got extended.

I contemplate on taking a security team with me because whether I liked it or not, the media was interested in my family. Perks of being the second richest in the country. I had been crowded by reporters whenever I went out alone and my uncle was never happy with it. According to him, I wasn't supposed to be in the spotlight, that position was for Julia. Julia was an actress, a famous one. Not for her acting of course, she was well known for her several escapades. Having dated or slept with at least half the men she met on a daily basis. There was even a sex tape of her with the owner of an entertainment company, Mr Crawford James, who was married. It took me lots of time and of course, lots of money to clean that up. I was always cleaning up her mess but of course, Uncle Aaron saw no faults in what she did. Either he didn't or he just didn't say anything about it.

Deciding not to go with security as it would attract unwanted attention, I pull out a black cap from my box and I matching face mask, I looked like an assassin right now. I was on a black turtleneck crop sweater paired with a black high waisted trouser. I had my black boots on to complete the look and since my hair was also black there was nothing colourful on me.

The look was perfect as no one would recognize me. I get into my blue Porsche Panamera and head for the airport.

In my family, I was the only one who ever flew on economy class. This was because I didn't see the need to waste money on first class flights when we were all heading to the same destination. I only used the company's private jet when I was on official travels. If it was personal, I was going on economy class.

It took approximately eight hours to get to Switzerland and I was suddenly missing Canada. Switzerland was really pretty with beautiful buildings and places as I had been here on several occasions before for business purposes, but the reason I was here was what made me want to go back. I was at the city Geneva because this was were my uncle was staying with his family.

I was going to meet Uncle Aaron at their villa here in Geneva. They had so many houses in almost every country.

There was a driver waiting for me at the airport when I arrived. Sent by Uncle Aaron I suppose.

" Miss Peyton." The man I assume is my driver says with a nod.

" Hello." I say with a smile but he just nods like a robot and takes my luggages to the car. Okay, he's a professional but it wouldn't kill to be friendly now would it.

" Mr Aaron expects you in 15 minutes ma'am, we are already behind time so I'm going to be fast ma'am." He says looking at his watch and I get confused.

What could be so serious that Uncle won't even let me settle down. I don't feel good about this meeting. I take of my face cap and nose masks as I settle into the car.

" It's okay, please carry on." I say to the man whose name I have no idea of.

He nods as he ignites the car and moves on a really high speed but somehow manages to make it a comfortable ride.

" Wow, he's good." I say to myself. I have always been a lover of cars and I also loved driving. It was once my dream to become a car racer when I was younger but I had to throw that dream away when I lost my parents.

We arrive at a the villa in no time, thanks to the man whose name I still don't know. I head to get my luggages when he stops me.

" We have people for that. You should head inside, Mr Aaron must be waiting." He says with the same stern look.

" Okay, thank you Mr?" I say hoping to get an answer out of him. Thankfully I do.

" Conner Williams, Ma'am." He says.

" Please, Mr Aaron is expecting you." He says as I see two ladies exit the house and head towards the I and Conner. Must be the helpers.

" Okay Mr Conner." I say as I head inside.

" Please call me Conner." He says just behind me.

My mind is everywhere as I approach the door. God please, let this not be too bad.

" Good afternoon ma'am." A young maid greets as I enter the house.

" Mr Aaron has been waiting. This way please." She says as she leads me towards the living room.

As we approach the living room, I notice that every one is there. Aunt Claire, Julia, Uncle Aaron and two other men that look really familiar to me. One older than the other. Must me father and son, giving the resemblance. This must be really serious.

The room is quiet and everyone's attention turns towards me.

I put on my most confident look as I approach them.

" Took you forever to get here Emilia." Uncle Aaron says with a snare and I hear Julia give a snort but her mother gives her a nudge on the arm to silence her. These guests must be really important.

" I'm sorry Uncle, I didn't know we were having the meeting today. I would have been earlier if you had informed me." I say as I turn towards the men who happen to be really important. As I look at the men I feel my breathe hitch as I take in the appearance of the younger man. He sits in his chair, with an expressionless face.

This man was handsome. I couldn't help but stare at him in awe. He had the most beautiful set of grey eyes I had ever seen. Jet black hair that was similar to mine and a perfectly outlined lip. He didn't look Canadian to me, more like an Italian.

Snapping out of my daze, I walk towards a sofa and settle down.

" Very well, Emilia, I'm sure you're familiar with the name -- Kings Corp." Uncle Aaron states while looking at the men with a proud look plastered on his face.

Of course I'm familiar with Kings Corp, everyone in the country and beyond knew who they were. The most powerful family in the whole of Canada, also the richest. Their son, Liam Kings was always in the front page for his achievements in the company and of course, for his eligibility in the world of bachelors. He was always number one on the tabloids and his beauty was not to be questioned. What many people wondered was why he was never seen with a woman, some were already beginning to think he was gay.

Although I had never sem him in person, I had seen his pictures on the internet. But why was Uncle Aaron asking about him now.

" Of course, I know about Kings Corp, why do you ask Uncle?" I say confused.

" Well Emilia, you say you know about Kings Corp, but you don't recognize the owners." He says with an angry look.

That's when I realize it. No wonder they looked so familiar. Richard Kings and Liam Kings of kings Corp.

" Oh, I didn't realize, please forgive me." I say to the father and son. The older man whom I now know to be Richard Kings, speaks up first.

" Oh, it's okay dear, although this is a first for me, or should I say for us." He says with a short laugh and the others join in pretentiously, well except Liam Kings, who just sits there with the same bored look but this time, his eyes are on me. Quickly averting my eyes from his gaze I turn to the older kings.

" What do you mean if I may ask." I say not quite understanding what he meant by ' a first for them '.

" What I meant by that dear, is that we, the kings, have never not been recognized before. Moreso by a business mogul like yourself. You see we're quite popular in the industry." He says and nod, understanding what he was saying.  It would be next to impossible to see a person who didn't know who the kings were. I was never good at recognizing people.

" If I may interrupt your little chit-chat session with my niece Mr Kings, I see you're getting quite comfortable with her already." Uncle Aaron says with a fake smile. I can tell he doesn't like that Mr Richards attention was on me and not on Julia. Not that I care though. Mr Richard seemed like a wonderful person and I was just being nice to him.

" Well yes, she is indeed a wonderful woman. I hear she manages the affairs of Peyton Inc. Must be a strong woman to control the monthly income of over 50,000 employees all over the world." Mr Richard replies.

" Well, technically, I own the company Mr Richard." Uncle Aaron retorts in an attempt to defend himself.

" But she runs it. Right?" Mr Richard says and I feel his son -- Liam Kings shift his gaze towards me.

" That doesn't matter, Richard. We've wasted so much time chatting, why don't we get down to business. The reason for this meeting." Uncle Aaron says as the kings nod in agreement. Curiosity overwhelms me once again.

"Well, Emilia, Mr Richard and Liam Kings here has a proposal for Peyton Inc. Something that could change our lives forever." He says as he smiles at Julia who reciprocates the action.

Okay, what is going on.

" You see, we're already rich and influential, same thing with the kings, if not more. So imagine what would happen, If we were to merge the two companies." He says with so much excitement.

Where is he going with this.

" We would be unstoppable Emilia." He continues.

" I don't understand what you're trying to say Uncle." I say already feeling uneasy.

Is he trying to merge my parents company with another company for money! How dare he. This company belongs to my parents and it was built with their sweat, there is no way I am going to do as he's saying. We were already so successful and didn't need the support of another company. How could someone be this greedy.

" Look, Emilia, I'm not trying to sell the company. We're just joining forces with the most powerful company in Canada. If anything you should be happy." He says grinning from ear to ear.

" No." I say calmly.

Everyone turns towards me and I look up.

" What do you mean by No, Emilia. It's been decided already." Aunt Claire says as she tries to hide her anger.

" What exactly has been decided." I say looking at all if them. I had lost it already. How could they think of merging the company.

" If it has been decided, why am I here, You could have finished the process already. So why do you need me." I say and I'm reminded of my meeting with Mr Albert on Monday. Very similar cases indeed.

Of course they needed me to complete the process. My signature was needed and they were not going to get it. Never.

" Miss Peyton, if I may." Mr Richard says and I can't help but give him a chance to explain.

" Please, go ahead." I say

" What we're suggesting isn't a normal merger. We don't need Peyton Inc as we're already number one. That wasn't our intention from the beginning." He says and for the tenth time today, I get confused again.

" Our initial plan was to marry into the Peyton family, but Mr Aaron here, thought that it would be better to merge the companies after the marriage." He says.

Wait, what? Marriage?

" Wait, hold up, a marriage?." I say and everyone smiles including Julia as she looks at Liam Kings in a shameful manner.

Oh, Julia's getting married to Liam Kings?

" Yes, a marriage, Miss Peyton." Liam speaks up for the first time since I walked into the room.

" Okay, now look, I don't really care about who is getting married or to whom they are getting married but what I know is, marriage or not, there's no way I'm allowing a merger between my parents company and another take place." I say as a matter of fact.

" Emilia! Be quiet." Uncle Aaron's voice booms and Aunt Claire is quick to calm him to stop him from causing a scene.

The only reason he did not hit me was because there were important people here. If it was not for that fact, I would have been bruised the very moment I said the word ' No ' in an attempt to go against him.

" Please, let's not get worked up. We can do without the merger, but since the documents have already been signed by your uncle, a marriage has to take place in order to avoid legal issues with your company. I respect your decision Emilia, the company belonged to your parents and I totally understand you for not wanting to merge it with another." Mr Richard says and I relax. He was an understanding man.

" You don't have to listen her, Mr Richard, She doesn't know what she's saying. She is still so young." Uncle Aaron says still trying to convince Mr Richard.

" She runs a company Mr Aaron, something that none of your family members know how to do, yourself including. She knows what she's saying." Mr Richard says in my defense. Not many people knew that I was the one running the company, only people who were as influential as the kings knew. To the public I was just a worker in my parents company which was now owned by my uncle. A smile finds its way to my face and I quickly wipe it off. I see Liam smile from the corner of my eyes. Weird.

That shut Uncle Aaron and the rest of his family up.

" Okay then. Since the issue with the merger is all taken care of, I'll leave you guys to discuss matters regarding the marriage between Julia and Mr Liam Kings. Please excuse me." I say as I stand up to leave.

" Yeah Dad, you heard her. Since there's no merger taking place, we just have the wedding to plan." Julia says happily.

" Wait a minute. Miss Peyton, please wait." Liam Kings says stopping me in my tracks and I turn towards them.

" You can't leave yet." He says

" Why can't I, my business here is done." I say getting impatient.

" You see, your business here isn't close to being done. We just finished one phase, we still have a wedding to finalize." He says. Okay, can these people be more clear.

" We?" I say with a confused expression.

" What do you mean Mr Kings." Uncle Aaron says and for the first time we're in the same page.

Julia gets up and walks towards Liam Kings.

" We have a wedding to plan, so why does she have to be here." She says in a sickening tone.

Liam smirks as he walks towards me.

" I can see you didn't read the documents at all. I never said I was going to marry Julia." He says.

What is he talking about.

I sigh in relief when I see Mr Richard getting up to speak. He was always saying things in my favour since this meeting commenced, but I wasn't prepared for what he said next.

" She has to be here because the marriage is between Liam and Emilia my dear." Mr Richard says.

Wait, what!