CHAPTER 6: TRENDING ALL OVER

Paul and Carol arrived home, earlier on after leaving the Bombwe's mansion they went to meant stakeholders of their other companies.

“I am so tired, you don't know if this day was fruitful,” Paul said ad she plugged him to the couch.

“Yes it was fruitful, at least we are assured that it's coming our way,” Carol said.

Paul scoffed, “How sure are you, mum. You saw that girl, even though she is beautiful she doesn't look like a pushover, I don't think she is going to agree to this marriage.”

There was silence for a moment.

“Well, for me, I have nothing to lose, if she doesn't agree to it. Martin will have everything to lose, what I know is that he won't agree to lose. That's why I am certain that it's on our side,” Car explained.

Paul sighed as he touched his cheek, “Anyway, I am prepared for anything, though I am scared to break this news to my girlfriend. I don't know how she was going to take it,” Paul explained.

“Leave it to me, it's going to be very easier than you expect. In fact, you will be surprised,” Carol said then winked at her son. “Go ahead and have some rest, I will have a check on how the companies are doing,” She said as she took her laptop and opened it.

She operated on it and send some files to different recipients before going to bed.

*

*

Ivana went to her room and decide to take a shower. She wanted to calm her nerves before going to bed.

Ivana walked out of the shower and wire her sleeping robes.

She took her cellphone and contemplated on calling her boyfriend, Sammy.

“I better see him face to face tomorrow, I can't explain everything to him over the phone,” Ivana murmured then lied down on bed.

Her cellphone beeped, it was a text from Sammy, *Goodnight gorgeous, hope your day was good. I missed the party, but I guess I will explain everything to you over a cup of coffee, lots of kisses 😘*

Ivana smiled after reading, she wanted to reply, but she would rather not start a conversation that won't end, and perhaps she was anxious and confused about what had happened earlier. She just can't come to terms that her father is selling her off in a business marriage.

Sammy was Ivana Campus lover, they had promised on marrying each other after finishing school. He was now working as a teller in one of the banks in the Orange County.

Ivana forced her eyes to close and sleep, but it was difficult, everything come rushing in her mind. It seems like a nightmare to her, but she couldn't believe it that it was really happening, that she was to marry someone she has no idea about.

*

*

Early in the morning, Carol woke up and send one of the workers to buy her leading newspapers.

It was not her norm, but there was something she wanted to confirm none that day.

Several leading newspapers had Paul and Ivana's picture on the front page the Caption was WEDDING BELLS, THE RICH ALSO MARRY, PERFECT IMPERFECTIONS, OFF THE MARKET. Those were the screaming headline, with Ivana and Paul staring at each other like love birds.

The previous night, she had spent some hours on the laptop, sending the picture to a printing press so that they can make an engagement announcement. Car went an extra mile of bribing them to edit the pictures.

After seeing how perfect it was, Carol walked to Paul's room.

“Wake up, son, there is something I want to show you,” She said happily.

Paul was already up and probably preparing himself for work.

“What is it, mum?” He asked as he walked out of the room ready to leave for office.

She handed him the four newspapers, then climbed down the stairs, following each other.

Paul's eyes almost popped out of the sockets, “Are you kidding me? This is so perfect, mum,” He said as he sat down and read the headline.

“I told you to leave it for me. I got you, son!” She screamed in happiness.

“Wow, at least she will draw the conclusion for herself. Thank you mum, you made my work easier,” Paul said as he sipped his coffee.

He finished, then left for office.

Immediately Carol calked Martin, “Good morning Martin,” She Said full of joy.

“Good morning Carol, what do I deserve for this morning call?” he asked

“I have tried to learn your work. Please read the leading newspapers of today and let me know,” She informed.

“What's there? Has the press written about our company and the merging process?” he asked worriedly. He knows how badly his company has been operating. It was his fortune for information not to leak to the media.

“Not really, something juicer than that,” Carol said, then hug up.

Ivana had women up very early on that day. She had intended to meet with her boyfriend so that she can inform him everything that is going on.

She had already taken a bath and wore some jeans and denim jacket, accompanied by snickers.

Furthermore, she walked to the living room and asked Milka to serve her breakfast. While she was taking the breakfast, the press man rung the doorbell. Ivana stood up and walked to the door. She received the newspaper and walked back to the table.

She wanted to toss them aside, but she didn't understand why she got an urge to read them.

Likewise, she placed them on the table and the first thing her eyes settled on was her picture with Paul stating at each other with a caption of OFF THE MARKET.

“What the fuck!”

The cup that she was holding dropped on the floor as her hands trembled in fear. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. She opened other newspapers, and it was all the same, with different headlines. What surprised her was that the clothes she was putting on the previous day were similar to the picture taken.

“I don't remember taking any picture with him!” She exclaimed.

“Ivana, has the newspaper been brought?” Mr. Martin asked as he descended the stairs.

Ivana picked one of the newspapers and held it in Martin's face.

“What is the meaning of this, dad? Can you explain this to me?” Ivana asked as she moved the newspaper in his face.

“What…what are you asking me?” Mr. Martin asked as he picked the newspaper.

“So you want ahead and gave false information to the press. Is that the reason you bought me that dress and shoes? Was it an engagement dress? You went ahead and hired a private photographer so that they can take my picture? Dad, what is the meaning of this? Are you really blackmailing me?” Ivana asked as treats flows down her beautiful face.

“I don't have the idea how this happened. I didn't do it, Ivana,” Mr. Martin said as he flipped the newspapers pages. A false story has been written. It ringed in his mind what Carol had informed him over the phone.

“Of course you are going to deny it, but I am sorry this blackmail won't work on me, go ahead and give all false information about me. Let them write how I love him, but there is only one person that I love…”

“Listen to me Ivana, you are misunderstanding everything, I have no idea….”

Ivana's cellphone started ringing. She checked the calmer, and she was not surprised to see the name. Ivana shook her head with disappointment and left the house.