Chapter 2- The Decision

Collins's Point of View

Collins reached into his briefcase and pulled out a new set of documents. "These are updated terms. They cover our relationships, not only the business. So, if agreed, we can work on this together, with clear goals and mutual respect."

She skimmed over them. The new terms were all about joint decisions and spending personal time. It was a step in the direction of something more than just a transaction.

Before she could ask more questions, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from her father's doctor: Urgent! Need to speak with you immediately.

Tammie's heart fell. "I need to go. My father's health might be taking a wrong turn."

Collins got up with a troubled expression. "I'll go with you. We can talk more at the hospital."

Tammie only nodded, relieved but frightened. They sped off towards the hospital with Collins forcing his way quickly through the city streets. The intensity in the air had everything intensified.

They didn't waste any time but dashed into the office of the hospital doctor, who stared at them seriously from the face. "Ms. Daniels, Mr. Blackwood, thank you for coming. Your father is not in the best of conditions right now. We need to discuss his treatment options.

Tammie's heart was racing with foreboding feelings as she was led into the room where her father lay. He had become so slight and fragile that the sight of him almost clogged her throat as she walked over to take his hand to control her feelings.

The doctor continued explaining the scenario and presenting several options but with critical time considerations. Tammie's head was reeling with things that she needed to be concerned about, as well as decisions she needed to make.

The meeting was over, and Collins silently stood by her side for support. "Tammie, I know all this is much to take in. When you feel ready, let's discuss this proposal further."

Tammie showed her gratitude toward Collins and for his having been there. She understood that rather soon, not only for her father but for her as well, a decision was to be made.

The decisions before her seemed to bear down on her almost physically as she left the hospital. Tammie had the hard choice between saving her family's business and the possibility of a real future with Collins. Now the little bouquet represented both hope and uncertainty, which seemed to linger all the more in her mind after the decision she had yet to make.

The city lights blurred as Collins drove her home. It was still practically half the night, but Tammie knew she had to face her fears and make a decision that might carve the path of her destiny. Time was running out, and with every moment that passed, the decision loomed larger.

Evening weight descended upon them as they reached Tammie's apartment. Collins stopped the car, turned to her, and gave her that unblinking, direct look. "Would you like to talk more about the proposal now, or later?"

Tammie took a deep breath. She was exhausted after all that had happened that day. "I need to think. Everything is going so fast.

Collins nodded understandingly. "I'll be here when you're ready. Just know whatever you decide, I'm committed to making this work if you choose to go ahead."

Tammie thanked him and then watched as he drove away. She stood in the doorway of her apartment-the cool night air dancing across her face. Her thoughts swirled with the visit to the hospital, her father's condition, and the unexpected proposal.

She walked through her apartment on autopilot, her mind reeling from the due decisions. On the desk, she put the open contract, thinking about what she had to decide.

So while in her hands she was holding that contract, she sat down, receiving a notification that there was one new email on her phone. It was from her father's business partner, James. Subject: Urgent: Business Crisis.

She opened the e-mail, her heart hammering. The company's stock value had tumbled emergently, something about it dropping through the floor, with a major creditor threatening to call in the loans if something wasn't done right now. It was worse than she had thought.

By that time, panic was beginning to set in. She had wished that this was a time-out, a break where she could think straight, but it appeared that the crisis was going to get worse as the email indicated that she should be present during the emergency meeting with the board of directors the next day.

She dialed up James in haste. "What is it, James? How bad is it?

James' voice was tight. "Tammie, it is bleak. Unless we take radical steps, we can lose everything. The board needs your guidance, and we have to make decisions immediately."

Tammie consented to meet with the board, feeling the weight of her situation. She hung up and stared at the contract from Collins tangled mess was going on in her head between fear and hope.

One vibration. This time, a text from Collins: Thinking of you. Hope you are okay. Call if you need anything.

She appreciated his concern, yet she didn't believe him. She had to do something that would determine what her future life would be like and that of her family's legacy. Stakes were high, and with every minute that passed, her anxiety increased.

She knew she had to decide before morning. The business crisis, added to her father's ill health, was allowing her no time for consideration. She lay in bed trying to sleep, her head teeming with possibilities and consequences. The notion of marrying Collins was at the same time a lifeline and a heavy burden.

The gravity of her choices was added as the contract lay next to her. Just as she finally dozed off, her phone rang and, it was James's voice, sounding urgent.

"Tammie, I'm sorry to wake you, but there has been a development. The people we owe want to see us tonight. We must do something quickly about this."

Her heart jumped. "But it's late, ".

That's essential. If we don't do this, we may not have a company by tomorrow morning," said James.

A feeling of terror passed through Tammie, knowing she was not going to be able to just take this lying down. She had jumped out of bed, thrown on her clothes, reached for her coat and the contract Collins had given her. Her heart racing in her chest, she got out and drove to meet James and whatever was coming her way.

The air was cold and dark that night she found her way to the publisher's. The issues concerning the proposition from Collins and the enormity of the decision had become even bleaker. The time was now, and she was about to walk into a meeting with the potential to change the future of everything she had worked for.

Tammie is slowly walking into the boardroom. There is a grim-faced group of senior executives with James; she can feel the tension as she takes in a deep breath in preparation for the battle she was supposed to wage with the knowledge that the choice she was to make tonight had the potential of changing everything.

More serious than even she had expected, the meeting went on. Tammie looked back at the worried eyes in the room; the future of her father's company was at stake. Decisions were going to have to be made here, and everyone counted down to the smallest minute.

Now, with every word, she tried to push out of her mouth the proposal that would save the company her thought kept running back to the proposal given by Collins. Now there were personal as well as professional stakes; this was far from over. With every word she spoke, she felt the weight of her choices pressing in on her, knowing that by morning her path would be set this way or that.