Chapter 3 A Helping Hand

It took them half an hour to reach Johnson Group. Mr Johnson's Assistant, Tommy Angel, was waiting for Patrick Lewis at the entrance of the company. He took him to the Chairman’s office.

Emmanuel decided to discuss the condition of their cooperation with Mr Lewis before he approached his son James in case Patrick Lewis rejected him.

“Good evening Mr Johnson, I’m so sorry to trouble you” said Patrick, shaking Emmanuel’s hand. “It’s alright Mr Lewis, no trouble at all. Do you want tea or whiskey?” asked Emmanuel with a smile.

“Tea will be fine, thank you” replied Patrick. Emmanuel asked his assistant to make tea for them.

Then they discussed the proposal, and they agreed with the profit percentage of 5% which would be earned by the Johnson Group. His Assistant came back with tea and left the office.

Patrick asked Emmanuel. “You said you have a condition, what is it?” Emmanuel gave him another contract. When Patrick saw the contract, he was shocked, it was a marriage contract.

“What do you mean by this, Mr Johnson?” Emmanuel smiled at Patrick and said, “My son James has a girlfriend, both myself and my wife. We do not like her, so I decided to arrange this marriage to help my son to marry a good wife.

When I saw your daughter, I saw that she was a match for my son James, hence I drafted this proposal. My son is not aware, he is away on a business trip. If you agree, I will discuss this issue with my son.

The marriage contract will be two years only. However, should they divorce before two years are up, I will withdraw my funds. What do you think?”

Patrick Lewis promised his daughter that he would never sell her for business, and he would never interfere in her love life.

“Thank you so much for your time, Mr Johnson, my late wife and I promised our daughter that we would never interfere in her love life,” said Patrick, leaving.

Emmanuel was so shocked, “Don’t you want to discuss the contract with your daughter? Maybe she is willing?”  Patrick didn’t even hesitate. He replied, “No need.”

The meeting between her father and Mr Johnson was very short. She was surprised to see her father coming back to the car empty-handed. Was he not supposed to bring the signed contract with him?

“Daddy, what happened?” said Victoria, looking at her dad’s face. “Mr Johnson wants you to marry his son,” said her dad with sadness. “I’m willing daddy, I will marry his son,” said Victoria without hesitation.

“Your mother and I promised you that we will never interfere in your love life, so let us forget about the company and go home”

Victoria opened the car door and said, “Let us go to his office daddy, I nearly lost you, I am willing, and you have never interfered in my love life.”

Her dad was reluctant to go but Victoria was already standing outside the car waiting for him. He went to his daughter and held her hands and said “sweetheart, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. I love you with all my heart.

Mr Johnson’s son has a girlfriend. This will be a loveless marriage. Please listen to your daddy, let us go home.”

Victoria smiled at her father and said, “I am willing daddy, please don’t try to change my mind. Let us go before Mr Johnson changes his mind.”

Her father tried to reason with her, but she was not listening. “Daddy, I will never regret the decision I made today, don’t be sad.”

Her father sighed and they went to Mr Johnson’s office. Before they knocked, the door opened. Mr Johnson was leaving, he was surprised to see them.

Patrick spoke first “sorry to trouble you again Mr Johnson, my daughter Victoria wants to speak with you.” Emmanuel asked them to come in and guided them to the sofa. Victoria explained that her father told her about the marriage contract.

“Mr Johnson, could you please tell me more about this marriage contract.” Emmanuel smiled and said, “My son is in a relationship with a Logan girl, but I don’t feel that she is compatible with my son, hence this contract.

I have not discussed this matter with James yet, he is on a business trip. I decided to speak with your father first before I discuss it with him.” Victoria nodded her head and asked, “What if he refuses to marry me, Mr Johnson?”

“It is possible that he will refuse, but I need you to marry him for two years. After that, he can marry his girlfriend. I think I am selfish. The first time I saw you I felt that you were the best match for my son.”

“I’m willing, Mr Johnson, I will marry your son for two years as long as you help us with the company,” said Victoria.

Her father was not happy at all, “Victoria, please don’t be impulsive; you are entering into a loveless marriage. Even if we lose the company, we still have each other.”

“Daddy, two years is not a long time, I understand it will be difficult, but I am willing,” said Victoria with a smile. “Mr Johnson, what would happen if your son refused to marry me, are you going to continue helping us?” asked Victoria.

Emmanuel smiled and said, “leave my son to me as long as you are willing, everything will be alright, Mr Lewis, please sign the contract, the funds will be transferred to you tonight.” Emmanuel gave Patrick the contract to sign.

He also gave the marriage contract to Victoria to sign. Victoria took it and signed without hesitation and gave it back to Mr Johnson. Her father was still holding the contract in a daze. Victoria gave him a nudge.

“Daddy, please sign the contract, don’t worry, I will be alright.” Her dad signed the contract and gave it back to Mr Johnson. They shook hands. Emmanuel was over the moon.

He looked at Victoria beaming and said, “I will contact you after I discuss the matter with my son.” Victoria smiled, then they left the office.

Emmanuel was so impressed with Victoria; he felt that he had made a good decision by choosing her as his son’s wife. After that, he left the office. James was coming back tomorrow from his business trip. He was humming on the way; he was in a good mood.