Chapter 8

Don Kennedy laughed at the ignorance of his own grandson. Who else in their rightful mind will sign a contract without reviewing its content? None, except for Keith Harris who was bedazzled by the sound of him being the CEO that he chose to ignore the minor details on the papers.

Of course, as a businessman, Don Kennedy makes sure he’s one step ahead of the game. He’d read how the subject of his interest works and even his mannerisms. And when he takes action, it’s always to his advantage. Even the slightest mistake from the other would be a huge gain for him.

In Keith’s case, he absolutely made the contract hard to contest. And that means by his grandson signing those papers, he was bound to every rule written in black and white.

Ah, he knew he was ruthless. Many had told him so. But the thing about businessmen is you can’t let your guard down anytime. It’s a doggy-dog world in the first place. Even the one closest to you can turn out to be a two-faced enemy along the way.

“What are you trying to say, Grandpa,” Keith sounded desperate. He looked confused, his forehead creased. “You don’t make any sense.”

“I do, in fact, grandson. I do always make sense,” he corrected Keith. “Now, if you have a hard copy of the contract, you can find that little piece of information written under the specific conditions…”

“That you, Keith Harris, upon assuming the responsibility of being the head of the KH Development Group, and your first wife should give me an heir. And then everything I owned and under my possession will then be transferred to you as the successor.”

Keith was speechless. His mouth parted a bit.

Don Kennedy smirked at the disappointment written on his grandson’s face. “It doesn’t mean that you’re in the position, you finally earned the right for it…”

“Unless you give me what I want, I can take the position from you wherever and whenever I want, Keith.”

~*~

He was utterly surprised upon hearing those words from his grandfather. Keith hadn’t known such a clause in the contract or had he ignored that small fact?

Now, he looked like a total fool in front of Don Kennedy. He bet his old man was still laughing at him at the back of his mind, thinking what a total idiot his grandson had become. The contracts his grandfather always drew were always absolute. None of the conditions should not be met or everything will be invalid. That’s how his grandfather works, everything was always to his advantage.

His jaw tightened, his hand turned to a fist. Now, he was cornered by the high walls with nowhere to go but to submit to his demands.

Keith knew Amanda conceived once but unfortunately she had a miscarriage. And now his grandfather was totally shoving into his face that there’s no divorce to happen and he will continue to live with Amanda as her husband.

So his performance earlier was just for a show? For his grandfather knew the outcome of this conversation.

He didn’t know what to feel anymore. It’s as if all his efforts from all those years were gone to waste with just that simple mistake he made that day when he signed those goddamns papers. He was literally an idiot for taking things lightly as if he knew everything was in his favour when in fact it wasn’t.

It had always been according to his grandfather’s will. Always and has been his will.

Then what will happen to Sarah after this? He can’t possibly leave her hanging just because he needed to be with someone else in order to protect his position? He already promised her the world. Keith couldn’t afford to break her heart once more.

“Relax, buddy,” a part of his mind said. “Stay calm and think it through…”

“Don’t make haste decisions. You’re dealing with the tyrant himself. It’s no use.”

Just as his mind insisted, Keith tried to remain calm. He can never show his old man that he was rattled by the news. That will only give him away. And even if he did already, he needed to compose himself. He can’t let his personal feelings and thoughts collide. It will be the end of his career.

Don Kennedy must have been disappointed by the fact that he had already divorced Amanda. Oh, yes, that must be the reason. He hadn’t intervened in his affairs until recently. Keith was thinking there’s still a way to turn the tables to his favour.

“There’s really nothing much to think about, Keith. The answer was really obvious,” his grandfather stood from the couch looking ready to leave. His smile was always deceiving. “If you still insist on your insolence, you will regret that decision. Just a piece of advice…”

“Always read what you’re signing, my grandson.”

Keith was seething in anger after Don Kennedy left his office. This can’t be happening. After all he’d been through to have this position then in a sudden twist, he’ll be left with nothing! That can’t be!

Enraged, he took his phone out and called Alan. “You bring me the contract now!” he blurted out then threw his phone against the wall. It breaks and falls into pieces but it’s the least of his concern.

~*~

Still terrified, Amanda quickly went beside her unconscious mother. She was calling out her name as she tried to wake her up. She was crying while her eyes noticed that someone was still on the phone. The receiver was still held by her mother. Confused, Amanda took it and spoke to the other line.

Amanda almost lost it when she heard the sudden news. That her father met with an accident and was in critical condition as they speak.

She didn’t know how she was able to call the ambulance to rescue her mother. Her mind was in total chaos. She couldn’t think straight as both her parents were in danger. She was confused as to who she should attend first.

What’s happening? How did it all come to this?

They’re still laughing last night over dinner. Her father was a man full of rumour and they can’t help but laugh at it. It was the night before he had a week long business trip out of town. And it’s not even twenty four hours since he left their home that the accident happened.

Amanda suspected that her mother hadn’t taken the news lightly and collapsed on the floor.

She held her mother’s hand as she silently prayed for her immediate recovery. Amanda was crying as she stared at her unconscious mother inside the ambulance. “M— mom, please stay with me. I need you. We need you. You are going to be a grandmother soon. So, please, mom,” she mumbled as her tears continued to stream down her face. Her heart was throbbing so fast inside of her.

Amanda hadn’t told the news to her parents about the life she was protecting inside her belly. She thought it wasn’t the time yet. And then this happened.

It didn’t take long and the ambulance arrived at the nearby hospital. To Amanda’s horror, the doctor declared her mother dead on arrival upon seeing her. That there’s nothing that they could do to save her.

She cried for the pain of losing her mother. Amanda called to her as she tried to wake her up inside the emergency room. The medical staff were trying to calm her down but could she? Her mother was now dead! No child can never be calm to the sudden death of their parents.

And as if the fates were mocking her, after an hour the doctor’s declared his father dead inside their intensive care unit. His body became unresponsive, the heart rate already flattened.

Even before, the doctors had admitted to her that they’ll do whatever they can to save him. But it’s not guaranteed that he’ll live. Amanda can’t understand whatever the doctor was saying even when it’s on layman’s terms. All that sank in was her father was still on the brink of death after being one of the five cars who collided on the intersection earlier. Among the casualties, her father had the worst conditions with ruptured organs and broken bones.

Amanda hadn’t thought she’ll be left alone, that her parents will be gone too soon. It just felt surreal. She could still remember their smiling faces like it was just yesterday. And now, Amanda was crying hard while staring at them lying in their casket.

What did she do to deserve all the pain and heartbreaks continuously? Was it not enough that she got divorced and her heart was broken by her husband’s infidelity that the heaven’s also needed to take her parents away from her?

“A—Alma,” She sobbed on her best friend’s shoulder. Alma was there by her side, consoling her during these tough times. She never left her and became her strength to deal with everyday until the internment.

Today was the day she had to see them for the last time. With a heavy heart, she bid her goodbyes to her parents, still can’t believe that this day had come too soon.

She and Alma were the only ones left in front of her parent’s tomb. Amanda was staring blankly at the dirt that covered her parent’s body. Then her hand covered the small lump of her belly.

“Why did this happen, Alma?” She seeks an answer to her best friend. Her eyes started to water again. “Did we deserve this?”

“Do I deserve this?”

Alma hugged her tightly. “Of course not.”

“You don’t deserve this. But there are things we can’t control, Amanda. Even if we don’t want to, we don’t hold their fates,” Alma tried to reason with her. “Stop crying. You are not alone, remember. I am always with you. Stay strong for you and for your baby, Amanda.”

Even if it’s hard to digest, Amanda realized that Alma was right. Even if all else fails, it’s still not the end of the world. Now that she’s all alone, she needs to be more brave and strong for the baby in her belly. Together with the assistance of Alma, She and the baby could make it through.

“I think we need to go now, Amanda,” Alma said to her. She turned to the sky and just like what Alma said, it looks like it will rain anytime soon. Must be a heavy downpour. It’s getting darker and she could already feel the cold breeze.

Her heart constricted, Amanda turned away to her parent’s grave with a promise to alway commemorate all their teachings to her everyday living. She also made the promise to bring the baby and introduce him or her to them after she gave birth.

Alma walked ahead of her to prepare the car. Amanda was taking her time walking at the side when she heard a familiar voice of a man behind her. So familiar that she turned around drastically to confirm what she thought. And Amanda thought she shouldn’t have in the first place. It’s the worst decision she had made that day.

“Amanda…”