C3 Chapter 3

“i really wish there is a way out of all this” she said with tears.

“it is going to be okay’ he said.

“what is going to be okay? There is nothing going right at all. Everything is just falling apart. Mom is in the hospital she needs money, dad is still arrested without any hope of getting out soon, Vanessa is about to miss her final exams because of the lack of money, the house rent is due by weekend and I don’t even have any money to feed us at all not to talk of paying for the hospital bills we are still owing..” she recount and cry the more. Just then Vanessa emerge from the room again changed and with her bag and some books.

“am going to the library to do some research and read for a bit” she told them and turn to leave then turn back to them.

“take this and use it to take a bus to work, don’t walk again and also use the rest to get something to eat. I will also eat before coming so no need to cook” she said and left. Vienna raise her head from Nisan and look at the money on the table.

“where did she get money from?” she asked surprised.

“she is not a kid and an sure she has some savings” he replied.

“i should go to work now, I will inform the boss that you are not feeling too well” he said and get up.

“what do you mean? Am coming with you, I cant avoid to miss a day work in this kind of situation. I should work harder” she said and went inside to quickly change and came out dressed and they left together.

****

Alan’s mother,Sasha led him to the living room and help him sit. His grandfather and father was also in the room with his elder sister. Harley move closer to him and wave her hands in front of his eyes.

“this is bad. How come the doctors couldn’t do anything about this? It’s really not good at all” she said and sat down beside him.

“Harley, you don’t have to rub in on your brother’s injury” Sasha said. Their grandfather hit the staff in his hand lightly on the floor and everyone keep quiet turning their attention to him.

“i didn’t call you here to talk about what happened to Alan, am here for something more important. Its about your engagement with the Miners. You cut off the engagement back then with a lie but now you have no excuse at all and also if you want to stabilize your position you need a wife” he said.

“grandfather, are you serious? What girl will want to marry a blind man” Harley said.

“Harley! How could you refer to your brother as a blind man. My son is not blind its partial blindness and temporary, he will soon regain his sight back” Sasha snap at her angrily.

“but you have to face it mum, he is really blind”

“how about your husband?” grandfather asked. Harley keep quiet at the mention of her husband.

“you should go back home now. You already spent more than a week here, you are still married to him and remember what I said, no divorce so you better settle with him” he said again.

“dad, Harley’s marriage is like this because it was an arranged marriage, I don’t think its a good idea to also let Alan get married to someone against his will” Alan’s father, Williams said for the first time.

“yes father, I agree with my husband and also why do you have to marry the both of them off to people below our standard” their mother chip in.

“that is why I told the both of them to bring me someone they love. If she had bought home the right man then and not that gold digger then I wont ask her to marry to him and also your dear son bought a fake girlfriend to me and I have to find out later that she is actually Karen’s girlfriend. And now you have to get married to have full control over the corporation and also given your condition, it is very compulsory” he replied angrily.

“father, the Miner family went into ruin three years ago and even Miner himself is still in prison. Forming a bond with them is just like a stain our name and reputation” Sasha said again to convince him.

“that doesn't make any different. Miner must have learn his lesson by now and also if he doesn't get married now then I cant say for sure that he will be able to maintain his position as the patriarch of the Clinton family” he said and left

“Williams, what does father mean by his word? How can he say that? Are you not going to say something?” Sasha said worriedly.

“there is nothing to be concerned about. On this matter, I will let Alan decide on his own” Williams replied and face Alan who has been quiet since the beginning of their discussion.

“if you really agree with your grandfather, then make sure to bring her home by this weekend, then we will discuss further and if not, then I wont force you” he said and also left. Alan who has been quiet since he enter the room signal to one of the maid to help him and he went towards the direction his grandfather went not saying anything.

“is that what you also want to say? And why are you just leaving Alan? Over my dead body will I let my son marry that daughter of a criminal”

“mom, I think you should just let this matter be and personally I think this is a good idea. Look at it like this, who among the rich young lady will want to marry him the way he is? So its better to choose her then we will have someone to take care of him and also relieve you of your stress and most importantly, we will be able to control her anyhow we like just by giving her a little amount of money” Harley and Sasha nod her head at her.

“but still…”

“no but. We can even make it seems like they are married while in actual sense they will not be and also when Alan is better and back in power fully, we will be able to kick her out after” she said with a mischievous smile.

“since I don’t have a happy home, then Alan also should experience the same” she thought and smile evilly.

****

Alan sat down in his study with a cigarette in his hand and his phone in the other hand. Just then someone knock the door and entered.

“sir” Kellie said as she entered. Alan raise his hand to indicate that he is listening.

“I track the location of Vienna and her family. She is living in the countryside now with her sister and mother and also a man called Nisan. There seems to be a kind of relationship between them but its not confirmed that they are dating and I also find out that he is the illegitimate son of Brook but he was sent out a long time ago also, Mrs Miner is in the hospital and it looks like they will need to bring her to the city and also the sum of money for the surgery is a bit too much for them to handle. I sent every other details to your email” she explained. Alan remain quiet after listening to her.

“set up a meeting with her and explain things to her and I don’t want no for an answer. Give her a condition she wont be able to resist” he said and took a long drag from the cigarette.

“sorry sir but I don’t think she is going to agree with something like that after being discarded by you once before and also judging by the conditions you want to give her you don’t seems to hate her so why the need for a contract”

“that is for me to decide and also whatever it is I tell you is what you will d o without any questions” he replied sternly

“okay sir, is there anything else you will like me to do for you?”

“what about Karen?”

“there is no new development on his side for now. Just news about his engagement without miss Benita but apart from that there is no other issue except him doing his work”

“you can go for now and also take those files with you and also they are not for any other eye to see” he said and she pick the files and left.