C5 Chapter Five

Chapter Five.

Fiona's POV:

"You will regret this. Let's just hope you do not come running back to me," He fired, and I quickly made my way out of the office.

The past few days have been very tough for me and Thomas. I could not keep my promise to keep the house, so Thomas and I were thrown out.

I had tried renting an apartment with some of the money I had made while working and only then did I realize everything we own had been taken by the bank and our accounts frozen.

We went from one shelter to the other looking for a place where we could lay our heads.

It was tough to even get a good meal to eat. I could not believe myself, myself, and Thomas who always would be selective of what we eat now had to scramble for food.

It was one of those days when I had sat down thinking that I remembered Uncle Victor. How stupid have I been!

I had been so caught up in all of this that I did not remember to reach out to him. He could have helped; he would have helped.

He was Dad's best friend and certainly one of the best people I'd ever met.

I quickly put a call through to him, and we agreed to meet the next day at his house.

"Uncle Victor, thank you so much for seeing me," I started to say when we met.

"Of course, anytime. I mean, why not? Your dad and I were very close, and you are like a daughter to me," he says.

"Speaking of which, did he tell you about a loan he took?" I ask.

"No, your father was not one to just take a loan," He opposed.

"Exactly what I said when I heard he did!" I exclaimed, finally glad that someone was beginning to see things the way I did.

"Imagine my shock when I found out. I'm as confused as you are. The bank took everything including the house," I lamented.

"Oh, that's sad. I did pass by one of these days and heard that the former owners had parked. I thought it had more to do with the memories," he says.

"I wished it was that, Uncle. But no, we were thrown out of the house and have been suffering ever since," I continued, this time crying.

"I tried everything Uncle, nothing worked."

"Oh, dear. Do not cry anymore, you are here now. But why didn't you come to me sooner?" He asked.

"I was too engrossed in pain and anger to think of or about anything else or anyone," I confessed.

"It's alright. Do not worry, I will help you. I will give you a job at my company because I know how hardworking you are and then, we will get your father's company and everything you've lost back," He assured me.

"Oh, thank you so much, Uncle. Thank you, Sir. How can I ever repay you?" I ask.

"Uh, uh. Do not thank me yet. There is something you must do for me first," he says, and it sends shivers down my spine.

I remembered my encounter with the bank manager and didn't want to have to experience that again.

"Certainly, Uncle Victor is not like that bank manager, and he sees me as his daughter," I said to myself, trying to reassure myself.

God, please, not now. Not when I thought I had found hope.

"You do know my son, Alexander?" He asks.

"Yes, I do," I answered, quite relieved but confused as to why he brought up the issue of his son.

Alexander's POV:

"Dad, are you sure nothing bad happened?" I asked, worried now.

"No, son. Nothing bad happened," He assured me.

"Did Eleanor do something bad to provoke you then?" I insist.

"No, she did not," he said.

"Then what is the trouble, Dad? Can we talk about it now?" I fired.

"For God's sake son, you have just arrived. Can you at least get some rest first?" Dad asked.

"No, Dad. I mean, for the past month you did not care if I lived or died. I have been to hell and back and I am still here. So, to answer your question, forgive me because I cannot rest or sleep until I have known what the issue is. Besides, I have not slept a full 24 hours for the past month," I screamed.

"Alright, fine. We will talk," He admitted.

"At least, take a seat," He added pointing to the couch.

I sat down gently, calming myself. Surely, this must be important for Dad to want to discuss with me.

He rarely engages in conversations with me, believing I have nothing to offer him or his company.

"Do you remember my friend, Lawson?" He asked.

"He was your friend and rival as well," I replied.

"Well, he died two days before you left for Italy," he said.

"Oh, no. That's so sad. You mentioned he had children, how are they coping?" I ask, concerned.

"This is where you come in now," He answered.

"I do not understand," I raised a brow, I know Dad to be very mischievous.

"His elder daughter and child, she's 22. They have been struggling to live so she came to me and in exchange for my help, she has agreed to marry you," He blurted out.

"Dad, you know I'm engaged," I objected.

"And we both know that you do not love her. I know what you want, son, and believe me, Fiona is perfect. Here, a picture," Dad says handing me his phone.

"She is my type!" I said excitedly.

"See, I told you. And daddy always knows what is best for his son." He said with a smirk.

"What do I tell Eleanor?" I’m concerned about what to tell Eleanor since she has been planning our wedding.

"Oh, Eleanor. She might be angry at first, but she will get over it with time. You just announce it to her properly, make it very gentlemanly, eh?" Dad says and I sigh.

This was going to be difficult.