Ch 2 - Adamant Father
1107 Words
"What the hell is going on in there?" David whispered to the other two while they listened. James and Matthew had their ears stuck to the wooden door of the library, trying to eavesdrop.
At David’s question, James put a finger on his lips telling him to keep silent and let them listen. Matthew pulled away from the door and glanced at David with a smirk.
"They are talking about some arrangement. Dad's reminding Emily of his investment in her idea and how he supported her,” Matthew whispered to David conspiringly.
David’s brows furrowed and he nodded in thought while Matthew went on to eavesdrop.
Matthew thought for a moment then said, "I think they want Oliver and Emily to get married."
James scoffed. "You're not serious?"
Matthew lifted an eyebrow at James. "You know Dad would not hesitate if anything like that came to his mind."
James shook his head in disbelief and continued to eavesdrop.
"It's your dad's idea?" David asked them and tried to pull Matthew away so he could listen.
"Yeah, since he's the one reminding Emily of his investment in her company," Matthew said with a shrug.
"Wait! That's not what he wants," James said and pressed his ear firmly on the door.
"They want them to work together," Matthew said, nodding when he heard it too. Surprised, David pushed Matthew aside and pressed his ear to the door. He could hear them talking through the wooden door.
"Mr. Hansen, are you sure you want Oliver as my assistant? I mean if he has any objections…" Emily, David’s sister asked.
"Of course, I have an objection. I am not working with her. I can do better on my own," Oliver said furiously.
"Like you have been doing for the past few years." Mr. Hansen snapped at Oliver.
"Hansen, I think if Oliver doesn't want to work with Emily then it's pointless in forcing him to do so," David and Emily’s father said.
David and James made eye contact and nodded, knowing that forcing Oliver was wrong.
"No, Gerald, I have made up my mind. If Oliver doesn't want to work with Emily as her assistant, then he can get the hell out of my house. I will not spare any more of my millions on his girlfriends and his luxuries. "
Listening to Bernard Hansen berating his son, David’s eyes widened and he glanced at James, who had grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the door.
"We should get away. Dad will be storming out of the library any second now," James warned, and looked at the door like it was a time bomb.
Matthew's eyes widened. "Why? What happened there? "
"Oliver refused Dad outright. Dad threatened him to cut him off in return,” James summarized the conversation inside the library for Matthew and pulled him away as well.
Matthew nodded in thought and they began to scoot away.
"Oliver will come around, he's not Rick," Matthew said, making James snicker.
"What do you mean? " David asked as they began walking towards David’s bedroom.
"Rick's different, he doesn't get controlled by Dad. Oliver doesn't either, but he listens at least. I am sure if he sees it's a good option, he will agree."
"My bet on it," James said.
"I don't think so," David said, and both brothers smirked at him.
“You don’t know our Dad,” Matthew said, patting David’s arm.
~~~~~~
Emily kept stealing glances at Oliver, afraid that if he caught her eying him with pity he would blow out all his anger on her. The way Mr. Hansen told him that he had no other way, she couldn't help feeling bad for him. No one deserved that kind of attitude from their parents.
"You can work at some other place, I can get you a recommendation," Emily said to Oliver and saw his fist clench, making her eyes widen.
They were still standing in the library since their fathers stormed out.
"Do me a favor, will you? Keep your mouth shut." Oliver said, shocking her more.
She blinked at him to recover and shook her head in disbelief. Taking two steps towards him, she stopped in front of him and looked straight into his eyes.
"I am going to be your boss. So be careful of what you say to me from now on," she said and jabbed a finger at the chest to make an impact. Oliver, who was glaring at her, made no move and closed his eyes as if trying to control himself.
After making her point, she stormed out of the library, leaving him fuming on the spot.
What the hell did he think of himself? She was trying to help him there and he was telling her to shut up. She should have left him at the mercy of his father.
Shut up, my foot.
The next day…
Emily entered her office, dressed in a green blouse and gray skirt styled with gray pumps, with her hair falling over her back. Placing her files on the table, she asked her secretary to bring a cup of coffee. She was never fond of waking up in the morning, even to that day she was not fond of it. Sometimes she wondered how she managed the courage to leave her bed.
Sighing, she turned on her laptop and then began to search for her phone in her purse. It seemed like a hole in the purse had appeared. Her phone was nowhere to be found and yet a minute of searching later it magically appeared in her hand.
Checking through her notifications, Emily saw a call from Mr. Artair and sighed. That man wasn’t going to leave her alone. Why couldn’t he understand that it was just business and Emily wasn’t interested in any other association with him? She wouldn’t deny that he was a handsome man, yet he did nothing for her. Emily was looking forward to her career and was sure going down the relationship path would only hurt her and waste time.
"Your coffee, Ma'am." A strange voice said, interrupting her thoughts. It wasn't her secretary's voice but she could care less. She just needed her coffee.
Not looking up from her phone, she muttered, "Yes, thank you."
"Anything else you need, ma'am?" The way the person said "ma'am" and his strange but familiar voice made Emily’s head snap up in alarm. She looked up, startled, and her phone fell to the floor in shock. Her eyes blinked rapidly, not able to believe the sight. Only one word fell from her lips.
"Oliver?”
- Writer
