BUSINESS PROPOSAL
I went up to my office to meet my dad as I tried to control my emotions. I found him standing close to the window as he stared out of it. He had his back on me, so I couldn't see the expression on his face.
"Dad,” I called out, and he looked at me as a smile appeared on his face.
“I knew you were going to figure it out, even after telling Peter not to inform you about my presence.”
“That's because I know you are the only one Peter respects enough to lead you to my office.”
“I guess I have too many people who trust and respect me.” He said that and gave out a small laugh.
“It's not funny, dad. So what brought you here?”
“Can't I see my daughter again?” He asked with a teasing smile on his face.
“Dad, you and I know that my office has never been a meeting spot. I know you are here for business purposes only.”
“Sometimes I forget that you know me too well to lie to you, but I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to see you.”
“I know, dad, let's sit so you can finally tell me why you are here.”
“Hmm, how come you are more curious than I expected?"
“Because I know it is something important, so I really want to know.”
“Fine, I have a proposal for you. I heard from Peter that you lost a very important model who happened to be the face of the company.”
"Yeah, I did, but you don't have to worry about that; I will take care of it.”
“I know you can take care of it, but I have a better suggestion for you. How about we accept a business deal from M & J Suit Up?”
“M & J Suit Up? I thought they only dealt in men's accessories.”
“Yes,that is correct, but that will be to your advantage. If we can both work on a particular design for couples, then we can work together. Having a design made for both genders can boost sales if we both work together.”
“Hmm, that is correct. Do you think they are willing to work with us?”
“Yes, I will go to them and fix a meeting, or maybe we can talk over dinner.”
"Thanks, Dad. I'm so happy that you are still looking after me at this very moment.” I said to him before giving him a hug.
"Sweetie, is it me, or do you look a little pale today? Are you sick?”
“No, I'm fine."
“I don't think so; maybe I will reach out to Dr. Daniel to come check on you. That husband of yours wouldn't even notice if you are okay or not,” he said as he sightly pulled me away from him, scanning my body with his eyes.
I was tense because I didn't want him to suspect anything. I smiled at him and took his hands, placing them on my forehead.
“Dad, I'm fine. See, my body is not even hot. You don't always have to worry about me; I can take care of myself.”
“Fine,but tell Seth to make time for us to see."
“Why?” I nervously asked, hoping he hadn't figured anything out.
“Because that guy stinks at handling business, and I can't keep supporting his company if he doesn't know how to handle it.”
“Are you thinking of withholding your company from supporting his?”
“Yes, and don't try to talk me out of it.”
“I won't; I know before you make decisions you have already considered the advantage and the disadvantage, so please do what you have to do,” I said. I am not going to let anything about Seth bother me anymore. He doesn't deserve it.
“Why are you not defending him today? That is unlike you.”
“Maybe it's because I am finally beginning to see a lot of things I was turning a blind eye to."
“Hmm, things like what?”
“I'm still figuring it out.” I replied to him before staring at my wrist watch and checking the time. I know Peter might have started the meeting, but I still need to join them.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but I have a meeting with all the managers of each department. It looks like we urgently need to find a lead model so we can start running ads this week.”
“Haven't you ever considered using yourself as the face of your company? How can you hide all this beauty behind Peter?” My dad asked.
“Dad, you know how much I love my privacy. Running for the face of Glams beauty and fashion is like going public.”
“I don't know why you are so against going public, but you can always hide behind Peter, just like you are doing now. A lot of people think I own this company, so you can go ahead and be the face of Glams Beauty and Fashion. I will cover it up for you.
I want you to do what you enjoy doing. It is time to stop hiding. When you came up with the idea of starting this company, I supported you because I knew you had it in you.
If you are not going to take the gloom of Glams beauty and fashion, at least shine together with it."
And I never really thought I was hiding until now. I just never thought I should let the world know I own Glams beauty and fashion.
“I will consider it, but I need to go join Peter and the others.”
“Your mum is asking after you,” my dad said as we both started heading out of the office.
“Tell her I will come see her during the weekend.”
“I will let her know.” I followed my dad to the elevator and saw him off before heading back to join the meeting.
Xender’s POV
“Dad, what are you doing here?” He has been sitting here for twenty minutes, ignoring my questions.
“Am I not allowed to come to your workplace? Don't tell me you are avoiding me, are you?”
"Dad, please, I really had a very disappointing morning, and my afternoon is not going so well, so please don't add to it.”
“Are you trying to say that I might add to your misery?”
“Yes, so get to the point so I can get back to work."
“Son, how old are you?” I sighed out loud as I swallowed down the anger that was beginning to build up inside me. I have never had the perfect relationship with my dad.
“Does it matter how old I am?"
“Yes, this actually has everything to do with your age.” He replied with a smile on his face—a very unpleasing smile.
“I'm in my middle thirty,” I replied to him when I figured out he wasn't planning on dropping whatever this conversation was.
“You are quite a successful man at a very young age.” He said it, but I just couldn't guess if it was a compliment.
"Thanks, dad, but I'm still not getting your point.”
“You started M & J Suit Up when you were just twenty-five. I was very proud of you, and I still am. How are all your investments? I hope you are investing your money in the right companies.
From his question, I knew immediately that he already knew about my business with Mr. Sebastian.
“Is that why you are here—to tell me how you were so against me working with Mr. Sebastian? Well, don't worry about that, because he is going to be paying me every dime I invested in his company.”
“I hope so, because his real estate company is as good as closed, and his supporting roles are withholding their companies from having anything to do with his.
So that leaves me wondering how he will manage to pay up, but don't worry, I'm sure you have your own plans around things.” I could hear the sarcasm in his voice.
“If that's all, then I will be heading out; I have a meeting with my lawyer.”
"Relax, son; I got a contract for you. How would you like to collaborate with Glams Beauty and Fashion?”
“Glams beauty and fashion, owned by Mr. Barnard?”
“Yes, they are willing to work with you if you are in for it.”
“They are willing to work with me?”
“Yes, shouldn't you be happy? I know you have always wanted to work on a project with them. Well, luckily for you, I ran into Mr. Barnard, and we both got talking, and he said he would consider it.”
I was stunned. I have been trying to meet up with Mr. Barnard for quite a while now, but it has all been to no avail. How was he able to pull that off?
“With the look on your face, I could tell you love the idea already. I will call up Mr. Barnard so we can fix a date for a long discussion.” He said it with a satisfying smile on his face.
He stood up and adjusted his suit before walking up to me.
“Why are you helping me?”
“Because you are my son."
“You and I know that is not true. You were very much against this company when I started it.”
“Believe it or not, son, I'm only looking out for you. I will make sure I secure this project for you, and then you can consider it a gift. I know you invested a lot in Mr. Sebastian, so don't mess this up.”
“This is unlike you. You haven't really talked to me in years because I refused to take over your company, and now you are helping me.”
“Just say thank you and stop being a jerk,” he said, slightly hitting my shoulder before heading for the door.
“By the way, your sister is back. Come over the house doing the weekend so we can have a little family reunion dinner.” With that being said, he left.
Wait, Emily is back. Why am I having a bad feeling about this? Why is she back all of a sudden? It seems my troublesome sister is back in town; Charles is going to be shocked.