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6

Krystal woke up intermittently during the night, she found it hard to sleep. So many things was happening. She occasionally felt with insomnia but she found it harder when she was worried about something.

She stood from her bed and went towards her table. She sat and brought out a pen and book. She needed a concrete plan. One that was going to actually work and wasn't going to fail.

She couldn't afford failing. She knew that the first part of the plan that had to be implemented was for Andrew to accept to be her husband.

After that, then the next phase of action would be implemented and which involved gathering evidences against him.

Krystal wrote down the other aspects of her plan. She knew she couldn't fail, Collins had done too much to her to make her fail.

Andrew paced in the office, he didn't understand why the board even had to make a decision. He had worked so hard in the company even though it was his dad's company.

They were the no 2 chocolate producing company in the city, with Krystal's dad's being no 1.

That was how they had all gotten to know one another and that's how the competition between Andrew and Collins had started.

"What did they say?" Andrew asked Fred, his dad's friend.

Andrew was the youngest in the company but his dad's friend, Fred always made sure things worked out for Andrew.

"What did the board say this time?" Andrew asked, as Fred sat on the chair in front of him.

"They said it's not time," Fred said.

"How, that's nonsense," Andrew said, agitated standing from where he was sitting and pacing up and down.

"The space has been vacant since dad passed about 6 months ago. I have had the highest gross income since I have started working here. I have the highest shared here and so, what's going on now!! Why is the board not making the decision."

"Calm down, Andrew."

"Don't tell me to calm down, you were supposed to be looking out for me on the board. It's been 6 months now," he said.

Fred was silent for a while and then he spoke.

"Some people on the board are concerned," Fred said.

Andrew stopped pacing to listen to what Fred was about to say.

"Concerned?" He said, sitting back on his chair.

"They said they want a family man. They believe that would bring more stability to you and would affect the business positively."

Andrew laughed hysterically.

"How does my person life have to do with me performing? I have been working here since I was a teenager with my dad. No one knows this company the way that I do. Because I am unmarried does not affect how I will perform."

"I know and you have valid points which I also raised but they didn't seem to bulge. They think the fact that a lot of people see you as a playboy isn't a good outlook and so that's why."

"This is unbelievable!! So unbelievable!!"

"That's what your dad wanted too."

"How would you know that's what he wanted? Did he tell you?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. He told the whole board."

Andrew became calmer. He didn't know what else to say to what was happening.

"I need to go," Andrew said, picking his bag and walking out of the company.

Andrew went out to the club, he needed to drink it all away.

He was confused as to why his dad would give him such condition. He had wanted to own the company for as long as he could remember. He grew up loving the company, creating new chocolate flavors at dinner with his mum, dad and little sister.

They enjoyed family night because they were able to get a taste of the newest flavors of chocolate before it was released.

He and his sister would make a bet and anyone who got it, won. They loved the tradition and it continued even till adulthood but that was until his sister moved halfway across the country to become an explorer.

Andrew left the bar  after just a glass of drink. He decided to go home to where his mum stayed.

He drove to the big mansion across town. He had only decided to move out when his a year before his dad died. His mum had tried getting him to move back in but her efforts had been futile.

Andrew wouldn't bulge.

He packed out. He hadn't been home since the funeral, he only occasionally called his mum and never really visited.

The house brought back too many memories that he hadn't still confronted after his dad's passing.

He walked towards the door and walked into the mansion.

"Welcome sir," the maid by the door said.

"Where is mum?" He asked.

"In the living room," she replied.

He walked towards the living room

"Mum, how could you allow dad make such rules," he said as he walked closer and got to where his mum was sitting.

"This is no way to greet your mother who you haven't seen in months."

"Hello mum," he said and she pulled him in for a hug.

"How are you doing?" He asked.

"Alone, in this mansion," she said. He didn't bother probing further because he knew she was going to try to convince him to move back in.

"Sit down," she said.

"What are you talking about?"

"I am only just getting to know that father wants me to get married before I take over the company," he explained and she smiled.

"You're smiling. You knew?"

"Yes, I knew. It's only for the best. You know how much your dad loved you but he felt you needed stability in your life that's why," she said.

"Mum!!"

"I also want grandkids around the house. This mansion is too big for me. Look around, it's been so lonely here without your dad and it's just me now," she said.

"Mum, this has nothing to do with my competency."

"I know that but I want you to think about it. It's for the best and it's what your dad wanted."

"Anything you say. I think I should go home now," Andrew said, standing from where he was sitting.

"Why not stay here tonight. It's late already. Your room can be made in just a few minutes," his mum said.

"I can still get home mum," he said and then looked at his mum's face.

"Just this night, please."

He saw the longing in her eyes. He understood how lonely the mansion was for her but he wasn't ready to move back in. He had his own life now.

"Alright."

She smiled wildly at his answer. She had missed him terribly. She called on the house keeper to make his bed and clean his room.

"Does Rita call?" His mum asked.

Everytime they spoke, she always ended it asking about his sister.

"About 2 weeks ago, she called," he responded.

"She only sent a message last time. She rearly calls. Is she fine though?"

"Mum, she is good. She doesn't want you to worry," he responded.

"Your room is ready," the housekeeper said to Andrew, after several minutes.

After some minutes with his mum, he kissed her good night and went up to his room.

When Andrew lay on his bed. He picked up his phone and scrolled through his contacts. He figured that was the only person who could help him now.

"Hello, I am ready to go with your plan now. When can we meet?"

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