Chapter 2:The Offer
Chapter 2
Lucas didn't bat an eyelash. "Yes, my spouse. A youthful lady like her - educated, wonderful, and associated with you- is an idea for a man in my position. Think about it, Mr. Ethan. She'd have it all: riches, status, a secure future. And your company will be spared. It's a win-win circumstance for everyone."
Mr. Ethan scarcely breathes. Freeze and fear whirled in his intellect. Grace was in a relationship. Mr. Ethan knew how much she adored her boyfriend, Jason. They had plans and dreams of beginning a life together. And presently, he was being asked to allow it all up in exchange for his Real Estate Business and his claim's survival.
"I do not think my girl would permit this," Mr. Ethan stammered in a scarcely capable-of-being-heard voice. "She's in a relationship with somebody as of now."
Lucas's expression was obscured, and he inclined back in his chair, looking nearly bored. "Really?" he said coldly. "Well, Mr. Ethan, you're free to say no." He waved his hand pretentiously. "At this point, proceeding with your debt is sure. It looks like you do not need my offer of assistance after all. Either you provide me with your girl completely or fair disregard me helping your business."
Blood solidified in Mr. Ethan's veins. He couldn't bear to lose Lucas's offer of assistance. He would be demolished. Everything he had worked for would disintegrate sometime recently in his eyes. His daughter's and his family's prospects would be devastated. He looked at his trembling hands, not knowing what to do.
After a long silence, Mr. Ethan murmured intensely, as if the world's weight had lifted onto his shoulders. He looked up at Lucas, his face full of sadness.
"I do not know how to persuade her," Mr. Ethan said unobtrusively, his voice choking. "But I will tell her."
Lucas' grin returned, colder and more joyful than some time recently. "Great," he said essentially. "You'll see, Mr. Ethan. This will be the leading choice for both of you."
Mr. Ethan gestured pitifully, his head now turning from the discussion. He was considering how he seemed to ask his girl to give up her boyfriend, her dreams, and her future for his business.
As Mr. Ethan rose from his situate and headed for the entryway, vacancy had built up like an iron block in his chest. Presently, he'd made that bargain with the demon; there was no going back. As he got to the doorknob, Lucas called out.
"Keep in mind, Mr. Ethan," Lucas said in a voice as delicate and cold as ice. "You would need me more than I need you. Never disregard that."
Mr. Ethan stopped with his fingers on the entryway handle, gestured once, and left the office. The entryway clicked closed behind him. The bargain was done.
The hardest part was telling his daughter exactly what he had done. The dull burden of Mr. Ethan's intellect broke his walk, making his shoulders list beneath its weight. It beat in his blood, and he could scarcely listen to the commotion of the bustling street.
He knew he'd sold his soul to Lucas. The thought churned his intestine, he had no choice but to do what he did. His trade was a fizzled suggestion, and the obligation developed quicker than he might reimburse. He attempted everything from borrowing to thriftiness, but nothing made a difference. The Real Estate Business had been unforgiving, and Mr. Ethan knew it was as if it were a matter of time. Sometime recently, he would lose everything if he did not act fast.
When he got home, Mr. Ethan stopped at the front entryway and closed his eyes. His girl, Grace, was indoors and couldn't understand what would happen to her if he told her. He didn't know how he could even start to tell her, and the thought of it made him devastated.
He opened the entryway and ventured inside. He recognized the sound of his feet squeaking on the floorboards, which quickly woke him from his daze. The hush within the house was clear, but the word was so thick that Mr. Ethan's heart sank. His eyes checked the little living room, looking for Grace.
"Grace?" he called in a calm but apprehensive voice.
"Here you are, Father," he heard her voice from the kitchen. Mr. Ethan noticed something odd in her tone, a pity.
Grace's dim brown hair fell freely in waves around her face. Her eyes, which often shone with power, looked gloomy and fatigued.
"My beautiful Grace, what's the matter?" Mr Ethan inquired, drawing up a chair and sitting opposite her. "You seem pitiful."
Grace hung her head, drooped more in her chair, and turned to confront her father. "I just came back from another interview, Father. I didn't get it. "I'm so fucking tired of everything," she said, her outrage and disillusionment scattering within the reiteration. "I've been job-searching since I graduated, but it's fair not to come."
Mr. Ethan's heart went out to his girl. Grace had been looking for a befitting job for months since she graduated with a degree in Business Administration. She was brilliantly gifted and dedicated, and she deserved way better. The work advertisement was not kind to her. There was nothing more agonising for Mr. Ethan than seeing his girl battle with unemployment, and there was nothing more lowering than knowing that there wasn't much he could do for her.
Bowing over, he tapped her hand. "My wonderful girl, come on, smile. A princess like you doesn't have to be pitiful. You're too beautiful to wear a pitiful face," he said, attempting to infuse a little gentility into his voice despite the turmoil in his heart.
"I'm not pitiful, Father. I'm just tired that things are not going as anticipated," she said
At that point, Mr. Ethan answered, "By the way, I have great news for you."
Grace raised her head marginally, indicating interest on her face.
"Good news?" she inquired, cautiously but ideally.
Mr. Ethan nodded, his smile strained but genuine. "What if I told you that you might not have to worry about this job interview anymore?"