CHAPTER 2 The Company

Nicholas POV

THE NEXT DAY

"We aren't challenging you or trying to take your inheritance from you Nicholas. We are just saying that you should try to fulfill your father's last wish" Mr Karl, my late father's best friend and one of my board directors stated.

We just concluded our meeting and the board directors all refuse to leave the conference until they say what they have to say.

They want me to get married and have a child that will continue my father's lineage. They are afraid that I might die one day without leaving someone to take over after me.

"I need to rest and I'm sick and tired of hearing this every time I come to the office" I yelled angrily.

"Nicholas, please try to understand what we are saying. If you can't get married and have a child in two months, we will be forced to do what we have in mind." Paul, another board director, uttered.

"And what would that be?" I yelled clenching my fist as rage boiled inside me

"Listen, Nicholas, we have no intention of threatening you with your inheritance. All we want is for you to do what your late father requested before he died. Get married to any lady of your choice and produce us someone who will take over this company after you're gone. You're the chairman of this company because your father gave birth to you so do the same thing and follow in his footsteps."

"How dare you challenge me to produce an heir or lose my position as the chairman? I own this company and I inherited it from my father. It's my birthright and I'll never give it up" I insisted as I stared daggers at the five elderly men that were present in the room.

"We are not trying to challenge but we simply want that you take this issue seriously" Paul sighed as he took the pen from the table and placed it in his breast pocket as he rose to his feet "We've decided amongst ourselves that if you don't get married in a two month, then this company will no longer be yours ."

"And if I don't comply with your terms, who will be in charge of my father's company?" I asked curiously.

"Greg" John replied and his words pissed me off.

"Are you joking? You can't do that. I won't allow you to give my father's company to my step brother" My jaw clenched as I stared angrily at all the men who didn't even feel threatened by my state.

"We can and we will. Your late father's instructions were clear: if you didn't have a wife within two years of overseeing the company, it would be passed to your stepbrother. He appears more suitable to take over, being married with a child, unlike you, who has chosen not to start a family. All you do is go home and have several women waiting for you on your bed" The one director who always had a way of getting on my nerves was Mr Benjamin and his words made me clenched my hands in a fist.

"I won't tolerate you insulting me Mr Ben. That's my life and not yours" I warned sternly as I looked at Mr Benjamin in the eyes unfazed.

"Hey, son," Mr. Karl said, placing his hands on my shoulders. "Look at me, son," he ordered, and out of respect, I met his gaze. "We won't have to take any action if you find a wife within two months. This was your father's wish, and I hope you honor it. I know my best friend wouldn't want to see his son break the family lineage. He'd be deeply disappointed if you surrendered the company to your stepbrother. Your name is in my father's will to inherit this company, so do the right thing and preserve his legacy." Mr. Karl's words melted my cold heart, and I found wisdom in his advice.

"But two months is too short? Where on earth will I find a lady who will marry me in two months?"

"You're the famous CEO of Sterling Group. Any woman will kill you if have you as a husband" John, another board director said

"But I can't just go into the street, pick any woman and make my wife besides I'm not ready to have a family now."

"Your call son. Lose the company or get a wife and keep it. As for me, I have a dinner date with my lovely wife and I can't keep her waiting. See you all tomorrow" Mr Karl said as he walked out of the room and left me with the other four board directors.

"I need more time. I need to find a good woman then we know each other more before we could even think of marriage. I can't do all these in two months " I said but the board of directors all seemed to find my words boring as they weren't even listening to me. "Are you even listening?"

"Look, Nicholas, we have been singing this issue to you for the past six months but you never took us seriously. Now we can't do anything but watch how everything will unfold and I hope you make the right decision Nicholas" Paul said as he rose to his feet and walked out of the conference room.

I sat on a chair by the window as I waited patiently for Andrea. "You're late," I said with a serious gaze as I looked at my ex-girlfriend.

"I'm sorry about that. I was trying out my wedding gown when you called. So what's it? Why this meeting?" Andrea said and I froze when I heard her words.

"You're getting married?" I asked in disbelief. I wasn't expecting her to be getting married so soon and though I never liked her so much I was thinking she could help with the plan I had in mind.

"Yes," she replied, flaunting her diamond ring on her face. "And I'm excited about it."

I couldn't believe my ears. Andrea was a popular model in the country and my ex-girlfriend. I called her to meet me up in this restaurant for us to talk. I wanted to see if we could pretend to be together and after all this is over, we can pretend to divorce but I wasn't expecting that she would be engaged already.

"Congratulations" I faked a smile as I managed to say. It seems like the universe was not on my side.

"Thank you. So what is it you wanted to discuss? You sounded so urgent on the phone. Is anything the problem?" Andrea asked concerned.

"No not at all. I will ask James to drive you back. I'm sorry for disturbing you and congratulations once again on your upcoming wedding " I uttered as I rose to my feet and walked to the restroom, leaving Andrea alone in the VIP room.