Chapter 3

                          WALTER

I was dumbfounded when he revealed his condition to me. "No I can't do it". I said almost yelling.

"I will give you more time to think about it, bye for now". He said leaving.

"No, no I can't do that to my daughters, they are my gems, no". I muttered, pacing to and fro in the office.

"Dad, what is the matter?". Andrew asked.

"Mr Jamie was here". I said, he opened his mouth in shock.

"Why was he here?Did he say anything to you?". He asked immediately.

"He said he would award the contract to me". 

"Wow that's great news Dad". He said happily, he stopped immediately he noticed I wasn't happy.

"Dad, that is good news, why are you not happy?". He finally asked.

"He wants your sisters to marry his sons". I broke the news, he was more shocked than I was.

"What?!!!, He wants my sisters, that is not going to be possible". He said angrily.

"I am caught in the middle of an ocean, I don't know what to do anymore, the company is going to lose almost all the shareholders if we don't have the contract, and on the other hand, if I agree to it, my daughters I love them so much I can't leave them". I said in a broken voice sniffing.

"Dad, don't get yourself worked up, we will find a solution to it". He said sitting back.

At Home.

"Dad don't tell Mom yet she will be restless". He said before we got out of the car.

"Okay I will not, I pray we find a perfect solution to it sooner". I said, then we stepped down. The bodyguards opened the door for us, and we entered.

"Welcome Daddy. Phoebe said, running to m"., I hugged her tightly, as if I was going to lose her.

She is the only person I love the most, she knows me too well more than anybody else.

"Dad what's wrong". She asked to be disengaged from the hug. I can't lie to her, I don't know what to say.

"There is nothing wrong with him, he is only tired, he needs some rest". Andrew said, I felt relieved.

"Okay Dad, go and freshen up, I will be waiting for you". She said paving the way for us to pass.

Diner 

Walter passed your cup, Walter, Walter, I felt a tap on my hand, it brought me back to reality.

"What is the matter with you, I have been calling you for ages now, what are you thinking about ''.. Rachel asked. I was deeply in thought that I didn't even hear her calling me. 

"I am sorry, I was thinking about the presentation we will be having tomorrow". I lied.

"Okay, pass your cup". She said I passed it immediately. Silence followed.

Two Days Later

"Sir Mr Jamie is here, he said he wants to see you". The secretary said as soon as she walked in. My heart started beating fast, I suddenly started to sweat in the air condition, what am I going to tell him. 

"Sir". She called jolting me off my thoughts.

"Tell him to wait a little longer until I am in a meeting, then you will call me Andrew, now". I screamed at her, she bowed and left.

"Andrew came in almost immediately, He is here". I said, looking at him.

"Dad You have to take things easy with yourself, I have a solution already".

"What is that?". He asked with a smile appearing on his face.

"Tell him that you will be giving out only one of your daughters which I suggest to Phoebe". He said, expecting an answer.

"I can't let any of his sons marry my Ebe, I want a better person for her, what about Abigail". I said objecting.

"I am even thinking Abigail will accept without any further questioning but Phoebe will bluntly refuse". He said smiling.

"That is agreed right". He nodded. I picked up my telecom and I put a call through to my secretary.

"Let him in". I said.

"Okay Sir". She said from the other end. The call ended.

"Dad I will be here with you, you don't have to worry". He said I nodded.

I still love Abigail as my daughter but I love Phoebe more. I love my daughter and I promise to get her back after the contract is done. 

"Good morning Mr Walter". 

"Good morning Mr Jamie". I shook him with a smile.

"Kindly take your seat". He sat.

"This is your son right". He asked pointing at Andrew who sat there not making an attempt to greet him, I know he is pained but we have no other option. I stepped on him, he looked at me, I silently said, please greet him. He nodded.

"Good morning Mr Jamie, it's nice meeting you". He said, shaking him. I was successful.

"Good morning Mr Andrew Walter, thought we had a fight, when you didn't bother to greet me". He said disengaging the hand shake, he only shook his head.

"Are we ready to discuss now". He said looking at Andrew.

"Yes he is fully aware, so we are ready". I said smiling.

"Okay, what have you decided?". He asked, turning his gaze at me.

"I have decided to give out one of my daughters and not two of them". I said almost stammering.

"That wasn't my condition".

"Yes I know, but please accept my proposal".  I pleaded after a lot of thought.

"Okay I agree to it, she will be becoming my son's bride in the next two months". He said with finality.

"My daughter will also be through with her studies in the next two months".

"That is good timing, I will take my leave now.". He said standing up, I stood up, we shake hands 

"Nice doing business with you". He said with a smile leaving..."Don't worry I know the way out". He said as soon as I wanted to follow him. I stayed while I watched him leave. 

Andrew also stood up and left. I went to my seat. Sighing every second and every minute.