CHAPTER 3

She knows the place was old it has been here for decades and it's clear the years hasn't been too good to the house but that didn't matter they had a roof over their heads that was the important fact.They have given her a month to come up with proper living conditions for Amelia,also she has to prove to them she can support her niece financially and last but not least she should have a permanent partner who'll be a father figure to Amelia.There are five families who are willing to adopt Amelia Miss Woods,you better sort yourself out and show me why I shouldn't give up Amelia to another family with that she had dropped the call.How will she be able to meet all those requirements a month was hardly enough time she cannot give Amelia up she has made a promise to Beth that she'll take care of her daughter no matter what happens and that's a promise she can't break.She received another call from Diana that afternoon she wanted to see her and she told Adriana she can bring Amelia too,she'll send her godson's jet.

Max slammed down the morning paper on his desk this is the last thing he needs to be front page news,he stared at the headline again."The spanish tycoon does it again..."If Marcella knows what's good for her she should never show her face to him again.He stood up from his chair and walked over the window where he gazed out at the busy streets of Florida.It has been a full week since he has read the letter uncle Daniel had left him and his mind was still reeling,he has even asked his lawyer if he cannot challenge this on a legal basis Sam was on his way now to give him an answer and he hopes it was good news.

Diana has asked her granddaughter to stay for a few days and he has gotten a chance to meet her two days ago at dinner,he has to admit he hadn't expect for her to be so beautiful and kind,not to mention she was extremely friendly. Probably an act to fool Diana play the role of perfect granddaughter until she gets her hands on the fortune that awaits her when Diana will die.His PI has come back with a report on her she's twenty-five years old,single and has no living relatives her family died in a horrific crash a few months ago.She was now raising her sister's daughter and is also fighting to get full custody of her,social services has given her a month to get her affairs in order or they'll take away her niece.

She has her own florist shop and although the business was doing good it wasn't making enough to keep them going, she has alot of expenses and a huge mortgage to pay every month,she was barely surviving.He also has her home address.She was squeaky clean,only had one boyfriend in college the woman doesn't have one dark skeleton in her closet,how can one person be so innocent and clean everyone has something to hide but when it came to her he didn't find one dirty secret. A knock on his door brought him back when he turned he saw his assistant along with his attorney at the door.

"Thank you Megan."He said,when she was gone he directed for Sam to take a seat,he sat down on the couch and placed his briefcase on his small coffee table."I hope you have good news for me."But the look on Sam's face said otherwise.

"I'm sorry Max there's nothing you can do I even got a copy of his will and in there it clearly states in the event of his death all his fortune goes to his daughter and I'm sorry to tell you this but she is his legal heir,you can't do anything."

His day just got worse."How accurate is that will."He heard his attorney chuckle.

"He wrote that will years before his passing Max it's not forged or fake and the letter you have is a copy I saw and read the original with my own eyes."

"This isn't happening."He half whispered to himself.

"All is not lost Max if you want to maintain sole authority of the company like Daniel promised then all you have to do is marry her like he stated in his will,that's the condition he has everything is in your hands now.What are you gonna do."

"What happens if I don't marry her."He was scared to hear the answer.

"You lose control over the shares and company,she can also go to court and fight you to get what is rightfully hers,she does own half of this place and as much as the company is yours it's hers too.Maybe this will make you feel better if she decides not to marry you then she gets nothing not even a cent."

"So what will happen to Daniel's shares."He asked Sam.

"That's unclear we'll only be able to tell when that time comes from the way I gather things is he wants the business to be a family thing so bringing you and Adriana together will ensure the company stays within the family and that will only strengthen the bond between the two families.He probably didn't want someone else to run the company other than you no wonder he set up that last stipulation in his will and the letter he wrote to you."

"I cannot marry that woman I don't even know her there has to be something I can do."He said.

"Like what?Blackmail her?Threatened her,buy her off because I can tell you now it won't work.The woman is kind good natured and is friendly towards everyone all the people who know her only sing her praises there is nothing you can use against her that will make her dance to your tunes.And I'm sure Diana wouldn't be too happy if she can learn you plotting against her only living relative,she'll probably try to over turn Daniel's will and give Adriana full control.And I'm sure that is the last thing you need."Sam added. "For my own curiosity why don't you want to marry. She's a beautiful woman though not your usual type so why are you so against this.You can draw up a mutual agreement between you two if you afraid she might screw you over in the long run."

"Marriage isn't for me.No woman will ever have a right over me and what I do,with marriage comes kids and I told myself I never wanted to have kids they are a huge responsibility.I love my life the way it is uncomplicated."

Sam laughed."Max you thirty-three don't you think you should settle down,marriage isn't so bad.Look at me I've been married to my wife for seven years with two beautiful daughters and that has been my best years ever,this empire you building right now you are gonna have to leave that to someone one day."

"Marriage isn't for everyone.I never promise the women I sleep with more than I can give."Sam stood up and took his case.

"Your choice,I've gotta go I have another appointment I need to get to call me if something changes."He only nodded and watched as Sam exit his office,he cannot believe that uncle Daniel has done this all these months he had been under the impression he was gonna get full control over the company but man he had been wrong, never in a million years had he thought he had to marry his long lost daughter,he groaned.

Adriana carefully laid Amelia down for her afternoon nap in the new crib Diana had bought for her.They have been here for a full week staying with Diana and her godson Adriana gets the feeling the man doesn't like her at all,he makes sure to avoid her at all cost and was hardly ever here.She had heard him in Diana's room late the other night and she had assume he wanted to be alone with her without her intruding on their conversation.

Diana had mention her dad and his father had built their family company from scratch and now he was running it,he probably thinks she was here to claim her share and that was far from true.She was here for the sake of Diana and her health she wanted nothing from this family and it will forever remain so,she still can't understand why Diana had insisted for her to stay here she hasn't said anything till date and Adriana didn't want to push her to get an answer,she needs to get back home to her own life and sort out this whole adoption thing and the longer she stays here she won't be able to get full custody of her niece.She made her way over to Diana's room and saw she was asleep,the house was big and it was a single story Diana had said she had sold their family home because it was too big and after her surgery she couldn't use the stairs anymore.

So she had bought this house where she can easily move around in,it had four bedrooms in total all of them were en suite,Diana's room was adjacent with the nurse's room and her godson was occupying the master suite and next to it was the guestroom,she and Amelia were temporarily staying in it.The kitchen was big and spacious with black and white cupboards,granite counter tops and modern stainless appliances a kitchen fit for a chef Adriana had thought at first.

The breakfast nook was adjoint with the diningroom and next to it was the livingroom then the private familyroom with a big piano in the corner.There was also an outdoor livingroom a wet bar,a beautiful swimming pool that has a water fountain it also had a spa pool,a fully equipped kitchen was next to the bar the area was big and open to entertain family and friends Adriana had also seen a garden a few feet away from the pool and her favourite flowers were there sunflowers,she loves the smell of them early in the morning they make her day no matter how bad it had been.

"Can I help you?"Diana's nurse asked with a smile on her face.

"No,I came to see if she was awake that's all."Adriana told her.