Chapter 3

ELYRA

“No.” Mum yelled after me I walked back into the house, searching for her phone frantically while she trailed after me in tears.

“No, Elyra. We can manage. You just got out of a toxic marriage and I'm not about to let you go into another one knowing fully well that this one would be arranged.” She yelled at the top of her voice when I spotted her phone on the top of the dinning table.

Dad was already fast asleep on the table and I snatched it before she could get to me.

“Yes mum! Yes. I'd get married to their son. That's what it takes to get back our company and save dad's life. Can't you see that we're the ones that doesn't have much of a choice here?” I screamed, scrolling through her phone to search for the number of Gates Hills. 

That's the name of the company and the owner that my father gambled our company over to and once I spotted it, I dialed the number into my phone.

“Elyra. Please, let's just discuss this okay? You just got back, you haven't even had a meal or a drink. Just calm down so I can fix you something to eat first, please.” She muttered, with her hands up as she walked closer to me while my vision was soiled with tears.

“I don't need a meal, mum. Look at dad, he looks like he would die on us any moment.” I dialed the number and it began ringing and I gestured at my mum to seal her lips.

“Please, just let me do this and we'll see how this turns out. We'll see if it's something I can maneuver. Maybe I can even negotiate something else with them.” I nodded, tilting my head to a side to drive my point and she swallowed as the call went through.

“Hello. I'd like to talk with Mr Hills.” I stated, trying my best to mask my cranky voice while trying to sound confident.

“This is him. And you are?” I swallowed nervously as my mum took a seat slowly and I walked towards the door.

“This is Elyra Dranen, daughter of Van Dranen, Owner of Dranen's group.” I introduced myself and immediately the words fell out of my mouth, I could already hear him laughing at the other end of the phone.

“Oh well. This is about to get interesting but before you continue, I won't make any negotiations. I already told your father what I want and if he can't give me that, I'm not willing to make any other deals with him.” He said in a smug tone and I looked at my mum who gestured with her fingers, inquiring what he was talking about.

I put the call on mute and turned to stare at mum.

“He said he's willing for a negotiation.” I whispered and I watched as her eyes lit up while I put the phone to my ear.

“That's pretty clear, my mother already related it to me. I'd like to schedule a meeting.” I answered in a straightforward tone and there was hesitation in his voice before he continued again.

“You can get a meeting. 4pm today and that's only if you're giving what I'm offering.” I nodded at  mum for reassurance while sucking in a really deep breath.

“I'll be there.” I answered and ended the call while heaving a sigh.

“What'd he say?” Mum queried, standing up to meet me as she held my hands tightly.

“He's willing to take something else and we set up a meeting. I think he was probably messing with you both when he talked about an arranged marriage. He already knows you have no other children to marry out.” I chuckled slightly and mum pulled me in for a hug.

“What would I have done without you?” I smiled slightly as I bit the insides of my mouth. It felt weird to lie to my mum but I couldn't stand her getting worried over this.

“You see? Now why not fix me a meal as you said?” She nodded, shifting the strands of my hair that had fallen across my face to the back of my ear.

“Of course.”

I stared at my watch and saw I had about 1 hour to meet with Mr Hills, I better hurry up.

I went off to my room as mum had gone to fix me a meal and freshened up.

Opening up my wardrobe, I smiled slightly as I pulled out one of the gowns that I used to wear before getting married.

It's actually weird that they still fit perfectly well.

“You're all dressed up?” My mum asked in low tones when I re entered the dining as she set the table with steaming dishes she had made.

“I have to meet with Mr Hills by 4pm this noon so that I can finalize everything with him. I still have some minutes to get there and it's not far so let me dig in. I'm famished.” There was a suspicious glint in her eyes but she overlooked it as she say directly opposite me.

“Make sure he doesn't coax you into giving him anything that would be too much for you.” She cautioned as I took up the fork and began digging.

“Of course.” I nodded.

In few minutes of silence, I was done eating and cleared the table, did the dishes and was ready to set out.

“Be safe.” My mum advised for the 100th time and I nodded as I got into the back seat while my driver drove towards the Hill's mansion.

“You’re right on time, Mrs Elyra.” Mr Hills commended as I stepped into his living room and I swerved to meet him seated on one of the sofas.

“I'm meeting with someone as important as you so I have to be on time.” He chuckled slightly as I took a seat.

“Of course. What would you have? A soft drink? Something hard?” He gestured towards his maid and I waved him off.

“I'd rather not have anything and go straight to the point why I decided to meet with you. My parents told me about the deal you made and the only negotiation you would rather have.” I started and he leaned forward.

“Yes and I said I wouldn't be negotiating so I wonder why they sent you here.” He said in a slightly smug tone and I heaved sigh.

“I know. As a matter of fact, I'm here to accept the offer.” He squinted his eyes, somewhat out of disbelief as he stared at me.

“That can't be possible. You're married.” He chuckled and I stood up, dropping a copy of my divorce agreement onto his table.

“Well you're in luck. I just got divorced with my husband.” He looked like his eyes would pop out of his socket when the door opened and the last person I'd rather see right now walked through the door.

“Elyra?” He called as soon as our gazes met.