The Merger

For a second, I couldn’t breathe and I could feel the

ground shake beneath my feet.

My phone slipped from my hand as panic took

over.

I started dressing frantically, fumbling with the

buttons of my shirt.

“I don’t know what you just heard,” He said,

stopping me at the door, “but let my driver take you.

Youlook out of it.”

I barely managed to say a “thank you” before

rushing out.

The hospital smelled like antiseptic and something

else I can't pinpoint. Dread sat heavy in my chest

as I rushed inside.

Seeing my Dad motionless in the hospital bed, with

tubes, wires, machines barely keeping him alive

broke something deep inside me. I knelt beside

him, tears streaming down my face and soaking

thesheets. I can’t lose my Dad like this. I refuse to

lose him at all.

A knock on the door jolted me up; I turned towards

the door and saw Victor making his way to me. I

stood up and met him halfway, launching myself

into his arms; I broke down the second time today.

“They don’t know when he is going to wake up.” I

cried into his chest. “They don’t know anything at

all! I can’t lose him like this, Victor”

He held me while I cried into his chest, patting me.

“Your father will wake up soon. That man is one of

the strongest and most stubborn people I know. He

will fight death and win, I promise you.”

Victor is my haven. He is my father’s associate and

his closest friend; I’ve known him since forever.

I remember how he used to help me with my

assignments whenever my Dad got too busy with

work, sneaked me cookies and chocolate behind

his back, and guided me through business classes

when I started my degree; He practically raised me

with my Dad.

He pulled back and wiped my tears, “You have to be

strong for your father right now, Aria. I need to

discuss some things with you. Let’s go somewhere

more private.”

I followed him to the hospital’s rooftop. “What do

you want to tell me, Victor?” I asked him.

He sighed and then said, “It’s the company, Aria. I

need you to listen carefully to what I’m about to

say.”

I nodded at him, and he continued, “Your father’s

accident has reached the press.” He paused, “The

stock reacted faster than we anticipated.”

My stomach clenched, “How bad was the dip?”

“Fifteen percent two hours ago. It’s dipping fast; the

investors are worried, Ari.” He answered solemnly.

I shook my head, “Why is it dipping so fast? He is still

alive.”

“Yes, but he is incapacitated. The board needs

stability.” Victor met my eyes, “You have to step in

as the heir.”

I laughed weakly, “I’m barely holding myself

together.”

Victor sighed, “Aria, you are a Valen, Sebastian’s

only heir; it doesn’t matter if you’re ready or not. You

have to take your father’s place to save the

company.

The weight of his words pressed down on my chest.

“So what happens when I take over? Surely, that’s

not the only thing that’s going to save the

company. Fifteen percent is a big loss.”

Victor let out a wry smile. “Smart girl. You are truly

your father’s daughter.” He smiled proudly.

I frowned, waiting for his response.

“A temporary merger.” He finally answered, “With a

stable, well-capitalized company. It would reassure

the market, freeze the decline, and buy us time until

your father recovers.”

I nodded, “What company are we talking about?”

Victor hesitated, just for a moment. “Blackwood

Holdings.”

That sounded familiar, and then it suddenly clicked.

“Isn’t that our rival company? When would we want

to merge with them?”

“Their CEO is known for clean takeovers and

discretion,” he continued smoothly, “Aligning with

this company will give us the stability that we direly

need. It also brings about stability and a clear growth

strategy.” He finished.

I frowned; “So what’s in it for them? He is a

businessman, surely he won’t agree to this unless

he’s going to gain something from it.”

This made Victor shift uncomfortably, “He made a

request, Aria.”

“Tell me.” I urged.

“He will only agree to the merger if you marry his son.”