Chapter 4

"I don't like this idea one bit, Maren,” Mrs Sharppe said, picking at her food that night at the dining table.

“Come on now, Mom. I also don't like it but I need this, please."

"What if it doesn't work out? What if he harms you in between the union? Giving you full ownership of the company isn't enough reason for you to sacrifice your happiness, Maren” her brows were furrowed; heavy with worry.

“I know, mum,” Maren whined. "He's not given me any choice, anyway. I need that man off my neck, Mom” she paused and looked at her Mom whose eyes were fixed on the plate of grits in front of her.

“You were the one who told me he's been hitting on you for a long time and now you want to jump at such an offer?”Her voice was calm, but angry. “You're getting too ambitious, Maren. Just like your father”

Maren's brows creased. “I'm nothing like Dad. He was thoughtless and too ahead of himself. I'm only getting married to Alexander to…”

“Mummy, am I going to have a daddy?"

Both Maren and her mom turned to Nathan, who had been eating quietly at the table. Her mom turned to her then looked away, leaving her to think of how to answer her son.

“Look baby, mummy is getting married but you don't have to have a dad if you don't want to”

"I want a dad, mummy" he replied, almost immediately.

Her chest dropped in relief. "That's nice to hear, Nathan," she smiled, caressing his hair gently.

“Nice save,” her mom remarked dryly, keeping her eyes on her plate. “You're raising a smart kid you know”

*****

The car swerved into the parking lot of an exquisitely but peacefully decorated premises.

“I really don't know why I have to see your father,” Maren said as they both got out of the car and headed towards the building.

“You say too much, miss Sharppe," Alexander replied, keeping his gaze ahead of him. The hospital doors were open for them and as soon as they stepped inside, that sick smell of drugs hit like a wave.

All Maren could see as she looked around was her dad being carried on a stretcher, blood flowing from his chest as his eyes hung open and his life slowly left him.

“When we get in, follow my lead” they had just entered an elevator aiming for the third floor. "My father is not an easy man to convince, so be careful with your words”

Maren just stared in silence. The door opened and Alexander suddenly grabbed her hand and locked his fingers with hers.

“Tim, is that you?"

“Hi, dad," Alexander said with a broad smile. His father was lying in bed, covered with a thick blanket. His body had needles in it and different colours of what looked like drips were connected to it.

“Man, am I glad you came, son. I feel like a potato in this place,” he said. He was an old man alright, but he wasn't as old as Maren expected. More like someone in his late sixties drained by stress, Maren thought.

“That nice nurse assigned to me had to…” he paused and squinted his eyes while adjusting his glasses. “My, some gorgeous lady you've got there, Tim,” he said.

“Yeah Dad, this is Maren…”

“Sharppe?" His dad completed, delight written all over his face.

"Nice to meet you sir,” Maren said, flashing her most sincere grin. He really seemed like a nice man, Maren thought.

“Come, come," the frail man said, gesturing for her to come closer. She complied and moved over to the side of his bed, maintaining her smile. He took her hand in his and stared straight at her.

It was evident that this man used to be a stunner in his youth and though time had covered it up, some traces remained on his facial features.

“I've heard so much about you, my dear," he began. Maren glanced at Alexander with a questioning look, but his face was turned away as he pretended to search for something on a table opposite the bed.

She turned back to his dad and smiled. “It really is a pleasure to finally meet you sir. When Xander told me about your health, I could wait to meet you."

Mr. Blackwood's smile was warm, and his touch was even warmer. It was obvious Alexander inherited nothing of hospitality from this man. And what did he mean his father wasn't easy to convince? This man is completely loveable.

“I'm glad Tim here finally brought a responsible lady. His attitude even got better. You've really changed my son, miss Sharppe,” he remarked warmly. “I'm really happy I'll get to attend your wedding”

"I'll be delighted to have you as my father-in-law, Mr Blackwood”

"Oh no, call me Philip"

"When I said play along, I didn't mean to become besties with my dad,” Alexander said as they entered the car to head back.

“Well, I'm not the one who lied that we've been together for a year. What were you expecting, Tim?" she asked mockingly.

Alexander was silent as the ride progressed. Maren stole glances at him occasionally, as she didn't know him to go silent for so long.

“So you've told your dad about me” she finally said, breaking the silence. Her face was turned to the window.

Alexander shrugged and hesitated a little before replying. “He's a sick old man. He needs bedtime stories sometimes”

Maren's cheeks reddened unintentionally, and she didn't know why her insides jumped. It was true she used to take a fancy to Alexander, but that was more than three years ago. Him telling his father about her shouldn't mean anything to her…right?

“He's a really nice man. If only you had inherited that” she said, but Alexander stayed quiet, now looking down at his phone. She turned to him. “Why does he call you Tim?"

“I really don't appreciate you talking about the aftermath of the visit to my dad's ward, Maren." He snapped.

Maren wrung her nose and turned away. Letting her mind drift off.

“So, about your son."