chapter 4 The Twist

"Hey, watch your steps. Have you suddenly gone blind?” Fabiola yelled at Jenny for hitting him accidentally after she dashed out of Alvin's office angrily.

"Speak of the ruthless devil. Bullshit,” Jenny hissed angrily and motioned for her duty post before Fabiola could counter her words.

"What the fuck is wrong with her? Did I do anything to upset her?” Fabiola asked rhetorically and pondered why she acted like that. Judging from her shitty attitude, he could discern that something was eating her up.

These two weren't on talking terms. Jenny doesn't even find Fabiola fascinating as a person or as the managing director of Royal Gold Mine, but she hasn't for one moment spoken to him rudely aside now.

"Her attitude speaks volumes.

But whatever it is, I'm ready to go ask Dad,” Fabiola muttered and walked inside his father's office.

"You should respect my privacy. You don't just break into people's offices as you wish. This is a reputable organization. Show some courtesy,” he scolded Fabiola for breaking in.

"Easy on me, Dad. I meant no harm. I just had a nasty encounter with Jenny outside the office. She looked tense and angry. Something is eating her up, and I bet you know about it.” Fabiola sat down and popped the question.

"And why would I know anything about it? You had the opportunity to ask her, but you goofed. I thought you'd never show up. What changed?” he ignored the question, but Fabiola wasn't ready to back out either.

"I see what you did there. Stop running away from the question, Dad. A little explanation would do. Did you do anything to upset her? I haven't seen her that angry before. I bet you did something to trigger that provocation.” Fabiola kept pushing for an answer.

"Okay, fine. I'll spill it already.” He bowed to pressure and explained about the stolen check.

"Okay? I got the picture! She came begging you to drop all charges against her mother, and you refused, hence her anger? It wasn't your fault her mother stole from us. She deserves to be punished to set an example for those opportunists out there,” Fabiola supported his father's actions.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but there's a twist. I intend to drop all the charges against her mother. For some reason, though,” he unleashed the bombshell that left Fabiola astounded.

"What reason could that be? Please come off it. This isn't you talking. When did you become this Nice? We both know this is a prank. I mean, her mother can't escape prosecution. A few years behind bars would help reset her head.” Fabiola laughed mischievously and doubted his father.

Alvin Alejandro is known for one thing, except for forgiveness. He barely forgives, irrespective of the victim involved. Now, hearing his father speak about granting a pardon to a stranger who stole such an outrageous amount is what Fabiola doesn't seem to comprehend.

“I need an explanation, Dad. You're making me nuts. Why would she be granted a pardon? Are you having a secret affair with her?”

"What an insult! This is a slap on my face. Why would you even think of such? Come on, son. I can't stoop so low to have a relationship with a peasant. For your information, I've got no intention of having a relationship or getting married again. I demand an apology for that false accusation. You should know me better than the rubbish you just spew,” he slammed his desk in anger. Ever since he lost his wife, he has never considered getting another wife, let alone having a secret affair with one of his staff.

"Apologies, Dad. Sorry, I said that. I just feel there's more to this. I know you too well. You just don't become so good and benevolent in one day. So I insist, why did you decide to drop all charges?”

"I know this may sound so ridiculous, but you just need to know. She's gonna marry you for three years. Then she can file for divorce afterward…"

"Wait, wait, hold on a sec.” Fabiola made an upraised hand to interrupt his father.

"But I'm not done yet,” he protested.

"What else do I need to hear? Just like you said, this is absurd. I can't even marry that godforsaken leper called Jenny for a second. I would rather become a priest than get married to her. If she was the only girl remaining in the world, I would rather stay single for the rest of my life. How did you even think of such a thing? You amuse me,”

Fabiola stood up and sparked outrageously. He wouldn't stop yelling at his Dad as though they were mates.

"Can you stop yelling and get your ass down? I'm still your father and not one of those numerous prostitutes you flock around town with. I deserve some respect.” he calmed the situation and asked Fabiola to sit.

Reluctantly, he obeyed and looked at his father with a bombastic side-eye. Alvin sighed and revealed the multi-billion dollar deal, Royal Gold Mine could lose if Fabiola refused to get married to Jenny.

"So this is what everything is about. Are you selling me out for money? How cruel can you be? You aren't even concerned about my feelings. Do you even bother to ask what I want?”

"I care about your future, that's why I'm doing this for you.

Remember you'd one day inherit my legacy? I need to lay a better foundation for you.”

"And what if I decline?”

“You dare not because you're gonna be affected. I'm not asking you, I'm telling you to do it because if you don't, you risk losing your inheritance to your kid brother. I'll transfer all rights to him, and you'd be reduced to a mere staff of Royal Gold Mine. Which means, he automatically becomes my heir apparent,”

"This is the height of wickedness. Am I even your biological son? I know you never liked me, but this? It is cruelty,”

Fabiola placed his head on the desk and bemoaned. He didn't see this coming. If anyone had told him his father would do this, he would have gotten the person arrested for trying to destroy his future.

"Enough with the emotions. Are you in or not? There's no time to think about it.”

"You speak as though I've got a choice. I'll do this. What about her, did she accept?”

Fabiola agreed after a prolonged silence.

“Awesome! Worry not about her. She's just proving stubborn. She'll come around,” Alvin assured.

Moments later, LaJennyjenny walked inside with a file in her possession. The moment she saw Fabiola seated in the office, she made a U-turn to walk away. “I'm sorry I have to come back. I can't stand him,”

"That won't be necessary. You two need to start getting used to each other since you'll be living together for the next three years,” Alvin announced with a smile.

"What do you mean? I haven't accepted your proposal yet,” she asked with a cracked tone.

"I don't have a problem with your acceptance. I was only concerned about Fabiola's, but he has accepted already.”

“He did?” Astonished, she asked.

“Oh, yes, he did. Shocking right? I knew you would be,”

Alvin laughed.

“This is unbelievable. I thought…" Jenny paused for a moment after her phone suddenly rang from a strange caller.

“Sorry, I need to take this,” she frowned and placed the phone on her left ear.

"Yes, it's Jenny. Who are you? My mom? What happened to my mom? I would be there immediately,” she screamed and got off the phone.

“What happened to your mom?” with the deepest concern, Alvin inquired.

"I just got off the phone with a cop at the station. It's about my mom. He sounded so urgent. I think she's in danger,” She replied hurriedly.

“Damn! Hold on a sec while I drop you off,” he opted.

“ I'll find my way,” Jenny declined his request and stepped outside. Despite the devastating news, Fabiola wasn't moved. He remained glued to his position as though it were nobody's business.