10 - Take it or leave it

"It was great doing business with you again, Mr. Saunders." His long-time investor, Mr. Johnson, eagerly signed the contract for their latest collaboration.

"I'm sure this would be another profitable partnership." He assured the older man as he concluded the meeting. His assistant immediately took the signed documents and politely escorted his last appointment for the day to the door.

On the other hand, all he had longed for was to go home and lie on his soft bed. It had been a long and exhausting afternoon, but then again, he remembered that he had barely had enough sleep last night.

"Aaahhha!" He could not stop the yawn that escaped his lips, feeling the fatigue in every nerve ending in his body.

Although he did not have a hangover, last night's activities and this morning's intense workouts sapped out most of his energy.

Automatically, he pulled his tie loose, stretched his arms, and relaxed his back on his chair. Then, he lifted his feet on his desk while staring at the blank space before him.

"Hah!" He had a long, breathy sigh before pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes.

Before he knew it, he was in the backseat of his car, with a woman he barely knew. But that was not new to him. He had been in this situation countless times before.

Nonetheless, something felt different.

"Where is your place? Let me take you home." He asked between kissing her and pulling her closer.

"No! I don't want to go home." She shut him up by putting her index finger into his lips while staring into his eyes. "I want to stay with you." She drunkenly slurred.

He usually did not comply with such a request, but the next thing he knew, he was ushering her into his apartment and pinning her against the nearest wall.

"Excuse me, Sir."

"Sir Isaac... I have the report you requested." His assistant's voice persisted, waking him up and interrupting his dream.

But was it just a dream?

Damn! Why can't I get her out of my mind?

He knew he should not be thinking about her. After one night, she should be out of his system. But that was not the case as she persistently played with his sanity.

"What is it?" He gruffly asked as he opened his eyes and shifted to a sitting position.

He forcefully shoved her memories out of his mind. Then, he looked up to his assistant, who seemed to regret rousing him from his nap.

"I'm sorry, Sir, but I have the information you wanted." He repeated as he forwarded the folder into his hand.

"Based on the investigator's findings, the woman who took your wallet used your card in several online transactions."

"Furthermore, she had already transferred three hundred thousand to an offshore account before the bank could suspend your cards."

"Fortunately, she was not able to max out your card. However, they were not able to retrieve your wallet." Donald enumerated what was in the written document.

"What about the woman's identity? What did they find out about her?" He inquisitively questioned.

"Sir, it might take some time to identify her identity. Whoever she is, she must be an expert in hiding her tracks." His assistant told him.

He could not blame his investigator since he did not exactly give them enough information to go with.

"Charlie might not be her actual name," Donald added.

Again, he could not agree more. The woman could be a con artist for all he knew. Like a fool, he had fallen into her trap.

"Don't stop searching for her. Hire more investigators if you have to." He wanted her found as soon as possible.

"Sir, why don't we report her to the police?" His assistant suggested, insisting the authorities might already have an ongoing case against her.

"No, there is no need for that. I only want that woman found." He instructed.

He did not care about the money she took. It was just spare change to him. But it was a matter of pride. No one made a fool of him like she did.

"By the way, Sir, I want to remind you about your meeting with your father. Should I get the car ready?" His assistant stepped backward, ready to do his next bidding.

He nodded while standing up and grabbing his things. He knew he could not prolong his meeting with his father anymore.

Soon, he stood outside his father's private salon. He did not bother knocking as he strode into the room unannounced.

"You asked to see me, Dad." He walked straight to the bar, not bothering to look at his old man.

Instead, he poured the expensive scotch into two glasses, drinking one and carrying the other one to his awaiting father.

"Welcome home, son." His father sarcastically greeted him. "I'm glad you finally found the time to see me."

His father took the drink, but only took a sip before setting it down on the table nearby. Instead, the older man reclined on his chair, crossed his legs, and focused his eyes on him.

"You know that I'm busy running the company." He roamed his eyes to the walls that displayed the portraits of their ancestors, the same people who built their company and legacy.

"I know. I heard that you're doing a swell job." His father complimented. "But I did not summon you here to talk about business."

He could feel his father's eyes following his every move and gauging his mood. His father was great at analyzing people.

As much as he hated it, his father could read him like a book. At that moment, he knew his old man was watching his every reaction.

"Then, what is this all about?" Although he asked the question, it did not mean he did not guess his father's intention.

"This house has become too quiet since your mother died. It has not been the same since you left and your brother..." But his father trailed off his words.

The topic of his brother had always been a taboo subject. But he could not blame his father since it was still hard to talk about him.

"What I'm saying is... I'm getting older. My health is deteriorating. I could die in a year, a month, or tomorrow." Mr. Saunders' senior glanced up at a portrait just above the fireplace with a heavy look in his eyes.

It was a painting of a beautiful, smiling woman in a gold silk gown. She was the woman who had given him life. Just like his father said, she was the life of this house until she died a few years back.

"Stop with the dramatics, Dad. Your doctor said you're still as strong as an ox." He countered, not liking where their conversation was going.

"Anyway, this house needs people. I want to hear children running around on those hallways, shouting and laughing." His father continued, clearly unfazed by his statement.

"Dad, I already told you. Now is not the time for me to settle down." He already knew that was where this conversation was going.

He knew that he would eventually have to marry and have children for the sake of an heir and the continuance of their family's legacy.

But it did not have to be now.

"I beg to differ." His father vehemently objected. "I believe it is the perfect time for you to consider marriage and settling down."

He could tell from the expression on his father's face that he was dead set on pushing through with his idea. However, his father could never force him to do anything he did not like.

He always had control of his life. He had never allowed his father to dictate what he wanted to do with it. He might listen to some of his guidance, but he had always made his own decisions.

"Fine! I'll think about it." He reluctantly responded, knowing that his father would not stop bothering him if he did not show a little concession.

Nonetheless, he was not about to change his plans to fulfill his father's foolish whim. That was all it was.

"Great!" His father surprisingly clapped his hands, as if he had just heard some fantastic news.

Then, he thought a bomb had just exploded in his ears after hearing what his father said next. "I just found the perfect bride for you."

"You'll be meeting her soon enough. She..."

"No... No!... No!" He stopped his father before he could utter another word. "Definitely... No!" Shaking his head against his father's suggestion.

"I'm not marrying some random girl. Besides, I have no time for a wife or a family." He was content with his life for now. "The company is..." everything he needed.

But his father did not let him finish. "The company will be yours once you marry her." He said instead.

"But..." His father paused as he stared him directly in his eyes.

He already knew he would not like the condition that his father was about to give him.

"If you refuse, I will liquidate all my assets and donate everything to charity." His father informed him.

His father was not exactly known for his gentle ways. He could tell it was not a threat but a promise. His father would do it if he tried to defy his wishes.

His old man did not earn his ruthless status for having a soft heart. He had always been truthful in his words, never bending but honoring all his promises.

"Either you take it or leave it."