Shocking

CHAPTER FIVE

Seth

Packing had never felt this unnecessary.

I moved around the hotel room in silence, folding clothes with mechanical precision. My mind wasn’t here.

It hadn’t been for a while.

The outreach was supposed to end in four days.

Now I was leaving early.

I didn’t like unfinished things.

Especially not when I wasn’t given a reason.

I slipped on a brown hoodie, grabbed my phone and wallet, and stepped out.

The team was already waiting in the lobby.

Seven of them.

Tired.

Focused.

Disciplined.

Good.

The faint mix of coffee and antiseptic hung in the air.

Familiar.

Reliable.

“You all know the work doesn’t stop because I’m leaving,” I said, my voice steady.

Their eyes locked onto mine immediately.

“No slacking. If I hear otherwise, there will be consequences.”

“Yes, sir,” they responded in unison.

I held their gaze a second longer.

Then nodded once and walked out.

The drive to the airport was quiet.

Too quiet.

My thoughts filled the space instead.

The outreach.

The sudden meeting.

And then...her.

Emily DelaRosa.

The girl who looked at me like I was a problem she intended to solve.

Or eliminate.

A faint smirk tugged at my lips.

Interesting.

By the time I landed, it was late.

Daniel was already waiting.

“Welcome back, boss.”

I handed him my bag without a word.

“How have things been?”

“Stable. But…” he hesitated slightly, “…tense.”

Of course they were.

We got into the car.

I leaned back, closing my eyes.

Not sleeping.

Thinking. Always thinking.

Back at the penthouse, I didn’t waste time.

Shower.

Reply emails.

Reports.

Make decisions as a head.

Control.

Everything exactly where it should be.

Except a call disrupted my thoughts.

I glance at the phone screen, taking my eyes away from my laptop.

The moment I saw it on my screen, my hand froze.

For a second—

Everything else disappeared.

Past and present collided in a way I hadn’t prepared for.

I didn’t answer immediately.

I just stared at it.

Then the screen went dark, indicating a missed call.

I exhaled slowly.

My muscles tensed and my jaw tightened out of anger.

...Tuesday. 11AM...

I was supposed to attend the day-2 of this meeting as I had missed the first day.

I pray dad isn't talking shit when he says this was really important. 

The conference room was already half full when I walked in.

Executives. Directors. Share holders. 

They were all present. Even my parents were there.

I gave nods to those that acknowledge me and sat on my seat beside my father.

And then I saw her.

Emily.

Sitting directly opposite me.

Of course.

Our eyes met briefly.

I gave a small professional nod.

She ignored me of course. 

My lips almost curved.

Still angry?

Good.

I already know what they discussed yesterday, as I was already informed. 

I guess I would just be discovering what today's own will be about along the line.

My father stood.

The room quieted instantly.

“Let’s go straight to the point,” he said.

No long speech and unnecessary build-up.

Efficient. 

“Healing Grace and Gifted Hands… will be merged.”

Silence.

I brushed my thumb on my lower lip. Are we here to do a recap of the last meeting?

“I still haven't agreed to that and besides haven't been given answers to my questions”

My eyes traced to her direction where her voice could be heard. She sounded angry and--teary?

“The answers you’re looking for are in your house.”

That only made her more confused.

Understandable.

I said nothing.

Not yet.

I was still processing.

Then she turned to me.

Suddenly. I almost move my gaze from her direction. 

“Did you know about this?”

Ten seconds.

That’s how long it took me to respond.

Not because I didn’t have an answer. It was deliberate. 

“No.”

My voice was calm.

My gaze, steady.

She studied me like she was trying to find a lie.

She didn’t.

“What if I refuse?” she asked.

Straightforward huh?

I respected that.

“Not possible,” my father replied before I could speak.

Then came the next revelation.

And even I didn’t see that coming.

“This also concerns both of you.”

A deliberate pause.

“You are to get married.”

Silence. Then...

“What?!” Emily shot to her feet.

I stayed still. Processing. 

Marriage? Wow

I let out a quiet breath.

“Can this get any better?” I said flatly.

Her head snapped toward me.

Anger radiating off her.

Intense. Unfiltered. 

I didn’t react.

Not yet at least. 

“I won’t marry him,” she said firmly.

“I won’t.”

That certainty.

That resistance.

Familiar. 

I mean, if she'd agreed immediately then it's not Emily. 

Because the truth?, it's happening. 

“Refusal isn’t an option,” the lawyer said.

Of course it wasn’t.

Nothing about this situation suggested freedom of choice.

Then she said it.

“What if I have a boyfriend?”

The room stilled.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

I leaned forward slightly, my eyes locking onto hers.

For the first time since this meeting started—

I spoke with intention.

“Then I suggest,” I said calmly, “you start preparing him.”

A pause.

Just enough to let it sink in.

“Because from this moment on… that won’t matter.”

And just like that—

Everything changed.