YES I DO?

PAUL Reyes had gone to his boss' office one Monday morning. He had just got off the phone with Celine, his daughter and she had reminded him that her fees were due and yet to be paid. Paul was broke at the moment, he had been that way ever since his wife's burial and could barely managed to make ends meet. Celine understood her father's situation and also tried by taking part time jobs to also help keep the family standing, after all it was just her and her father in this world of distracted humans.

Paul went to his boss' office to ask for a salary raise and possibly an advance. He had worked with the company for a decade now and he had never asked for a raise. So he was pretty sure he was going to get his raise even though his instincts told him his boss was going to ask for something in return.

Paul's boss was an elderly man, around eighty five years of age and was still fit as a fiddle.

Mr Smith had life going for him, owning a multinational company and having so many sources of income that his 100th generation of grandkids could never go broke even if they were lazy as hell.

He had toiled so hard to build this life that he had. Sadly he had only his grandson, Xavier, to hold on to his legacy. Mr Smith had given birth to a son but he had lost his life and that of his wife in an accident when Xavier was five years old

Xavier had been in the care of his grandfather ever since then and they both had a bond that could never be broken. Xavier grew up to be business wise and also streetwise. He also grew up to be someone who didn't like commitments. He doesn't want to get married ever. Who would blame him, the married people around him never had happy endings. Take his parents for example, they died before they got to live their best lifes. This was a big issue between him and his grandfather because his grandfather wanted to have a continuous lineage.

"Good morning sir" Mr Paul greeted his boss as he walked into the office. Mr Smith looked up from his desk and smiled. He offered Mr Paul a seat.

"What brings you to my office the morning, Paul?" Mr Smith asked.

"Actually sir, I would love to ask for a favour..." Paul started to say

Mr Smith shifted in his seat and payed full attention to his employee.

"Well sir, it's just that I need to ask you for two things, a raise and a salary advance" Paul asked.

Mr Smith smiled and said...

"Paul, you've been working with me for a decade now and never for once have you asked for a raise or even advance. Mind if I ask why you want it all of a sudden?"

Mr Paul cleared his throat and sat well as he watched his elderly boss play with his pen.

"Yes, it's because of my daughter. She's a sophomore at college and her fees are already due. I need the money to pay her fees as soon as possible" He explained.

At the mention of Paul's daughter, Mr Smith sat up and edged closer. His interest had been fully piqued.

"Your daughter? Celine?"

Mr Smith had taken a liking to the girl even though he had only met her twice.

Once when she had followed her father to work, he was impressed by her manners and good behavior. Her intelligence was also something that didn't escape his notice.

The other time he saw her was at a church where he had gone to donate money to help feed the needy. He sighted her singing for the choir and immediately decided that she was going to become his granddaughter-in-law.

"Yes sir, Celine.... You know her?" Paul asked confused.

"I've met her on two occasions and if she's the reason you want a raise then I have a better offer for you" Mr Smith said with a mischievous grin making his wrinkles less obvious.

Paul applauded his instincts for knowing his boss would want something in return. He prayed for it to be something he could do.

"How would you like to become a part of my family?" Mr smith said, still wearing that grin.

"Family?" Paul retorted. In his head he had thought, Mr Smith probably wanted to adopt his daughter.

"Yes, I want your daughter to get married to my grandson!"

Paul was shocked by his boss's statement and he pinched himself to see if he was truly awake.

"But sir....if i may ask why?"

"She is a good girl and no one could be more perfect for Xavier. You know Xavier don't you?"

Of course Paul knew Xavier. He ran the company alongside his grandfather. The young lad however was unnecessarily snubbish. So no one ever had the chance to form any kind of relationship with him. Except business related. He once fired a receptionist for licking her lips when she sighted him coming her way. Ever since then members of the staff were mindful of their way around him.

" I know your grandson, Mr Smith. What I'm not sure of is if the two young fellows will agree to this condition."

"Don't worry, I'll handle my grandson. You just have to convince your daughter " Mr Smith said " You didn't even ask what was in it for you?"

Paul had never been so confused in his life. Mr Smith must have noticed it so he spoke on.

"If our kids get married, you'll be promoted to the board as a member of the board of directors. I mean you have all the qualifications for it. And if that happens, you won't ever need to ask for a salary advance or a raise" The old man explained with a grin on his face.

My Paul was flattered, it was a very mouth watering offer and he'ld be dumb not to take it. All he had to di was get his daughter married and his dreams of been a board member will come true.

"I....i.....i.... I'll take to Celine about it" Mr Paul said and made to leave his bosses office.

" Alright Paul, I'll be waiting for your response"

Mr Smith smiled and picked his cell phone. He called Xavier.

"We need to talk. Now!"