CHAPTER FIVE

ARCHIE

If it were not for the charity of an anonymous job interview through which you got this job, I would have sacked both you and the HRM who gave you this job…. I scolded at the top of my voice, and I flipped the file my new staff brought for me. The proposal he got for me was so weak and ordinary. Even the dumbest person who was not working at the company could prepare that proposal, so I yelled at him again.

This guy was employed for close to three weeks at this company, yet he did not understand the dynamics of how our company worked—even though they went through two weeks of industrial training. I was pissed off.

I am so sorry, Mr. Williams; I promise it won't repeat itself. He said as he stammered and picked the file from the floor. Just then, my dad called me that my attention was urgently needed at home.

Dad, I am swamped now, and you know it. Can't what you needed my attention for wait till I come back in the evening? I asked him.

No, it cannot. You know your grandfather's will has not been accessed by me. It is all for you, and the lawyer is here to read the will. Your grandmother is also waiting for you. Did you forget she had come to stay with us a few weeks ago?

Alright, Dad, I will be on my way shortly. I grabbed my suit and I made my way to the elevator. I got in my car and my driver drove me home.

I was welcomed with a warm smile from my grandmother as I stepped into the penthouse. How are you, baby? I was embraced in a tight hug. I am so good Karren. She said nobody should call her grandmother or mother because her name is Karren. I nearly laughed my lungs out the day she said that

Karren, I looked into her beautiful eyes. Do you mind excusing me to go and take a rest in your room now? I have a meeting right now, and once it is over, I will come back to play very well with you. She nodded and went upstairs.

Hi Mr. Brown, I gave the lawyer a handshake when he stretched his hand to me to greet him.

Good afternoon, Dad. I greeted him; he was looking at me with an ocean of happiness spread on his face.

Now, let me read the will of the late chairman, King Williams. It is so short but very important, Mr Brown remarked.

Of course, I know, my grandfather is not a simple man when it comes to anything serious.

Mr Brown, read let's hear you. The will goes as thus: all my achievements should be given to my grandson, Archie Williams, but only if he fulfills the following criteria. He should get married before a year reached, and if he refuses to get married when a year has passed, all the achievements should be given out to the less privileged".

I stood fiercely in anger. Grandpa knew how much I hated marriage. I wanted to be left alone, with no one ever invading my privacy again—no one to hurt my daughter. Maria and everybody in this house are enough; my child will be taken care of.

I stood up, yelling as I paced up and down in the living room. Dad, I turned to him; why is Grandpa doing this to me? He knew I needed all his money and others to push our businesses forward. He also knew how I hated marriage since the fiance I wanted to marry came to drop Aria in front of the house and flee with another man.

Did we overlook anything that he needed medical attention for? I was taken aback. I cannot lie to myself about it. My father sneered at me and warned me not to speak of his father that way.

I'm so sorry, Dad; I don't mean to be disrespectful; it's just too much for me to take in.

Then I turned to Mr. Brown. Didn't he say other conditions, like after marriage, I should have triplets two to three times? It was at such a time that Mr Brown knew I wasn't joking with any of my utterances.

I left them in the sitting room. I was mad at the elevator; it felt like it was moving at a snail's pace, especially today. I went into my room and slammed the door behind me. I am so sure the sound echoed throughout the whole house.

I took a new canvas and started drawing my daughter in my room. Other than engaging in business, which always occupies me, one thing I enjoy doing when I am alone is drawing my daughter.

I had a little tap at my door, and I went toward it. I thought it was Grandma because I promised to play with her, and I entirely forgot because I was mad, but when I opened it, my girl was standing there.

She ran towards me and gave me the tightest hug. Her hugs always made my stressed and tense mind relax.

Aria, my little angel, how was school today? What did you do in school today, too? She replied to me while she was smiling. School is how it usually is, but today we did crochet in school.

Oh, really? What's crochet, and was it exciting? Exciting, Dad! You can make any type of clothes with it once you are good at it, she said.

"Dad, it's been days since I last saw you; you told me you would take me out for a treat if I came first in my class," she mumbled. I opened my eyes because I had forgotten I promised her. She must have been so upset. Aria, I am sorry that I forgot. I have been busy at the office lately. Let's grab some bites tomorrow at your favorite place. She giggled happily. She played for a while and fell asleep, and then Maria came to take