Chapter 4

Fiona’s POV:

It's been three hours now. I had been tossing around my bed for three hours but still couldn't sleep.

The company and everything kept me awake. My dad had given up everything to build up this company from the ground up. It had become one of the best companies in the city.

He wouldn't want to see it go like this and I felt obligated to do something about it.

I was scheduled for a meeting with the bank manager in a few hours and hoped to be able to reach an agreement.

If I could not make that happen, we would be losing our company and the house. Yes, I had only found out when I got home that Dad had mortgages on the house too.

"Fiona, who are those high men and what do they want?" Thomas had asked, scared.

"Honey, they are from the bank. Do not let me bother you, okay? I'll be meeting with the manager tomorrow and by then, they will all be gone," I assured him.

Honestly, I think I was trying more to assure myself than I did him.

"They'll be gone tomorrow?" He asks.

"Yes, I will try to make sure they go," I repeated.

"They all look scary," He notes.

I quickly stood up and closed all the windows so he didn't have to see their faces.

"Now, you won’t have to see their scary faces anymore, okay?" I asked.

"No," He answered with a smile.

"Let's get you to bed," I say.

"I can't sleep, I miss dad," He complains.

"I miss him too. But, do you think that Dad would want you awake by this time?" I asked.

"No, Dad would want me to be sleeping," He replies.

"Good. So, even though you do not feel like sleeping, you have to try for Dad, okay?" I say.

"Yes. I'll do it for Dad," He agreed, and off he went to his room.

Morning came quickly and I took a warm bath. I muttered a silent prayer and I dressed.

This meeting had to work out.

I made it to the bank one hour before the meeting time to ensure I was in the manager's office at the exact time.

I couldn't risk this, and staying at home wouldn't help me either.

"Miss Fiona Lawson, the manager will see you now," The receptionist had announced.

"Thank you," I said in almost a whisper.

My nervousness had tripled, my heart rate doubled, and I could feel my knees going weak. It was almost like I had lost all power within me.

"Come on, Fiona. You have to do this, you can do this. It's just a meeting." I said to myself as I followed the receptionist who was leading me to his office.

"Did you say something?" The receptionist turned to me and asked.

"No, yes. I mean, yes, I did say something, but not to you," I answer.

"Oh, okay. Well, here is the office, Good luck," She says with a smile.

"Thank you," I said and walked into the office.

"Miss Lawson, it is nice to finally meet you," The manager says standing up.

"It is an honor, sir. Thank you for having me," I say.

"I never knew my good friend, Mr. Lawson, God rest his soul, had such a pretty damsel for a daughter," He says with a smirk.

"He was very secretive. I did not know about the loan either, he never mentioned it to me," I started.

"Oh, I see," He says.

"So, what can we do?" He asks.

"I was wanting to ask the same thing, sir. Please, is there anything at all that I can do so your bank doesn't completely take over the company? Perhaps, we can reach an agreement but I promise you that the company will pay back all that it is owed in due time when it is stable," I begged.

"Anything at all?" He repeats.

"Yes, sir. I have a few projects planned. All we would need is more time, please," I add.

"Of course, time will not be an issue. But like you said, we must reach an agreement," He agreed, staring right at me.

I was not comfortable with the stare but what could I do? I was the one begging to be helped. Heaven looks what I have been reduced to. Now begging in offices.

"Yes, sir," I said, nodding.

"I will give you and the company more time but in return, you must do something for me too," He said with a smirk.

"Anything sir, anything at all," I agreed.

"Anything you say?" He repeats.

The way he said it made me scared. What did he have in mind that required so much emphasis? Was he going to ask for fifty percent shares of the company?

Surely, I couldn't give myself that. That would be me giving him all my shares.

"Well, you are an extremely beautiful lady," He compliments.

"Thank you, sir," I say.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" He asks.

The question was in no way related to our conversation but I answered anyway, "No, sir. I do not."

"Good," He says and moves closer to me.

The next thing was his hands on my cheek, caressing it.

"Sir, this is making me very uncomfortable. Please, do let me know what I can do to get more time," I begged.

I didn't want to do something I would later regret. And by God how I hated men who loved to take advantage of women. Here I was, helpless and begging this man with everything I had and he wanted to do this.

"This is what I want. I want this, I want you." He emphasized on the "you".

I gently pushed his hands from my cheek and stood up, with him in shock at what just happened. 

"I'm sorry, sir. But if this is what you want, I am afraid we cannot reach an agreement. I thought you to be a man of integrity and so decided to meet you. I must confess, I am the most disappointed," I said sadly.