Under Noah's fiery looks, she found her way back to her seat. She picked up her bag and walked out of the house. She had just been humiliated. How could a sane man reject such a pretty lady like her? It must be true that he was gay! She knew she only needed to fortify herself and get back with a new tactics.
Jayden sat in his luxurious office tapping away on the keyboard of his laptop. He had just left a business meeting which didn't go well. His family business was wobbling and there was great need to ressurect the business and restore it to its past and lost glory. He had been careless with the business affairs. He had thought his wealth was unlimited.
"Grrrrrhhhhh," the phone in his breast pocket rang. He took it out of his pocket and frowned when he saw the caller. It was his father, Mr Gray.
"Good afternoon Dad," he greeted.
"Afternoon," came the reply.
There was a brief pause before his father cleared his throat and said,
"Jayden, I hope you remember we have an arrangement for lunch this afternoon?"
Damn! He had forgotten. The pressure from the unsuccessful business meeting had made him forget everything temporarily.
"Can you hear me?" his father asked when he got no response.
"Yes, I heard you. I will come right away," he answered scratching his head in worry.
"You don't need to bother. I am in front of the company with the driver. Just come down and join us for lunch."
"Us?"
"Yes. Your mother and I," clarified his father.
"Alright. I will be downstairs in a jiffy. Let me tidy my table. I have a little unfinished work. Give me about ten minutes. I will be there soon," he replied.
"Alright," Mr Gray answered and ended the call. He took a deep breath and continued his typing. Few minutes later, he saved his work and shut down the computer. He looked around to make sure he was not forgetting anything.
His jacket. He always forgot it after a miserable day. He couldn't forget anything today as he was going to have lunch with his father. He took his jacket and hurried out.
"Good afternoon Dad and Mum," he greeted his parents.
"Afternoon, how are you doing?" his mother asked nicely.
"I am fine mum. Dad, I will come in my own car."
"Enter the car. We can go together," his father countered.
"No dad. I prefer to drive myself to the restaurant. I can do that, dad," he argued.
"Enter the car. We can go together," his father repeated himself.
Jayden shut his mouth immediately. He knew what would come next if he had his father repeated himself a third time.
Jayden was no longer in his father's good books. He had outrightly condemned him when he started living a promiscuous life. His mother loved and doted on her first son and heir to the family business. She saw no wrong in anything he did. She had him after so many years of hoping for a son. He came just in time to prevent the arrival of a mistress. Little wonder she doted on him.
The drive to the restaurant was a silent one.
"Good afternoon sir and madam. Good afternoon Master," the waiter greeted politely as soon as he saw the noble family enter the restaurant. He led them to the VIP section and they placed orders.
Jayden felt suffocated throughout the meal. His father had his eyes fixated on him. He felt so uncomfortable but he could do nothing about it. He signalled to his mother who quickly noticed his discomfort and came to his rescue.
"Honey, you don't have to stare at my son like that. Let him eat please," she pleaded.
"Did something happen to his mouth? Did he say he can't eat when he is being stared at? Is that how much of a man your son is?" her husband responded.
"Honey! Don't be harsh on this boy. You haven't told me the reason for your recent anger over everything my son does," Molly Mason, Jayden's mother complained.
Mr. Gray dropped his cutlery and sipped his drink. He had finished eating. He ignored his wife completely and faced Jayden squarely.
"When were you planning to tell me that you have successfully sent my company to ruins?"
Jayden nearly choked on his food.
"Yes, see it. A simple question and you choke on your food. I raised you a responsible man and your mother raised you an irresponsible one," Mr. Gray continued.
"Honey…" Molly tried to defend herself.
"Be quiet," Mr. Gray chided her.
"Dad, it's just a little setbacks that business encounter over time. I will handle it, dad. Soon, everything will be sorted out," Jayden explained.
"Indeed," his father sneered and flung a document on the table.
"This, is the company that is experiencing one of the usual setbacks. This is the empire I handed over to you. You spent fortunes chasing after women and everything on skirt. You spent less time in the company and handled it as you like."
"Honey, take it easy. People will soon stare. He has already said he will fix it," Molly, his dotting mother defended.
Jayden looked at the document on the table. It was his company's statement of account. Who could have ratted out on him? He had given strict instructions that the statement of account must not be presented to anyone but him.
"I will find who ever it is and that person must be punished," he swore within him.
"Dad…" he began but his father wasn't done yet.
"What should be done right now to salvage the situation of that company? I will not watch you take down the company to the ground. I built it up and handed it over to you a thriving business enterprise. Now, there is nothing to show of it. What do you think should be done to solve the issue? You that caused the destruction, come up with a solution," Mr. Gray said. Jayden felt instantly defeated. He knew there was no way out. He lowered his head and said,
"Dad, we could all think this over and come up with a solution."
"Now listen to me. The only solution is to merge with Clinton group so that we can stand on our feet. We will join them and they lift us up so we can stand on our feet. And we can't just wake up and do that. You will have to marry the eldest daughter of Mr. Clinton."