Chapter 43 43
"Nathan dear, I am very proud of you. You are trying to do something really good for humanity. For little children precisely. Even if this project of yours did not work out, I will still be proud of you." Marise said with a shaky voice.
She finally broke down in tears because of the condition she saw the children in. She didn't want to do that in front of the children . That was when she put herself together, until the little ones were out of sight.
Everyone in the room congratulated Nathan, except for his father, Robert. "This is a very big risk for business, Nathan. Tell me.... I want to hear about your big plans for the place." Robert asked, curiously.
Nathan turned his attention to his father and then began to explain his plans to his father.
"The park used to be open to the general public since it was a government property. But now, I will bring in animals and impose an entrance fee. Then build stalls to provide visitors with food and beverages."
"I will also build lodges at the other end of the park. That will provide a daily lodge for foreigners as well. Special events can also be hosted in the open space of the park. A lot more could be done, while maintaining the natural habitat of the park."
"I already have two partners to begin with." Nathan added. He pointed at his friends, Ryan and Matt. The two nodded in affirmation.
"What are your plans for the hospital?" Marise asked. She has settled her emotions now and is no longer crying.
The owner of the hospital has the intention to sell it. I am planning to buy the hospital. I want to make it greater than what it is now. With the help of Heat, the hospital will then have a flexible insurance claim."
"That is an awesome Idea, son." Robert said in a proud tone. He felt Nathan had really thought it through and his plans would actually work.
The group kept talking about the plans and how to make the ideas even better. Robert got up and went closer to the glass window, admiring the view closer. He thought the view was really breathtaking.
Soon, Nathan joined him admiring the place as well. He was very happy that after all the years, he has finally acquired the place. Now he needs to start with putting his Idea into reality to make everything complete.
Suddenly, his happiness began to disappear when he recalled his ex-wife was gone. What makes everything worse was the fact that he had no Idea where she was.
"Son, isn't that your old apartment back in college?" Robert's voice interrupted Nathan's thought.
"It is. I come to the park on some weekends. It is a great place to sit and clear your head. I sometimes volunteer at the hospital too. These are the reasons why I want to save it. We all have our humanitarian goals we want to achieve. This is one of mine and it is so far the major one." Nathan revealed.
Robert nodded and continued to look out the glass. He began to speak again. "You are right. I am sorry I doubted you. I am sorry I almost canceled the bid last three years. But for what it is worth,I am glad I didn't. I am so proud of you, son."
"It's all in the past, dad." Nathan assured him.
A Flashback
Three years ago.
Nathan barged into his father's office without the concern to take permission. "Did you really just have Keren evicted from her apartment? Was it not enough that you made it impossible for her to get a job in this town?"
"I did. I don't like her and I don't want to see you two together. Why is she even here?" Robert barked back. "You are supposed to be with Brooke. To marry Brooke. Forget the agreement we had with Jack. You two are meant to be together. I don't know what that girl, Keren, is still clinging around you for."
"Keren is my responsibility. She is in this town just because I dragged her along." Nathan tried to reason.
"Nathan, don't argue with me please. I am getting older and I have a business to run. Don't be difficult too. You are my son and I have to do anything I can to protect you." Robert reasoned.
Robert has tried different methods to get rid of the girl. But all in vain. He even paid her off but she refused to leave. Now, he has to try the other way round and do something about his son. The last thing he could do now is to get Nathan married. Then she has no choice but to leave them alone.
"You will have to marry Brooke sooner than later. You will then have to stay away from that.... Girl." Robert instructed. "If you refuse, then you leave me no choice but to fire you from the company and disown you as my son."
"Are you serious, dad?" Nathan asked in disbelief. "All I did in my life is be trained to be your successor. I don't even know how to do anything other than that. If I don't take after you, what do you want me to do?"
"How could you think of doing this to your son? Your only son. Besides, you are overreacting. I never said I was going to marry Keren anyway."
The father and son continued to argue, going back and forth on the same thing. Nathan refused to marry Brooke. He finally turned to leave. He reached for the door when Robert said something that forced him to stop.
"If you don't marry Brooke like I have instructed, I will disown you and remove you from my will. I will cut your credit cards, take away your cars and every privilege you enjoy for having my name. And lastly, I will cancel the bid for Carefree National park."
Nathan stood still. His father understands the last part got Nathan's attention.
'I should have used that from the start and saved myself the trouble of talking too much.' Robert thought to himself.
"I am sure now I have your attention. You need me and need my money. Besides, how can you raise 70 million on your own?" He asked further.
Seeing Nathan was still not responding or turning to face his father. He only heard his father picking up the landline in the office. He was silent for a while and then began to speak.
"Yes. I would like to speak to Governor Lamar. It's about the bid on Carefree National park.”