PHILIP'S POV CONTINUING

As I walked through the first-floor corridor to the dining hall past the drawing room, the butler moved to the side.

My father was sitting there, and he's a bulky fellow. You can spot him easily in a room with his beard and stern face. My father and I are the same height, but his bulkiness made him appear relatively large.

He was wearing his everyday safari suit. I quite liked his style as I approached him through the dining hall; the waiter was setting the table, and he was reading the news on his Tablet. I assumed this news was about the takeover of Cj Bank.

I stood in front of him, waiting for him to see me. I, in a low voice, greeted him:

"Hello, Father."

When he looked up, all the servers and staff stopped; he waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to leave.

"Sit down." With his rich voice.

I sat down. He took off his glasses and put down the Tablet on the chair next to him.

"Why did you need to offer him more than I approved?"

"I offered him less than the original value."

"I asked why did you go against my offer."

"Because that's what I thought was the right offer, and if you offered him the original amount, the board members wouldn't approve, also seeing how egoistic you are, you'll directly start the hostile takeover, which sure they'll fight for six months and took up your offer but that'll leave the bank with less liquidity which would be worthless."

"Good, that was a good assumption." Showing no emotions whatsoever.

"I asked the butler to prepare your favorite meals; then we'll discuss the other matter."

After that, we ate silently; one could only hear the sound of forks and knives cutting through the meat.

I like steaks, and our chef is quite good at making them. He used to especially make stakes for me Whenever I had an important event to cheer me up as a kid.

After hard 20 minutes, my father wiped his mouth and stood up. I also stood up after him. He said, "Let's go outside; we'll talk by the pond."

Then yelled, "HANS" Our butler came running and gave my father the box and the lighter.

We stroll around the gardens for a while before going to the pond. As we walked, he said, "Doctor advised me to walk more often, you know."

"I know what the doctor advised you."

"Well, how do you know? You're never here."

"I can know things even if I'm not here."

He looked directly into my eyes like he was searching for something; he smiled and said, "This is the only thing that helps me sleep at night, the doctor advised me to use a cane to walk, but I refused. I told him I have my son."

Hearing my father say those things ache my heart because I'm away so much.

"Give me your hand; I need support to get to the pond."

He saw right through me. We arrived at the pond and sat on the bench near it. The view was surreal, the reflection of the moon and its dim light reflecting on the water's surface with tall trees hustling with air.

"I heard you told Raza that you wanted to marry."

"Yes, I have decided to marry."

"Who is it?"

"It's Mariam's nephew William."

My father didn't say a word, thinking perhaps.

"He's a good kid; I met him when he was young. Mariam raised him alone after what his degenerate parents did to him."

I didn't know William had parents; I thought they passed away, and Mariam raised him as her own.

"I wish to marry him as soon as possible."

"Isn't he just made your secretary?"

"Yes."

"Did you two sleep together?"

"He doesn't even know I like him."

"Oh, okay, if your mother were still alive, she would be happy. I'm getting old, Philip. The family home needs someone to take care of it. I'm glad you married because I have also decided on something."

"What is it, Father?"

"I have decided to retire."

"What!" This shocked me beyond words.

"Listen first..." I settled down. "I will retire after you marry; you'll assume the position of President of Harald's companies as a majority shareholder as every president did. You'll control the business whether to expand or conserve. Your siblings will also have their shares and business. However, they'll not have general shares but preferred shares and the vote in the yearly board meetings. Your marriage is important now more than ever. I'll go tomorrow to Mariam's house with the proposal."

"So, what are you thinking of doing in retirement?"

"I'll wait for my grandchildren, then spoil them so they'll love."

"We'll see about that." Chuckling at my father's remarks.

"When did you start liking him?" My father asked.

"The moment he walked through my office doors."

"Are you sure about this? There's no going back after this."

"I'm sure, Father. He's the one for me."

WILLIAMS POV

After my incident, I built up my strength to go to the office and face Philip; being terrified of him would not help.

I arrived at the office usually, but Philip was absent. Maybe he was late or stuck in traffic. I was relieved he wasn't there.

"What are you thinking?"

I got scared and screamed as I turned around. Philip was there standing. He was too near me. It was suffocating and terrifying.

"Forgive me, sir. I was just lost in my thoughts."

"Forget everything and come with me. We have a lot to talk about."

I was hesitant for a bit but decided to go with him.

We got in his car, and the driver took us to a nice hotel on the seaside. The water looked beautiful, and the sun was glistening. Everything looked surreal.

We sat in the VVIP lounge on the rooftop with the pristine view. I could not help but think about what was going to happen. Did he know I was conscious? Is he going to threaten me?

"Order anything you want," Philip said, his face quite serious.

"No, Thank you." I declined

"Then order something for me." I was dumbfounded; was he playing a game?

"What do you want to eat? Sir."

"Don't call me Sir; call me by my name."

"Sir, I don't think that'll be right."

"If I said so, then it'll be fine."

"Okay, Philip, what do you want to eat?"

"Whatever you'll order for me."

I called the waiter to come over and said, "Tell the chef to prepare a small medium rare steak with mash potatoes on the side and some barbeque sauce."

The waiter took the order and got going. Philip gazed at me and said, "I'm quite happy with the order. Thank you for ordering."

"It's alright, Philip."

"By the way, how's your condition? What did the doctor say?"

Was he inquiring about something? I thought.

"Everything things fine; it was just Alpha's pheromone side effects."

Philip looked concerned hearing this.

"I asked you here today to talk about something."

I knew he was going to threaten me.

"I want to marry you."

"What!! ARE YOU insane? What're you SAYING? Why are you SAYING this HERE?"

I was spiraling and repeating questions. Philip took my hands and said, "I've liked you since you walked into my office. My father is at your house talking to your aunt about my marriage proposal, but I thought I'll also make sure you're okay with this."

Tears rolled down from my eyes, and in a sudden rage, I shrugged Philip's hands away and said, "How could you have done this to me? After you molested me in your car thinking, I was unconscious."

Philip's face became stern; he had no idea I was awake.

"I'll report you to the police if you ever discuss marriage. I'll sooner die before I marry you." I continued with tears rolling down my face.

To be Continued...