Chapter 42-Jonathans father cares
Jonathan's POV...
"Richard," my voice rang through. "Just one business trip. Just one. And now you're turning it into a vacation?"
It's been two weeks since I sent Richard as our company's ambassador to the Global Investment and Corporate Summit in Monaco, a high-profile gathering where executives, investors, and representatives from companies across the world converge under one roof.
It wasn't just a celebration of corporate achievements. It was an opportunity.
Companies and brands from different continents attended, each presenting their growth strategies, innovations, and expansion plans. Investors moved from table to table, listening to pitches, negotiating stakes, and hunting for the next billion-dollar breakthrough.
Richard went there not only to represent our brand, but to present our expansion proposal. We are planning on taking the fashion brand across the continent.
"I'm sorry sir. But it's not over yet and investors are requesting more pitches. Besides, a lot of start ups seem to be dominating," he said.
"Richard," I called, my voice low. "I hate delays and that's what you're doing now. For God's sake, it's been two weeks,"
"I'll try to finalise everything sir and return as soon as possible," he said.
I sighed and disconnected the call. Wait...
"He'll try to finalise everything?" I rubbed my chin as I thought about it. "Why does it seem like this particular line means finalising something else and not the event? Something personal to him"
I shook my head, not wanting to dwell on the thought. I had some paperwork waiting to be done. I picked my pen from the table. It was a blue ballpoint pen.
Blue. I waved the pen in front of me. That was the colour of Audrey's dress this morning.
I placed my hand on the table and rested my chin on my palms. I smiled as I thought about her. The paperworks just laid there on the table, completely forgotten by me.
"I have a surprise for you tonight," her words rang again in my head.
"What surprise could she be planning?" I twisted my lips as I wondered.
The vibration of my phone on the table drew me out of my wonderland of thoughts.
I grabbed the phone and sighed when I saw the caller ID. Father. I hesitated before answering the phone.
"I need you to come over. There's something important we have to talk about," his voice rang through.
"I can't. I have tons of work to do," I said and glanced at the papers on the table.
"I'll come over then," he added. "To your office,"
"Sure," I said and waited for him to disconnect the call.
"What could be so important that he had to come all the way here to discuss?"
I sent for my secretary. "Clear my schedule for today. I'll be busy. I don't want any disturbances,"
"Yes sir," she bowed slightly and left.
Only after Richard had left did I realise that I had burdened him with so much work. He was basically everything to me. He even did the work of my secretary. She must have been glad to receive payments every month but had to do little work or nothing.
I arranged my desk. I put the files in order and gathered my stationery.
A few minutes later, I heard a knock at the door. I knew who it was.
I looked at the door. "Yes, come in,"
The door opened and the stoic face of my father came into view. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
I kept a straight face, trying not to be intimidated by his presence.
He approached me with a look on his face. He pulled out one of the seats in front of me and sat down.
"You don't look bad," he said.
I just smiled forcefully. I opened my mouth to say something when...
Knock! Knock!
My gaze shifted to the door. "What is it?"
"Sir, there is..."
"I made it clear that I didn't want any disturbances," I said with gritted teeth as I glared at her, not minding if my father was there.
"I'm sorry sir. It's just that this package you ordered for Ms Willows has arrived," she said and raised a white bag in front of her.
"Oh," my voice softened. I was suddenly tongue-tied. I glanced at my father. He had a smile tugging at the left side of his lips.
"Um... drop it here," I tapped by my side on the table. She walked inside and dropped it on the table. She bowed slightly and left.
"It seems you're getting along well with Ms Willows," he said once my secretary left.
I didn't respond to that immediately. "It seems you no longer have the pendant mom gave you" I said and gestured to his neck with my head. "You no longer wear it around your neck,"
His countenance changed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
I shrugged. "Hmm, I'm just saying," I said and gave him a knowing look.
He didn't react. I saw his jaw twitch.
I looked at him seriously. "Or maybe RYDR'S manager has it," I said and he frowned. "You should know him. Your accomplice or should I say your partner in crime that very night"
He chuckled darkly. "You're still very smart after all these years,"
He lowered his gaze before looking back at me. "Yes, I instigated him to drug your wine,"
I stared at him in disbelief. He really admitted it. He didn't even try to deny it.
"Why?"
"Because I care about you," he replied without hesitation, his gaze steady.
I frowned, ready to let out an outburst and release all the anger I had pent up all these years. But, I restrained myself when I saw an emotion flash in his eyes.
Did he mean what he said and how does drugging Audrey and I prove it?
Audrey's POV...
"These poses are killing it, Audrey. You look amazing," my photographer said.
I was having a shoot. My ambassadorship deal with the Italian brand had become effective. They needed me to fly to Italy for a shoot, but I couldn't go without my manager, Lena.
She was still out of town.
We agreed that I'll send them some pictures for starters and when Lena comes back, we'll fly over to Italy.
Now, my photographer and I were going through some pictures he had taken. They were awesome. I had the best photographer in all of New York.
"They're so pretty. You always deliver," I said.
He looked at me knowingly. "That's my job," he said and raised his cap slightly in salute.
I laughed.
"Ms Willows," one of the makeup artists called. I quickly turned to her. "Your phone" she said and handed my phone over to me.
"Thanks," I collected it from her and it was my mom calling.
"Hey mama," I smiled. "How is my favourite woman doing?"
"Audrey," her voice rang through and the smile fell off my face. I walked to a corner to receive the call properly.
"Mom, what's going on? Why are you sounding like this?" I asked, worry etched in my voice.
"Audrey, I need you to come home now," she said, her voice breaking.
"Mom what is it! What's wrong? I'm shooting right now," I said.
"Just come home," she said and disconnected the call.
I became anxious. Was she in danger?
"I need to be somewhere. I'll be back soon," I said to everyone and dashed out immediately.
I drove frantically back home. The sound of honking cars trailed behind me, but I didn't stop.
As soon as I got to my mom's place, I hopped off the car and rushed to the door. I placed my hands on the knob and froze. The door was unlocked. Did someone come in or was she the one who unlocked it?
I pushed the door open and saw her sitting on the couch. My shoulders relaxed in relief.
"Mom, you gave me such a fright. What happened?" I asked as I sat beside her and put my arm around her.
"Your father came to see me," she blurted out.
I was gently rubbing my hands on her back when she said that and my movements stopped.
"What?"
"He wants to see you," she added.
I shot up from my seat. "That'll never happen. He lost the right to call himself my father the day he left" I muttered in anger.
I'm sorry for the confusion earlier, I've corrected the chapters in the right order.
Things are getting interesting ??. Anyways, vote and tell me your thoughts in the comments.