Chapter 10
“Do not yield to adversity; rather, oppose it boldly as much as your fortune allows”
—Virgil
“Delfina, excuse me, but Mr. Malek Naik is outside and insists on seeing you,” she stated, and the fact that she stood in front of me wringing her hands was an indication of Julia’s nervous state.
“Who?” I asked, completely astonished to hear that name.
Julia couldn’t respond, nor could I react, because the imposing figure of my father appeared behind Julia and stood in front of my desk with authority.
“Your father. You may leave,” he said to Julia in his despotic tone. “As you heard, the young lady is my daughter.”
I looked at Julia and nodded. The poor woman fled the office in terror.
My father could be intimidating, but I wasn’t fazed at all, though his presence in my office had me completely bewildered and I was sure it didn’t bode well.
I didn’t carry his surname because both my brother and I had decided to use my mother’s.
This man had never cared about me and had never shown up at my office before.
Malek Naik was a 65-year-old man, but he looked much younger.
He was tall, with enormous blue eyes that I had inherited and jet-black hair now showing some gray.
He was an elegant man who wore custom-made suits by the most sought-after tailors; he knew his presence was imposing and his voice made people tremble, but I also knew clearly that he had no effect on me—neither fear nor much less respect or love.
If I felt anything for this man, it was disappointment and resentment.
“Next time you’ll have to schedule an appointment in advance because my calendar is full, though knowing you, I doubt there will be a next time.
Tell me quickly what brings you here because I have an important lunch to get to,” I said, without getting up from my chair, resting my elbows on the desk and crossing my hands to rest my chin on them.
“I see you’ve become a beautiful woman with a strong temperament. I like that,” he said, sitting down in the visitor’s chair in front of my desk.
“I don’t have time for this small talk. Tell me at once what you want.”
“You haven’t used any of the money I deposit for you every month. There’s more than ten million dollars in your account.”
“I don’t need or want your money. I never asked you for anything and I never will.
Although now that I remember, at one point I did ask you for something—I asked for affection, I begged for your love because I needed a father.
I was left alone and needed the love of my parent, but you made it clear that you wouldn’t give it to me.
You made it clear that your business was more important than your children.
Lesson learned, Mr. Naik, so I had to fend for myself, and I no longer need anything from you.
If you came here to say something, I advise you to say it quickly because your time is running out. ”
As I spoke, he observed me, but no emotion was reflected on his face.
“I’ve come to propose something to you, and I’m afraid you’ll have to do as I say,” he stated seriously.
“Excuse me? You came all the way here just to give me orders?” I stood up from my chair, walked to the door, and opened it. “Leave my office immediately. I have nothing more to discuss with you.”
“Close the door, Delfina,” he ordered, “and come listen to what I have to tell you because I assure you it’s important.”
I had no other option because the man wasn’t going to leave until I heard him out, so I closed the door, but I didn’t sit down. I leaned against the desk with my arms crossed, looking at him with fury reflected on my face.
“I come in peace. You can put away your weapons because what I’m going to propose benefits us both.”
“I don’t recall having any shared interests with you.”
“Listen to me and stop interrupting me.”
“And you stop giving me orders. In this office, I’m the one who gives the orders.”
“Not to me, little one, not to me. Sit down,” he dictated again.
“I’m not going to do that. Speak at once.”
“I’ve come to get you because you’re going to marry the son of a great friend, an oil tycoon.
That will facilitate my business dealings with him.
The marriage is already arranged, and the young man has seen you in photos and is delighted with you.
He wants to marry as soon as possible. You’re going to marry into a powerful family that will also make you a millionaire. ”
Was he serious? Although I doubted that man had a sense of humor.
I looked at him trying to process what I had heard because I still couldn't believe such nonsense.
He had truly gone mad if he thought I was going to do what he was ordering.
Fury was boiling inside me and I had to make a great effort to appear calm.
“Is that the important thing you had to inform me about?” I asked, looking at him seriously, and he nodded without taking his eyes off me. “My answer is no, and I regret to inform you that your time is up, so you can leave the way you came.”
“Delfina, I didn't ask you any question, therefore I don't require an answer. Mine was simply to inform you of something that is a fact.”
“Is that what you think? Well, know that you cannot force me to do anything, you have no rights over me, you never did. What you just said is so ridiculous that I feel like laughing, but nothing about you surprises me anymore.”
“You should feel proud that a family like your future husband's has chosen you.”
“I already have a partner so...”
“That Darwich fellow doesn't even come close to your future husband. Forget about him, you won't see him anymore.”
At that moment I began to get upset. How did he know about Hermes? I was clear that Malek Naik had a lot of power and I began to have a strange feeling that made me shudder.
“How do you know my boyfriend's last name?”
“I know everything about you and your brother.
Just because I don't see you doesn't mean I don't know your every move.
Believe it or not, I've always looked after you.
I even know what you have for breakfast; nothing escapes me.
I let you have some fun with Mr. Darwich, but that's enough now.
In two days we leave for Dubai. And you'd better do as I say because if not, Hermes Darwich will pay the consequences of your actions.”
“If I find out you harm Hermes in any way, I assure you that you'll regret it!” I shouted.
“I'm not a thug, I assure you, but I can make his business face serious difficulties,” he stated with a terrifying smile.
“I don't doubt you can do what you say, but I assure you that Hermes will be a formidable opponent and won't be intimidated by you.”
The laugh he let out froze the blood in my entire body.
“Do you really believe your boyfriend can do anything that could harm me? I assure you he can't, but I can ensure his company never gets another deal. It depends on you. And stop using your mother's last name, you are Delfina Naik.”
“I will never carry that last name, I will never be your daughter, and I will never obey a single order given by you. Leave my office right now.”
“Whether you like it or not, I am your father,” he stated.
“My father? My father? That word is too big for you.
Being a father isn't just about conceiving children; being a father involves more important things that you never gave us. The only thing you provoke in me is disappointment and shame. On top of that, after many years, you have the nerve to show up before me to ruin my life. If you have any shame at all, leave right now and forget I exist.”
He stood up calmly and looked at me with a serious expression.
“I'm staying at this hotel,” he said, placing a card on my desk. “I expect you this afternoon to finalize the details of our trip. Don't arrive after five because I have another meeting. See you, dear daughter.”
He turned and left my office with firm steps, leaving the door open and my heart shattered.
How could I get out of this situation? I wasn't going to let him harm Hermes, because I knew that Malek Naik was capable of that and much more.
I went to the armchair and collapsed, grabbing my head and crying heartbrokenly.
I cried from anger, I cried from indignation and helplessness, because I wasn't sure how to confront this man without anyone getting hurt.
I felt a hand caressing my hair and raised my head. Julia was beside me and was looking at me with compassion. I hadn't heard her come in, but since the door was open, it wasn't surprising.
“Excuse me, Delfina, but you were talking so loudly that I could hear the conversation you had with your father. Tell me how I can help you. You know you can count on me.”
“Thank you, Julia,” I said, sobbing. “I don't know if anyone can help me. I'm facing a powerful man who can destroy anyone who stands between him and his plans. And I can't allow him to harm my loved ones. I won't allow it,” my voice broke and I continued crying uncontrollably.
“Call your brother, he knows him and maybe he can make him see reason. Call him as soon as possible,” she advised.
“Tom is very far away, I'll worry him and...”
“He's your brother, your only family. He needs to know what you're going through. Unite against that man, there must be something that can be done.”
“You might be right, I'll call him. But I don't think Tom can do anything.”
I got up to get my cell phone. Julia took my hands and transmitted strength to me.
When I picked up the phone, I saw that I had many messages from Hermes and missed calls, surely he had called me to coordinate lunch, but engrossed in the argument with my father, I had completely forgotten about our meeting.
Knowing him, I imagined he would be worried due to my silence, but first I had to talk to Tom and then I would call him.