"Hi! Sorry for interrupting, can I have a word with you?" Melissa asked when she walked into Mark's office. He was busy signing documents on his desk but stopped and looked at her.
"Yes have a sit, I also want to talk to you about something, but tell me first what can I do for you?"
"I know we have not been getting along well but I need your help to find out what really happened to my father's company."
"If I'm not wrong, the company was declared bankrupt years ago. Your father had some loans from the bank and couldn't pay since the business was not doing well."
"Yes, that the report they gave but I believe that my father's partner messed with the companies finances to make it look like it was not profitable."
"Do you have any proof? That a very serious accusation, if not then how can I help you?"
"There is an old acquittance of my dad's maybe he has information we can use. He was the last person to make contact with my dad before the accident but its hard for me to meet him. So I'm asking you to please help me track him down. He might have information that my dad found out during his investigation."
"How do you know about your father's contact?"
"His secretary told me about it. She was fired and they took all the documents while my father was out of town, but she knew whom he was going to meet with. I can't prove Mr Stevens involvement yet but maybe that man can help me prove it all."
"Don't you think that person would have contacted you if he had any useful information. Why wait for all these years, and what your doing is very dangerous, this investigation might put you in a lot of trouble."
"I know it's dangerous but I promised and swore on my parents grave that I'll get the truth so if you wouldn't help I'll find a way on my own. Sorry for bothering you sir, please excuse me." She opened the door to leave.
"Hey don't leave yet, I didn't say I wouldn't help." Closing the door she turned back and stood in front if his desk. "If I help you then you have to do something for me." He said leaning back on his chair.
"What do I have to do?" She asked folding her arms.
"Be my wife."
"What? You want me to marry you?"
"Yes, we meet my grandfather tomorrow, I introduce you as my fiancee then get married in three months."
"We can't lie to your family, besides we hardly know each other and just met a few weeks ago."
"With time my love, everything will be sorted out and we like each other. I mean the fact that you have not slap my offer off yet, we can work it out. I'm sure my family will love you. You accept and I will help you, if not your on your own."
"OK I see you have all this planned out but I need to tell you something before deciding to get married."
"What? Do you have conditions that I can't handle, tell me." He was cocky
"Well, not conditions but something that I have been keeping from you for a while."
"What, is so important that it can affect our marriage decision?"
"I have a three year old son."
"So what wrong if you have a child or do you still have a relationship with his father?"
"No, his father didn't know about his existence until now."
"Wait, what? Do you mean to say we have a child together, that I'm your child's father?"
"Yes, we have a three year old boy, his name is Tommy."
"What? How on earth do you keep my child from me, and you just tell it to me now?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't know how to tell it to you. We just met after four years and I was afraid you will take him from me."
"Take him from you? Is that how low you think of me Melissa? Dam it." Melissa jumped when he slapped the table hard. "That day at the hotel you just left, what if I didn't bring you here? You would never tell me about my son."
"No, I was going to tell you just needed time, I'm sorry."
"Where is the boy now?"
"I left him with my aunt back in the province."
"How come my men never found out about the child? Those incompetent fool's" He threw the coffee mug to the wall shattering in pieces.
He was quite for sometime while starring out of the window. Melissa just stood there, she didn't know what he would do next. He was both surprised and furious she hadn't told him sooner. He took his phone and made a call. She didn't get to understand what they talked about but she heard him ask for the plane to be ready for take off in thirty minutes.
"We are going to the airport." He said while putting the documents he was working on in the briefcase.
"What? Where are you taking me."
"We are going to get my son, you shouldn't have keep him from me all these years."
"Are you going to take my son? You can't do that. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner but we just met after four years and it was not a friendly encounter. Don't think that I will let you take him away from me that easily." She blocked his way out.
"We plan to get married so you and our son will stay here. I'm not going to separate a child from his mother though it infuriates me to hear I had a child all these years and didn't know about it. Now go get your things we have thirty minutes to get to the airport."
"Okay but will we still go on with the marriage plan?" She asked hoping he would help with the investigation without asking her to marry him. Though she was attracted to Mark she didn't feel comfortable marrying him for a business transaction. She always dreamt of marrying someone she truly loved and one who loved her as much.
"Yes that's the deal after we get our son and talk to my family, we will get married. Now go pack and meet me downstairs." He walked out with his briefcase leaving confused Melissa in the office.
He was being selfish, making her marry him but that the only way he could keep her safe. He didn't want her or their son getting in danger because of her insistence in find the truth. If they find out about the child, his life would be in great danger. He had to move fast and get him before they did.
"Is everything all right dear, Mark told me you we're leaving?" Mary asked while putting some of Melissa's clothes in a small travel bag.
"We are going to my home, I'll pack on my own. Thank you." She took the clothes in Mary's hands and staffed them in the bag.
"He is a good man, he is just upset for now but he will soon get over it."
"He told you?" She sat on the bed.
"Yes he did, don't worry it will be okay." She said smoothing her hair to calm her down. "We have to go before he comes up her to look for you."
"Thank you Mary." She hugged her, Mary was caring always making her feel at home.