Chapter 3 2

"You are welcome, Miss Miranda." A bodyguard greeted when I got back home. I nodded in acknowledgement. "Is Dad home?" I asked as I entered.

"Yes."

Getting into the sitting room that remained the same just as it was this morning. I saw dad sitting at the wine bar.

"I'm home" I announced.

"Welcome back, my princess." He stood up and pulled me into his embrace. "How was your day?"

"Not bad."

"Can you fill me in?" He asked with a smile as I prepared to do what I've always loved to do after work to relieve my stress and boredom.

"Dad, today wasn't much fun. I just had some files to sign and edit, I attended some meeting even though I had them cancelled initially and I had been to the Malcolm's before coming home." I summarized.

"You what?" Dad stared at me blankly.

"What's wrong? I just said I'd been to the Malcolm's before coming home." I repeated, obviously not seeing anything wrong in what I just said.

"Why did you? You shouldn't have."

"Why?"

"Malcolm literally wants our companies' downfall." He uttered.

"But that, he won't get, Dad." I assured confidently.

"And why are you so confident about that?"

"I'll secure the company."

"You can't. I've been dealing with Malcom for a very long time. I know what he can do. He's ruthless. Can't you see that?" Dad snapped.

"Dad, be rest assured. I can handle this." I smiled. "All he wants is partnership. This will boost the growth of both companies." .

"And do you think K.K and Malcolm's can cooperate? It's impossible. Miranda, you've been in the business world for quite a long time. You are not a newbie. You should understand me."

"Dad, this is the umpteenth time I'd beg you to tell me this strange deal between you two that made you foes. You can't bear each other which is why it's surprising he choose to come through me. Just tell me why you keep saying I should train, why you have lots of guards and still train new ones even when I think it's unnecessary. Just tell me already, will you?" I half yelled.

"Miranda," he paused. "Forget it." He waved it off.

"But why?"

"Just join the recruit. You have to be fully armed for whatever happens. And you can't say no this time." He said with an air of finality and I sighed.

"Okay, dad. You win." I raised my hands in surrender-like manner and he chuckled.

"I'll see you later." I told him and headed to my room.

~

I laid on my bed as I concentrated on my phone. I tried reading business news but I got bored. Why won't I get bored when I've been in business all my life since I was a kid. I've always been in the conference room with dad and his business associates. While other kids my age are taught in schools, I was privately tutored. It was only because I had to go to college that I was released. I went to college to study Business Administration. Immediately I graduated, dad put me in charge of one of his companies. I furthered my education after which dad handed all the chains of companies to me.

I have no friends and I only get the chance to chat with other people my age during business meetings. None of those chats moved to another level. This made me live a triangular lifestyle; from the house to the company and to other places I might need to be then back to the house.

I dropped my phone as I thought about the forthcoming partnership between K.K and Malcolm's. I know dad is scared Malcolm might do something to get the company down in ruins but I'll not let him go through with that.

It's either I get him to give our company his shares or he opts out. K.K will never be his, not even in his dreams. And self-defense, I think I really need it considering the type of man he is.

I stared at my ceiling expecting the beautiful and comforting embrace of sleep. I didn't need to wait for too long before sleep engulfed me.

~

The sonorous voices of birds and the cool morning breeze warned me of the danger of staying in bed. I would have slept a bit more but for realization that I should have been in the office. I groaned as I dragged my lazy self off the bed. I went to my bathroom to have my hygiene. After that, I got dressed for work.

*

"Good morning Miss" the secretary greeted. "Mr Malcolm's personal assistant called."

I stood transfixed for a minute before I nodded and start to walk away.

"Ma'am, you don't know what his message was." she pointed out.

I stopped, turned to her and asked her what the message was.

"He said Mr Malcolm will like to meet with you today."

"What time?"

"Same time as yesterday" she politely answered.

"Okay. You can go ahead with your work."

~

"Miss Miranda, you can't possibly join hands with Mr Malcolm." one of the shareholders spoke up after I informed them of the big decision.

"He has been K.K's biggest threat. He might be planning something else by requesting partnership." Another shareholder said while the others nodded in unison. They obviously agreed with him.

"But it's just for the kiddies section. He wants a female's touch." I tried explaining.

"He can get that anywhere. It doesn't have to be from the K.K's organization, not to talk of the CEO of K.K." Mr Dan, dad's right hand man enunciated.

"Guys, trust me nothing can go wrong. I've been in this world with you all for a very long time and I respect your decisions but I feel we should make more friends and less foes."

"And what makes you think Malcolm would love to be a friend and not a foe? For as much as I know, Malcolm had been our rival ever since his companies were created." Mr Dan expressed his disapproval.

"A change can happen. We get the kiddies things done without any problem and then the partnership ends. That's it." I stared at all the men seated in the conference Hall, studied their faces but disapproval was clearly written on their faces. I sighed.

"Okay, sirs. I think this meeting should come to an end now." I decided.

"Miranda, don't do anything that will jeopardize the safety and ownership of this company." Mr Dan said and I knew he was damn serious. He hardly calls me Miranda but when he do, he meant business. After he said those words, the shareholders all stood up and exited the conference room one after the other. Their murmurings died down after the last person left.

I ruffled my hair in frustration. Everyone is against partnering with Malcom. Whereas I feel I could do anything with him and leave unharmed.

I glanced at my wristwatch and learnt it was almost time to meet with Malcom. I've never seen the man physically. Even yesterday's meeting was handled by his personal aide, who conveyed his master's words.

I stood up, packed my things and exited the conference room. It was high time I saw the old devil in the business world.