Read Chapter 7 6 - The Chase

"I'll head to bed now." I ignored his question, stood up, took off my shoes and head to my room tiredly. I had a quick shower and didn't waste much time before I slept off.

"Good morning" I read Mitch's message.

"Morning," I replied

"Hope you had a good night rest?"

"Yeah, you?"

"Same. I'll see you later today." His message read. I didn't bother to reply. Instead, I dropped my phone off on the nightstand.

I proceeded to get dressed and get ready for work. By the time I was done, dad was not home anymore. I had a quick breakfast and head to work.

"Good morning ma'am" Vivian greeted. I answered with a smile.

"A quick brief of today's schedule?" I asked.

"You have a meeting with K.K's team from Singapore. Their call will start from 10 o'clock and last for two hours. A conference meeting with the shareholders at 1 o'clock, a visit to the M&W's department for orientation and finally a press conference alongside the Malcolm's Group by 4 o'clock." She summarized.

Today's another busy day but a press conference with Malcolm's Group? That would be just cool. No wonder Mitch said he'd see me today.

"Alright, you may leave."

"It's a great privilege to have you here, Miss King." The reporter said and I smiled. "And a very much greater pleasure to meet the brains behind the successful project" he said, referring to Mr Malcolm and me.

"So we'd like to ask" the second reporter started.

"How long did this project take you?" He asked me.

"Less than a month, I guess" I answered.

"Wow, that's cool. You must really be a genius in this field." The first reporter commended.

I'd like to say he's dumb for what he said. Everyone knows the two groups had been on each other's neck for quite an age. It'd be foolish to try to commend only one person's effort and leave behind the other. And I wasn't taught that way. Business world was a dangerous arena.

"Thanks for the praise but it'd be unfair if we neglect Malcolm's ideas. Mr Malcolm also invested a lot of ideas in this whole thing. I must really commend his efforts" I smiled.

"All thanks to you, Miss." the old Malcolm smiled in return.

"Should we expect any new collaborative designs from the two groups?" The second reporter asked.

"We are not..." I wanted to answer but Malcolm cuts in.

"Sure," was his curt reply and I let it slide.

"When would that be?" The first reporter asked.

"Not anytime soon" I replied.

"Now that the two companies are back together, do you intend to strengthen this cooperation through marriage alliance?" The first reporter asked. My eyes widened unconsciously and my mind suddenly drifted to the idea of Mitch and I getting married.

"What do you mean?"

"Mr Malcolm has a son and it's not a new tradition to strengthen alliances with marriage." The first reporter answered. I hate the look on his face and I hate the way he ask questions. They were intruding.

"We have no plan to do that," I replied.

"I think that's enough concerning our alliance," Malcom hushed them.

The reporters asked more questions and the interview was over. They left and I was left alone with Malcom.

"I think this should be the last collaborative project we should have." I told him my thoughts.

"But it's just the first." I heard Mitch's voice but I didn't bother to turn to face him.

"Mr Malcolm, I respect my board's decision and I do not want to go against their wish. We should stop at this." I expounded. Malcolm nodded knowingly and smiled at me.

"No problem, dear. I understand you completely." He assured me and I stood up.

"I need to leave now."

"I'd leave you to Mitch. He'll surely escort you out safely." Mr Malcolm nudged towards Mitch direction.

"There should be no need for that." I smiled, left his office and head to my car.

"Wait up" I heard someone called behind me. I knew it was Mitch so I sighed. What does he want now?

"Hi" he greeted and I smiled.

"You didn't bother to say hi when you saw me. Why?" He folded his hands across his chest.

"No reason." I shrugged.

"And you want to stop cooperating with Malcom's Groups?" He said, more like a question.

"Yeah. Any problem?" I asked as I rested my back against my car.

"I see a lot of progress in Malcom's Groups and K.K's cooperation. We should work towards it." He stared at me.

"We?" I scoffed. "I'm sorry but I don't want to. I have to leave now. Let's meet some other time."

I opened the car's door and got in. I zoomed out of the garage and glanced at the rear mirror to notice Mitch's car right behind mine..

"What does this guy want?" I wondered aloud as I increased my speed. He followed suit. Initially, I had planned to go home after the conference but due to his trailings, I decided to go to my office. I didn't want Dad to know I was getting accustomed to his rival's son.

When I got to the company, I stopped the car and it didn't take up to three minutes before Mitch's car took a place beside mine. He came out of his car and walked up to me.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Just another opportunity to cooperate with K.K." he muttered.

"And why do you think we'd like to cooperate with you?" I asked and I could almost swear I heard him say "Cause you have no choice"

"Pardon?" I frowned, hoping I was wrong.

"Look, Miranda" he started. "I know the history. I know what's on between our fathers and I expect us to change that. This hatred shouldn't continue. Don't you think so?"

I shut my eyes for a minute and I opened it. I saw sense in what he said but I'm not ready to go against my dad and the board.

"I'm sorry, Mitch. I don't think that's possible." I shook my head negatively and left him standing beside my car.

"Miranda" I heard mom's voice and the sound of her heels became louder which signified that she was coming nearer. The door opened and she stepped in.

"Momma!" I stood up and hugged her. She hasn't been home for two months. I'd actually missed her.

"How are you dear?" She kissed my cheeks.

"Fine" I smiled.

"I heard you had an alliance with Malcom and I must commend you for a job well done, dear." Mom praised.

"Thanks, mom," she sat down and filled me in on what happened during her trip.

Few hours later, we all had dinner and during dinner, Dad received a call from Malcolm. He gave me a look before he picked up his call. He stood up and head to his library. I also stood up after my meal and moved back to my room.

There isn't much to do anyway. I picked up a book that was on my reading table, sat down on my bed and I began to read. After reading, I realized I was getting bored again so I decided to have a short trip to the garden. I exited my room and head to the sitting room. Before exiting the house, I glanced at Dad's library and I could still see his figure in there. I wonder what might be taking much time to discuss. I exited the main building and took a really deep breathe as the wind came rushing.

When I got to the garden, different scents from different flowers hit me and I breathed in with a smile.

"It's lovely here" I muttered.

"Yeah, really." Surprisingly, I heard dad's voice and I turned.

"Dad?" He walked closer and stood by my side.

I continued my walk with him and few minutes later, he called my name.

I turned to look at his worried face. I knew something would come up from his discussion with Malcom.

"What is it, dad?" I urged.

"I think it's time to let go of the past."

"What do you mean by that?" I furrowed my eyebrows. "Malcom called me" he stated.

"I know." I shrugged.

"He wanted us to settle our issues and become productive partners." Dad completed and my gaze was fixed on him while I waited expectantly for his decision.

"What's your take on that, dad?" I eventually asked when he didn't say a word.

"I've decided to partner with him." he sighed and my eyes widened with surprise and shock.

"You don't mean it!" I exclaimed.

"I do, dear" my jaws dropped.

Chapter 7 6

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