Chapter 1 1

I stood at the window of my office,the beautiful city of Toronto sprawling beneath. My office was on the 13th floor of the 22-story building which was my father's company. Any free time I have in my office is always spent admiring the city and the people going around with their daily business.

I mean who wouldn't!

I felt a surge of pride as I looked down at the company my father had built - a company I have dedicated my time to since I graduated from college. I had been offered a well paying job immediately after I got out of college by a Public accounting firm,but I declined the offer because I already made up my mind to use my skills for the benefit of my father's company.

Although he had not really appreciated my efforts since all his attention was on my stepmom and her daughter,I poured my heart and soul into my job nevertheless. I knew my efforts were crucial to the company's success.

I was so lost in the view before me and the thoughts running through my head that I didn't hear the phone on my desk ring.

Silly me!

The continuous ringing jolted me back to reality and I made my way to the table to answer the call.

"Hello, Miss Sophia," said a voice from the other end of the phone. It was Abigail,my dad's secretary.

She had been working for my dad since only God knows when. I met her in the office too when I finished school.

So, don't blame me!

"Yes, Abigail."

"Your dad requests for your presence in his office right away. He said it's urgent."

"Oookay......Abigail, I'll be there right away."

Curiosity got the most out of me as I dropped the call and made my way to my dad's office. I wondered what my dad would want to tell me that could be so urgent.

He rarely called me into his office and was always formal in his dealings with me when in the office. Even a stranger would doubt it if someone told them he was my dad. As I entered,I found him seated behind his massive desk, engrossed in the newspaper he was holding in his hands.

He gestured for me to sit and I complied, a knot of anxiety forming in my stomach. The office was dimly lit,the afternoon sun casting long shadows through the half closed blinds.

His face; usually stern and composed,looked uncharacteristically vulnerable as he directed his gaze away from the newspaper and turned towards me.

"So, Sophia," he began, clearing his throat as he started to speak. His voice sounded softer than I had ever heard it.

"I need to discuss something important with you." I shifted in my seat, a churning unease creeping through me. I could sense from a far distance that this was not going to end well.

"What is it Dad?"

He took a deep breath,his eyes fixed on the papers scattered across his desk.

"An old friend of mine, Richard Smith,has made a proposal. His son,Lucas,is in need of a partner. In exchange, Richard has offered to fund your mother's surgery."

"The popular CEO of Smith's Groups of Company?" I asked him.

"Yes dear"

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt the room spin as I processed what he had just said. "You want me to marry a stranger to save mom?"

"You heard me right," he said nonchalantly.

"But what about Oliver?.What do I tell him?. He has promised to marry me and you of all people are aware of that. Do I just go to him and break-up with him or what exactly are you trying to say?"

He shrugged,his expression indifferent.

"Your mother's health should be your primary concern, Sophia. This is an opportunity to secure a future for both our families. Lucas's business is completely down the drain and this arrangement could be mutually beneficial. You need to set your priorities, your mother's life or the relationship with Oliver. Which one comes first, Sophia?. It's up to you to decide. Choose wisely!"

His words seemed to hit me at the right spot,like a sinner listening to a salvation sermon.

My heart ached. My thoughts drifted to my mother,sick and battling cancer,and the expensive cost of her surgery. The weight of the decision pressed down on me,and I was finding it hard to breathe. "Why do you care so much about this,Dad?"

He leaned back in his chair,his eyes cold.

"Richard and I have a long standing relationship. Although this is partially about business,you need to realize that I also care about your mother."

My mind raced,images of the beautiful life I had imagined with Oliver flashing before my eyes. I knew my dad didn't care about my mother,not since their divorce when I was just 7. I had deliberately chosen to stay with him back then after the divorce because he was all caring back then.

If only I had known!

I knew for a fact that if there was a way to test the love he has for my mom now,he wouldn't pass the test.

I wish there was a device for that!

I was also aware that the proposal,as beneficial as it sounds, was greatly about business. But since I had a more serious matter to attend to at the moment,I acted like I had no idea what he was up to.

I clenched my fist,the pressure of the options before me weighing down on me. "When do I have to decide?"

"Soon" he replied,his tone businesslike.

"Your mom's condition is getting worse. We can't afford to wait."

Silence enveloped us,the tickling of the clock on the wall the only sound. I stood up,my legs unsteady.

"I need some time to think." I said as I stood up,making my way to the door.

"Take your time,but remember what's at stake." he said as I held the knob to open the door.

I left the office,my mind loaded with a whirlwind of emotions. As I walked through the bustling corridor of the company,each step I took felt like I had a rock tied to my leg. With each face passing by looking like I was having a blurry vision.

I entered my car and started driving home. The drive home was blurred with the thoughts of fear and doubt in my mind.

Oliver had been the only person making me feel loved. He was always visiting and checking up on me like we were a married couple. My father never had my time since he got married to Monica, my stepmom. He spends most of his time out of office with her and their daughter, my stepsister- Chloe. I tried on many occasions to be on good terms with them,but they never gave me a chance.

I parked my car, staring at the steering wheel, it was a miracle I drove home safely. I tried to gather my thoughts,and the weight of the decision made it hard to breathe.

As I entered the apartment,the familiar scent of lavender welcomed me,but it brought no comfort. I fell on the couch, burying my face on it.

"What do I do?" I asked myself in a whisper.

I was so exhausted and within a twinkle of an eye, I fell into a spectre of sleepiness.