Chapter 4 4. Erica panicked

Wina Parker threw her Hermes bag onto her desk, scattering office files everywhere.

Her red bodycon dress felt suffocating, and her lips trembled with anger.

"Damn little girl!" Wina hissed.

Her heavy makeup smudged from the force of her hands on her face.

Her fantasy of Oscar Sebastian being hers was shattered by Erica's words, " She's my future stepmom!"

The image of Donita, who had shown her how much Oscar defended her, made her emotional.

Even Donita's body was younger and sexier than hers, igniting a jealous flame that burned through her entire soul.

Yes, as a more experienced woman, she knew she had lost. It was clear that Oscar preferred Donita over her.

"Future wife? Nonsense! Oscar Sebastian will never fall into that girl's hands!"

She grabbed the office phone. "Kevin, come to my office. Now!"

Wina felt that she had to act quickly. Her anger was still boiling over. "That stupid girl! How dare she!"

Shortly after, a young man in a neat shirt and slicked-back hair entered, carrying a tablet. "Can I help you, Ms. Davis?"

"Sit down," Wina ordered. "I have an important task for you."

Kevin nodded, sitting down in the chair in front of Wina's desk, ready to take notes.

"I want all the information in detail about a girl named Donita Parker. Starting from her family background, and everything else, as detailed as possible,"

Kevin furrowed his brow slightly. "Donita Parker? What's her connection to Ms. Parker, Ms. Davis?"

"None of your business!" snapped Wina. "She is a threat to my plans. I want her out of Oscar Sebastian's life."

Kevin lowered his head. He didn't fully understand what his boss was talking about. "Alright, Ms. Davis. I'll find her right away."

"I need that information immediately. If you can't get it quickly, I'll fire you," Wina threatened, her voice as cold as ice.

"Alright, Ms. Davis. I'll make it first," Kevin quickly stood up and left the room.

Wina smirked. "Donita Parker. You'll regret daring to interfere with my plans. Oscar Sebastian is mine!!"

She stared at Oscar's photo in the business magazine on her desk. Oscar was her obsession, and all her sexual fantasies were about that handsome yet cold man.

She always thought about becoming part of Oscar's life. She had imagined how beautiful it would be to hold his broad, muscular chest and make love to that cold man.

According to rumors, the man who always appeared so cold must have a strong sexual desire. Plus, he was incredibly wealthy!! A complete package she couldn't let go of. That's why she wanted Oscar Sebastian !!

Wina opened her laptop, searching for news about Oscar Sebastian. She knew Oscar was a very private man about his personal life after his wife's death.

But she also knew there was a weakness. Everyone has a weakness. And she would find Oscar's weakness, so she could pressure him into marrying her.

"We'll see who laughs last," she smirked, her smile growing wider, looking intimidating. She already had several plans in her head.

***

"Why, Donita, dear? You don't seem to believe that my father really wants to go through with this marriage? It's not because of me!"

Erica's voice answered Donita's doubts as they walked together. They had just finished an awkward lunch, as Oscar had returned to his cold demeanor after the Wina incident.

Donita sighed. "Is it that obvious? I'm actually not sure about your father. It seems like he doesn't like me. Marriage is for life, Erica!! And I don't want your dad to marry me because he's forced to."

"Who said he's forced? He really wants you! He even stood up for you!" Erica exclaimed, baffled.

"That means Daddy really has feelings for you, Donita!" Erica said playfully.

"I don't know! Maybe I'm just not sure?" Donita asked softly, her voice filled with doubt.

Erica stopped in her tracks, staring at her friend. "He stood by your side and defended you. Even if he didn't say anything, his actions showed that he's on your side."

"Erica, I don't know why, but I'm still not sure!!" Donita clenched her fists.

"He didn't even ask if I was okay after meeting Wina and confronting her," Donita complained, a bit annoyed.

"That's just how Daddy is! He doesn't like showing his emotions in public!" Erica defended. "He's a CEO! Imagine if he was all smiles in front of his employees? He'd lose his authority!"

"But it's not just in public. When he called me to ask for my approval, his voice was as cold as ice. It was like he was collecting a debt," Donita continued, her frustration reaching its peak.

Erica paused for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Okay, okay. I understand what you mean, he's not the romantic type. But I promise you, Daddy loves you."

"How can you be so sure?" Donita looked at Erica with pleading eyes. "Has he ever said anything to you about his feelings for me?"

Erica bit her lip. "Um, well... If he agreed to marry you without any drama and immediately started preparing everything himself, I think that's something he's never done for any other woman."

Donita looked at her best friend and was about to protest, but Erica cut her off and gave a firm argument.

"Even I, as his daughter, have never been praised or given rewards that show excessive love. But once, Daddy told me that you're beautiful and smart."

"You know I've never been told that. If I ask, 'Am I beautiful, Dad?' He just answers, 'Beautiful!' That's it!"

"That's just how my dad is. Flat like a highway! Cold, like a fridge... or a freezer!"

That answer didn't fully comfort Donita. Seeing the rejection on Donita's face, Erica felt she had to do something immediately.

The woman didn't want her future stepmother to run away from the wedding like in the novels.

"Donita, you've already agreed! All the preparations are underway! You can't back out now!" Erica started to panic.

"My dad said he'd take care of everything. Imagine how embarrassing it would be for all of us if you suddenly change your mind!"

"But if he doesn't like me, what should I do? I can't marry someone I don't love! I want a happy married life." Donita's voice grew weaker.

Erica held Donita's shoulders. "Trust me. I know my dad. I'm sure he loves you. He might just not be used to showing it with words or actions."

Donita could only remain silent, her mind in turmoil. Erica's words and the approaching wedding date clashed with Oscar's cold demeanor.

"I... I just want to know what's in his heart," Donita whispered.

"You will know, Don. Soon, you will know," Erica replied, trying to reassure her.

However, the doubt in Donita's eyes did not fade.