Chapter 23: Chapter 23

THREE YEARS LATER

Richard’s POV

“Ashley, bring me the file of the Daystar group of companies with immediate effect. Also make sure to call the modelling agency that we'll be ready with their work in the next two hours” I shot out orders through the intercom in my office to my new secretary of three years as I went back to face the document in front of me.

For the past three years, my company has soared higher and I've managed to reach the top ten richest bachelors in the world because my dedication to work has been twice as normal, It's the only thing I live for now.

“These are the files you requested for sir” The secretary placed the brown paper file on the table.

“Thank you, you can take your leave” I replied, not looking away from the work.

“The Queen has requested to see you sir, should I let her in?”

“Do you need an official announcement for you to know you should let her in?” I spat.

“I'm sorry sir, I'll let her in right away” She walked out of the door and not long after the door opened to reveal Tiffany in all her smiling glory.

“Joblessness does look good on you” After the accident she had three years back, the fall had affected her brain and the doctor had advised her to stay away from anything that'll make her stress her brain. She had to close down her company and stayed at home to help with the affairs of the country.

“You'll never be nice, will you, Richard” she said playfully

“You know me too well to know that nice no longer exists in my dictionary” I replied and stood up from my seat to attend to her.

“When was nice ever included in your so called dictionary, but you were once nice when a beautiful woman was in your life, but I know she's at peace right now” the mention of that woman caused my head to spin a little, I just don't buy the idea of anyone talking about her.

“I think we should change the topic, Tiffany, we should focus more on the reason why you're here. You never come to me without a reason, what's your agenda, Queen?” She smiled a little before replying.

“I have a proposal or should I say I'm here to remind you of something really important” Taking a small paper from her bag, she gently opened it and raised it up for me to see myself.

Reading the content of the letter, I stood up from my seat to resume my work.

“You just can't ignore it right now, Richard. It's been three years and I think it's time you move on”

“Move on with what exactly, Grandfather's will. I should get married to a woman I don't even know. Someone who's from a rival family. That's totally insane, I won't do it and I still won't do it. That's final”

Placing her hand on her forehead, she was silent for a few minutes. I know she's trying to keep her cool.

“This is what your grandfather wants, it's his wish. You're not even in a relationship anymore, your fiancé and your baby are gone. What else do you want to do apart from following your Grandfather's wish”

She explained gently.

“Not all last wishes are granted, Tiffany and his won't be an exception. I won't get married to this Bella or whatever and it's final. Nobody can change my mind about that” I roared

“Your father wants you to ascend the throne in the next few months and you know it's not possible to rule without a Queen by your side, you need a powerful woman by your side. It's not all about love”

“Yes, maybe it is not all about love, but I don't want to end up the same way you and Dad ended up. I want a life of my own” I've already said the word before my brain could process the gravity.

“I'm sorry we turned out that way but what is the way forward here? Do you have a woman you're in love with?” That took me by surprise because Tiffany is not that type of person to bother about your love life

“What happened to the old Tiffany?”

She grinned

“The old Tiffany died that night and this Tiffany” she said pointing to herself. “Is a brand new one, I have to take things easy now, if not my brain will end up not functioning and I'll be brain dead in an hour” She sat down back.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at me

“What do you want to do now, Richard? You don't have a woman, do you?”

“You've asked once already, twice is annoying”

“Just answer the question so we'll know the way forward from here” She said

“No, I don't” I replied finally.

“I have two options for you, Richard. The best two solutions that I have for you now and you have to choose one”

“Bring it on, I'm listening” I sat down opposite her

“The first option is for you to go out there and hire a woman to introduce to your father and after you ascend the throne, you tell him you've divorced the woman already and keep rolling in lies till you find a proper woman”

“That'll take me right back to where it all started” I said, remembering the whole drama I had with Vanessa back then.

“What do you mean” she asked with Curiosity.

“Nothing, the first option is good but not good to the extent that I could follow it. It's a no for me. What's the other option?” I asked

“Meet up with Bella Malik” she paused a little, maybe she was waiting for my brain to process it “Think about it Richard, if you finally agree to this and we arrange the meeting for the two of you to meet, after the meeting, come up with a reason why you can't marry her. That'll delay the whole process for a while. Think about this Richard” She swallowed one of her pills and downed the water placed on the table.

“Why are you doing this, Tiffany? I don't trust you this much”

“I'm sorry if I never did anything to enable my son to trust me, but I'm doing this because I don't want you to end up like us, your parents” I nodded in total understanding of what she had said.

“What do you say about this, Richard”

“Let's do it, arrange a meeting with Bella on my behalf”