Chapter 2

“Welcome home Honey.” Mrs. Yvonne greeted her husband after a brief hug.

“Welcome home Dad.” Sienna hugged her dad, pecking him on the cheeks

“Yeah, thank you.”

“You look stressed out.” Mrs. Yvonne commented after observing her husband’s facial expression for some time.

“Welcome Sir.” The head maid greeted and took his bag to his room.

“Mmm," He muttered a reply.

“Today was stressful.” Mr. Eric started but paused noticing his first daughter didn’t come out to welcome him. Where’s Grace?” He asked.

“Hmm…you ought to know how that daughter of yours behaves.” His wife replied already tired of talking about Grace.

“Wait! You mean she isn’t back yet?”

“Yes, she isn’t back.”

“What kind of daughter is she? Can’t she learn from her younger sister?” Mr. Eric suddenly shouted, startling everybody around.

“Is anything the problem? This is not the first time she’s doing this unless something came up in the office and you’re looking for who to vent on.” Mrs. Yvonne stated, slightly frowning at her husband's outburst.

“Won’t you let me have some rest first?” Mr. Eric replied, avoiding his wife’s observant eyes.

“Forgive my manners, we have been waiting for you. Let’s have dinner.” She said, leading her husband and daughter to the dining. Halfway into the act of eating, Mr. Eric started becoming restless.

“Is anything bothering you Dad?” A low feminine voice asked.

“Uuuhm… No dearie, nothing is bothering Daddy. Sorry for keeping you waiting, eat so you can go to bed.” Mr. Eric replied but he should have known that this shy, smart daughter of his won’t give up easily.

“Okay, Dad, but whatever the problem is, just bear in mind that there is always a solution to every problem.” Sienna encouraged.

“Aww! What a beautiful daughter I’ve got here.” Mrs. Yvonne fawned.

“Thank you, Mum,” Sienna smiled, lowering her head to the plate.

“Thanks for the encouragement, Anna.” Mr. Eric said, patting her on the head.

He could not just give up the company he struggled to build up right from the start. It doesn’t matter if he is a mere manager and the owner of the company just by name; he is sure that Sienna will turn everything around once she takes over the seat of the manager.

“Good night Dad.”

“Good night Mum.” Sienna said after she was full.

“Good night Dear.” Mr. Eric replied.

“Good night, Baby; make sure to bathe before you sleep.”

“Sure, Mum,” She replied and climbed the stairs to her room. When Mrs. Yvonne saw that her daughter was gone, she turned to her husband and asked.

“Are you willing to tell me the problem now Mr. William?” Sighing, Mr. Eric massaged his forehead, running his hand over his thinning head. This wife of his would never let go.

“Let’s finish eating, but where did you say Grace went to?” Mr. Eric asked.

“She went out and I don’t know where. If she’s not back today, then she’ll be back tomorrow morning.” Mr. Eric sighed again, this time, the fatigue was evident in his sigh before he continued shifting the food around his plate.

If only she could be a bit like her younger sister, things would be a little easier. After their food, the couple sat down in the sitting room and Mr. Eric narrated everything that happened in the office to his wife.

“You mean he — my God!” Mrs. Yvonne was over the moon. If Grace agrees to be betrothed to Mr. Hugo’s son, then she, Yvonne, will be addressed as the in-law to-be of the Owen family.

“Why are you getting excited when we are not even sure if Grace will accept —”

“Don’t say that! I know my daughter; she had always wanted to get into one of these super-rich families.” Mrs. Yvonne interrupted her husband, making a face.

“With these attitudes of hers?” Mr. Eric asked his wife and they kept on going back and forth with their argument till finally, the reason for their argument entered the house.

“Wait, I think she’s back.” Mrs. Yvonne whispered and the couple went silent till a creaking sound from the door was heard as Grace slowly opened the door.

“God!” Grace screamed, her tiptoeing coming to a stop as she placed her hand on her chest to calm her racing heart.

“What a wonderful daughter you are.” Mr. Eric commented sarcastically.

“Good evening Dad, Mum.” Grace greeted and became nonchalant again.

“Sit Dear, we have something important to discuss with you.” Mrs. Yvonne said slowly, trying not to let her husband get annoyed with their daughter’s actions.

“What is it, mum?” Grace asked as she sat down. Mrs. Yvonne looked at her husband, signaling him to start the discussion but the man's mood had already turned sour.

“What is it, mum?” Grace asked again, a scowl settling on her face.

“Okay, the thing is, the Owens want you to get betrothed to one of their sons.” Mr. Yvonne said, but her daughter looked at her as if she had suddenly developed two heads.

“Did you hear me?” Mrs. Yvonne asked Grace, waving her hands in front of Grace's face.

“Mum?” Grace called.

"Yes Dearie”

"Are you kidding?”

"Why would I? Ask your Dad.” Mrs. Yvonne replied and before Grace could turn to look at her Father.

“Yes, it’s true; Mr. Hugo Owen, the head of the Owen family, proposed that idea today.” Mr. Eric said.

"Oh God!” Grace shouted, covering her mouth; she was speechless.

So at last, she would get an edge over her younger sister.

"Did you agree to their proposal?” She asked, her face beaming with excitement.

“No, I needed to hear from you.” He replied, getting happy that the company would be saved but he didn’t let his happiness reflect on his face.

“Why Dad? Why?”

“I will tell him about it tomorrow, and then we can plan on getting you guys to meet each other.” Mr. Eric replied void of any emotion.

Grace was so excited that she stood up, walked around the sitting room, and sat back, smiling and muttering things to herself while her parents just sat down, watching her.

“Mum, is this real?”

“Yes, dear.” Mrs. Yvonne replied with a smile brighter than the sun.

"We need to talk.” Mr. Eric interrupted in a stiff voice, and Grace stiffened; she didn’t like the sound of that.

"Where are you coming from?” He asked.

“You had better behave yourself and tell the truth because I can still tell Mr. Hugo you are not interested in his proposal.” He quickly added when he saw the mischievousness in her eyes.

“From the club with my friends.” She replied and Mr. Eric closed his eyes to contain the anger building up in his chest. He needed to try his utmost best not to lash out.