Ultimatum and opportunities

Lila and Danielle were coming out of the spa together. Hands in hands as they talked about the events of the previous day. Danielle had ordered a cab and he was already waiting for them.

"Oh, it's really you! Our champion chef! It's such a pleasure to have you in my cab," the driver said.

"You recognize me too?" Lila asked, confused. The spa attendants had also recognized her, and kept fusing over her and now this driver.

"Who wouldn't recognize the superman of the moment? My daughter is also a chef, and she longs to be like you. She told me how you reached the top even without a sponsor. She envies and admires you," the man said, admiration in his eyes as he stared at her through the car overhead mirror.

"Take this," Lila said, handing the driver her business card. "Your daughter can call me and we'll schedule a meeting, we can start from there," The driver was so happy and thanked her profusely but she waved it off.

"Feels good to be a celebrity, huh?" Danielle teased, whispering in her ears.

"It's overwhelming," Lila said, turning his head to look at the busy street through the car window.

"So, what's the plan now? Which way is forward?" Danielle asked, full of concern.

"I don't know. Maybe start a food brand or something," Lila said, avoiding eye contact to hide her confusion.

"Have you thought about owning a restaurant?" Danielle suggested. Before Lila could answer, the driver chimed in, "It would be amazing to have a chef like you own a restaurant. I'd personally advertise for you and drive people to your location," The driver tattled on happily, and Danielle smiled, pleased that her friend was the talk of the town.

A few minutes later, they arrived at their destination. Danielle paid the driver and turned to Lila. "No cooking until next week. You've been cooking non-stop, and nobody cared until now. Now that you're popular, just take this week off. It won't hurt you."

But a call interrupted and when Lila checked the caller ID, she found out it was Daniel. Danielle gave her a questioning look but instead Lila smiled shyly, pressing the phone to her ear.

***

Axel slumped in his chair, too tired to do anything, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, deep in thought. Brian noticed his unusual demeanor and approached him with concern.

"Hey boss, what's wrong with you today?" Brian asked, bending his head a little.

"How?" Axel retorted immediately, focusing his gaze on Brian who immediately grabbed a seat. It was rare to see Axel this way.

"Y-you seem off. You're not your usual self," Brian said, worried. Despite being Axel's assistant, he was also his friend. They had a great relationship and could be mistaken for best friends rather than boss and assistant.

"My dad wants me to get married," Axel blurted out, and as if on cue Brian laughed.

"What's funny?" Axel asked coldly, frowning at Brian who seized his laughter.

"I'm sorry," Brian said, swallowing hard. Axel could be intimidating when he was cold.

"Can't you just try to talk to him and explain that you're not ready to get married?" Brian suggested, obviously trying to help as he grabbed a coffee that sat on Axel's table for a while and had been left untouched.

"It's unnecessary. He already said he'd confiscate my assets if I don't get married in two months," Axel continued, but now he no longer sounded cold, he seemed tired.

"Your stepmom, she could—"

"My dad already told her not to interfere," Axel interrupted. “She's not an option,” he finished, feeling his pocket for something.

“Are you looking for something?” Brian asked but Axel didn't reply to him, rather he fetched the bracelet that had stuck to his cuff links previously.

“The girl from the cooking competition,” Axel said, but didn't continue, rather he kept on staring at the bracelet.

“What does this have to do with her?” Brian asked after a while.

"Find out everything about the girl who won the cooking contest yesterday."

"Lila?" Brian asked confused about Axel's sudden interest in knowing about her.

"Do I look like I'm only interested in her name? Find out everything about her and get it to me!" Axel raised his voice, banging the table, jolting Brian into action.

"O-okay, boss. Seems like you already know what you want," Brian said, getting up from his chair.

"What did you say?" Axel sneered.

"Nothing, boss. I'm sorry," Brian stammered. He gathered the documents on the table and retreated to his office.

***

A young woman with sky blue hair, wearing sunglasses and dressed expensively, sat in a coffee shop. She looked around, clearly waiting for someone. She picked up her phone to make a call when Kelly, Axel's only sister, entered the shop, also dressed exquisitely. People around them murmured, but Kelly ignored them and approached Flora.

"I had shows to attend, and I skipped them to meet you, only for you to make me wait for over an hour!" Flora exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, the traffic was bad," Kelly said, smiling broadly. "I brought good news," she continued, noting Flora's confused look.

"What good news?" Flora asked, still angry.

"Are you still mad? Anyway, my father told Axel to get married within a month, or he'll confiscate his assets," Kelly said, holding Flora's hands.

"Are you for real? I'm getting married?" Flora asked amusingly. She had been with Axel for almost two years. Though their relationship was not defined, they were always intimate.

"Of course. We have a wedding to plan, baby girl," Kelly said, excitement all over her face.

"Oh my God, how did you know all this? I thought you didn't bother with family problems," Flora asked inquisitively.

"My mom told me. Axel asked her to help talk my dad out of his ultimatum, but my dad turned her down. Lucky for us," Kelly said happily. "Don't worry, you'll be my bridesmaid."

"Surely, without a doubt!" Flora laughed, and they left the coffee shop.

***

"I almost killed the lion, but then I saw another antelope. I fought both of them and killed them without any flaws," Henry, a 55-year-old man, said drunkenly. The other bar patrons looked at him with pity. He was the father of a champion, yet he chose to disgrace himself in a bar.

The bar owner approached Henry, asking for his money. Henry rummaged through his pockets and handed her a few cents. She collected the money aggressively and muttered, "Useless old man."

A few minutes later, one of Axel's men approached Henry. "The boss wants to see you," the man said. Henry looked at him with contempt.

"Tell your boss I'm too busy with my bottle and will see him some other time," Henry said drunkenly.

The man lost patience and slapped Henry hard across the face. Henry suddenly sobered up and followed the man. He was brought before Axel.

"I'll have your money soon, President Roberts. Give me a little more time," Henry stammered.

"Quiet, old man!" Axel said coldly. Henry jerked in fear. "I have a task for you. If you do it, your gambling debt will be erased."

"I'll do anything for you, President Roberts. Even if it means killing my ex-wife a second time," Henry said, fidgeting.

"I found out that a woman suitable to be my wife is your daughter. Convince her to accept me as her husband, and your debts will be forgiven," Axel said with a dry smile.

Henry shuddered and said, "President Roberts, my daughter Lila is your wife already."

"Good," Axel said, ordering his men to release Henry.

When Henry got home, it was nearly 3 a.m. He went straight to Lila's room, tapping him awake. Lila woke in fear, thinking a thief had broken in.

"Get away from me! I don't have any money," Lila said anxiously, not seeing anyone in the dark.

"Lila, it's me," Henry said, finding the switch and turning on the lights.

"Dad," Lila said, holding his chest. "You scared me." He was surprised his father wasn't drunk.

"I'm sorry for startling you and disturbing your sleep, my princess. Daddy is sorry," Henry said. Lila's heart melted. Her father was a good man, but her mother's sudden death had deeply depressed him, leading to his drinking and gambling.

She touched her father's beard playfully. "It's fine, Daddy."

Henry sighed. "My princess, I need to tell you something that might upset you. But please don't judge me. I was depressed and acted out of impulse."

"Go on, Daddy," Lila said, giving him her full attention.

"First of all," Henry began, "I found out you won the competition you entered. I'm so happy for you. Daddy is proud to have a daughter like you." He hadn't finished speaking when Lila hugged him, whispering, "Thank you, Daddy."

Henry cleared his throat and continued. "A few years ago, I ran into debt. It wasn't with just anyone; it was with President Roberts."

Lila's heart tightened at Axel's name. She had only seen him once when he handed her the award for the cooking contest, but she had heard about his ruthless reputation. She remembered how the news had gone round that he had allegedly killed the governor, and how the police didn't dare arrest him. The memory made her feel even more suffocated.

"But he promised to forgive my gambling debt on one condition, and it all depends on you," Henry said pitifully.

Lila suddenly felt hopeful. She didn't want to lose her father, especially after losing her mother a few years ago.

"What's the condition, Daddy?" she asked, hope in her eyes.

"President Roberts wants you to be his wife," Henry revealed, dropping the bombshell. Lila felt used, realizing her father planned to sell her to settle his debts. She would have to give up her dreams and live like a caged pet under the guise of being an aristocratic wife.

"Get out of my room, Daddy," Lila shouted tearfully, but when he didn't leave, she yelled again, throwing her pillow at the edge of the bed, "Leave!"

Henry left quietly, and Lila couldn't help but burst into tears, crying into her pillow.

***

Axel was working on his computer when Flora burst in suddenly.

"Why haven't you been picking my calls, Axel?" Flora blurted out. The secretary followed her in, apologizing to Axel with a look that indicated she had tried her best to stop Flora.

Axel acknowledged the secretary and indicated for her to leave, which she did happily, relieved she wouldn’t lose her job.

"Answer my question, Axel!" Flora shouted, her hands crossed below her breasts.

"I didn't feel like picking them," Axel said, ignoring her as he continued working on his computer, not even sparing her a glance.

"We're supposed to be married in a month's time, and you're behaving like this. How are we supposed to plan our wedding?" Flora said, standing with her hands on her hips.

Axel finally looked at her and scoffed, he was clearly surprised by her words. "Did I just hear you say 'our wedding? You are getting this wrong ain't you? Flora, the only person getting married here is me."

"And I'm supposed to be your bride, right, baby?" Flora said, uncrossing her hands as she walked closer to him, gently massaging his shoulders.

"We weren't in a relationship, and I never proposed to you. So why are you delusional about being my bride?" Axel said coldly, pushing her hands off his shoulders

"But we had sex, Axel," Flora said, on the verge of tears.

"And it was just sex," Axel replied, looking back at his computer. "Nothing more."

Flora stood there, stunned and humiliated. “You must marry me, Axel. I am the only woman you should be with,” Flora said, breaking down in tears.

"If you spend ten more seconds on that chair, your death will be worse than that of the governor," Axel said casually. Flora stood up, crying and cursing, grabbing her bag and leaving his office. She knew how ruthless and deadly Axel was and wouldn't dare step on his toes.

Axel smiled dryly, picking up the phone as he phoned his secretary, "If she comes into my space again, your job will be the atoning sacrifice."