The Billionaire’s Pawn

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“I feel like I’ve been called to the principal’s office for misbehavior. It makes me nervous, Dad.” I kissed Dad on his cheek. I always loved his home office. I had plenty of good memories, and so as in those difficult times.

“Have a seat, London.”

“Thanks.” I sat on my favorite sofa. Dad couldn’t just throw it away. He re-upholstered it because he knew the recliner meant a lot to me. During my darkest day, I slept in here while he was working.

“How was your date with Striker?”

My brow arched. “Date? It wasn’t a date. We just met with his friends and had some fast food. The burger is good, though. And why did you have to fire him? What happened was out of our control, and we didn’t-”

“Save your strength. I don’t wanna hear about it, London. What’s done is done. I have given you everything and anything you’ve asked because I wanted you to be strong and proud of yourself. One day, I will step down as Chairman and president, and you will take that position.”

“I hope not too soon, Dad.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not rushing you to a position you’re not ready for. You still have a lot to learn about running the company. So far, you’ve done an excellent job and made me proud.”

I smiled delightfully. “Thank you.”

“And I made my decision. It wasn’t easy. I want you to know that everything I do is for your own good.”

“What is it all about, Dad?” He suddenly made me nervous. My hands began sweating.

“You and Striker are getting married.”

My jaw dropped. I stared at Dad for a moment, unblinking, figuring out if he was messing with me or if this was some prank, but he didn’t seem the kind of person to pull that trick on me.

Then I started laughing as I got to my feet. “Me and Striker?” I pointed at myself. “Are you kidding? He and I are getting married?”

“Yes.”

“Are you messing with me? It’s not funny, Dad.”

When his expression remained the same, I felt like my world had stopped. “Why? We don’t even like each other. I mean, what do we have in common? We’re not in love. Aren’t we supposed to be in love, get to know each other, decide for ourselves to settle down, and talk about our future before we get married? Because that’s what normal people do, Dad.”

He sat on his desk, crossed his arms over his chest, unimpressed while listening to me.

“Dad, we cannot, for the love of God. What happened that night was a mistake, and we were not even sure we slept together. The CCTV footage outside my room was somehow just out of order. I don’t even remember anything. And honestly, I don’t care, but you can’t force us to get married when I don’t even know him.”

“I made my decision. It’s final.”

“Well, let me spell it out for you. Since you won’t get married and say I do, you don’t have a say in my life. I’m an adult. He’s a man of his own, and I don’t think you can compel him or force him to marry me because you feel it’s convenient for you.”

“Well, young lady, here’s what I wanna say. You are going to marry Striker Cade-”

“Or what?” My chin started trembling. My eyes began to fill with tears, but I still looked him in the eye. “Put me in a dungeon until I agree?”

“I will shut down the operation of London Hester. How about that? And don’t even think of your savings and investments. Do you remember the contract you signed? You won’t get a penny from your inheritance if I die. Fifty billion dollars will go to charities. Your savings won’t last five years. Trust me, London. And I don’t think you can cook or wash your clothes. You won’t survive without my money. That’s the fact.”

“I can’t believe you would do this to me, to your only daughter. And use your money and position to decide for my life.” I sat back, shaking to cry. “This is drastic and derogate. This is unfair.”

“Life is unfair. I want you to secure your life and your future, London.”

I wiped my tears. “My future is not about marriage, Dad. I still have a lot of things to do, experience, and achieve. Marriage is not something I decide overnight because Striker Cade is in town.”

“Like dating worthless men. You’re wasting your time.”

“It’s not just about dating. I have a lot of things to learn in my life. I thought of all people who would understand what my life had been like for the past two years was you. Have some compassion, Dad. And this is not what Striker would want.”

“He’s a good man, London. Why can’t you see that?”

“I’ve seen that for two years, Dad. That’s what scares me. You’re going to take that life away from him, his freedom, and how do you think he would react to this? He has so much life ahead of him. And I would only look so desperate to get married. I can’t do that to him.”

“He wants to marry you.”

I cried and laughed. My emotions were everywhere, and I couldn’t control them. I was torn between being grateful and sad. “And why in the hell would he do that? Did you threaten him?”

“No. We had a sit down with Tate.”

“Oh, my God. Wow.” I covered my face, embarrassed. “I couldn’t believe this was happening.” I could see the look on Striker’s face. He must be confused and furious. “That couldn’t be. He doesn’t like me. Why would he risk his life for someone broken and useless like me.”

“Don’t. Don’t ever say that to yourself, London.”

“I am damaged good, Dad.” I wanted to point it out even if he had already decided. I still had the right to say what I wanted.

“You and Striker will fix whatever is damaged. He will be a good husband. Give this a chance.”

“This is a marriage we’re talking about. This is not some dating game. Are you even hearing yourself right now? You can’t force two persons to be together because you feel it’s convenient for you.” I rose to my feet and looked at him one more time. “This is the most demeaning thing you’ve ever done to me. I may agree, but after this, we’re done, and because I’ve invested too much on LH, but you and I? Are over. I hope you are happy now, father.”

“You will thank me later for doing this, London.”

I walked away from his office, hoping not to see his face for days. I couldn’t believe he managed to convince Striker to fall into his trap. Whatever it was, I was going to find out.

Once I was out of his property, I dialed Striker, and he picked up right away as if he was waiting for someone to call him.

“Vanderford?” Every time he called me by that name, I felt like I was his best friend. I was on his team.

I shut my eyes closed the moment I heard his voice. I took a deep breath before I replied. “Hey. Have a minute?” I wished he would not recognize the crack and shakiness in my voice.

“Yup. Pros of having no job.”

I chuckled. “I need to talk to you. Where are you?” There you go, my voice gave in. I shook to cry in the backseat.

“Vanderford, what’s going on? Where are you?” I felt the worry and alertness in my voice.

“I just came from Dad.”

“Put Reed on the phone.”

“Why?”

“Just do it, okay?”

“Okay.” I tapped Reed on his shoulder so he could take my phone. I wiped my face and blew my nose on the tissue, but my tears kept pouring.

“London,” Reed called me, giving my phone back.

“What did he say?”

“I’m driving you to the address he gave me.”

“Thank you.” I nodded.

“It’s gonna be okay, ma’am.”

“I don’t think so. My life hasn’t been easy for the last two years. Now that I found a friend, I’m about to lose him too. And it’s frustrating.”

“There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel, ma’am. Been there, done that. Just don’t lose hope.”

“I hope you’re right.” I took a few deep breaths and rested my head when it started hammering. I knew I would have a migraine later, but it couldn’t compare to the pain I felt right now-I felt for myself, and I felt for Striker.

I closed my eyes, hoping to rest, but I shook to cry again. Good thing, a few minutes later, Reed said that we had finally arrived.

The door opened on my seat, and I realized it wasn’t Reed. It was Striker in distressed jeans and a shirt leaning toward me.

I smiled sadly and took the hand he offered. I threw myself into him the moment I got out of the car, and I needed someone right now who would never judge me.

“I’m so sorry.” That was all I could say.

“It’s gonna be alright.” He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me so tight.

“No, it’s not.”

“Trust me, we had rough days but pulled through, Vanderford.”

I wiped my tears once I pulled away. I probably looked like crap, but he’d seen me in my worse in the same clothes for days. I looked around. It was a two-story modern house with a sharp geometry design.

“Yours?”

“Yup. Not as big as yours, but I’m proud to call it home.”

“I like it. It has all the elements of you from all angles.”

“Just by looking at it from the outside? Wait until you get in.” He was smiling at me. He looked amused and amazed at the same time. When he wiped a tear on my cheek, I had to look up not to cry again.

“Pretty much.”

“Reed, you can go. I’ll take it from here.”

“Call me if you need anything, ma’am,” Reed said before he went back to the car.

“Thanks.”

His house was designed with grace and beauty, with an open concept in the receiving area, making it look generously spacious. I followed him to his personal space overlooking the backyard, open garden, and pool. It looked relaxing and amazing from there.

I took off my shoes and curled into a ball on the comfy couch. His small gesture, covering my body with the throw, melt my heart.

“Can I take you something to drink or eat?”

“No wine, please?”

“Right.” He tucked a strand behind my ear before he stood up.

Once he was gone, I closed my eyes. I just wanted to forget my problems for tonight, or I would end up in the mental hospital.

“Yeah. Don’t worry. She’s gonna be fine. Bye.”

“My dad?”

“Nope. Neke.”

“Oh.”

“Reed probably informed your dad by the time he left.”

“And you seem okay with everything.”

“Rest. We have time to talk about it. Here, I brought you water.”

“Thanks.” I sat down and took the water he offered. After I drank, I sighed and looked at him. I didn’t realize he was also looking at me. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. And enough with the apology.” He came beside me and wrapped his arm around me so I could lean on him. He seemed so on board with this, making me feel more terrible and guilty.

I burst out crying again in his arms, just like the first time we met. “This is so terrible.”

“I’m here, Vanderford. You’re not alone anymore. I’m here with you.”

“How could you be so cool about this? What about your life?”

“I think my life started the moment we met.”