She stared at him coldly and Neuer shivered. Her cold gaze was intimidating and piercing like an adult’s. He had never seen a child look at anyone like that. When she was done staring, she decided to greet.
“Good evening, Mr Neuer.”
What the f**k happened to dad?
“Emma?” Nelly called to bring her to order but the obedient little girl didn’t flinch. Nelly and Neuer exchanged glances. Neuer moved closer to her and sat beside her. Emma grabbed her chips and focused her attention on the television.
“Baby, are you alright?” he asked cautiously.
“It’s Emma,” she corrected.
“Emma! Can you behave? Do you want me to spank your butt?” Nelly yelled.
“No mummy.”
“Apologise to your father this minute!”
“I’m sorry, Mr Neuer,” she apologised, deliberately skipping the word, ‘dad.’
Emma, for some strange reasons, had sworn never to call Neuer dad. Nelly had told her times without numbers but she wouldn’t hear. She was a little obedient girl but this was one area she gladly disobeyed. It was a puzzle Nelly and Neuer had tried to solve but never found an answer.
“It’s fine, baby…”
“Sorry, Emma,” Neuer corrected under Emma’s icy gaze.
“Damn! This girl is really something else,” he thought within. Nelly had told him that she inherited her father’s traits but he was beginning to think she had an overdose of it. She was just too little to be cold!
He put down the shopping bag he came with.
“Emma, I got you something.”
Emma didn’t spare him a glance. He decided to push further.
“I got your favourite biscuits. Here, have it.”
“No, thank you. I’m fine.”
Nelly was forced to speak.
“Why not sweetheart? It’s your favourite and dad bought it specifically for you”
“Mummy said I should not accept gifts from strangers.”
“Emma? Is something wrong with you? Now, go to your room and don’t come out until you are sorry and have apologized for your rude utterances.”
Neuer couldn’t hide his surprise and discomfort. As soon as Emma was out of sight, he stood up to leave.
“Neuer?”
He stopped and turned to her.
“Common, don’t be upset. She’ll come around. She’ll accept you one day…”
“When? Which day will it be?” Neuer lamented.
“Soon, I’m sure…”
“Is this how we will live together in the house? If we had gotten married earlier, we…”
“Neuer, come on. You know we were on it before…”
A knock came on the door. Amanda was back.
“Hi guys! Guess what? We need to celebrate. I have good news!”
The other two had to smile and blend in with her mood to avoid raising suspicion.
“Really? Tell us. What’s the news?” Nelly asked.
“Yh. I got a boy friend! Yepieeeee! He’s a handsome guy and he’s everything I want!” Amanda declared in excitement.
“Oh my goodness! Amanda you are so funny! I thought you had a very great news…” Neuer laughed.
Amanda feigned anger.
“That’s a good news! You and Nelly have rubbed it on my face for so long! Now, I have found my own man. I will be all lovey dovey like you two.”
The trio laughed.
A meeting was being held in Stratford company.
“Alright, I will be very brief about it. You all agree that the report of the company has increased by over 50%. The CEO has issued a new order. Our prestigious Stratford company will be upgraded and the name will be changed. This will help to increase the efficiency and output. The new name of the company is Jace group!”
After the announcement, the members of the board applauded. They had noticed the progress in the company and we’re solidly behind their new CEO. Bigger sales meant higher allowances. So, why not? They all accepted the new name. Stratford group had its name changed to Jace group.
Easton Landers sat with Katty in his garden. They were drinking juice and laughing merrily. Daisy was somewhere in the garden, stealing glances at them and eating cakes. She was seldom a part of their conversation. Katty successfully wiped her off the picture and had grandfather all to herself. She had tried her best to get a spot in grandfather’s heart but his heart belonged to Katty alone. Daisy sometimes doubted her bloodline. Grandfather often acted like she wasn’t his blood and that hurt her greatly. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she grabbed her remaining cakes and walked out of the garden.
“Grrrrnggg grrrrngggg”
The chrill ringing of a phone disrupted the silence. It was Katty’s phone. She made to decline the call but grandfather thought otherwise.
“No, go ahead and take your calls. I’ll be waiting for you here, okay?”
She smiled and went off with her phone. As soon as she left, Easton’s phone rang as well. He looked around to make sure no one was in sight before he took the call.
“What do you mean by that?” he thundered.
“Sir, something is going on in the company. Someone else wants it and is fighting to take it,” the informant reported.
“Who is that little brat that dares strike what belongs to me?”
“It’s a certain man, his name is Ethan, Ethan Stratford.”
“Stratford? Who is he?”
“I learnt he’s Mr Startford’s son.”
“Hmmm. That bloody old fool is bringing more offsprings to take over my possession. Listen and listen carefully. Report every single thing to me, miss no details. Is that clear?”
“Yes sir,” the informant answered.
Easton was a man who did anything to achieve his selfish dreams and views. He successfully placed an informant among the employees in Stratford company.
“Ethan Stratford? When did Nathan get a son? And why is that lousy lad interested in playing with fire? I will put an end to that bloodline of his. Nelly’s gone, now a new warrior is about rising. Nathan will pay dearly for this!” Easton cursed.
Easton thought of the best approach to use and an in no time, a brilliant thought occured to him from his stock of ideas. He always knew how to deal with situations like this. He knew it like the back of his palm. Having thought of what to do, he got up and set to implement it.