Was it Karma or was the universe on her side? She received the news with mixed feelings. She was happy that he was finally paying for his evil deeds but on the other hand, she wasn’t satisfied that this punishment wasn’t dished out by her.
Nelly received an email from her company the following day. They had a shoot and she was offered the lead role but she declined the offer. She wasn’t leaving the country until she had set her father’s company, which was now hers where it is supposed to be. Fortunately for her, her efforts were paying off, although bit by bit. The errors of the past generation were gradually giving way for the clean and decent methods of the new generation. Nelly was determined to set the company in transparent basis even if it would take time. Emma was a very sweet child who didn’t give her mother any trouble. Her mother had ample time to carry out her daily activities without having to worry about her. Ash was also there to make Emma feel at home.
One afternoon, Nelly was resting after a successful day at the office when a maid came to deliver a message.
“Miss, there is a young gentleman looking for you.”
“I’ll be there shortly.”
Nelly wondered who it could be that would be looking for her. As she came down the stairs, she observed this visitor but she didn’t know him. This man was standing, he declined the seat which was offered to him.
“Please sit,” Nelly said out of courtesy.
“I’m sorry madam. There’s no time for that. I came to deliver an urgent message.”
“Okay. Go ahead.”
He handed Nelly and envelope and went ahead to say,
“Our master requests to see you and his child. He’s in a critical condition and he pleads with you to hold off any grudge and acrimony and pay him a visit with his child. He’s waiting eagerly and he believes you would temper justice with mercy.”
“Is that all?” Nelly asked the man.
“Yes ma.”
“Fine. You can leave now. Take the envelope back to him. I’m not coming. And on no account should he send any of these stupid messages to my doorstep. Is that clear?”
“Yes madam. But madam…”
“No buts. Get out!”
Nelly turned and walked up the stairs, she was done with that conversation. The man left the house sadly. His superior had instructed him to do everything within his power to make sure he comes with that woman but it seems she was more difficult than they expected. On his way out, he saw Ash with a miniature of Ivan.
“That must be the daughter!”
He hurried to Ash and pleaded with him to help him.
“Can’t you all leave her alone? Why bother her now she’s happy where she is? I’m sure she asked you to leave and you were doing just that before I came in. Don’t bother me either,” he said calmly and off he went.
After the usual hugs and exchange of pleasantries, Ash decided to ask her about it.
“I saw the man Ivan sent.”
“He’s delusional to think that I’ll be there. He can f**king go to hell for all I care.”
Ash was silent for sometime.
“Nelly, just do it. I know you are not happy with him. You are even using swear words which you promise not to use. I also know he rejected this child and does not deserve to even set his eyes on her. I don’t know why I feel it within me that you should honour the invitation. Just take his daughter to him as he requested. And you don’t have to say anything to him if you get there.” Nelly bluntly refused but Ash finally had his way.
Ivan didn’t talk much when they came. He just wanted to see his daughter and have a little chit chat with her. Nelly only gave him five minutes and he kept to time.
“Please, come and see me again during the weekend,” he pleaded as they were leaving.
Nelly walked out of the private ward where Ivan was recuperating, away from the prying eyes of the world and sighed. She looked at her daughter and said in her heart,
“Sadly, that’s your biological father we just met. You will have to grow without him but trust me, I’ll make it up to you. I’m sorry for not giving you a father and for denying you fatherly love and affection.”
When Ash asked Nelly how the journey was, she sighed and said,
“Not bad. I only gave him five minutes. He even said we should come during the weekend.”
“And are you going?”
“Hell no! Remember I only went cos you insisted.”
There was no need to have that conversation. Ivan didn’t live to see the weekend. He gave up the ghost two days later.
“Hey Ash! How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. And you?”
“I’m great.”
“There’s a trill in your voice. Spill. What’s the latest?”
“Neuer called. You are right. I misunderstood him. It was his ex who still loved him.”
“You see. If you had removed his number from blacklist long ago, you would have sorted all these out.”
“Yes. Thanks for your advice. I’m happy now.”
“I’m happier. Everything has been solved. The company, your love life, your father and lastly and most importantly, your vengance mission. You didn’t even have to do it yourself.”
“Right. Providence was on my side!”
Nelly was preparing to travel back to Germany. She was sure her company was in safe hands now. She hired a board of experienced managers to handle the affairs of the company. She would call in from time to time to make sure all was right. She was waiting for Ash to come and take them to the airport as promised when a car drove into the compound. A well dressed young man stepped down and introduced himself as a lawyer, Ivan’s lawyer to be precise. He presented an ID to confirm what he said.
“You know that president Ivan is gone now. His will states that he has given 70% of his property to his daughter. He went further to say that he’s not doing this for you because he knows you will not accept his kind gestures. But he is doing it for his daughter. He’s sad he can’t be there for her as her father but he would make it up to her even if he’s no more. He also said he doesn’t want to have a difficult life for any reason whatsoever. And he wants his only offspring to take after the company when she’s of age. If she chooses not to, she can still retain the 70% ownership. Here’s the file that contains everything. President Ivan’s legal signature is there. You just have to sign yours here too madam.”
Nelly was moved by Ivan’s thoughtfulness. Although she didn’t need his money, she was amazed that he put his daughter first in everything. She would tell Emma in future that she had the best father on earth but fate didn’t let him live. She signed the document and took the other file he handed to her. Ivan’s letter to his daughter was inside it.
Ash soon arrived and in no time, they were at the airport. The flight was announced and they were ready to go into the departure hall. Nelly hugged Ash and whispered,
“I’ll invite you for my wedding soon. Thank you for everything.”
“You are priceless!” Ash responded and hugged Nelly and her daughter.