THE PROPOSAL

Chapter One:

Fiona's POV:

"I love you and I'm proud of you," my Dad said.

"Thank you, Dad, I love you too," I replied.

"Congratulations, Fiona," Thomas chipped in.

Thomas was my younger brother and as stubborn as ever. I wonder what life would be like without him or Dad.

My mother left us 12 years ago, just when she had given birth to my brother Thomas. I do not know if she was scared or something else.

I was only 8 then and too young to understand. So it's just my brother and dad attending my graduation.

"Now, would you look at that? I am looking at the best graduating student," Uncle Victor said as he made his way to us.

Uncle Victor was my father's best friend and the only one of his friends that I know.

"You can come to work at my company if your dad's company refuses your job application," He said with a laugh, and I smiled.

"Now, why would she go to work at your company?" Father asked.

"Well, for starters, you could just offer her the job but you want her to be interviewed and tested," Victor noted.

"What type of man would that make me? Or how do you think my employees will look at me from now on? I'm just trying my best not to be biased and show my children and employees that business is business. And not even family should influence that," Father explained.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Doing the right thing will only get you into trouble," Victor warned.

After eating and drinking with a few of Dad's employees in attendance, the house became as it was before, empty.

The graduation was over and I wondered, what next? I never really planned how or what I was going to do aside from working for my father and that too hung on a balance, being a probability.

"Prepare for your interview in two days. I hope you understand why I have to do this. Life doesn't always come easy," He explained but I didn't need to hear it.

"Yes, I do," I answered curtly.

Two days later, I was in the queue waiting to be interviewed. I cannot believe Father wanted me to go through all this.

If anything, at least, I should not have to be in the queue.

"Miss Lawson, they will see you now," The receptionist informed me and I quickly stood up.

The receptionist led me into a room where I was met by a pair of gazing eyes. There were about 8 of them in the room and I tried to calm my nerves.

"Miss Lawson, you do look familiar," One of them noted.

"Are you Mr. Lawson's daughter?" Another asked.

"Yes, I am," I answered, and they looked at each other, whether in shock or excitement, I could not tell.

It turns out my dad never mentioned to them that I'd show up here. He must have wanted them to torment me with questions.

They did ask me a few questions and I attempted to answer all. Only the last question tried to unnerve me a bit.

"Do you think you're entitled to this job just because your father is its founder and owner?" One of them had asked.

Not that it was a bad question, it just threw me off balance as I did not expect them to be so reckless with their questioning.

I took a deep breath and said calmly, "No, I do not. I believe everyone out there who is here for the interview is entitled to the job. Not because of who my father is, but because I am capable of doing this job, it is the only thing I know how to do well."

They dismissed me and I went home with my father refusing to want to hear anything about the interview.

"I think I must have spoiled you a bit too much. You complain about almost everything," He had noted.

"Daddy, that is not true," I opposed.

"It is. You're 20, Fiona. You should grow up for life is not always as it seems and I won't always be here to answer to your every whim," He had warned.

"But Dad, I just need the job so I can fully grow up and be a woman of my own. Just give me the job," I begged.

"It is not in my power," He answered angrily, I moved to my room.

Two weeks and still, nothing. Not even a rejection email from the company and Dad was silent about it.

Just when I thought to forget about the job, Dad walked in and said, "8:00 a.m. on Monday, do not be late. I'm sure you can find your way around it. You better make good use of this opportunity."

And like hell, I did. For three months in a row, I have been crowned the employee of the month. It has been two years now of working here and Dad seems excited about it.

He was celebrating with the employees today.

"Just a few months ago, we could have gone bankrupt had Fiona not come up with that brilliant idea of hers," He started with them cheering in applause.

"Thank you all for being very hard-working and dedicated to the growth of this company. I promise it's only a matter of time before we take over the world," He finished and they cheered him on until he sat down.

"Dad, I am tired and would like to go home," I complained to him.

"Oh, dear. The celebration is just getting started. You can go on, I'll finish up here and meet you at home. Thomas must miss us too. Drive safely," He said as I turned to leave.

I got home just in time to tuck Thomas into bed and decided to take a warm bath, thinking of all the memories at the company today and all the many possibilities we could achieve.

Dad was right, it was only a matter of time. And the world was not ready.

Took a while to get out of the bathroom and I got back to the room to a ton of missed calls from an unknown number.

Who would call me this late? I wondered.

"Hello," I started when I answered the call.

"Miss Lawson?" The caller asked.

"Yes," I answered cautiously.

"I'm afraid you have to come to the hospital..." The caller began to say.