THE ULTIMATUM

 I could sense the tension in the air the morning after the article's publication. Just as I was finishing up, there was a loud bang on the door. When I opened it and saw Uncle Harold standing there with a sinister, scary expression, my heart leaped. 

He said, "Emma," and entered without waiting for permission. "We must have a conversation." 

"Relative to what?" With my arms crossed defensively, I asked. "Harold, I'm not interested in your games." 

"Oh, but this isn't a game," he said in a solemn, low voice. "This has to do with your future." 

"My next step?" I nodded, experiencing a mixture of bewilderment and rage. "Explain what you mean." 

"I'm discussing your connection with James," he murmured, his gaze tightening. "It must come to an end. Right now.

Put an end to it? I cried out, raising my voice. How come I would do that? 

"Because it's a liability," he uttered in a contemptuous tone. Do you really believe that the board will back you up if they witness you with a man who has a contentious past? Your current connection will simply exacerbate the scrutiny that already exists for you. 

With my heart pounding, I shot back, "I don't care what the board thinks." "James is a decent man who stands by me." 

"Aiding?" Harold sneered. "What occurs if he decides he no longer wants to be in your relationship? You will have nothing left over. 

"I refuse to allow that to occur," I replied in a calm tone. "I'm fine with managing my own relationships, thank you." 

He moved closer and said, "Emma, you're being naive." I'm attempting to keep you safe. You could lose the business, your reputation, and your fortune if you don't put an end to this right away. 

"Is that a danger?" With wrath in my voice, I questioned. "You're attempting to rule my life, and I refuse to allow it." 

"Oversee?" Harold remarked, arching his brow. I'm just offering you wise counsel. You should consider what is best for you. 

"I am aware of what's optimal for me," I murmured, my heart racing. "And to be with James is that." 

Then you're making a mistake, he said in a chilly tone of voice. "You'll be sorry." 

He then pivoted on his heel and walked away, leaving me feeling angry and disturbed. Is he really going to control my life? I would no longer allow him to rule me. 

My heart was heaving from Harold's ultimatum when I saw James later that night at our favorite café. I had to tell him what had happened and I needed to discuss. 

James responded, his smile lighting up the room, "Hey, you." You appear a little anxious. Everything alright?

As I slid into the booth across from him, I said, "Not really." "Today, Harold stopped by." 

"Harold?" he repeated, his features displaying worry. "What was his desire?" 

I added, terrified, "He confronted me about our relationship." "He desires that I stop it. He says it is an obligation. 

James's face became stern. How come? That is absurd! It shouldn't be necessary for you to decide between your family and me. 

"I understand," I replied as I felt the strain increase. "But he made it very clear that everything I've worked for my inheritance, the company, and everything may be lost if I don't end things with you." 

James responded firmly, "Emma, you can't let him control you like this." "You should be happy; if that means being with me, then that's okay." 

With my heart pounding, I said, "I want to be with you." However, I also wish to preserve the legacy of my family. Harold just cannot win. 

His eyes were passionate as he pleaded, "Then let's fight back together." "We'll demonstrate to him our lack of fear." 

I felt a mixture of fear and determination as I stared into his eyes. But what if it doesn't work out? "What if everything is lost?" 

"Then let's work it out together," he added, extending his hand to grab mine across the table. "Emma, you're not alone in this." 

My phone interrupted the moment when it buzzed on the table. I saw a message from an unknown number when I looked down. I opened it and felt my heart sink. 

"Avoid being near Emma. You are not her safe place. 

James caught my attention as my heart raced. "James, I received a menacing message." 

"What does it say?" he enquired, his face turning worried. 

"There's a warning from someone to avoid me," I murmured, my voice faltering. "What is the meaning of this?" 

His voice was solemn and quiet as he answered, "I don't know, but we need to take it seriously." "This could get hazardous." 

I exclaimed, feeling a wave of rage, "Harold has to be behind this." He's attempting to frighten us. 

James tightened his hold on my hand and added, "Then we can't let him win." "With each other, we'll work this out." 

With a shaky voice, I responded, "I want to believe that." "Yet I just can't get rid of the feeling that we're overachieving." 

"Emma," James leaned forward to say. "You underestimate your strength. Let's take this on collectively. 

I saw a glimmer of optimism when I saw his gaze. Perhaps collectively, we might tackle this. However, my phone buzzed once more as I opened my mouth to reply, and when I looked down, I saw that the unknown caller had left another message. 

James, you're running out of time. Avoid Emma at all costs; you'll regret it. 

A shiver went down my spine. With trembling in my voice, I added, "James, this is getting serious." 

"I understand," he answered, his face growing serious. "Yet we must not allow fear to rule us. We must maintain our position. 

I nodded, while feeling scared and determined. We were just getting started, and I knew we had a difficult battle ahead of us. But as long as James was with me, I was prepared to face whatever came our way. 

I couldn't get rid of the unsettling feeling that we were being observed as we exited the café. Casting a sidelong glance, my heart was pounding. Do you feel that way, James? 

Glancing around, he questioned, "Feel what?" 

"I'm not sure," I murmured, my voice faltering. "As if someone is trailing us."

With a serious attitude, he continued, "Let's get to the car." "We must leave this place." 

I experienced a wave of dread as we ran to my car. Though I was unsure of what was ahead, one thing was certain: I was prepared to fight for my future at whatever cost.