Chapter 8

Looking down at the view of the bustling city from his office, he sighed wistfully.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by his phone, it was Cassandra calling

"How's my favorite sister?" he said with a smile

"I'm good big bro" she giggled "how's work"

"Busy"

"As you should be

Dad wants you home for dinner tonight"

"Okay, I'll be there"

"for real?" she asked surprised, the last time her brother was home, he got into an argument with their father and had left without saying goodbye

"Yeah"

"I'll leave you to work then

see you tonight" she said in a cheery voice

He still had an hour till the next meeting, which gave him time to rest a bit. Then he remembered, he still hasn't texted Jasmine

"Hi"

Jasmine was at work, watching reels on Instagram in her free time when she got the text

"Hi, good afternoon"

He was mildly surprised at the quick response, and it was polite too

"good afternoon, it's Khaleed, remember me?"

"No, I don't"

oh yeah, he didn't tell her his name the other day, so he sent her a picture of him

She recognized him immediately "How are you?"

"I'm fine, thanks

How are you?"

"I'm good"

"Can I call you on video?" He just had to see her face

She stared at the text for a while, that's forward. But at least he asked first

"yeah, sure"

she swiped the answer button "Hey you"

she couldn't fight a smile, at the grin on his face, he looks like a goofball.

A handsome one though, she thought

In a white shirt and a tie, he seemed to be at work.

"Hi"

"How's work going"

"It's going great...

how's work going?" she asked

how's work going?...really? is that all you could come up with? Her subconscious mocked her

"Busy...but thanks for asking" he replied grinning

she was about to ask him why he was on a call with her when he was so busy when he looked up and away from the screen.

She heard a lady's voice telling him he had a meeting in 10 minutes

"Thank you, Lydia," he said

"I'm sorry but I have to go now," he said with a forlorn look

"Can I call later?" he asked

"sure__bye," she said but didn't hang up, and neither did he, they stared at each other

what was it about him that always had her frozen, staring like a loon

"later," she said quietly before ending the call.

He put the phone in his pocket and then stood shrugging on his suit jacket, enough daydreaming about Jasmine, back to work.

Talks had been going on about a merger between HADI HOLDINGS INC and TECHNICS INC, a video game console and publisher company owned by a friend of his father's.

A merger is what his father, his finance team, and the board members had proposed. He says they need divine intervention or better put, a total takeover.

He wasn't going to sugarcoat anything, there isn't going to be a merger in any way, they are straight out buying them out.

The company is barely staying afloat, on the brink of bankruptcy and all logic made investing money in it a risk.

But it's a risk he's willing to take, provided they accept his offer.

He drove into his father's mansion later in the evening.

Cassandra answered the door when he rang the bell, he picked her up in a big hug, twirling her around to which she giggled delightedly

"It's always good to see you K"

She linked her hand through his "You're just in time, we're at the table"

"Great, I'm starving"

He smiled warmly at Sophia, his stepmother

"Good evening, ma

Dad"

His father nodded at the greeting "Welcome son, have a seat"

He took a seat beside Cassie, and watched smiling as she dished his food, she always made him a plate whenever they ate.

Always claimed it was her duty as his first love, It was a joke they shared when they were kids.

"Thanks, sis"

"How's work?" Sophia asked

"Just the usual

Thanks for asking" he smiled at her, Sophia has always been the voice of reason in the house since she got married to his dad.

To put it simply, she made life easy for him and he was grateful, she's such a beautiful soul.

"Cassie, did you tell your brother about the endorsement deal you got?"

To which Cassie grinned, he raised a brow

"No, she hasn't told me yet

Congratulations love"

Cassie has ways wanted to be a supermodel, so he knew this was a huge deal for her

"Thanks, but having the Hadi name helped too

I'll give you the details later" She whispered conspiratorially

"Don't be modest now

all this is because of all the hard work you put in, you deserve it and more"

"Thanks, dad" she smiled

He glanced at his father and he looked content with a smile on his face, he seemed genuinely happy for her.

Small talk was made around the table and Sophia went into the kitchen to get dessert which was a Chocolate cake and frosting.

Sophia is a renowned chef, with a line of restaurants in different cities.

"Dinner was delicious as always, thank you for the meal" Khaleed thanked her

"You're welcome"

"See me in the study, after you've caught up with your sister that is," His father said knowing Cassie would take him to her room to talk.

He couldn't be more pleased with their easy and loving relationship. Khaleed adored Cassie and she looked up to him.

His father got him a bottle of scotch and a glass, while he got a glass of red wine.

If he noticed the unusual change in his choice of drink, he didn't comment on it.

"So how are things going at the company? The merger?"

"Yes, I had a meeting with the board members and told them about my decision of buying the company"

His father frowned "Buying the company?

It's a merger"

"No dad, Your friend wasn't honest with you

Why would we merge with a bankrupt company?"

"Bankrupt? what are you going on about Khaleed?"

"So you didn't know?

Let me ask dad, is this friend of the one heading the company?"

"Not exactly, his son is"

"I got the intel, they're in debt to a bunch of loan companies, underpaid staff, and some other things

It's all a mess, but with the right management and major restructuring

The company should be right back on track"

His father leaned back in his chair at the new information.

"That means we'll be straight out buying the company but they will have shares"

"No dad, we're buying them out.

The money they'd be getting from selling to us is the best offer they can get, no company would be willing to risk it.

I wouldn't too, but since you insist on helping them, I also think it would be a good challenge"

"I heard his son is reckless and played a major role in the company's predicaments

I don't want that kind of person working with me" He finished

"But still__"

"No, Dad" He cut him off, his father was a stubborn man and liked to have his way with things

"I either run this company how I see fit or I don't, you put me in charge for a reason

I'm capable of making decisions, this is business and I'm not letting sentiment get in the way"

He knew his father had given up on the argument when he sighed loudly

"I'm proud of you Khaleed, I'm more than happy I'm leaving my legacy to you.

Now go get Sophia and your sister, there's something we need to tell you"

"Alright dad"

They were in the living room, watching a tv series "Dad wants us in the study"

As soon as he said it, Sophia's mood changed,

He shared a questioning look with Cassie and knew what their father was going to say.

Sophia went to sit on the arm of his father's chair and he hugged her to him with an arm. Khaleed and Cassie took seats in front of them.

"I've been diagnosed with lung cancer " he paused to see their reaction

"We know dad," Cassie said quietly

"I overheard you and mom talking about it and I told Khaleed"

They both looked surprised but Cassie shrugged

"Why you didn't tell us earlier," Khaleed asked

"He has decided not to undergo the treatment"

"What! Why?" Cassie asked

"There's no point, the doctor said I have a 50-50 chance with the treatment and a year if I don't do it, I'd rather not go through the pain

We talked about this Sophie"

"So you choose not to try at all? When there's a chance you can fight it" Khaleed said exasperated, why did the old man have to be so thick-headed

"Please daddy, do it for us

I can't bear the thought of losing you" Cassie was crying now

"Listen to the kids honey" Sophie pleaded, distressed

"Alright then, I'll do it" He relented

They all sagged in relief, Sophie hugged him "Thank you so much"