DANIEL

𝑁𝑖𝑛𝑜

I raked a hand through my hair at what Kevin my secretary just said. Every company we reach out to for help has turned down our cry for help. All I need is someone who will sponsor this animation we are about to work on. Why won't they help this girl in need?

"No one is willing to assist us in finance or invest in the production of the cartoon," I heard him sigh at the other end of the line. "They are afraid this one might be an epic failure like the other."

"And we really need the money if we gonna work on it..."

"I know," I bite my lower lip and rubbed my eyes. Feeling all my energy drain from me. I don't want to go borrow a loan from anyone, especially Mr Warren. I'm paying for the one my parents already borrowed.

"Nino," Kevin called my name softly and it felt like he was trying to comfort me by the tone of his voice. "You don't have to worry yourself to death, I know we will find a sponsor soon. Don't give up and I know this animation will be the best our company ever produced."

I know he was trying to comfort me and I appreciate that but it did little to do so. The singer we asked to do the female voice overlay, turned it down and the amount she put up was high if she was going to do it. I knew she deliberately did that.

"Thanks, Kevin," I forced a smile on my face. "Keep me updated if they decide to change their minds."

"I will. Don't worry Nino. I will continue to kiss their shoes until one of them agrees."

"Thanks," I ended the call and pushed back to bangs shielding my face. I heaved a breath and tried to think, who will I turn to? I don't want to go to Mr Warren. And I still have to ask him if I'm gonna pay him back or if the guy already paid for it by buying the house over. I already have one person in my mind and I hope he helps me. I'm wondering why he had to sell off his shares in my company. Is that how bad the company has become?

Most of the people who had shares in the company sold theirs the moment my parents kissed the dust and after my uncle died. He managed to keep the company going even though it was on the verge of breaking down. After he died too, the shareholders withdrew from the company, some sold off their shares and one suggested I should sell off the company since it's no longer generating money.

"You should give up on the company already," one inserted. There we are, surrounding a table in the meeting area. "The huge number of viewers dropped down after the dismal of your parents. New cartoons with a fresh start from other companies are being the top of the charts while yours are stuck in one place."

"I suggest you should sell it off," another prompt. I looked at the faces present and they already have those looks in their eyes. A look of hope lost. "The last cartoon your parents produced was a huge loss and not only that. It wasn't an original, it was plagiarism."

"I don't know what you heard or saw," I freed my tongue and spoke up. Someone talking trash about my parents is something I don't entertain. "But I know my parent's works are original, never pirated anyone's work. I understand your doubts but if we work together, we will make it succeed."

"As they say, teamwork is the route to success."

"Listen," a middle-aged lady spoke up. "You can make the company work by yourself but I'm selling off my shares to Tk. I no longer want to partake in your firm." She looked away and muttered but I heard every single word that flew out of her mouth. '𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑎 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑒, 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑘 𝑚𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑐𝑘.'

"Good," I sighed. "You all can withdraw your shares from the company, I don't care. But read my lips," I gestured to my lips. Locking eyes with each one of them. "I'm never gonna sell off my parent's company, I'm gonna take it back to where it used to be."

"Even if it means working my ass off. I'm going to make it happen."

"How are you going to pay your workers? It takes more to run a cartoon company, you know." A man in his late thirties, with blonde hair, said.

"And I will do it," I flashed them one of my brightest smiles. "Paying my workers isn't your concern although I appreciate it tho..."

"I have a friend who's into cartooning and he's willing to pay more to obtain your company, I referred your company to him," another man inserted. "You can take the money and start a less stressful business. Like hairdressing, and tailoring or resturant. All are classified under art."

Even without being told, he's mocking me. I could feel anger brewing in me at his words but I decided to plaster a fake smile on my face. "Thanks for looking out for me. I will think about it."

I stood up and picked up my phone and car keys before dashing out but stopped at the door and turn to look at them. "The company will find its way back to the top, I promise you that."

I left.

"Can you imagine, those idiots had the nerve to mock me in the meeting," I bat my eyes so many times. Feeling the alcohol I'm having take effect in me. I couldn't let it out of my head, the word they said. It was more like they are trying to crush my spirit down and there was no atom of sincerity in the word they say.

"Ignore them," Marcus stroked my hair, tucking a strand at the back of my ear. "Somethings happen to us to make us stronger. Obstacles are placed on our path for us to conquer them, don't let anyone or what they say pull you down."

I looked up from the cup to him and smiled. We were seated on the floor of his room, drinking my pain away. I wonder what I would have done without him, he's always there for me. I gave him a momentary look before saying. "Why don't you ask your brother to invest in my company?"

He stopped stroking my hair and looked at me but there was something in his eyes I couldn't depict. He exhaled and looked away. "I don't think my brother will do that, he isn't the type who takes risks. He's afraid of his money getting stuck."

I dropped my glass of wine and grabbed his hands. I pleaded with him with my eyes. "He's your brother, he will listen to you, beg him. You said you will do anything for me."

Marcus returned his eyes to me and smiled. He patted my head and nodded. "I will, I will make sure you get the help you want. Your company will return to its original state."

I smiled and leaned in. Hugging him tight. He did tell his bother but as he already predicted. His brother refused and said the exact thing Marcus said to me.

There's only one person I need his help but I hope he listens to me. Even though he sold shares he had in my company.

I was brought back to reality when I heard Daniel clap and giggle. I walk back to the kitchen and saw Daniel standing on a tool to reach the counter, his hands were smeared with flour on the tray-filled ball shaped egg rolls. If I'm not mistaken I saw a smile plastered on Toro's face.

Is he smiling? Or was that my intuition? I saw Daniel deliberately rub flour on his face, I saw him working on his face. Prolly made a moustache on his face. He admired the work he did on his face.

"Why don't I do the same for you?" He dabbed his hands on the flour and tries to rub them on Daniel's face but he refused. And giggles.

"Nah I don't want to ruin my handsome face," Daniel said which got me laughing.

"You ruined mine....." He stopped in his words when I walked into the kitchen. Daniel dragged me beside them and showed me what he did.

"I did this and this," he pointed to rolls he made. "Mr Grumpy isn't bad as we thought, he has a big heart. He taught me how to make them."

I smiled and looked at the rolls on the tray. When I left to answer the call, I thought I will come back to an adult and a child arguing but here they are getting along. I thought he said he wants Daniel out of this house? I would be lying if I tell you this man is a puzzle yet to be solved.

"They look nice," I turn to Daniel and smiled. Pulling his cheeks. "Why don't we go make some omelettes? I bet you must be hungry."

"I want to have what he's making," he pointed at the egg rolls.

Really? When did they get to know each other to the extent of him eating what he made?

"I thought you disliked him?"

"I like him now," Daniel showed off his teeth to me, seriously I can't understand boys most times. The way they change minds I can't seem to understand. I looked up from him to Toro but he returned his attention to what he was making and he already wiped off the flour Daniel designed on his face.

"I don't share my meals with anyone," he said in a low tone.

How did he know I was gonna ask him to give some to Daniel when he's done making them?

"Please?" Little Daniel turn to him and tugged on the apron he wore. "I helped you, I want to know how it tastes. I want to taste Mr grumpy's dish."

"Will you tell him to quit calling me that," he said and looked at me?

"I will if you share your meal with me." Daniel showed his teeth again.