"Hi, sorry for interrupting." Knocking softly, Melissa poked her head in the office. "Can I have a word with you?" She asked walking in.
After what had happened, she wanted to make her request first in case he decides to send her away.
Though he was busy signing the numerous documents on his desk, he stopped to look at her as she walked in.
"Yes, have a sit. I also want to talk to you about something, but tell me first. What can I do for you?" He invited leaning back on his chair.
"Ahem." Sitting on the office chair opposite him, she cleared her throat feeling self-conscious from his scrutiny.
"I know we have not gotten along well, but I need your help to find out what really happened to my father's company." With his serious gaze on her, she couldn't beat around the bush.
"Oh! You want me to help you?" He questioned getting from his seat.
"Yes." Responding, she sat up straight as he leaned on the office desk beside her.
"I don't see how I can help since their was never a case. If I'm not wrong, the company was declared bankrupt years ago. Your father had some loans from the bank and couldn't pay since the business was not doing well."
"Yes, that's the report they gave, but I believe that my father's partner messed with the companies finances to make it look like it was not profitable." She explained wondering how he knew so much about the company.
"That's a very serious accusation. Do you have any proof? If not then, you are just wasting your time."
"There is an old acquittance of my dad's, he has information we can use. He was the last person to make contact with my dad before the accident but it's hard for me to meet him. So I'm asking you to please help me track him down. He might have information that my dad found out during his investigation."
"How do you know about your father's contact?"
"His secretary told me about it. She was fired and they took all the documents while my father was out of town, but she knew whom he was going to meet with. I can't prove Mr Steven involvement yet but maybe that man can help me prove it all."
"Don't you think that person would have contacted you if he had any useful information. Why wait for all these years?" He asked trying to make her give up on the investigation.
"Maybe they would have, but I was not in the city. They didn't have my contact."
"What you're doing is very dangerous, this investigation might put you in a lot of trouble especially if they are baseless."
"I know it's dangerous, but I promised and swore on my parents that I'll get the truth and it's not a baseless accusation."
"Companies fail all the time. Have you stopped to think that maybe your father mismanaged the funds."
"No, my father was not sloppy. He built that company from the ground. No way he would let it fall."
"How sure are you? People make mistakes and your father may have done some. Just let this madness go."
"What? You think fighting for whats mine is madness?" Agitated, Melissa stood up looking at him fiercely but all he did was raise his eyebrows.
"Huh! Fine, if you won't help, I'll find a way on my own. Sorry for bothering you sir, please excuse me." Gritting her teeth she clenched her fist then turned to opened the door.
"Hey, don't leave yet." He spoke sitting behind his desk. "I didn't say I won't help."
Closing the door, Melissa walked back and stood before his desk.
Seeing how stubbornly she looked at him, he knew he couldn't talk her out of it. "If I help you, then you have to do something for me." He said leaning back on his chair with a sly smile on his face.
"What do I have to do?" Folding her arms over her chest, Melissa raised her chin looking him in the eyes despite how intimidated she felt.
Getting from his desk, he stood before her still holding her gaze.
"Be my wife."
"What?"
"Marry me." He stepped closer and held her hand.
Being an inch taller than she was, she took a step back looking up to him.
"You want me to marry you?"
"Yes, we meet my grandfather tomorrow, I introduce you as my fiancee then get married."
"No! No, we can't lie to your family, besides we hardly know each other and just met a few weeks ago. How do we get married just like that?" Yes she was ready to do all it took to have him help her, but she didn't think he would propose marriage. Which was a little scarily for her.
"You want my help, don't you?" He questioned touching her cheek as she nodded staring back at him.
"Don't worry about my family. With time my love, everything will be sorted out and we like each other. I mean, the fact that you have not slapped my offer off yet, shows we can work it out. I'm sure my family will love you. You accept and I will help you, if not you're on your own." Dropping his hand, he stepped back looking at her with raised eyebrows.
"Okay. I see you have all this planned out." She bit her lip thinking of Tommy.
A proposal was not what she had in mind but she needed it. Marrying a Johnson would give her more than she needed but then she had to tell him about their son.
"The proposal is tempting, but I need to tell you something before deciding to get married."
"What? Do you have conditions that I can't handle? Tell me." He smirked acting cocky.
She had come to him for help, but looking at her he didn't think she would easily agree to his proposal.
"Well, not conditions but something that I have been keeping from you for a while." She spoke backing away from him, but he held her hand drawing her closer.
"What is so important that it can affect our marriage arrangement?" He asked holding her by the waist.
"I have a three years old son." With her hands resting on his chest, she bit her lower lip gazing into his eyes.
"So what wrong if you have a child or do you still have a relationship with his father?"
"No, his father didn't know about his existence until now." Hearing her words, he thought of their one night together.
"Wait. What?" Dropping his hands from her waist, he took a step back.
"Do you mean to say we have a child together, and you are sure I'm your child's father?" Hitting the desk behind him, he stared at her his one hand supporting him on the table.
"Yes, we have a three year old boy, his name is Tommy."
"What? How on earth do you keep my child from me, and you just tell it to me now?" His roar was so fierce, it made Melissa take two steps back. This was not the reaction she expected after he had asked her to marry him, but she couldn't complain about it.