Lucia stood motionless for a few minutes. She couldn't believe Larry could shoot the door after her.

She started knocking at the door calling Larry. This is what she doesn't like doing, but seeing Larry is a must for her.

She noticed someone was tapping her back and she turned around.

"Your knock is disturbing the peace of others." The secretary informed her.

Lucia quietly moved to her chair. It was an embarrassment to her. She is the managing director of her father's company and she has been doing great, even better than most men.

"I am Johnson, I met you at a party about a year ago. We were sitting closer and shared a lot of ideas." The same man she couldn't shake came back to her.

Lucia noticed that the best she could do was to respond to him since Larry wasn't ready for her

"I didn't know I had met you. I am such a busy person, and I see a lot of faces. Pardon me."

Her apologies were accepted by Johnson. She is a manipulator, she goes for what she wants and gets it.

Rather than Johnson being angry following the way she had ignored him earlier, Lucia's smiles and words brought a new look to his face.

"Why are you here Johnson? What do you do?" Lucia asked

I am a marketer and I came to pick up some cheques following the items I supplied to the company.

She got interested and demanded his card. His company could be of help since it is a manufacturing company and they could get things directly from them at a cheaper rate

Larry came out and requested that we see him in his office. Lucia was reluctant to go. She has developed a cold for Larry.

She had no option but to go. She stood up and had a handshake with Johnson, thanked him for the good time

"What was the meaning of that insensitivity and drama that happened?" Lucia scolded Larry as she opened the door.

Her upset made her not even close the door. The secretary quickly rushed and closed it to avoid her loud voice echoing.

"You must have to respect me and everyone. I called you to inform you of my coming; you never objected to it. Knowing where I am coming from yet you ignored me." Yelled at Larry again.

Both of them are managing directors of their companies. They need each other to move the companies forward therefore, Larry wouldn't like to shout back at her

"The reason why I refused you. I hate the way you treat people."

She said and sat down. That word was heavy for Larry.

"Must you always remind me that you turned down my proposal to get married to you. I hate it whenever you say it. You have to stop it " Larry spoke angrily.

They have a way of settling their differences. She held his hand and gave him a peg. That was it.

They moved down to business. The contract files were presented to Lucia. The money her company will make wouldn't be enough but it is something.

Lucia is eyeing a mega contract from the Lemon Group. Only those who have the link can get it. Her connection doesn't work.

While she finished signing, Larry did his. He apologized to Lucia for locking her out. It wasn't intentional because he needed to be alone and sort things out.

They started exchanging pleasantries as they moved together to the company's canteen for the launch

"Who is now on the line, have you been talking?"

Lucia knew where he was going. She pretended not to hear that.

"Let's get to the canteen fast, I am hungry and need food to eat."

Larry smiled, holding her hand as they walked to the executive room.

The waitress came fast and they placed their orders. They got them the food, and they are satisfied.

"Following the question you asked me. Are you with anyone now? As for me, I am available but not for every man."

"So you heard me and acted like you didn't. You will get my response since you finally responded to me. I am still searching."

Immediately, Lucia's phone rang; it was her mother. She has closed a deal, so she can have her time.

"Yes, Mum, I will be coming to see you and Dad. I am a bit far."

"You are keeping us waiting, you must be here today and never fail. Your father is getting upset but I have asked him to calm down." Her mother stated.

"That must be your mother. What could that be? I hope all are in good health." Larry asked.

"You once told me your father is diabetic and hypertensive. How is he doing currently?"

"They are all doing great. Thank you for your concern. I really appreciate it. I know you love my parents." Lucia said.

"And their daughter too, most importantly." Lucia smiled.

She knows that Larry loves her and wants to marry her but that wouldn't be possible. She knows what she wants.

Larry isn't bad but came from a polygamous family. Lucia isn't ok with that. She likes her space and doesn't want anyone to come between.

She had once been to Larry's family's house during one of his father's birthday celebrations.

Lucia ran out of their compound following a fracas between them. Larry's mother is the second wife, his father married three.

She requested that he see her off to her car, and Larry gladly accepted.

He told her that he wants the supply to commence within two weeks.

Lucia didn't object to that. She promised that they would deliver on time. She is very good at business relationships.

When they got her car, Johnson came closer to greet them.

"I have gotten the cheques, sir. Nice doing business with you. I am about to go and I will be back in two weeks." He said to Larry.

"Did you come with your car?"

Larry asked but he didn't.

He begged Lucia to allow him to join her since they are going in the same direction.

"He is a gentleman, he will not be a problem to you. I know you are a rush driver but he can drive better than you do."

Lucia didn't object to that. Moreover, she needs someone to keep her company, and they could discuss business along the way.

Her phone rang, she thought it was her mother and she refused to pick up. It ran again and they asked her to look at who was calling.

That was her company security line calling. She picked up the call, and a voice echoed.

"Part of our company is on fire madam."

Lucia was devastated by hearing such a call. She threw the car keys to Johnson who drove off with her.

"Where are we heading?"

"Harcourt Drive, number thirty, is before the Garbage Hotel."

She managed to answer, but she became so confused like never before. Her phone was ringing, but she couldn't pick up.

Johnson understood how she felt. How could her company be engulfed in fire? He picked up the call after ringing the third time.

"We are very lucky, the firefighters came on time, only the wall got a bit damaged."

The voice said. He tapped her and informed her of the development.

She wasn't listening, her mind had gone off. She doesn't know what she is doing anymore.

She loves her company and has promised her parents and workers prudence.

How would she face the present challenge of the company's part being engulfed by fire

The mother was busy calling without giving her space, the Lemon group contract is one of her worries.

Lucia just signed a contract; she needed to mobilize part-time workers, scrutinize them, and ensure they deliver.

Her father's health is another thing bothering her. The father was doing great when he was managing the company, while she was assisting till she fell sick.

"The fire has been extinguished, " your staff said. But your mother was calling. You need to pick " Johnson told her

Lucia, who was lying on the car seat, came up with a smile on her face.

"Please, take Harrison Avenue, I am going to see my mother now."

"In that case, I will drop you at the junction so you can continue. That's not my route; I would board a taxi. My journey isn't far anymore."

John said and stopped the car. He asked Lucia to call her company to find out if the information is accurate.

"You are such a smart person, I will do so immediately."

When she called the company, the information was accurate. She thanked Johnson as he handed the keys over to her

She directed her workers on another call she had with them not to expect her and to ensure that everything is in order.

He proceeded to see her parents. She had made it known to her parents that she would get married when the time is right, even though she doesn't know when the right time will be.

At the ripe age of twenty-seven, she is not even in any relationship. Well, blame it on the guys; none of them seems to be what they were at first, and she is definitely not going to get into a marriage of expediency.

She angrily stepped out of the car and walked straight to the door. Getting there, she observed that no one was in the sitting room.

She followed the back door which is closer to the kitchen. "Why did you choose to ignore my calls, has it gotten to that"

Her mother spoke angrily, holding the door like she didn't want Lucia to come in. "Please, can I go to Mom? I will explain." Her plea was ignored. "Until you respond to my question" looking at her mother's expression, she hugged her and begged for leniency

She moved out of the door and proceeded to the kitchen to continue what she was cooking. Lucia changed up immediately and came down to the sitting room. The mother sensed and joined her.

"Is Dad home?" Lucia asked.

"Will be soon, called to say he was delayed at the meeting. How is the company going now?"

"Splendid. My team and I are doing our best"

Monica turned to look at her, and Lucia sighed. She knew that look. "Please don't start now, Mom," she groaned.

"Don't start what? I'm not going to say anything. You just sit there and wait for your dad to come home" she said and walked into the kitchen.

Lucia walked into the kitchen to meet her. "So, about what you want to tell me, what could that be that you can't tell me over the phone when you called the first time?"

"I said; wait for your dad to come home to my daughter Lucia. Don't put words in my mouth."

Lucia nodded and looked around the kitchen before grasping the chopping board to cut the vegetables for her mother.

Andrew settled with his family after dinner. He looked at his daughter and smiled, "Lucia darling, great news."

Lucia couldn't help but smile

"What news, Dad?" What is the news all about"

"We received a very interesting proposal," he replied.

Lucia furrowed her brows. "What proposal?"

"Now listen to me, young lady, we have been considering this for a very long time and realized that you are really going to benefit from it," Monica put in.

Lucia wrinkled her brows more tightly, what are they talking about? "I really do not understand."

"I know you don't," Andrew smiled. "We received a proposal from a renowned family; they are asking for your hand in marriage."

Stop

Lucia glowered, "An arranged marriage? For whom please, if I may ask?"

"What do you mean, for whom, please? How many daughters do we have?" Monica asked with a frown.

Lucia gave a desperate sigh "I can't believe you people, do you really want me to get married that much that you have to accept an arranged marriage? Mom, I have told you I will get married when the time comes. You don't need to bother yourself?

"Well, the time is now, my sweetheart believes me, it's anybody else, the person is not ordinary, and he is a man from a good home and has a track record.

He is dependable, fine-looking, treasured, and every inch of what you want. Trust me, I know a guy you will like when I see one, and you are definitely going to like this one," Monica smiled brightly.

Looking at her parents. All they were saying meant nothing. The mother told her she would be going to her younger sister's place to check on them.

"Well, I heard all you said but I must tell you. I am not interested in all you have said." She said and walked away

"Lucia, Lucia, are you walking out on us because we want the best for you?" The mother was calling but Lucia continued going.

She turned on her car, ordered the gatekeeper to open the gate.

"If you open that gate you will lose your job." Mr. Harcourt said

Hearing her father's voice, she stepped out of her car, took her keys, and moved out through the pedestrian gate.

The father asked her mother not to bother and proceed on her journey to her sister's place.

He insisted that Lucia cannot be bigger than them and she will come back to his senses.

She proceeded on her journey while her husband returned to the sitting room.

It was a big shock that Lucia left them in such a manner

She's a well-trained girl, very prudent and outstanding. She worked with her father and understood the best way to run their company.

The father was reflecting on what must have gone wrong with her only child. He was worried.

To him, Lucia should be in her husband's house and not his at her age.

All he was doing was to ensure she had a better life. Marriage of convenience is far from Lucia. She forbids it and wants to choose her own man by herself.

The nature of her job is very demanding and most times doesn't give her room to associate.

She meets only her business partners. Though she wants to marry into a multi-billionaire home. She doesn't want to settle for less

Most of these people don't come to her office, and she doesn't visit them in their offices.

Despite her father being retired, some of those he had built trust with call him directly whenever they want to transact with his company.

Lucia doesn't bother about it. All she wants is the sustainability of the company. Whenever the father gets such a demand, she sends a proposal and invoice to them via email.

She has been successfully transacting with those kinds of people. They pay, and she supplies them through her staff, who are in charge of delivery.

Lucia went back to her hotel room to get some rest. She had a stressful day. She had to take her bath and rest her body.

The news of the fire incident in her company hasn't gotten to her parents. No other person will deliver such a message except her

She was unable to go back to the company because of the worries her parents were giving her

After meeting with them, nothing was achieved. The father, her mother, and even she got angry and parted.

The father had returned to his garden where he usually takes fresh air and reads newspapers.

His domestic staff had provided him with the fruits she ordered. He decided to take things easy.

His driver travelled to see his wife and children, the wife travelled, and his daughter, who was supposed to be with him, is chilling in her hotel room.

Lucia knew she didn't do well by walking out on her parents. She started feeling bad about it.

There are better ways to handle the matter, but not the decision to walk away.

Her parents have given her all she wanted in life. She schooled when her mates schooled and attended one of the best schools.

She never lacked anything except the husband, who isn't forthcoming. So many guys have asked her for her hand in marriage, but they are not her spec.

Who could the one her parents are arranging be? She doesn't know him and they do not want to mention his name.

Why keep it a secret from me?

Why should I marry someone I know nothing about?

Her father is one of the prominent people in town. He has a lot of friends even before he married Monica.

Andrew Harcourt is a well-respected personality. He has contributed a lot to the betterment of many and society too

He once contested an election but stepped down to another along the line without grudges. That boosted the trust he earned.

Lucia went to work without her car. She told her workers she sent it for servicing to avoid many questions.

She went on an assessment of the part of the building that was damaged by fire

After the assessment, she approved repairs and wrote an appreciation letter to the firefighters' management for their quick response.

Her face couldn't be bright because what happened previously still bothers her.

She tried to put on a smile. She handed over the contract files she signed with Larry to the operations manager.

The news was all over and they were all happy they had a new contract.

Mrs. Douglas had called Mr. Harcourt to know the situation of Lucia and the proposal.

He was positive towards her. He told her not to worry, and soon they would hear from his family.

He immediately called his wife to know how they could handle the situation she told him to call Lucia to come over

He was reluctant to do so but had no option. He called Lucia immediately and asked her to come home.

Their wife had informed them she was on her way back.

Lucia picked up and told him that she wasn't sure about coming home that day.

That got the father angry. He was at the pharmacy where he picked up his drugs.

With the response of Lucia, he became furious and couldn't see the vehicle that was reversing, which knocked him down.

Lucia did not cut the call nor did he. Someone used the phone and spoke with Lucia about what happened.

She understands her father's health condition and needed to rush so she could explain to the doctor

She called twice, but no one picked up. She left the office and took a taxi to the family hospital but the father wasn't there

The mother got to the place before him. One of the nurses picked up her call and directed her to where the hospital is.

Lucia got to the place, trying to find out the situation. Her heart was panting, and she worried about what could have happened to her father.

Going to the room where her father was admitted, the mother ordered the security to block her and never let her in