Web of deception

Nathaniel squinted his eyes as he fixed his gaze on the wall clock in his office while it rained heavily in the morning.

Different thoughts racing through his head while seated in his office, he was on the brink of losing his family's company and had no solution to it.

He searched his mind for answers but found none, he remembered he had posted some of his company's shares on the stock market.

Logging into his computer, he scrolled down, but saw no interest of any buyers.

Nathaniel felt frustrated at this point, the thought of selling the company was slowing taking over his mind.

A gentle knock on the door jolted him out of his reverie.

"Come in" he uttered as the person walked in.

"Good morning sir" he greeted while grabbing a seat.

"Ohh it's you James, what is it?" he said, removing his focus from the screen of his computer while staring at James.

James looked at his boss, his eyes filled with worries and a sad face that looked like he just lost something important

"Sir it's about the company"

"What about the company?" Nathaniel asked

"Is there any progress with the shares up for sales, I mean we haven't been doing any work these days, I feel bad about this and it seems I'd lose my job soon" he looked down, as everywhere was filled with silence once again

"No you won't James, I'd think of a solution"

James face brightened up with a smile as he raised his head up "I think I have an idea sir" he proposed

"Okay, what is it?" Nathaniel leaned forward, as he focused his attention on James while listening to him

"Recently, I heard about a company buying shares in various companies, I know it'd be hard to get their attention, but I think I could help you, I have a friend working in their company, I'd talk to him"

"Really?" Nathaniel asked with surprise as he adjusted himself on his seat

"That'd be great!, give me feedbacks on this"

"I will sir" beaming with a smile, James stood up walking out of his boss office.

Feeling a little bit relaxed, Nathaniel opened some files on his desk as he began checking them while preparing to work on them.

****

After done with work, Nathaniel packed his bags, ready to go home when James rushed into his office without knocking.

James breathing heavily as he released the news to Nathaniel "S-s-irr, it has..."

Nathaniel paused for a moment as he looked at James, confused, trying to understand what he was saying "Calm down James, you can seat first before you speak"

Nathaniel gestured him to seat as he sat down.

"what is it? What happened?"

"Sir, it's been done, they've decided to buy our shares?"

"Who??" Confusion filled in Nathaniel face as he questioned James again

"The Langstons Family, the one I told you about, they've set a meeting, it's tomorrow sir"

"That's quick!" Nathaniel exclaimed, his face filled with surprise as he sat down, thought for a moment and stood up

"This calls for celebration" he announced again

"Yes sir"

Nathaniel opened his drawer under his desk, bringing out a wine and two glasses as he placed them on the table with smiles on his face.

Opening the wine, he gently poured it into both glasses as he picked a glass, clinking it with James' own in his hands

"Cheers!" They both exclaimed with excitement as they drank the wine enjoying the moment filled with happiness but which would only last for a while.

***

Nathaniel had prepared to visit the Langston's Family Company very early in the morning by 10am but was stuck in his house as a thought struck him.

"Why would they easily accept buying his shares?"

He was aware most wealthy and influential people do not makes deals for free, as a person working with them, you always tend tooffer something in return to keep them.

Now he felt confused as he contemplated on whether to attend the meeting or not.

But this was his only chance to save his family's company, it was either this or losing his company entirely.

Nathaniel stood up, ready to face whatever was ahead of him.

Moving out of his house, he brought out his car keys from his pocket pressing the middle button on it as it signaled "unlocked".

He entered his car, driving off to meet the Langston's family.

Nathaniel was led into a quiet room with no occupant as he patiently waited for Mr Langston who he was to discuss with.

While entering the company, he had admired every single thing from both the structures to the designs upholstered on the body of the buildings.

Nathaniel turned back looking at the elderly aged man that walked into the office as he shut the door.

Facing forward, Nathaniel adjusted himself and sat well as Mr Langston drew out a seat for himself and sat on it.

"What can I address you as?" Mr Langston asked Nathaniel with a grim face.

"I'm Nathaniel sir"

"Good" he replied sharply as he continued

"So I heard you have your company shares up for sale?"

"Yes sir"

"What's your company into?" He asked as he opened some files in his front, while checking them

"It's a digital agency sir, we market varieties of goods and services online"

"Interesting, any issues with it currently?" Mr Langston asked, adjusting his glasses down to his nose as he looked at Nathaniel.

"Yes sir, we don't have enough funds and equipments to continue, it's Marketing and Advertising sir, so we need some valuable things to help, we're short of alot of equipments due to lack of funds" Nathaniel explained

"I see, well sign this" Mr Langston pushed one of the files he had been checking to Nathaniel's front.

Nathaniel opened the file, as he was about to sign it, he paused for a moment as he looked at Mr Langston.

Confused, Nathaniel forced himself to speak out "Sir I don't understand this"

"What don't you understand?"

"It's written here that if I sign this deal, I'd have to marry your daughter?" Nathaniel asked, still confused.

"Yes, that's it, you need to be part of our family, otherwise there wouldn't be any deal"

"I wasn't informed about this sir"

"Well now you are, take it or leave it!" Mr Langston replied coldly

"Sir can I ask a question if you don't mind?"

"Okay?"

"Why this? I'm sure there's a reason for this , I need to know sir"

Mr Langston frowned while staring at him before giving him a response

"I've been looking for a suitor for my daughter, I checked your background and you seemed to be the perfect one, plus you need help, this partnership would be great, it'd be good for both companies, so I advice you to take it, now that I'm willing to offer you this"

Nathaniel sat down for a minute, without uttering a word as he thought of whether to accept the deal or not.

He brought out his pen, as he signed on the paper.

"Well-done and congratulations" Mr Langston brought out his hands as he shook Nathaniel.

"I'd set out a date for you to meet my daughter so we can start the wedding preparations" Mr Langston informed him.

"Okay sir" Nathaniel replied, standing up as he walked out of his door filled with a mixture of emotions, he was neither sad nor happy.