Page 3 of Taken By the Fake Fiancé

"God..." I murmur.

"Yes," Father responds, his eyes fluttering slightly.

"What about the company?" I ask.

Father has run our family business, GH Holdings Inc., with an iron fist for as long as I can remember. It's a realty company selling/renting residential and commercial properties. I joined the company after I retired from the Navy three years ago. I worked my way up from a commercial real estate agent to General Manager in the Commercial Property Division. I'm surprised that I enjoyed my job and was determined to become one of the best in business. Ironically, I turned out to be just like my father after trying to be different for 20 years. I guess it's the gene in my blood.

"I have always had a plan B," Father says and smiles wryly, his eyes focused on the hospital ceiling.

"What is your plan B?" I ask, drawing my mind back to Father.

"Oh, I am going to tell you," he says, adjusting himself with a wince.

I watch his every move, noting the now-yellowish tint of his skin and how impossibly pale he's become.

When Father looks in the direction of Eli and then back at me, I whip out my phone and call Angelina, who picks up immediately.

Angelina is Eli's live-in nanny, who had come to the hospital with us. With Father's status and his excessive need to put workers in their places, I didn't think he would take kindly to Angelina following us in here and seeing him like this.

"I would like you to come and get Eli," I say quietly, letting her know the unit location and room number.

As soon as I place the phone in my pocket, my father turns to me and says, "I know you want to succeed me as Managing Director of the family's real estate business."

I look at him, shocked that he'd been able to tell. It was never something I had openly discussed with him, but my father has always been a smart old man.

I open my mouth to reply, but I'm interrupted by a knock on the door. Eli gets up and runs to it, pulling the door open and grinning when his eyes land on Angelina. Angelina smiles back at him and awkwardly waves at Father, who merely nods at her.

"Come on, I am bored and would like your company," Angelina says. “I bet you are feeling hungry as usual. Let’s check out what we can find to eat around here.”

“I could eat a whole pizza or sub! Oh, I know, they must have ice cream!”

“Hey, Boss, I think I’m going to need more money than I have on me.” Angelina reaches an open palm out to me, as I reach for my wallet.

Looking at Eli, “Buddy, don’t go overboard on the food. Listen to Angelina,” in a stern voice. I hand Angelina some money as Eli makes a break for the door, with her quickly grabbing it to catch up with him.

Father and I listen to Eli's cheery voice as he continues to tell Angelina which ice cream he will choose until his voice completely fades out.

"I still remember when he was trying to crawl," Father says with a fond look in his eyes.

I smile sadly at his words. I had not watched Eli learn to crawl, there have been times, even though I love him to pieces, that I have felt like I do not know him enough. Being away for the better part of his childhood had done that.

"I didn't think you would notice."

"Of course, I did. You have been working hard, carrying the others along. I hadn't doubted that you’d do a great job even though you had decided to join us after your retirement. I am also not doubting now that you can work as a Managing Director for a company. But I can't, even with the trust I have in you, hand you the company on a silver platter."

"What?”

Father does not respond directly to my question but continues.

"I cannot make you the Managing Director of a multimillion-dollar company just like that. I am well aware that I wasn't going to run the company forever, but neither did I expect to be diagnosed with cancer at sixty-nine."

"So, you're going to make me Managing Director on your terms? Or appoint someone other than me who you feel is more fitting?" I ask because I am more than eager for answers.

Father chuckles.

"I want you to become Managing Director, but on my terms."

I allow his words to sink in.

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