The Kept Secret (Slowly Editing)

Chapter 13: The Proposal

Unedited, 2nd draft

Chapter 13: The Proposal

I sat there listening to the lawyer talk about what my father wanted to happen after his passing, but was unable to focus on what he was saying. All I was able to do was think about this woman that was sitting on the other side of my mother, who still had this devilish grin on her face. Why had I never told that I had a sister? I knew she carried my father last name, but did my mother conceive her or did my father have an affair? Had Chance known that we were related when he had slept with her? With this suspicious running around in my head, I wasn't able to pay the lawyer any attention at all.

Unable to take it anymore, I stood up gathering everyone's attention in the room. "I'm sorry, but I need a breather. Chance can you please fill me in later." I said, looking down at him as I let go of his hand that I had been holding since she had shown up.

"Miss Dunn there is something I need to ask you though." The lawyer said before I could take one step towards the door.

"What would that be?" I asked, not liking all this attention on me. I was used to being in the shadows and not in the spotlight with everyone's eyes on me.

"Your father stated that in your disappearance that if you didn't show that we had the company over to Rose here and become partners with Chance over here, which the merger that went through a few years ago." He started, letting out a deep sigh, looking back down at the paper. "Since you are present, though this issue is in your hands."

"What issue are you talking about?" I asked, sitting back down next to Chance only for him to grip my hand again. I didn't see any kind of issue with the merger since I was present, but I was clueless on what the issue of it would be.

"Will your father has left the company and everything in your name. Beside the house will be going to your mother. He stated that if you were present and didn't want the company then everything would be going to Rose. Before you leave I need to know if you want your father's company or give it to Rose here." He requested.

My father's company was in my hands. I knew nothing about running his company or what the merge he had with Chance. I enjoy working in the kitchen at Greg's restaurant that I couldn't see myself leaving him up and dry, but the suborn part of me wasn't just going to sign over my father's company to someone gold-digger who claim to be his other daughter. I looked over at Chance to see him looking at me with praise, like he already knew the answer to this dilemma I was having.

"Can Chance and I have a moment to talk about this in the hall for a moment, please?" I asked, standing back up pulling Chance with me.

"Yes, but please make it fast. There are a few more things that need to be discussed with his business partners. I will need an answer by the time I'm done." He replied, still looking down at the papers down in front of him.

I didn't say anything back to him as I walked out of the office with Chance behind me. The moment we were in the hall and away from hearing distance, I turn to face Chance. "I don't think I can give up my father's company to that woman." I stated, which brought a smile to his face. "But I can't walk out on Greg and Julia either. They took me in when I felt alone in the world." Which made him frown after letting him know I wanted to stay loyal to my friends.

"Milly, breathe." He said wrapping his arms around me. "I've already thought this all through. I have a solution that will fix all this, but I need you to be open minded about it."

"What is it you suggest I do then?" I asked, feeling nervous about his was going through his head.

"I had talked to your father about this a few months before his passing just in case something like this happens. He told me there was a way that I be able to run his company and my father together without having to interfere with your life." He started before releasing me and walking over to a glaze out the window. "What he told me that we would have to do, is so far-fetched that I can already see you turning it down."