Chapter 06: Break his will to live

" Did you mean what you just said back there?" A worried Anatalia who had just followed her father to his study as soon as her eldest sister had stormed out, asked.

'Have I ever said something that I didn't mean?'

'No. But dad, we both know that Dylan is incapable of handling this. Dad, please reconsider. 

Enrique harrumphed.' Why? Would you rather your sisters bastard keeps holding on to the seat and enjoying the benefits?'

'No.'

'Then what the hell is your problem?'

Anatalia wrung her hands as she tried to find the right words. She was scared if Dylan messed up, he would be at the receiving end of her father's wrath. Turning to the mini bar, she reached for the decanter and poured a generous among of his favourite rum, Legacy and brought it to him.

'I worked hard for Ngwevu Estates to be where it is. I won't have that bastard ripping the fruits of my sweat when the rightful heir is around. Have you seen how smug that bastard has become of late? And your sister, just because her son is in the CEO's seat, she prances around town like some goddamned first lady!'

Anatalia scoffed. 'Well, she earned the right to didn't she?'

The sister's, since they were young had always competed against each other thanks to their father who fueled and instigated the rivalry. For the longest time, like Enrique's favourite daughter, Anatalia always had the upper hand. But things changed when Julia had Frank. Frank was the exemplary child who excelled in everything he did and when he took over the reins of the company and saved them from bankruptcy hence becoming everyone's hero, Anatalia's hatred for her sister grew exponentially. While Frank became a legend in the business world, Dylan was a joke in everyone's eyes.

'Not on my watch,' Enrique spat out at his daughter's statement as he tossed his favourite liquid poison down his throat.

'I hear you dad but both you and I know it will take a miracle to mould Dylan into the man we want him to be.'

'It will take time but it's not an impossible task.' Reaching for the handle of the drawer on his left side, he pulled out an envelope and slid it across the table to her.' The first thing we have to do is get him married; we will announce their engagement tomorrow at the presscon, after the board meeting.'

Anatalia stared at the contents of the envelope confused.' Her? But isn't she...'

Enrique cut her off with a scoff.' She is nothing but a gold-digging whore who stuck by that bastard's side all these past few years for his money and status.'

'What do you want me to do?'

'I will handle the girl. You start organizing the wedding. I want them married by the end of the month.'

'Ok, dad. I will do as you say.'

Later, Enrique knocked on the door of an apartment in an affluent residential area.

'Grandpa Ngwevu?' the afro haired, slim and curvy woman who opened the door for him, said in surprise. She looked past him, her brows creasing in worry.

'Ms Hingandu. Won't you invite me in?'

'Sorry, come in.' She stepped aside to let him pass, a wan and forced smile on her face. Enrique walked into the luxurious all-white apartment with hints of the purple and high ceilings. He made himself comfortable on the sofa.

'Did something happen? Is Frank okay?'

'I didn't come to talk about mediocre and unpalatable people.'

Taylor, who happened to be Frank's girlfriend crossed her arms on her chest, leaned back in the seat and let out a weary and frustrated sigh as she tossed a wary look at the old man.' Then what are you doing here if it's not to talk about Frank? Other than Frank, you and I have nothing else to talk about.'

'Oh, but we do have something else in common. The only thing in common that will be between us from here on. Your pending wedding to Dylan.'

'Excuse me?'

'Tomorrow morning after the board meeting, your engagement to Dylan will be announced. The day after, some people will come over and meet your relatives for the bride price negotiations.'

The twenty-seven-year-old interior designer cocked a pencilled brow at him, amusement written all over her face.' Am sorry, but have you suddenly gone senile?'

He smiled a smile that did not reach his cold, calculating eyes. 

Even though the old man's atrocious proposition left the dark-skinned beauty sick to the stomach, it could not compare to the hair raising stare he levelled on her. She looked away from him, and stood up, putting enough distance between them.' I don't know what games you think you are playing but I think you should leave, now.'

'You should start getting used to the idea of being Dylan's wife and make peace with it.' 

'Please leave, I need to be heading to the hospital.'

Reaching in his inner breast pocket, he threw an envelope on the three-legged, glass-topped, juwel coffee table.' How is your sister's son doing? Boniface is his name right?' 

'My family is none of your business.'

'He's all grown up. You can't tell he was born prematurely...,' he said. Leaning forward, he spread the contents of the envelope on the table and looked up at her, his eyes mocking her.' Or that his biological father, Apton Litiya, is buried six feet under in your parent's back yard.

Taylor stood, her feet rooted to the wooden tiled floor, her eyes fixated to the pictures spread out on the table. The contents from the pictures were from a night, she and her family wished had never happened. They had vowed to never talk about that night and carry the secret to their graves. But who would have ever thought that all this while, it was not their secret alone?

'Now that I have your attention, do we talk about the wedding or should I invite Frank, the police and Apton's family to join us instead?' He asked the dazed dark beauty and reached for his phone. He pressed a button and put it on the loudspeaker.' I have all three on speed dial.'

At the tail end of his threat, Frank's voice came through snapping Taylor out of her trance. She shook her head in protest, tears glistening in her eyes. She flew towards the table, cut the line, and slumped towards the coffee table, visibly shaking. 

'What do you want? Why are you doing this?' 

'The mere fact that you and your family are free and not behind bars is an act of kindness on my part, you should be grateful that the only thing is for asking for, is for you to the tie the knot with my grandson.'

Taylor looked at the manipulative old man with a pained expression. She shook her head at his request.' Anything but that, please I love Frank. I can't do this to him. It will break him.'

An impish grin spread on Enrique's face. Breaking Frank to the point he thought he would go crazy was his main goal. Taking away the CEO's seat was just the beginning. He was determined to take away everything he held dear; his job, the love of his loved ones as well as his self-confidence as a man. 

Even though he considered Taylor to be trash and beneath his beloved grandson Dylan; he had told himself she was the best option he had to inflict the most pain on Frank.

He was, however, hoping that with time, she would forget about Frank because he was well aware that Dylan secretly lusted after the woman.

Taylor who was trying hard to not cry held the picture's close to her chest. 

Haveing achieved his objective, Enrique walked  with a smirk on his face. There was no duobt he was a step away from achieveng his goal of breaking his bastard daughter's son will to live.