LOVE's LITTLE LIE

CHAPTER FOUR.

 THE MERGER (I I)

 LIA's POV.

 The sound of my alarm woke me up. I forced myself to get out of the bed and stared at the wall for some time, trying to motivate myself to go out and be a human.

"Why am I not a cat! Just meow , eat, sleep and be a jerk?" I groaned.

"Cause cats do not have meetings with the most powerful CEO in the world, and discuss the contract marriage, its advantages and disadvantages, and how it could help her be a CEO, Ike whose daddy does not have to ask CEOs for favor every time she embarks on a project." The voice in my head mocked.

"Shut the F u C K up." I hissed at it and dragged myself to the bathroom.

 I took a quick shower and breakfast, I got dressed and drove my car to Liam's office.

"Here goes nothing." I mumbled under my breath and stepped into the building. , I could feel his employees questionable looks on me but I had more important things to do.

 As I reached his office, I knocked on the door, feeling scared yet confident. 

"Come in," Liam's deep voice replied.

 I opened the door and stepped into his office.

"Woah! This dude got assets chick." The voice in my head howled as I stoped into Liam's office, everything in here screams money ...even the dude seated behind the compute exuded a air of authority, very different from my banter buddy Liam.

 I took a seat across from him, my fingers trembling slightly.

"Good morning." I greeted.

"Good morning lia, how are you doing this fine morning?" Liam asked, his gaze fixed on me.

"I'm doing fine, but let us cut to the chase." I replied, my patience running thin so soon.

 "Sure. So, we need to discuss the contract marriage, it's merits and demerits, and whether is it the best course of action for both our companies." Liam said, sounding a little too bit too formal for my liking.

 "Best course of action for whom?" I countered, after regaining my composure. I was not going to sit here and let him dictate the conversation, or our potential union.

 Liam smiled, his eyes never leaving mine. "For both of us of course. My fashion would benefit from your fans...or would I call it , your consumer base, and your father's companies will benefit from my resources. It is a win for in for both Smith Group of companies and Wilde Enterprises."

 I pressed my lips in a thin line. "And what is in it for me personally? Definitely, there should be something in it for me." I said, striking the nail on the head. Like I said earlier, I was not going to let Liam dictate how this meeting would go, and play around the issue of how I would benefit from his little proposal.

 Liam's lip curled back into a sneer and he leaned back in his chair. "For you? Personally? How about saving both your ass and that of your father's companies from bankruptcy?"

 His words were like a slap on my face, and I sat up straighter, my eyes narrowing.

 "Bankruptcy? What are you taking about smith?" I knew that my father's company was not in the best shape, but I was very sure it is not this bad.

"Looks like someone got too busy celebrating her little achievements that she did not check the reports. It is all in the reports, Lia." Liam replied.

 "What are you talking about?" I asked him, in confusion.

"I am talking about the fact that you father's companies shares have been dropping, and if something is not done soon. You might just hit the rocks." Liam stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

My face turned pale as his words hit me, my mind racing with though. "I see," I said, my voice barely above a whisper cause I was not sure of how to respond.

"The way I see it, you have two options Miss Wilde. You can either accept my proposal and we can work together to save your father's companies or you can keep dreaming of finding and marrying the man you love while your father's empire crumbles into nothing but a memory in the heart of those who cared about it." Liam said, in a steady and firm voice.

 I took a deep breath, trying to calm my mind. He knows how to state his facts in a way that trapped me, but I would not give in so easily. "And you think that by marrying me, your company will be able to save my father's? It seems ...umm how would I put it, a bit far fetched don't you think Mr Smith?"

 Liam shook his head. "That is where you wrong. This is not far fetched at all. In fact I would say it is quite practical and your only way out. Our complies complement each other so well, that it would maximize both the efficiency and profitability of both our companies. And the fact about the shares dropping, a merger would make headlines, gathering buzz and garnering the attention and interest of investors. The only thing that could turn your father's companies financial situation around would be a strong partnership, the same one I am offering you."

 I bit my lower lip, considering Liam's words. It did make some sense, but I am not about to let Liam know that. I have to make sure there are no loopholes he can use as an advantage over me in the future. "And what if this partnership fails? Not only will I be bankrupt, but divorced as well."

 "You have a choice Miss Wilde. You can either accept my offer and meet me at the wedding altar or go home, dream about your lover and watch Wilde Enterprises crumble to dust. It's all up to you."

 My heart raced, I knew this was my only way but my pride...

"I will meet you at the wedding altar." I said in a firm voice.