Chapter Six

ANTHONY'S POV

As I sat in the backseat of the car, I wondered about Mother's message and what would be the urgency. We got close to the large gate, it opened widely and we drove in. The wheels of the BMW car screeched on the smooth gray, brick-paved ground as it reversed to the front of the house.

"Stop!" I didn't have to wait for the driver to take us into the garage. Barry, my personal bodyguard dashed out from the front seat where he shared with the driver and opened up the backseat door where I sat.

I walked up to the door and the servant was standing in front of the door. The moment he saw me he opened it and moved aside, bowing down his head. "Good afternoon Sir. You're welcome."

I walked past him with only a faint nod not even giving him a look. The white light on the roof brightened the room, I looked around, nothing had actually changed the last time I came. The golden-plated rails by the stairs, the orange-brown tiles, the clean milky-white walls that the light brightened.

The last time I was here was the day after my father's burial when we waited for my late father's lawyer, Barrister Powell to state his father's will, it was a disa.

I stood there when I heard footsteps from the stairs. I raised my face and saw my mother coming down in her gown from the stairs. "Every son who loves his mother deeply will call her out with an exciting face the very moment they visit."

"Every mother who understands her sons perfectly will know that coming to a meeting she informed him as quickly as possible and laying aside other important engagement shows nothing else, but love and respect."

Mother smiled and walked to me with arms open wide. She embraced me and rested her head on my chest. "I'm so happy to see you, my boy."

She pulled away slowly and held my hand. "How have you been?"

I held Mother's hand and we walked to the living room while I was speaking with her. "Busy than ever before. Dad left the company filled with lazy and unserious employees, and since his death, some investors left the company. I am trying harder to make us thrive in the stock market but our net profit isn't enough to carry out another project that will keep us in the stock market."

"Mart Group can get a loan from the bank to carry out a project if that's the problem."

"No, mom! Why is everyone telling me to get a loan? I just got in!"

"There's no successful company right now that didn't get a loan, Tony. Did you know the loans your grandfather took to create Mart Group? Or should I skip the loans your Mart Groups took when Victor was in charge just to keep it growing?"

"I know of all that, and that is what is threatening the progress of the company. I just went in and told you earlier that right now our net profit is little. The income we generate yearly is almost the same as our net expenditures."

"Leave that aside, Tony. There is something more important. Go bathe, eat, and come to the living room. We are expecting some guests that I want you to meet."

"Your guests aren't here yet, but you made it seem like it's that urgent."

"If I didn't say it that way you won't have treated it as something important. I can count how many times you disappointed me in some family meetings like this when you know all I'm doing is for your good."

I looked away and sighed, "Get to your guests now that your son doesn't have much time to spare." I walked up to the room where I once shared a few years ago before I went to the mansion I bought.

I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. As I shut my eyes the image of my secretary appeared in my mind. My beautiful ocean eyes, her blink, and her gaze showed her innocence. Her shape was perfect, even in her slightly slim build.

I shook my head, provoked with myself for admiring her. Deep inside me, I know it was beyond admiration. As I stood under the shower, the water washing off the soapy leather on my body I was lost in thought. I imagine my hands holding hers and seeing her voluntarily pulling towards me slowly. My heartbeat increased and I felt some warmth surged through my body.

I opened my eyes and looked up to the roof which brought my mind to reality. I grabbed the towel and dashed out of the bathroom.

I changed up and walked up to the door and saw a maid standing there. "Excuse me, master. Madam said the guests are waiting for you at the dining table."

I followed her downstairs and saw a middle-aged couple seated in the dining room with a young lady who looked like she would be in her twenties.

The moment they turned their faces to me, Mother smiled. "Here he is."

I walked down and glanced at their faces, I had to fake a cheerful expression. I wore a smile and walked up to the middle-aged couple and gave them a handshake.

"Anthony, this is Mr. and Mrs. Scott..." The man grabbed my hand firmly and wore a warm smile as he greeted me. I received the hand of his wife, she held my hand faintly.

"Nice meeting you, you are a handsome young man like your mother described," she said, and Mother chuckled.

I sat down at the only free seat which was beside the young girl. I noticed the very moment she saw me coming down the stairs she had not taken her eyes off me. She would only look away for a while when it had lingered for long and then stared again.

"Anthony, this is Cynthia Scott. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott." She smiled at me and I smiled back.

Mother continued, "The Scott family has what you need – a connection to put your Mart Groups high in the stock market with your name."

I was getting impressed. "How?"

"You know most times political affiliation affects the the stock market. And also, Mr. Scott has a way of pulling more reliable investors to you on your next project."

"You don't have to worry about your next project, Anthony. I will get the bank for you, but you will have to do something for me," Mr. Scott said.

"You are already making demands."

"Anthony!" Mother called me.

"It's okay, every man with such wit as you is the kind of mind I need to relate with. You know, I worked with your father a long time ago, I was one of his most reliable connectors, and I linked him to moguls that made Mart Group survive till today. I want to have the same relationship I have with your father."

"And, that relationship will go beyond business, we need more ties," Mr. Scott said. "And that is the reason I brought my beautiful daughter here."

What is he trying to say?

I turned to my mom and saw how she smiled as Mr. Scott pointed to his daughter. Is he trying to make me marry his daughter?