His Beautiful Addiction

Tiana threw up the food she ate that morning; as she watched the half-digested pancakes mess the sink, she felt shivers run down her spine; at this rate she would fall sick.

She turned on the tap and washed the sink, before moving towards a connected door. She walked down the hallway and pushed open a door, when she saw that it was a bedroom, she dragged herself in and slumped on the bed, her eyes shutting weakly.

…

Nicklaus watched Grandpa walk into his office, a visible frown etched to his brows. When he reached the mansion earlier, he was told that Grandpa wanted to see him at the company. Strange, because although Grandpa was still the Chairman, he rarely came to the company;

On getting there, he was told that he had not arrived yet; Nicklaus was getting impatient. It was over two hours and Grandpa was still not there. He quickly dialed his number, but just when the call went through, his office door creaked open and Grandpa stepped in with his Pa.

''You can wait outside, '' Grandpa said to his pa, and he nodded and turned around, closing the door after him.

Grandpa turned to Nicklaus who was looking irked, and he narrowed his eyes at him;

''Let's sit down over there. '' He said and started walking towards the parlor in the office.

Nicklaus watched him walk to the parlor in slow steps, and it wasn't until he was fully seated that he stood up.

''How do you intend to solve this? ''

Grandpa asked immediately Nicklaus sat in front of him; there was a worried frown etched to his face. He didn't even bother with pleasantries. Nicklaus swallowed; truthfully, he had no lead, the only thing he knew was that Douglas could be the one behind it but he couldn't tell Grandpa that; it bore no base, since he didn't have any evidence.

''Did you hear me, Nicklaus Howells? ''

Grandpa raised his voice a little; at that moment, every passing second spelled doom for the Howells Corporation. He knew that, and he was sure Nicklaus knew that as well.

Nicklaus blinked; Grandpa rarely called him by his full name, and whenever he did, it meant that there was trouble.

''We are working on a lead, Grandfather. ''

Grandpa sneered; his brows creased in obvious anger,

''Do I need to remind you how important every second is; that as we speak now, our shares are falling drastically? Do you think working on a 'lead' is enough? ''

Grandpa watched Nicklaus for a moment, and then he heaved a long sigh;

''Your Uncle Douglas met with me. ''

At the mention of that name, Nicklaus' eyes widened with shock,

''He says he would save the company on the condition that he would be made CEO. ''

Nicklaus hands fisted, his knuckles turning white. He had suspected it was him all along; and this had just confirmed it. He would surely let him taste his own medicine when he gets out of this mess. He should just wait.

''I don't want to give the company over to him, but you're leaving me with no choice; Nicklaus. ''

''Grandfather… '' Nicklaus sat up on the couch; ''I am going to solve this, trust me.''

''How?'' Grandpa's eyes darted to him; ''How are you going to do that? We don't have time, every passing second is important, you need to act fast, you need to act now!''

Grandpa scolded; his face red with anger, leaning back on the couch, he breathed out heavily;

''There's only one option left for you right now, Nicklaus; ''

Nicklaus' eyes widened, and he watched grandpa intently;

''What is it? ''

Grandpa paused for a moment, as though in thought, then he lifted his eyes to Nicklaus;

''You must marry the president's daughter. He has promised to help us clear up this mess. ''

''  ''

The whole place turned frighteningly calm; for a split second, Grandpa got scared. Nicklaus' expression was as frosty as the worst winter, his eyes dark with a menacing glare.

''I'm engaged to be married. '' Nicklaus spoke slowly but menacingly.

The last time, he remembered engaging Tiana in front of everyone in the family. So why was Grandpa even suggesting something like that?

Grandpa's eyes turned to Nicklaus, his left brow rose slightly;

''Nicklaus, do you think I'm a fool? '' Nicklaus' brows narrowed;

 ''I knew of the contract between the two of you ever since, but decided not to talk about it because there was no need to, but right now, there is a pressing need and I think we both know what is best for the company right now. ''

Nicklaus watched Grandpa for a moment then he smiled, lifting his dark gaze to him, he spoke;

''Grandfather, I agree that I forced her to be mine, but that is not the case anymore, we're…''

''In love? '' Grandpa completed for him, his face looking amused;

''Nicklaus, are you seriously thinking about choosing a woman over the company? ''

Nicklaus gaze fell to the table; ''Grandfather, I do not plan on choosing. ''

''We both know you can't have both. It is either you choose the company, or that woman; else you leave me with no other choice than to give the company over to your Uncle Douglas. ''

Nicklaus brows clenched; his blue veins popping out of the sides of his face; his insides burned with great anger, and not knowing what to do, he stood up from the couch;

''I'm not going to choose Grandfather, and I'll find a solution before the week runs out, thank you…''

''It seems this woman is smarter than you after all. She didn't even think twice to accept the pay off earlier today. ''

Nicklaus did not complete his words before Grandfather interrupted him; his whole body froze and as though he had heard something extraterrestrial, he stood still, unmoving for a few seconds;

''What… what did you just say? ''

He asked; a tremble in his voice, his ears vibrated as he waited for Grandpa to repeat what he had said;

''You heard me right, I met Tiana just before I came here, Nicklaus, and I told her exactly the same thing I told you now; and without the slightest hesitation, she took the money and house I offered, she even wishes you a grand wedding, what an irony.''