Love Worth Fighting For

“Why is Zwetta taking so long to come down?” Suri grumbled annoyed. “Looks like Christian kept Zwetta from going to work this morning with me.”

“Your sister-in-law is pregnant, honey. And pregnant women need a lot of preparation when they have to go to work especially in the morning like this.” Anne tried to explain as briefly as possible to Suri who had been grumbling since thirty minutes ago because Zwetta and Christian had not come down from the second floor.

Suri, who had been grumbling all along, immediately froze, her cheerful face suddenly turned pale and looked panicked.

“I-is it okay for Zwetta to be up this early, Mom?” asked Suri half-whisper hoarse.

Anne smiled a little. “Currently Zwetta’s gestational age is entering its third month, the age when the fetal organs begin to form even though they are not perfect. Her condition is much stronger than the previous month, so you can be sure that your sister is fine at this time.”

Suri took a deep breath. “Thank God.”

Zwetta and Christian came down from the second floor when Suri cover her mouth, the two of them walked hand in hand and looked so harmonious with the clothes they were currently wearing.

“Sorry for making you wait so long,” Zwetta said softly when she had just set foot on the first floor.

.....

Suri shook her head slowly. “I just came down from my room too Zee. So you don’t have to apologize.”

“Is that true?”

“Yeah, just ask Mommy if you don’t believe me,” Suri replied calmly, throwing responsibility at her mother, who immediately smiled at her voice.

Like a child who is still easily fooled, Zwetta immediately turned to her mother-in-law who was smiling so sincerely at her.

Anne, who understood, immediately moved her hand towards Zwetta, her goal was the daughter-in-law’s stomach which was already starting to look bloated.

“Good morning my dear, are you ready to learn to run a company?” Anne cleverly changed the subject. “Someday you will have to replace your father to take care of our entire company, so don’t bother your mother today, OK?”

Zwetta chuckled, and so did Christian.

“My son is smart, Mom. He will definitely be a good boy today, Mommy don’t worry,” Christian answered with a smile on his face, Christian looked so excited when he was discussing his son who was growing in Zwetta’s stomach.

Anne smiled again. “Okay, let’s go to dining table, don’t make Daddy wait too long.”

Christian nods quickly, as fast as his movement when leading Zwetta to the dining room leaving Suri not spoken to. Even so Suri was not angry, Suri was wise enough not to be as arrogant as before. Suri didn’t want to spoil her brother’s happiness, who was enjoying the most beautiful times with Zwetta.

Suri only followed into the dining room after Anne waved at her for the umpteenth time. After Suri sat down on her chair, Jorge immediately instructed the other maids to start serving food. During breakfast, Jack and Anne didn’t talk much. The married couple, who have been married for more than half a century, let their children and daughter-in-law chatter and laugh. In the eyes of both of them, it was clear the twinkle of happiness to see the intimacy of their children who had been tenuous.

Slowly Jack took Anne’s hand and gripped it tightly. “Our work is almost done, Anne.”

Anne smiled. “Only Suri and Asher, after that we can enjoy our old age happily, Jack.”

Jack tightened his grip on Anne’s hand, his heart felt so peaceful today. Likewise with Anne who was very, very grateful to see the happy sight before her eyes this morning.

***

Muller Finance International, Geneva. 8.30 AM

Three weeks have almost passed since Asher returned to Geneva to take care of the company without Jack and Erick who are still in Luxembourg, even though Asher can manage the company well, he still feels something is missing with his uncle’s absence at the office. Asher feels that his workload has become even heavier with the vacancy of his uncle’s position at the finance company that is more than half a century old.

“Are you ok.” Johan who appeared with two cups of coffee broke Asher’s reverie who was staring at Jack’s room where the door was tightly closed.

Asher nodded slowly. “Yes I’am.”

Johan chuckled, he slowly put the two cups of coffee on the table where it suddenly made Asher straighten up. “I’ve known you for a long time and I know you’re lying now, Asher.”

“I’m just nervous and scared,” Asher said honestly. “I miss working again with Uncle Jack, managing a company of this size alone is not an easy job. I’m afraid if I make a mistake that makes the company lose money, I’m afraid to disappoint Uncle Jack.”

“Asher..Asher.” Johan chuckled lightly. “You are part of the Clarke family, you are just like Suri and Christian in that family. And if there is a little problem in the company when you take care of it alone like this it feels very natural, there is nothing wrong. So don’t make the task load you get from Mr. Jack, not everyone gets a chance like you.”

“I know,” Asher replied hoarsely. “It’s just that the fear remains, Johan. Even though I’m listed as part of the Clarke family, I’m still someone else, I…”

“You’re still a Clarke.” Johan immediately interrupted Asher’s words firmly. “Don’t talk like that again, I’m sure Mr. Jack will be sad to hear about it. You have to be sure of your abilities Ahser, you have to be able to prove to everyone especially to Christian who has always underestimated your abilities.”

Asher’s expression immediately changed when Johan mentioned Christian’s unfriendly behavior so far, his smart brain immediately played scene after scene where Christian belittled his abilities several times. Even though his relationship with Christian is now starting to improve, until now Christian has not apologized for all the things he has done to him and this has made Asher’s little heart a little disturbed.

And the change in Asher’s expression did not escape Johan’s attention, who had been waiting for moments like this for a long time. Johan had been waiting for the moment when he could use Asher to become a weapon against the Clarke family, to destroy the family that had made his parents suffer.

“And if you want to prove your ability to Christian, then I will help you, I will do everything in my power to accompany you to run this company to the fullest,” said Johan enthusiastically.

Asher raised his face to Johan who was also looking at him unblinkingly. “What do you mean?”

“Give me the same access as you…”

To be continued