Chapter 22
Ivan
I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I sat down to take a break and drink water. It had been a very busy but fulfilling day for me.
So far I’d had around seventeen signups for my football clinic, who all gave down payments already. It was certainly a lot of money in a few hours, considering I was doing something I loved which didn’t even feel like work. There were also about fifty others who had given me their contact details and showed interest in joining the clinic. It looked like I was going to be busy in the next few months.
A while ago, Alex had even dropped by and assisted in the games for a while. Naturally, seeing the town’s two football stars together in a public event made more people flock to our area. We were swamped with Windfield Warriors fans and sports enthusiasts all wanting to have their picture taken with us.
“Thanks, man,” I told Alex before he left. “Because of you, I’ve got more signups.”
“Nah,” Alex had said. “That’s on you, not me. This is really great. I’m glad for you. And it’s going to be good for the town too.”
“Yeah,” I’d agreed. “Took me a lot of self-pity sessions before I actually came up with the idea.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll be back on track in no time, but for now, this will probably earn you even more than what you make as a professional league player.”
I had laughed. “I hope so. At least it’s another good thing that came out of my injury.”
“Yes, great things do come out of tragic moments.”
Now that I was actually alone, I had more time to think. I was dead set on getting Mr. Young alone today and calling off our deal once and for all. It couldn’t wait any longer.
Glancing at my watch, I saw that Cassy’s fashion show was nearing. There had already been an announcement a few minutes earlier. I stood up and left my booth with the signup sheet on the table and a fresh stack of flyers.
I wandered over to the stage where a local band was playing, scanning the seats that were filling up fast. Mr. Young wasn’t there yet.
I saw Charlene and Cassy at the side of the stage talking animatedly to some organizers. Studying my girlfriend even from afar and seeing how ecstatic she was made my heart flutter. I felt proud of what she’d become. I know there was so much more for both of us to look forward to in the future--- together.
“Mr. Ivan Willard,” I heard a male voice boom from behind me.
I turned around and there he was--- the intimidating business tycoon looking like a million dollars. He wasn’t even wearing a suit this time, and yet his whole aura seemed to radiate with confidence, money, and power.
“Just the man I was hoping to see,” he said, patting me on the back. “I hear your football clinic booth is quite popular.”
“Yes, thank you,” I said cautiously, trying to determine where he was going with this.
“Ever the resourceful young man while you’re waiting to play again,” he said. “I like that. It tells me you’ll make a good businessman.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but he beat me to it. He wasn’t done talking yet.
“You know, an ambitious, hardworking, and confident man like you reminds me of myself, actually,” he mused, surprising me. “And your mom always has great things to say about you, especially in terms of being the main provider of the family now that your father isn’t here anymore.”
I didn’t say anything, waiting to see where the one-sided conversation was headed.
“So please, I want you to keep seeing my daughter,” he said, again astonishing me. “You two seem to get along well, anyway. And you are certainly much better than anyone else she’d dated before. I’m willing to take our arrangement to the next level, perhaps give you an increase if you agree.”
I was not just taken aback, but greatly confused. “You mean you’ll pay me more to go out with her?” I said, keeping my voice down. Around us, plenty of couples, families, and groups of friends were too busy having fun to probably pay attention to our conversation.
He chuckled. “Well, it’s not just that. Since you seem to have a certain influence on her, this time I want you to encourage her to train in my company and learn everything about it. You see, you’ll actually be helping her because the company will ensure her future and the future of her children too. Besides, we both wouldn’t want her IT skills and intelligence to go to waste, would we?”
I was quiet. He had a point, but I surely didn’t want to take our deal further. “Actually, I want to end our deal,” I told him firmly.
“You mean you can’t commit to a relationship with her?” he said in confusion. “I wouldn’t put it past a football celebrity like yourself, of course, even if you’re in this town.”
“Sir, with all due respect, I sincerely care a lot about your daughter,” I said, pushing on before I changed my mind or lost the courage. “I want to be with her, but not like this. I don’t want to keep secrets from her anymore.”
“Interesting,” he said, nodding thoughtfully. “Well, think about it first. The offer still stands.” He then fished a white envelope from inside his casual coat and handed it to me. “So consider this your last salary for the time being.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept that anymore,” I said. “You don’t have to worry about Cassy because I’ll keep encouraging her to be a better person just as she’s doing with me. I’ll keep supporting her in pursuing her dreams, whether that includes your company in the picture or not.”
He put back the envelope. “I see,” was all he said.
“Thank you for the opportunity, which helped see my family through difficult financial times. I will pay you back for all the money you’ve sent me.”
“That won’t be necessary,” he answered, though he looked surprised.
“I insist, Mr. Young,” I said without hesitation.
He shrugged. “That’s up to you. Pay me if you want, whenever you’re able.”
“Thank you.”
Without another word, he went over to the audience area to take his seat in the front row which was reserved for the major sponsors of the event and the top donors of the town.
As I shifted my eyes from him to his daughter who had actually come over to greet him, a feeling of dread passed through me. It wasn’t over yet. What if he decides to tell her? No doubt Cassy would not be able to forgive me. I couldn’t risk that. Perhaps it would be best for it to come from me. I had to come clean.