A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE NINETY ONE

THEME: Fighting Siblings

CONNECTICUT, UNITED OF AMERICA

CRAWFORD CORPORATION

A WEEK LATER

Christopher chuckled at the message he just received from Raven. He tapped on the table musing on what to text her back. They were playing back and forth teasing each other and while ignoring the fact that they were both at work. Christopher especially is seated in a meeting with his board of directors.

“Sir,” His secretary called out to him in a tight whisper.

Christopher looked up from his phone and his smile dissipated. “What?” He queried.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Pointing gently towards the man presenting a project to the board of directors. “He has been awaiting your response sir.”

Christopher cleared his throat as he sat upright but still keeping a side eye on his message notification. To avoid looking stupid, since he hadn’t been paying much attention, he whispered to his secretary to give him a brief rundown of what the man had presented while he zoned out. After listening keenly, christopher nodded his head in approval.

“Let’s try to work on what we have got for now. My secretary will schedule another meeting and we can work on the blueprint you must have prepared.” And without wasting time, Christopher stood up, snatched his phone from the table and almost ran the rest of the way to his office.

He found a spot on the couch as he got into the office. His eyes gleamed at the sight of Raven’s full lips picture formed in a kiss shape sent to him. Immediately he tapped on his video call icon and her face came on.

‘Do you mind not being such a tease?!’ Christopher whined as he ran his finger through the screen, trying to feel her.

Raven blinked innocently. ‘You asked for a kiss.’

‘And you had to do that?’

‘Thought you would like it better than an emoji.’ She giggled.

Christopher chuckled. ‘Of course I like it but the only thing now is I want you next to me so bad.’

‘Awwn, that’s so sweet of you.’ She cooed.

Christopher covered his face in excitement. ‘Oh please stop playing with me.’

‘Hmm Hmmmm!” Someone cleared their throat behind him.

Christopher almost jumped out of his skin. In his haste he had forgotten to close the door. Obviously he had been so engrossed talking to Raven that he didn’t even notice when his parents had walked in hand in hand.

James chortled at his son’s mortified expression. He bent towards the phone and saw his daughter in law. ‘Hey there Raven! How are you sweetie?’

‘Hey honey!’ Hope said next to him.

The same shock that had taken over Christopher had spread out to Raven’s face too. She waved awkwardly at the older duo. Christopher came to his senses and hanged up the call almost immediately when he found his voice.

“Hey Dad. Mom. What are you doing here?” He stood up from the couch and hugged them briefly before he returned to his usual seat.

Hope nodded at James as they both shared a look between themselves, causing them to laugh out loud.

“Are you two at it again?” Christopher accused.

His parents were good at reading each other’s mind and sending signals to themselves without a third party understanding it.

Hope chuckled softly, sitting her behind on the couch’s edge. “It’s obvious you and your wife can’t seem to get enough of each other.”

“I haven’t seen an honeymoon go on for so long.” James teased.

Hiding his smile behind the file he picked up, Christopher pretended to be focused on it.

“Act oblivious all you want, you have been caught.” His father continued, this time letting out a hearty laughter.

Christopher dropped the file in defeat, letting out the smile he had been trying so hard to hide out. “Since you both have had your fun, can I know what brought you here?”

“You are in a hurry to chase us out, CEO?” Hope jeered.

“Mom!” Christopher groaned softly in response. “That’s not what I mean. It’s not just everyday you see James and Hope Crawford grace your presence.” He gestured further with the wave of his hand.

“He is playing smart!” James informed his wife as he chuckled.

“Dad, come on!” Christopher stated.

“Anyways.” James sat up clearing his throat. “I don’t know how all of this got past me, probably I am beginning to grow older obviously. But it would be unheard of that I can’t fix my family after running a whole corporation for over thirty years of my life without a glitch.”

Christopher stared at his father in confusion, glancing towards his mother for help. He was only met with a straight face. He should have known better, his mother would never try to get on the children’s side or hint them on the issue at hand whenever their father was pointing out issues in relation to them.

“What’s this all about dad?” He queried.

James Crawford held his hands up. “Let me finish young man.” He stated with a stern look on his face.

Christopher gulped hard and relaxed nervously into his chair. “Ok, dad.”

“Your mom just told me about the rift between your sister Ashley and you. Not forgetting she and Ava too. In essence, you and Ava aren’t in talking terms with your older sister.” James explained.

Releasing a sigh of relief, Christopher sat up when he realized the topic of discussion wasn’t so serious. “Dad, is that why you had to come all the way? It isn’t that serious. Siblings argue all the time.”

“Not my children.” James stomped his feet. “How could you not be on talking terms with your sister for close to five months now. According to what I heard you both haven’t been talking since the week you became the CEO!”

Slowly anger was building up inside of Christopher. However he had no interest of exploding in the middle of this conversation. Through gritted teeth, he said. “It’s not like Ashley didn’t do anything before I decided to stay away from her. Why does it sound like you are throwing blames around? And did Ava tell you she got slapped by Ashley?”

James inhaled and exhaled, softening his voice. “Son, I do understand your older sister can be a handful but you really don’t have to go this far. It’s been on for too long.”

“She hates Raven, dad! Did you know she has been harassing her since the day she stepped into our house? The last straw was at the corporation dinner, I almost feared Raven was going to have a panic attack. And it’s so unfair of Ashley to be so inconsiderate!” Christopher spat in annoyance.

Hope flicked her fingers as the memory of the dinner returned. “Honestly Chris, I had noticed Raven’s inconvenience that day, but she didn’t tell me anything when I asked her.”

“She wouldn’t say anything to you mom because Ashley is your daughter and she probably didn’t want to cause trouble for you. I had to force her to tell me about it and I found out that Ashley was making her feel miserable. So what sort of husband would I be if I can’t fight for my wife?!” Christopher pointed out.

The room stayed silent for a while, with each person lost in their own thoughts. Hope was the first to break the silence.

“Ashley and Ava had been arguing over Raven, before Ashley lashed out on her younger sister and slapped her.”

James held his head in his palms. “What in the world is wrong with Ashley?” He breathed out heavily.

“I didn’t want to tell any of you as I thought that she would come around. Instead she just seems to cherish being in the middle of chaos.” Christopher stated, wondering what had gotten into his sister all of a sudden.

“I just realized our family dinners were a bit strained, you all did well in hiding it. But I am your father, I know when my children are hiding something from me.” James sighed. “This is my final verdict; Ashley isn’t in town right now. She and her family went on a vacation to Paris and they won’t be back until next week. As soon as she returns, I want all of you at home. We would sort all of this issues during dinner. I hope I sound clear enough?”

Christopher nodded his head. “Yes dad.”

Janes held up his wife’s hand as they stood up at the same time. “We would leave now, take care son.” He announced, stretching out his hand to his son for a hug.

Christopher stood up in a hurry. He moved to his parents and hugged the both of them tightly. “I love you both.”

“We love you more son.” James and Hope chorused.

They released him. Hope and Janes Crawford stepped out of the office leaving Christopher with a perplexed frown grazing his face.