Chapter 3 Given Cruel Choices To Make

• "Good morning, Mr. President" She said, her voice professional.
• "Morning. Any messages?" Reece nodded curtly before asking.
• "None, sir. But I have the latest financial reports ready for you, as requested." Ms
• Shirley said.
• "Good. Send them to my office, ASAP. And tell my assistant to get me the latest sales figures and market analysis. I want them on my desk within the hour." Reece spoke firmly.
• "Right away, sir." The receptionist nodded efficiently.
• Reece turned towards the elevators, his eyes already focused on the tasks ahead. As he stepped into the elevator, he checked his watch, his mind ticking with the demands of the day.
• The doors slid open on the top floor, and he walked out into a sleek, modern reception area. His assistant, a sharp-eyed young man named Michael, looked up from his desk.
• "Morning, sir. I have the files you requested ready and waiting." He announced.
• "Good work" Reece nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "I want those sales figures and market analysis on my desk in the next 30 minutes. And get me a coffee, black, no sugar." He instructed before leaving.
• Michael nodded, already moving to fulfill the requests. Reece turned towards his office, his mind focused on the challenges ahead.
• He settled into his plush leather swivel chair as he got into his office, letting out a sigh of relief as he gazed out the window at the city skyline. He began to swivel gently, his eyes closed, savoring the moment of peace.
• Just as he was getting comfortable, his phone rang, shrill in the silence. He opened his eyes, a hint of annoyance creeping into his expression. He answered, his voice firm.
• "Hey, Mr. Grump fish! I didn't know you were in the country! How could you not tell me?" Kevin's voice boomed through the line, cheerful and oblivious to Reece's gruff demeanor.
• "Kevin, what do you want? I'm busy." Reece raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips despite himself.
• Kevin is his crazy friend, the only one that knows how to annoy Reece and drive him nuts.
• But he's a very good friend of Reece. His best friend from childhood.
• "Busy? You're always busy, Reece! That's why they call you the 'Ice King'! But seriously, when did you get back? We need to catch up, and I have some awesome jokes to share!" Kevin went on.
• "Kevin, focus. What do you want?" Reece rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
• "Okay, okay! So, I heard rumors about your company's financial troubles. Is it true? Do you need a loan or something?" Kevin asked.
• "Kevin, I don't need your help. And even if I did, I wouldn't ask you. You'd probably loan me a participation trophy or something." Reece's expression darkened.
• "Hey, watch it, Mr. Grump fish!" Kevin chuckled. "I'm a successful businessman, I'll have you know. And I can lend you a few bucks... or a few million... if you need it."
• "Kevin, I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll pass. And if you keep annoying me, I'll make sure you lose a few balls and teeth. Capisce?" Reece sighed, his patience wearing thin.
• "Ooh, the Ice King is getting testy! Alright, alright, I'll leave you alone... for now." Kevin guffawed.
• As they continued to banter, Reece's assistant, Michael, entered with a tray carrying a steaming cup of coffee and a stack of files.
• Reece nodded in appreciation, taking the cup and files while still on the call.
• He began to juggle the files, sipping his coffee, and scanning the documents while Kevin continued to chat away. His ear pods were in, and he was multitasking like a pro.
• Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, his expression darkening.
• "What the heck?!" He exclaimed, his voice low and dangerous.
• "Dude, what's wrong?" Kevin's voice changed from jovial to concerned.
• Reece's eyes scanned the file, his mind racing. "Beverly Bloomfield still hasn't paid back her loan? That's unacceptable." Reece grouched.
• "Are you kidding? Thought she has paid up already? The date is due already, isn't it?" Kevin who couldn't believe it, asked.
• "What exactly does she take me for?" Reece let out a dark chuckle instead. I'll talk to you later" He told Kevin and instantly ended the call.
• After hanging up, his focus was now solely on the files in front of him, his mind already racing with strategies to tackle the issue.
• •••••••••••••••
• It was evening already, and Beverly was getting ready to lock up for the day.
• She loves to close early, so she was always ready to lock up once it was evening.
• She was still trying to round of everything, when an employee hurried into her small office, looking tense.
• "Mike? What's the problem? Why.....do you look so tense?" She asked, and Mike breathed out.
• "You have a visitor, Ms. Beverly" Mike announced, and Beverly frowned in confusion.
• "A visitor?" She questioned within.
• She couldn't remember anyone telling her that he/she was visiting. It couldn't even be Clarice her friend. If she was coming or was in town, she would have of course informed her. So who could that be?
• Putting all the questions aside, Beverly stood up and headed out, upon reaching there, she met the last person she ever wanted to see at that moment....no, for the rest of some days or even months.
• Reece Blackmore!
• He was leaning on his car, with his two guards beside him, his face serious and hard as a rock.
• Beverly couldn't believe it!
• How in the world did he know where her ice cream shop was?
• As he began to strode to where Beverly stood frozen, she could already feel the aura hanging around in the air, a smile that meant trouble and danger, playing on his face.
• "Do you intent to run away with my money, Beverly Bloomfield? Or perhaps, I should loan you more money?" He said, a creepy smile on his face.
• "Mr. Blackmore, I...that....."
• "You have 10 days, woman!!" His voice was a cold, calculated whisper, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, a smile that sent shivers down her spine.
• "Pay the debt in full, or surrender to marriage. Refuse any of these, and I'll destroy everything you hold. Your business, your home, your family... everything will burn to ashes, leaving nothing but smoldering ruins and shattered dreams." His voice was as cold as ice, his blazing eyes piercing right into her soul.
• Beverly's heart raced as she stared at the man before her, her mind reeling with the impossibility of her situation.
• How could she possibly pay back the millions she owed in just ten days? Was someone kidding her?
• The thought of working even harder to pay back the money was daunting, but the reality of her situation hit her like a ton of bricks. She was trapped, with no escape.
• She thought about her struggling business, her family's dependence on her, her son and the shame of losing everything they had worked for. The weight of her predicament crushed her, leaving her breathless and bewildered.
• She was left with no choice, and so she managed to ask....
• "And if I choose to marry you?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
• "I'll divorce you once I've secured what I want. You'll be free to go. It's just a prison of loveless matrimony, no strings attached" Reece's gaze never wavered, his voice devoid of emotions.