Chapter 3 Chapter Three: A Suitor for Savannah.

Chapter 3: A Suitor for Savannah.

Savannah stalked back to her office; that board meeting went exactly how she knew it would go….yet she still found herself utterly disgusted!

“Son’s of bitches!!! Ugh!!”

Savannah slammed her hands on her desk; she only had a week in a half to stop Richard and the board. She needed a plan fast! As her mind began to form her next course of action, she called her assistant Leeda back into the office.

“The meeting with the board is over Leeda…come to office, I need you to get information on someone.”

Leeda quickly arrived at Savannah’s office. Her face filled with concern as she could imagine how the meeting went. Walking over to her desk, Leeda smiled lightly.

“So….how’d it go? What’s our damage?”

Savannah looked up at Leeda, her face filled with resolution as she smiled back.

“Just as we expected. They’re forcing me into marriage.”

Leeda’s eyes instantly widened! She’d already expected as much. She and Savannah had already discussed the probability. Still….hearing it aloud, she couldn't help but feel sorry for her boss. Leeda knew better than anyone how hard Savannah worked to take Carter & Associates to the next level and above! Still, because of the board’s wayward thinking….it wasn’t enough. Plopping in the chair at Savannah’s desk, Leeda looked somber.

“So what do we do now?”

Savannah sat up straight, her eyes filled with determination not to let her stepfather or that board win.

“Now….I find my husband. I need you to get me as much information on this person. Their work schedule, hangouts, daily activity, favorite color….I want it all! And I need it within 48 hours.”

Leeda nodded swiftly as she held out her hand to take the paper with the person’s name on it. She’d figured Savannah would have some suitors in mind as she was always ten steps ahead. As she opened the paper to read the name, her face suddenly fell ashen. Was this truly who her mistress wanted her to investigate! Looking nervously at Savannah, Leeda took a deep swallow.

“Umm….my lady…..is this the correct name?”

Savannah’s eyes shot up at Leeda. Her worried expression made her chuckle a bit. Nodding her head she responded.

“It’s accurate and I know what you’re thinking….but trust me on this one.”

Leeda was Savannah’s most loyal employee. She admired her business acumen, her intelligence, she creativity, and her perfection! She also appreciated her strength and resolve not to let a predominantly male ran industry run her scared! She trusted every decision Savannah made during her rise and tenure as president. But right now….at this very moment….she looked at her boss as if she had three heads.

“President Carter….you know I trust and believe everything you say….but I would be lying if I wasn’t concerned about this. We only have a little over a week to get you a suitor….do you really want to waste time on ‘the heartless beast?’?”

Savannah laughed aloud. She knew Leeda’s concerns were valid, but she had no choice. Right now, Richard had the board wrapped around his finger, she couldn’t just get a fiancé; she had to get engaged to someone that without a doubt would rival ANY suitor Richard could scheme up.

“Let me worry about that part Leeda. Just focus on finding out everything you can about him….I’ll take care of the rest.”

Though she was concerned, Leeda nodded in agreement. No matter what, she would trust her mistress. Standing up swiftly with determination in her eyes, Leeda headed towards the door.

“Have no worries mistress! By the time I’m finished, you’ll know what his favorite bedtime stories were as a child!”

Savannah laughed hysterically, she knew Leeda would be swift and proficient! Nodding in agreement, she also stood to leave.

“Then I’ll leave it to you Leeda. I’m going to leave a little early today. If you need anything call my cell.”

As the women both left her office, Savannah pulled out her cellphone and called her best friend Abbie Waters. She and Savannah had also known each other since grade school. Their mothers were also best friends. After her mother’s death, Savannah spent majority of her time at Abbie’s. Everyone had been furious with Richard for moving his mistress and her daughter into the manor.

“If you ask me….that little brat is probably his! He’s just lying because he knows he’ll be disinherited!”

Angela Waters, Abbie's mother, ranted the day everyone found out about Darma and Lacy. Savannah also had her doubts about Lacy NOT being Richard’s biological daughter, but when she brought up that concern to her mother’s financial advisor, Richard produced paperwork showing he was not related to Lacy. Savannah had no choice but to drop the subject.

Abbie immediately answered her phone.

“Hey, hey mama! What you doing?”

“I’m actually on my way to you. Are you home?”

Abbie sat up, she could tell something was wrong with her best friend.

“I am! I just got in from class.”

Abbie was currently in one of the region’s top law schools. She planned on working for her father’s law firm once she graduated. The Waters were one of the top law firms in the entire region. After Savannah turned 18, she fired her assigned attorney that was handpicked by Richard, and hired Franklin Waters, Abbie’s dad.

“Cool beans. I’m headed your way now.”

When Savannah arrived, it was already lunchtime. Abbie went ahead and ordered from one of their favorite lunch spots.

“Hey beautiful! I hope you’re hungry! I just ordered some street tacos, loaded nachos, the works, from Lupita’s!”

Savannah smiled brightly, she could always rely on Abbie to make her feel better.

“I’m definitely hungry especially after the day I’ve had.”

Abbie looked at her friend, concern in her eyes and expression. She knew something was wrong!

“It’s barley noon and that board is already pissing you off! What did those bastards do this time?”

Savannah sat in the kitchen barstool at the island and smiled lightly.

“They’re enforcing the marital agreement.”

Abbie could hardly believe her ears! She’d known about the marital clause as Savannah went to her father when she first became president to see if she could get out of that agreement. Unfortunately, the contract was binding, so there was nothing he could do to get her out of it.

“I’m so sorry Savie….you’re mother….this was an airtight clause. At the time, she didn’t have a choice, she needed the shares of the company purchased for the capital funding. The good news, however, you can choose your own suitor. I think she made sure she could at least protect you that way.”

Back then, Savannah had been furious at her mother for agreeing to something like that! But later on, she understood why. Her father had passed away right when the company launched, everything fell on Sonya, and she needed the funding. Now, over twenty years later, the pipers finally came to collect.

“Are you fucking kidding me! Why! Why now!”

Abbie was furious! She knew this day would eventually come but she hadn’t expected it to come so soon!

“The clause stated I would have to be engaged by my twenty-third birthday and married within sixty days of the engagement.”

Abbie’s eyes widened in shock as she placed a glass of wine in front of Savannah.

“Oh my gosh….Savie I’m so sorry!”

Savannah smiled as she sipped her wine.

“That’s not even the worst of it. My dear old stepfather is leading the crusade.”

Abbie nearly chocked on her wine!

“Are you fucking kidding me!!! What does that rat bastard have to do with anything! I thought his little funky three percent couldn’t make company decisions!”

Though Richard had three percent company shares, to make sure Savannah was always protected, she had a clause added that he would not be allowed to insert his three percent into company decisions with either the board or Savannah. It was a precaution Sonya added to make sure Richard would never be able to allow the board to side against her daughter.

“So what does this mean? Is he going to start forcing you to go on blind dates? Why the hell does he care anyway!”

Savannah sipped more of her wine, her face stoic.

“Nope….that asshole actually wants me to marry Kevin.”

This time Abbie spit out her wine! She couldn’t believe what she was hearing!

“WHAT!!! You have GOT to be fucking kidding me!!!!”

Abbie used to also be friends with Kevin back when they were all friends in grade school. Growing up, it was Savannah, Abbie, Kevin, and Tye. They were inseparable, eventually, Tye fell head over heels in love with Abbie, and Kevin fell for Savannah. When Lacy came, however, the tides of friendship changed. Everyone watched as Kevin slowly began to turn on Savannah for Lacy. Eventually, Abbie and Tye stopped being friends with Kevin as they could see how manipulative Lacy was and how blind Kevin had become.

“Is this a fucking joke! He wants you to marry Kevin! Oh hell no! Savie you can’t let him get away with this! We’ve got to find you a suitor ASAP!”

Savannah sat her glass down. Her face was cool, and her voice was calm.

“Oh I’ve already found a suitor. One that even Richard’s conniving ass won’t be able to beat.”

Abbie’s eyes brightened! She knew her friend would have a plan!

“Oh, yes! I knew it! My bestie is a fucking genius! So….who’s the lucky fella?”

Taking another sip, Savannah turned and smiled at Abbie.

“Darius Kyle.”