Chapter 3: Master planner

"This position will always handled by a married person. I only choose a responsible member of the family for this position because it's a crucial position, for this company. I need someone who is grounded and shows the qualities of a responsible person who can manage their affairs very well despite the pressures of life. Someone who is focused on the task ahead, a person whose home is in order can also keep this company in order" Mr. Hughes the chairman of Hughes Foods, had stated in his will.

He had died and left behind a huge company to his 3 sons and 6 grandchildren. All 3 of his sons held key positions in the company. After the death of their father, Ronald, the oldest son was promoted to the position of chairman of the company, the second oldest, Marvin was now the CEO leaving Charles, the youngest son in the role of Chief financial officer. Each of these sons also had a son they wanted to occupy the role of Managing director but none of their sons were married. And after reading that requirement, they all knew that their sons didn't stand a chance and needed to act fast.

When Charles left the meeting he came back to his office feeling perplexed, his assistant, Mr. Grant was curious to know why his boss would be in that mood after getting a promotion so he made it his mission to find out.

"Mr. Hughes, did you not get the position you were hoping for? You don't look happy at all."

"I worked so hard for the role of the CEO but Marvin who barely even shows up to work got it just because he's the second child, I can't sit back and watch this happen to Harry just because he's the son of the youngest son in the Hughes family. Harry shouldn't miss out on the role of the Managing Director of this company," Charles Hughes stated with a dissatisfied look on his face,

"Does he not meet the requirement?" Mr. Grant curiously asked,

"The will states that whoever occupies that role must be married. Ronald's son is engaged, and Marvin's son has a girlfriend. Then there's Harry, my only child, who has never brought any woman home, he cares less about anything and has no girlfriend. All he does is work all day, no social life at all, how is he going to get married before these two do?" Charles Hughes lamented.

Mr. Hughes thought about the issue and smiled. Harry was a very good guy, he showed seriousness at work and proved to be a competent leader. If they set him up with a very good girl he could take the position up so easily.

"How old is Harry? I have two beautiful daughters. We could set them up on a date..."

"What are you talking about Alex? Harry is the most aloof person I know, setting him up on a date won't work." Charles quickly shot down the suggestion,

"I know what will work Uncle Charles, I know how to get Harry married." Nathan stormed into the office with a smile on his face. The moment the two men saw him, their faces went pale,

Nathan was the son of Ronald, the first son of the Hughes family, he was also the head of the sales department who was likely to be given the role of managing director since he was engaged. They were surprised to find him eavesdropping on their conversation and batting in but they were even more surprised that he was on their side.

"Nathan, were you eavesdropping on our conversation?" Charles snapped.

"I'm sorry uncle, but I don't want to be the managing director of this company, I also think that Harry will do a better job in that position than I ever will, I have my own plans and it doesn't involve this company at all," he explained.

"So why don't you tell your father?" Charles asked, still doubtful of Nathan's intentions.

"You know my father, Uncle Charles, he will never take no for an answer, he will give me a lot of problems if I ever reject the position, that's why Harry must marry before any of us do," Nathan said.

"But how? You know your cousin..." Charles replied in frustration.

"But your assistant says he has two beautiful daughters, Mr. Grant, Harry is 27 seven years old. How old are your daughters?"

"My oldest daughter is 24 and the second oldest is 19 turning 20 very soon," he replied.

"Great, the 24-year-old will suit him better, is she single?" Nathan asked.

Mr. Grant hesitated, Carina was dating a good-for-nothing scumbag and wouldn't break up with him no matter how much he opposed their relationship, this was the time to summon Carina and speak some sense into her head,

"No, she's single, she will never find a man if I don't intervene." he lied.

Nathan nodded, "this is perfect."

"Nathan, Harry will never marry, especially not for position, you know him. He never mingles with anyone." Charles Hughes argued,

"Not if we leave him with no options, we are going to make sure Harry has no option but to marry this lady," Nathan said as if he had a fail-proof plan. This piqued Charles Hughes' interest, he didn't want this opportunity to pass his son by,

"What's this big idea of yours? Let's hear it?" he urged him on,

Nathan smiled, "Mr. Grant, just talk to your daughter about this arrangement, when she agrees to it, just give me a call, and I will come in and roll out the second part of the plan, don't worry. In less than one week. Harry will be married in grand style."

Charles Hughes shook his head, "even if we get the girl, the problem is Harry don't you understand?" he said doubtfully,

"Uncle Charles, don't you trust me? They don't call me the chief planner for no reason you know? None of my plans have ever failed, so trust me on this one." Nathan replied boastfully,

All Alex could think about was how to force Carina into this marriage, she was going to marry Harry whether she liked it or not.