The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1032 Call Me Dad

Caspar and Lizzy shared looks with each other, not really knowing how to react with the news. It was just really surprising for both of them. They did not really expect Donna to just hand over her shares to their daughter!

'Donna is willing to hand her shares over to my daughter, which shows her sincerity, ' Sula's parents mulled.

Despite of the extravagant gift, there was still the hesitancy, on the part of Caspar, to marry his daughter off to George. It was public knowledge that there was something between George and Holley. He did no want his daughter to suffer in the future, if ever.

If her parents were surprised with Donna's generosity, it was jaw-dropping for Sula. Her eyes grew wide. 'Oh my! Is this for real?!' she thought. "Umm...Auntie, I can't accept your offer. Ah...D-Don't you think it's too much?" Sula asked stammering. Afraid that Donna misunderstood that she decided to marry George for his money, she hurriedly explained, "I choose George above all, not the things that come and may come with him..." Then, a look of concern registered on her face. 'I hope she felt what's really in my heart,' Sula prayed.

Donna did not realize she was holding her breath until she exhaled slowly. 'I didn't expect this is how she really feels,' she thought. 'She's different from the other girls I encountered.' Then, she gave her a big, genuine smile. "I know," she simply answered her. "I have already given this a lot of thought since I learned that you are pregnant. The company will be yours while I will enjoy my retirement by taking care of my future grandchild."

"Are you sure that this is really a good idea?" Sula was thinking that her future mother-in-law was still strong to work and more than capable enough to manage a company. She believed that there were persons who were born to work and Donna fell under that category. Moreover, she feared the future of the company in her hands. She did not know anything about businesses, not to mention managing a company. She did not want something bad to happen in the company where Donna invested so much effort and sweat. She knew she had good sense, but was it enough for managing a company? "And, I don't know anything about BM Corporation? What I studied and finished wasn't even connected with it!" Sula continued reasoning.

Seeing Sula's stress, George gave her the assurance he thought she needed. "Don't worry. I am here. I will help you," he said softly. He continued assuring her, "Since mom already decided to give you all her shares, there's nothing left to do but to accept it. You will be the new owner of BM, and I will take care of it." As a joke, to ease the tension, he said laughingly, "Looks like I will be working for you." And everyone laughed with him.

With the way the conversation turned, Caspar and Lizzy felt somehow relieved. Seeing that George agreed with the transfer of shares, they believed that George was serious in marrying their daughter. For if not, why would he go along with Donna's decision?

Despite of George's assurance, Sula was still a bit apprehensive. Looking at him, she shook her head and told him, "No, I think I can't do this. I..."

"Of course, you can!" George cut her off with whatever she would still have to say. He couldn't believe his girl saying no to his mother's gift. It seemed that his girl still had lots of excuses not to accept. There was no other way of stopping her but by butting in and cutting her off like that. "You are the woman I am going to marry. I believe in you. To show you the beginning of my never-ending commitment to you, I promise that I will never divorce you," George said earnestly. He thought that, perhaps, this might be one of the reasons why the discussion over the company lasted for so long-her fear of him leaving her and the stake of her reputation due to accepting if ever that would happen. To emphasize he really meant what he said, he continued, "This will also be a guarantee for Uncle and Auntie, so that they will not have any second thoughts on marrying you off to me." Upon saying this, George looked at his future in-laws.

Caspar and Lizzy could not believe what they heard. They were so surprised! They did not think that George had it in his bones to commit like that! "A-Are you sure?" Caspar asked. He looked at George in the eye. Despite of the given promise, Caspar could still not help but ask George cautiously. Anyway, promises were made to be broken, as the saying went.

"Yes, I am!" George answered vehemently, not really surprised with the question. If he were also the father, he would definitely feel and do the same. "Uncle, this is MY PROMISE to Sula." George couldn't help but emphasize the two words. He hoped that he effectively delivered his intentions across them.

But still, Caspar and Lizzy exchanged glances, and hesitancy still mirrored on their faces.

The exchanged looks between husband and wife did not escape Donna, George and Sula. Still, the three patiently waited for Caspar's and Lizzy's final decision. Time ticked by, and there was still no word. Everybody knows that patience is a virtue. Unfortunately, it was not one of Donna's strongest assets. "What else are you worried about? Aren't you satisfied with what George has promised?" questioned Donna with the softest voice she could muster.

Caspar wistfully frowned. Though they thought it took him too long to decide, for Caspar it was better than to regret later. Without any further ado, he asked the most important question, "When are you planning to marry Sula?"

"W-W-What did you say?" a stunned George asked. HE WAS SURPRISED! Of all questions which could be asked, he wasn't ready with this. But of course, George realized instantly, there was no more question left to be asked but this.

If George felt surprised, triple that was what Caspar felt upon seeing the dumbfounded young man! He could not imagine what was so surprising with his question since they were already talking about marriage! What was the matter with the young generations lately? It seemed that they left their brains somewhere... "Now what? Having second thoughts of marrying my daughter?!"

"No, no, no! Please don't get me wrong. Why would I refuse Sula?" George defended himself, gesticulating with his hands. "It just took me by surprise, the question, that is..." "What an idiot I am!' he wildly thought of himself.

"Sula is my only child. I want what's best for her. If you make her cry, I will not let you off easily," Caspar warned. Sensing the love Sula had for George, he had no heart to go between them. And since he saw his daughter's will to be with George, he decided to support her.

"Since you two insist on getting married, I will not stop you anymore. Sula is already pregnant. The next step there is for you to mark the date of your wedding as soon as possible." He added, "Make it soon, before the baby bump becomes noticeable. Otherwise, her reputation will be ruined."

"Yes, you are definitely right. Mom and I already thought of this," George nodded. "Actually, I already have the reservation for the wedding venue," continued George. "Uncle, Auntie, your blessing is the only thing left, which we have been waiting for. I want our wedding ceremony to be held this week if it's okay with you. I can handle all the preparations on my own. All you have to do is sit and relax."

"THIS WEEK?!" 'Are there more surprises?' Caspar thought. "There are only a few days left. When I said soon, I did not mean this soon. There is still a couple of weeks before others notice Sula's tummy." "I know," George replied. "But I think the earlier, the better. This will still end in marriage, why not do it soon? Don't worry. Sula will have a grand wedding."

Caspar nodded. But that was only one of the few things which could be considered as problems. Another was their relatives and friends. Not all were in the area... "What about relatives and friends?" Ah, George understood more now. "Please give me a list. I will arange for private airpanes to pick them up. Don't worry, everything will be okay."

Lizzy could not contain herself. "But this is happening too fast. I don't think we have enough time," Emma reasoned out. Adding to her concern, she blurted out, "I don't have time to prepare for Sula's dowry!" Now that everything was out in the open, George fully understood their apprehension. He smiled and assured them, "Please, don't be bothered with those. I am very blessed to have Sula in marriage. In return, I'll give her a company as a bride price. For me, our unborn baby is the best dowry. There is nothing more I could ask for."

Caspar and his wife were more than delighted with his reply. Smiling approvingly, Lizzy told him, "We are okay with this as long as Sula has no complaints."

George's smile grew big. At last! Focusing his attention on Sula this time, he asked, "What do you think? Do you like our wedding day to be this week?" George was starting to feel the excitement of marriage. He could only pray that she would approve. He could not wait anymore.

Sula could see the happiness on George. She felt so loved and blessed. Of course, she couldn't also wait to be his wife. The feeling was mutual. With a bright smile, she replied, "I am very okay with the wedding this week. Since I met you, I have been dreaming of becoming your wife. Now, that wish is turning into reality. Why would this be a problem?"

She then gathered George's hands, held them, and said sweetly, "I believe that we are a match made in heaven. You will be a great husband to me."

George removed his left hand, placed it on Sula's right cheek, and caressed it. "Definitely! I will be," George nodded in confirmation. "I will treat you well for the rest of my life." Then, George kissed Sula, sealing their fate.

Watching the exchange removed whatever doubts and negative emotions Sula's parents had towards George. "Since your mother is so generous to my daughter, I should give you something in return," Caspar began as he looked George straight into his eyes. "I know you wanted to purchase my company. Since we are going to be a family, I will let you take charge of it."

"Uncle, there's no need for that..." George refused his kind offer. He did not have any interest in his company. It was not really his intention to buy it. He had only proposed the acquisition of Caspar's firm just to please Holley Ye. Since she was not part of his life anymore, he already forgot that plan.

This time, it was Caspar's turn to insist. "Don't refuse my kindness. That's final. Nothing can change it anymore. Let's just continue to eat and enjoy our meal. You still have to deal with the wedding matters later."

George could not find the right words to say. He was so happy at the moment. "Thank you, Uncle," George replied.

"Uncle? Seriously?" With furrowed eyebrows, Caspar proposed, "You should call me dad."

"Yes, Dad..." George burst into laughing, as he scratched his head. This time, his laughter definitely broke the tense atmosphere. Everyone started to have a good time.