Chapter 13

The next day Andy headed to Carlson's company. Craig was surprised when his secretary informed him that the boy asked to see him. He was Deirdre's friend and had been at their house many times but coming to his office like that… Mostly because he was curious, he agreed to hear him out.

''Mr Carlson, thank you for agreeing to see me'', the boy said as he entered the office and then he sat on the chair that Craig showed him.

''But you must know that I don't have much time'', he declared.

''I know, sir, but I need to talk to you about something very important'', Andy said but for the next seconds he remained silent. He was sitting across Craig Carlson, ready to put his plan into action but for a moment he hesitated. If he spoke, he wouldn't be able to take it back. For just a second, he thought that he should back out. Eventually though, he came to the conclusion that if he said nothing, he would lose his brother. ''You know that Deirdre is in a relationship with my brother, don't you?''

''No. I know that Deirdre used to be in a relationship with your brother. But it is over. I made sure of that''.

''I don't know how you did it, sir, but you must know that Paul and Deirdre are planning to run away together'', Andy said totally upset but Craig's eyes showed no feeling. ''This is why I needed to see you. I can't lose my brother, Mr Carlson. Only you have the power to stop them. Please, don't let them do it''.

''Alright, my boy'', he reassured him. ''Leave it to me. I'll deal with this. Thank you very much for letting me know''. Andy looked gratefully at him. He had made the right choice. Now he could see that. Craig Carlson would definitely find a way to prevent two families from falling apart. He got up and after saying goodbye, he left the office with a light heart.

Craig's heart, on the other hand, was heavy. 'Is it possible? My own daughter?', he was thinking holding his head, which he felt it was about to explode. 'That hussy! She got so besotted with that rascal'. He hit his hands on the desk with such a force that shook whatever was on top of it. He would not tolerate such disobedience by anyone. 'Deirdre will be married to Dean, no matter what!'. In fact, in his mind he had a plan to make it work. Since Deirdre didn't treat her father the way a good daughter should, he would just have to make her…

He returned home feeling rage and disappointment. All those years, he believed that he could depend on his children but his daughter proved to be unworthy of his trust. Not only she got infatuated with a worker but also disobeyed his orders. He had made it clear to her that she was not allowed to see that man again and she intented to marry him! He took off his tie with a sigh and walked to the living-room, where his wife was already waiting for his return.

''Craig? You're late'', she told him but then noticed his expression. She had never seen her husband that upset, although lately he obviously was tired and anxious. But tonight there was something else. She could feel that there was something wrong. ''Has anything happened that I should know about?'', she said touching his arm lightly but he didn't reply. He just slumped on the couch unbuttoning the top of his shirt.

''I don't feel good… Water…''

''Craig? What's wrong?'', she asked helping him to a glass of water.

''I no longer have a daughter…'', he murmured while Renée sat next to her husband giving him a worried look. ''How could she do such a thing?''

''Are you talking about Deirdre? What has she done?''

''She's planning to run away with him! His own brother confessed it''.

''What are you saying? No way! Deirdre would never do such a thing''.

''And yet…'', he said with a sigh and leaned forward to leave the glass on the coffee table but he was unsuccessful. The glass slipped from his fingers and fell on the carpet as he lost his senses. Renée, completely terrified, helped him to lie down and tried to wake him up but it was in vain. He wouldn't wake up no matter what. He was brought to a clinic, where the doctors immediately started treating him, while Renée was waiting patiently at the hall, barely keeping it together.

Craig was very stressed about their financial problems. After much thought, he found the solution with Dean but Deirdre's refusal had devastated him. She was so scared for her husband, so scared that she would lose him. Fortunately she had her son by her side, who was holding her hands, while trying to comfort her.

''What happened?'', Deirdre said running towards them. ''I returned home and Lauren told me that something happened to dad''.

''We don't know yet. Doctors are still checking. Probably his heart…'', Patrick answered and the two siblings embraced.

''But how?'', she asked crying.

''You have the nerve to ask?'', Renée said looking straight at the wall opposite of her. ''You both know that your father had to deal with so many problems''. Then she turned her eyes at her children's direction and fixed them on Deirdre. ''But since he heard about you and your lover, it became much worse''.

''Mum, do you think this is the right time to talk about it?'', Patrick intervened in an effort to calm them down.

''If this is not the right time, I don't know when it is'', Renée said standing up. ''Your father is in hospital and you only care for that scrub who pretends to love you, in order to steal your fortune!''

''Mum, what are you talking about?''

''Hush! Don't interrupt me! When your father recovers…'', she said sobbing, ''he will learn that this relationship is over and you agree to marry Dean. I will not tolerate this behaviour, Deirdre. Am I clear? You'll go see him and ask him to break up. Right now! By the time your father recovers, I want this story to be over. This is all because of you but from now on you will clean your act''. After saying this, Renée went to the other side of the hall and left her children alone.

''I don't understand'', Deirdre said. ''What happened? Has Paul spoken to dad?''

''Dad told mum that Andy talked to him about your plans to elope and when he came home…'', Patrick explained and lowered his head.

''Andy?'', Deirdre said feeling her heart break. ''Andy did this?''. Her mind couldn't accept that her best friend had revealed the plan to her father and had ruined everything. ''How did he find out? Why would he do this?''. She really felt that her life was totally over.

''What are you going to do now?'', Patrick asked her.

''Nothing'', she replied. ''I want to see dad first. I want to speak to him before I make a decision. Later, I'll see but what matters now the most is that dad is safe. Just that'', she said and leaning her forehead on her brother's chest, she burst into tears.