The ultra luxurious Mercedes was gliding on the bustling streets of New York. It was an exceptional night for Anastasia who had her eyes rested on the glass pane gazing blankly at the hustle of the city and the crowd moving towards its destination.
Shortly as her car halted, she reached the entrance of the grand hallway with countless reporters heralding to take a glimpse of the business moguls who were marking their presence at the majestic event.
She was hedged with the group of reporters as soon as she stepped out of the car, but was instantly cocooned by her security team cloaking her from the flashing lights of the cameras. Her first instinct was to elude from there and shield herself from the undesirable attention that she had gathered just by her mere presence.
She lightly flinched when she felt her hand being enveloped in an unexpected warmth. She moved her eyes from her hands to the owner of the other hand and was surprised to see Richard Watson standing beside her with a little smile on his face. He turned to look into her eyes and she released a sigh of relief looking at the man who was no less than a father to her. He was her saviour and chaperone, a guardian who always anchored her when she felt she won't be able to make out in the brutal and punitive world.
She lightly squeezed his hand indicating that she was set to find her way out and face the throng awaiting for her glimpse. Wrapping her hand around his arm, she moved like the efficacious personality she had become over the previous years due to her diligence, perseverance and determination.
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"Anastasia Prescott"
She heard her name being announced as the youngest and most successful entrepreneur of the year and her face dazzled with a small smile looking at the pride in Richard's eyes. She moved her eyes to the stage to see the people waiting for her to come and receive the award for her arduous work and journey that she put through in all those years.
"I never want to be your priority Annie because I want your first priority to be you, your dreams, your goals and your future. I want you to stay focused. No matter what, don't let me be your distraction. I don't want you to feel hesitant about doing something for yourself. Let me be your inspiration, your motivation, your biggest supporter and your assistance to grow. I want the best for you. Always!"
While she elegantly stood up to move towards the stage that was awaiting her presence, she reminisced his words that tugged her heart strings with indescribable agony yet felicity that she could accomplish one of his dreams, his dream to see her on a pedestal while he be her biggest cheerleader.
She stood on the stage with the award. While the spectators were waiting to hear about her journey and experience that earned her that magnificent title at such a young age. Her eyes shifted randomly, unpredictably and unconsciously with a futile hope of his presence to see him witness his dream for her. They become moist with his absence which brought a surge of desolation in her heart.
She pulled herself together when the host once again urged her to speak a few words about recieving the honour. With a tender smile, she looked at the crowd that was already in awe of her gracious personality.
She was dressed in an ankle gown in blue mist. It was beautifully adorned with floral embroidery motifs, shimmering sequins and delicately gathered tulle scallop borders with contrasting ivory details. Designed with pretty fluted sleeves, she looked no less than an angel that had enamored everyone with her innocence and charm without doing anything.
"Good evening everyone!"
Her mellifluous voice echoed in the grand hallway.
"I am humbled to be receiving this award tonight. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who have recognized my hard work and dedication.
I would like to thank my incredible team, without whom this achievement would not have been possible. Their tireless efforts, creativity, and commitment to excellence have made our business shine.
To our clients and partners, I thank them for believing in us and giving us the opportunity to serve them. We are honored to have worked with each and every one of them.
This award is not just a recognition of our achievements, but also a motivation to continue pushing boundaries and striving for greater heights. We will continue to innovate, adapt, and grow, always keeping our customers at the forefront of our minds."
She took a deep breath to calm her palpitations. Looking at the men and women keenly listening to her with such rapt attention, she felt the need to continue and probably open her heart out at such a public platform for the first time.
"I.....I don't know what to say anymore." She licked her dry lips before continuing. "I really don't know. Am I happy? Yes, I am. This award is a dream for many that they see for themselves. However, for me, receiving this award and honour was never my dream. It was a dream of someone who was my mentor, my anchor and the guiding force to push me beyond my limits that even I couldn't recognise myself to have it in me. But he did. He believed." She paused and spoke his name with reverence.
"Ashton Watson!"
She swallowed hard to withhold the lump in her throat that formed with his mere name.
"Ashton Watson! The rightful owner and the driving force who took Watson Corporation to new heights of success. I am a mere follower who tried to walk on his footsteps and look where I am today."
She looked at the award in her hand and moved her gaze at the crowd that was listening her intently.
"I have this award and I dedicate it to him who is not amongst us today, but.....but I am sure.....he is somewhere, standing proudly, looking at me, receiving this award that is the result of hard work that he put in me to teach the business.
A few words can never be enough to describe my gratitude and acknowledgement to him. I dedicate this award to him who would have been the truthful reciever of this honour if he was here today. Thank you everyone."
"Thank you Ashton. Thank you for everything!" She whispered resting the other hand on her heart.
Smiling lightly, she moved her gaze towards the crowd for the last time and finally stepped down the stage with the thunderous applause that commended her diligence and determination over the past years.
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She once again went to him to organize her thoughts. For some reason, being around him.....even his deceased self, relieved and appeased her. All her insecurities disappeared with the sense of him being around her. She inhaled the earthly smell that provided serenity to her anxious heart. She lightly shivered when a sudden breeze whisked her hair. Laying her head on his gravestone, she closed her moist eyes. For others, it was a place that symbolizes the end of something.....a person, a relationship, a phase of life or the fear of death. But for her, it symbolized a new beginning.....a beginning of solitariness, a beginning of battles, a beginning of a new journey, a beginning of transformation and a beginning of success.
"You promised to stay with me forever Ashton. You promised me a forever. But you didn't keep your promises. You couldn't. You made me realize..... that promises are the sweetest lies."