The alarm woke me up earlier than usual. I rubbed my eyes and got up — checking on Andrew. After getting freshened up, I made breakfast and woke him up too.
Today, dad was coming to visit us. He rarely does, but he heard what happened and wanted to talk about it. I couldn't deny him, since he was the only family I had left other than my son.
So, completing all of my chores, I rushed downstairs and tidied up the rooms.
The doorbell rang at 10 AM.
"Hello, dad!" I smiled as I opened the door.
He flashed me a smile back. "How are you, Scar?"
"I am good." I looked around and shouted, "Andrew! Granddad's here!"
He came running to the main room and his face lit up. He jumped and hugged dad, and then I invited him in.
We were talking normally for a while before he gave me a signal that he wanted to talk about something else.
I looked at Andrew with a warm smile. "Andrew, could you go and do your homework now? Mom and granddad want to talk about something."
"Okay, mommy." He went inside and I looked at him.
"What is it?"
He took a deep breath. "I got a really nice deal, Scar. It will easily improve the living conditions of both of us."
"What do you mean? Isn't your company dying?" I asked, confused.
My dad owns Walker Industries. It was very good in the international market for a decade but fell down in the last years — after mom died. Apparently, dad only cared about his alcohol so no one looked after it.
"Exactly. And that is why it is such a big opportunity that one major company has decided to invest in us."
"Which one?"
"It doesn't matter. Leave the business matters to me. However, there is a condition and for that, I need you."
I was a little confused by his weird talk but nodded. "Yeah?"
"The boss wants you to work as an employee in his company. Can you do that?"
"What? Why would anyone want that? I have no business skills." I sat back.
"I don't know. But where's the harm? You will get a stable job with good pay. And our company will rise again. So, what do you say?"
I sighed. I had no idea what he was talking about and why anyone would demand me to work for them — specifically, but there seemed to be no one at loss here.
"What work would I have to do?" I asked the next sensible question.
"Oh, probably nothing big. Just normal work."
"From when?"
"Whenever you are comfortable. How's tomorrow?"
I raised my eyebrows. "Tomorrow?"
"Yes. Isn't it amazing?"
It all seemed to be too good to be true, but dad wouldn't lie.
"Fine. Text me the address and I will go tomorrow early morning."
He smiled warmly and sent me the address. I opened up my phone to check -- I was shocked when I read the name.
"Valencian Corporation? Are you kidding me?" I almost shouted.
He sighed. "Calm down. He is probably trying to make up for his mistake. And it wasn't his mistake — it was an accident. He didn't do it on purpose."
I scoffed.
"Now, I can't even trust you, can I? I can't believe you think I will work in his company!"
"You have to, Scarlett. And if you don't, you'll be causing your father to lead an awful life. Would you want that?"
I looked down. It was true that his company was falling and his funds were fading — but was there nothing else I could do?
No other way?
"I will go there tomorrow, but if I feel something is wrong, I will quit," I made it clear. He smiled. "Yes! Yes — that is alright. You're such a good daughter."
I sighed. After a few minutes, he was about to leave so I called Andrew and we bid him goodbye.
I stared at the address.
Only God knows what will happen tomorrow. However, he made the deal with dad so he probably knows about me. Of course, he does!
Maybe he was just sorry.
But he wasn't sorry yesterday. What was going on in his mind?
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"Mommy, bye!" Andrew said as he waved to me, climbing on his school bus.
I smiled and waved back. "Enjoy your day, Drew!"
He left and I hurried to change my clothes. Today was the day I had to go to the company — and I was so scared.
What was going to happen?
I had pondered on the question long enough but didn't reach a conclusion. Of course, his actions were so unexpected.
After dressing up in casual yet formal clothes, I wore a watch and then headed downstairs. I locked my house and booked a cab.
"Valencian Corporation Limited," I said to the driver as I sat down, my heart pounding against my chest.
I can do this.
…
Minutes later, I stood in front of the massive building and looked up — as if looking at the sky, to meet the height.
I exhaled heavily and gave myself another motivation, before walking inside the building. The receptionist looked at me and her eyes widened.
I looked at myself, suddenly self-conscious. Was I looking funny or something?
She walked over to me, leaving her desk. I looked at her with interest and she smiled widely upon reaching me.
"Thank you so much for coming, Ms. Walker! We have been waiting for your arrival."
I was so confused.
They don't welcome each employee like this, do they?
"I–I, thank you."
"Please, follow—"
"I will lead her." A dominating, deep voice resounded in the big hall and my feet froze.
Of course.
Xavier.
I looked up at the tall figure standing a little far. He was wearing formal clothes – black and white and the way he stood made him so intimidating.
"O-okay, boss." The receptionist left me and rushed back to her desk. I stood quietly, not moving an inch.
"Why don't you follow me, Ms. Scarlett?"
My name from his mouth made my heartbeat rise. I looked at him – his small smirk almost not visible for afar, but still evident. I nodded slowly to avoid the awkwardness and walked toward him.
He turned around and I followed him till we reached a cabin.
"This is your cabin."
I nodded, still looking down.
"And oh — by the way. Your dad tell you the whole thing?"
I looked at him slowly. "What… what do you mean?"
A small smirk appeared on his lips.
"Nothing. Just… I bought you."