My alarmed beeped loudly beside my bed and I lazily turned it off, I haven't been sleeping well for the past couple of days due to the stress at work and me constantly worrying about the decline in the sales of the company but this night was different, I could not help but worry about what Tim had said last night on our date, I walked sleepily to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror and started to brush my teeth, staring at my sleepy face and messed up hair at the mirror my mind drifted back to last night on my date with Tim and I couldn't help but worriedly frown at myself as I recalled the way things went after he had told me to sell my family's company to him.
"You know I can't do that Tim" I said suddenly losing all the appetite I had just a while ago.
"Don't get me wrong Flora, I am not forcing you to do anything against your will, your parents are retired from the business world and have officially passed down the company to you. you know you're not good at this, okay. It's obvious all you want to do is to be an author and you're good at it infact you're amazing, and I feel it's wrong for you to burden yourself with the company when your heart is obviously not in it, the company is not really doing well under your care anyways. I hate to see you give up on your dreams because of your parents." Tim quickly pitched in aware of my deadly stare at him, I slowly unclench my fist that was resting in my lap comforted with the fact that he had come to the conclusion only out of worry for me and I slowly said supressing all the anger that had threatened to burst out of me.
"You know I can't do that Tim, Even if am carrying the entire burden of the company on my shoulders and I'm failing as the CEO of the company, selling it isn't the best idea, I should at least try hard to make things right. I don't have to give up that easily Tim. Besides you know that idea won't sit well with my parents. They would be greatly disappointed in me". I said slowly lifting the food in my mouth as my anger melted away, I wasn't angry anymore but I was nervous again and I was craving for food once again. I hope Tim understands and this wouldn't make things awkward between us.
"So it's okay to give up on your dreams and not the company? Tim said chuckling in disbelief and I saw my newly acquired appetite fly out the window.
" You know what the company means to my family and I, Fionna worked her ass out to get our company to that position and I won't just give up on it as if her efforts were meaningless as if she didn't give her all to the company and family, Why should I be the selfish one to discard all her sacrifices to the family and chase after my own selfish aim?. I should have been by her side to make things easier for her but No! I had let my dreams and selfishness cloud my judgement and I didn't realize she needed my help until she was GONE!" I said angrily raising my voice as the last word left my mouth. Tim's eyes nervously scanned the restaurant and I realized eyes where already on us as the restaurant was initially quiet and the sound of piano was gently oozing out from the corner towered above the calm chattering of the customers. The restaurant was a very classy restaurant only people of high status were able to afford the restaurant any odd behavior was deemed classless, though My family was well to do and all I don't go to this kind of places because I don't like being somewhere I wouldn't feel free at and also with the present state of my bank account I must be wishing ill upon myself to come to a restaurant like this. However Tim had chosen this place, I would not want him to feel bad about his choice not suiting my taste or embarrassing him in front of the rich folks, he is a popular figure from a presitigeous family in the business world an I wouldn't want anything to stain his name so I quickly controlled my emotions. "I'm sorry" I mummured looking down and forcing my food into my mouth.
"You don't have to be sorry, it's all my fault, I shouldn't have brought up such a sensitive matter". he said in a sombre tone and I felt bad for making him sorry. I didn't deserve the attention he is giving me, I had clearly not giving my all in the relationship and am here yelling at him when he's only being concerned about me
"No, Tim it's my fault, I shouldn't have reacted that way, I'm just a little stressed out and all, I'm sorry". I said soberly hurt to see his charming face looking sad as he kept on avoiding eye contact with me.
"It's okay Flora, we haven't seen each other in a while, don't let us ruin our precious moment with business talks, we are starting to look like a business freaks kinda couple". he joked flashing me a smile that didn't reached his eyes. It was all my fault, I'm not only failing in the company but also in my relationship, I had been too busy trying to revive the company that I have neglected my relationship, it's not that my feeling for him had changed but I have just been very busy and it's unfair to him.
"Yes you're right, we shouldn't let our jobs interfere our relationship, I'm sorry" I apologized once again sincerely sorry for my actions.
"It's okay Flora, let's eat'. He urged putting some food in his mouth smiling at me and for some awkward reason I felt like something was off about him, like he had changed but I just can't pin-point what exactly had changed about him, the rest of the date went on in silence Tim was lost in his world of thoughts and I was lost trying to figure out what was going on in his head.
Reality dawned on me as my phone rang out from the bedroom, I realize I had been staring at the mirror with my toothbrush hanging in midair. I rushed to the room and my body tensed up at the sight of the caller it was as if I had been expecting some kind of bad news
"Flora, you have to come to the office right now, the supply of the materials got delayed, turns out we still have some outstanding debt from the last supply we got, am sorry, it's all my fault I missed that important detail." Cherry's voice boomed out of my phone and my hands ran through my hair as I sighed in disbelief.
"Seriously cherry" I said weakly, I was still kind of sleepy and that was the first word I had uttered since I woke up, the talking had been going on in my head for a long time that I had almost forgotten how to speak.
"I'm so so sorry Flora, please forgive me" Cherry's voice said shakily out of the phone she had obviously been consumed by worry just like I was at the moment.
"Okay, I will be right there, let's find a way to sort it out." I said as calmly as I could sound at the moment, It wouldn't be fair to pour out my frustrations on cherry she had equally been under a lot of pressure this past few months too with little rest just like I was. It's only natural she begins to forget some important stuff like I do, I had completely forgotten my mom's birthday Last week although she didn't get angry at me she simply understood that I was probably busy with work. Not wanting to hear cherry burst out in tears right there on the phone I quickly hung up, threw my phone on the bed and let out an agonizing groans. "Am I jinxed or what? I'm receiving bad news very early in the morning and the worst part is that I was expecting it". I ran my two hands through my hair and hurriedly dash to the bathroom and prepared myself for the day, it took me an hour less of my usual dressing time to get my worried butt downstairs, my parents were already at the dining table eating their breakfast and of course am still living with my parents who weren't willing to let their only daughter live alone after losing the other daughter several years ago in her own apartment. Besides I need to be there for my parents who are going through a hard time, they are blaming themselves for their loss although it has been years now since it had happened.
My stomach suddenly grumbled at the sight of food, I trust my little monstrum to increase 100 percent at any hint of nervousness or worry within me and right now I was trembling in worry and anxiety. I hurriedly rushed to the table and sat down on it and our maid was quick to place the food on my table.
" Morning mum, morning Dad" I said and quickly dug into my food realizing I didn't eat much at the date not wanting to be deemed as classless by the higher classed people at the restaurant, the last thing I wanted to do was make Tim look bad after our conversation had ended on a bad note, so I had to leave the restaurant with Tim leaving half of my food undevoured.
"Wow Flora, you have such a big appetite very early in the morning, Are you okay? Mom asked aware of the fact that I tend to crave for food whenever am nervous or worried about something.
"No mom, I just want to be very strong and healthy for today's work so I better feed this little monstrum down there" I said nervously rubbing my stomach playfully, I wouldn't want them to worry about my inability to maintain the company, luckily she took my word for it and didn't ask me any further questions but my Dad wasn't having any of it.
"Well, Tim dropped you quite late last night, you were tired so I let you be, I hope you haven't been too busy with your relationship and you're neglecting your duty to the company?" Dad said staring coldly at me through his glasses, his face was as fierce and worry-filled at the same time. He wasn't going to condone any form of mistake from me especially one that'll cost the company greatly however he is oblivious of the fact that the company has been going through a tough time for the past couple of months now and I intend to keep it that way or he won't hesitate to voice out his disappoinment at me
"It's quite the opposite Dad" I mumbled with my mouth filled with food, it's obvious he couldn't decipher what I said with the questioning look his hazel eyes gave me and I quickly gulped down the food and said "Everything is fine Dad." I also wouldn't want him to catch up on any hint of complaint from me over the tediousness of the work.
"Better." he said and with that the table was silent again and my mom tried her best to make me eat slowly assuring me that all would work out for me today. Although I didn't tell her I was going through a hard time, my guts tells me she's somehow aware that I'm troubled by something and because I wouldn't tell her what exactly the problem was if she asked she'd rather calm me down with assuring and motivating words any time I give out a hint of nervousness. She had brown hair just like I did and dark eyes just like my sister Fionna did, my elder sister was a replica of her while took most of my features was from my dad. she's still grieving over Fionna's death that sometimes she would call me by her name, although I'm hurt about how gradually I have become insignificant to them, I understood they are having a hard time getting over Fionna's death. Fionna had always been Their Golden daughter and was obviously the favorite while I was left struggling in her shadow to get noticed, me and Fionna didn't have the best siblings relationship as I was constantly jealous of her success and flawless achievements that when she was gone rather than miss her and cherish our moments together I had blamed myself for not making the most pleasant memories with my little time with her, convinced that life had given me the chance to be the new Fionna which in my opinion is being the perfect daughter, I had taken over Fionna's role in the family and gradually lost myself during the process, I had to please my family and let them acknowledge my presence as their daughter, hence the dilemma I have found myself in, if I continued being Flora the author I wouldn't be accepted as the perfect daughter and my parent would continue being depressed but if I became Flora the new Fionna, they would accept me as their daughter and end their grieving eventually, but little did I know that I had bitten more than I can chew and my life hasn't been mine ever since I had taken over the company, I couldn't write anymore and I didn't know who I was anymore so I just continued living like that Fionna's newest version hoping that someday things would change but clearly that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.
I rushed my food quickly and dashed towards my car in the garage, Cherry had obviously brought it home for me after I had left with Tim. I drove my Blue SUV to the office as fast as I could, I stepped out in a hurry and with every step I took closer to the building my heart raced wildly in panic I greeted some of the staffs on my way in, Although outwardly calm and collected, my inside was blaring with worry it was only when I had gotten into the elevator alone did I wipe the beads of sweat that had popped out of my forehead. coming out of the elevator, I clutched my purse closely to me and I hope I don't decend on cherry if I saw her. The sound of my clicking heels turned heads towards me when I got to the entrance of my office, where cherry and two other guys who happened to be the agents of the company who produced the supplies we used for our business where waiting for me. Cherry had worry written on her powdered up face, she wore a short pink dress and black jacket and looked as stunning and smart like she did always, even though she's trembling in worry. After flashing her a death glare which she could only see. I face the two gentlemen and with the little courage in me I said to the them.
"Morning everyone, please enter my office and have a seat please" I said in a very calm business voice which was in contrast to what I was feeling at the moment flashing them one of my cool businesswoman smile, I lead them into the office while wasting no opportunity to glare at cherry. They answered and we went inside, I began to speak in a very confident tone, I didn't know where I had gotten the confidence of which I spoke, maybe it was as a result of the smart and confident clothes I had on, I wore blue jeans and a suit jacket, with white inner, leaving my wavy long brown hair to fall on my shoulders.
After hours of debating and getting to understand the mistake the had happened at our side and how we hadn't budgeted for them when we were paying back our suppliers due to some mistakes. luckily they agreed to supply us the materials and we promised to pay all the debts after the sale and use of the materials.howevet they stated that their compliance was influenced by the trust they had for my sister while working with when she was alive and they were sure our company doesn't do this kind of mistake often. The mention of her name during the conversation was another slap in my face showing me that even though she's dead I would only be nothing but her wannabe and a figure in her shadow for the rest of my life I sighed at the exit of the agents and I rested my head back on my seat in relief and of course cherry was quick to run her mouth once the door was closed.
" Wow, Flora you were amazing, I liked how calm and cool you definitely handled the situation, they were swayed by your efficiency and flawless show of your business pro-----" Cherry trailed off and stopped momentarily after seeing my eyes which was shooting daggers at her. she pouted and whined like a little baby "---but I said I'm sorry" she said and I rolled my eyes at her childishness, that's what you get when your secretary ended up being your best friend. I was still hurting over the mention of my sister's name and didn't want to deal with cherry at the moment, we were close and all but I didn't let her know of my insecurities and darkest side, I shouldn't dent her unending admiration for my sister with my own devilish interest and insights about her. I told her to excuse me and only call me when the supplies had finally reached the warehouse.
Now that I am alone, I began to start off from where I had finished last night when suddenly my phone buzzed out from my purse, deeply engrossed in the paperwork before me, I didn't check the ID caller and I impulsively spoke into the phone.
"This is Flora Collins, who am I speaking with please?"I said absent mindedly, writing something down on the paper before me.
" Flora!!, this is Bianca! don't you have my number saved on your phone anymore?" the voice boomed out excitedly from the phone. My eyes widen as I realized who the caller was.
Bianca Hart was my high school friend we hadn't talked much ever since she became a model and was internationally famous so I was stunned when one of the most famous model in the world had called my phone.
" Oh my gosh! Bianca!" I squealed in excitement.
"Oh yeah, that's me Big Bee" she giggled calling herself by the nickname I gave her back at school.
"Wow, I'm shocked bianca, you haven't called me in like forever I guess you've been so busy..... how have you been?" I asked still shocked to be speaking with her.
"I'm doing well Flora, how about you?" she said still bubbling with excitement.
" I'm doing just fine, thanks for asking" I said smiling widely.
" I called to let you know I'm in town already and I'm coming for the get together parrrrrtttyyyy" she screamed excitedly through the phone like someone who was excited over passing her exams or like someone who had gotten into the college she had dreamt of going for a long time but I was clueless about the cause of her excitement
" What get together parrrrrtttyyyy?" i asked mimicking the tone she had squealed in.
"Oh you didn't know?" Her voice dropped in disbelief.
"hmmm.....I guess so" I answered laughing nervously, I had been too busy to pay attention to my social life too, I was failing socially too.
"Well yeah there's a get together party at one of the largest Hotels in the city and am gonna be there, I can't miss it, everyone is gonna be there" she said again loudly her voice filled with the same excitement that the conversation had started with.
"Wow, that's great!" I said unenthusiastically shifting my gaze to the pile of work on my table.
"So....are you coming?" she questioned her voice lowered with a hint of curiosity and I bit my Lower lip and stared at the untouched papers on my table, I had narrowly escaped running into debt this morning even though I have been working tirelessly for the past couple of years without any social activities apart from the business related ones, I can only imagine what would happen if I start attending parties here and there I bet the company wouldn't have made it this far if that was the case. Without thinking much further I replied.
"Well Bianca...am really busy and I have lot of work to do, I won't be able to-----" I said but was interupted by bianca as if she knew what I wanted to say.
" Don't tell me you have turned into one of those business freaks with no joy in their life, I mean why don't you wanna come, everyone will be there Flora....it would be fun and all but most importantly you'll get to see me..... cause I miss you Flora or..... don't you miss me too?" Bianca said switching from an excited tone to a sad and pitiful tone that you would almost imagine her pouting face towards the end of her statement.
" Yes bianca, I miss you too but---"I said but was interupted once again.
"Well why don't you want to come? or is it because you have another bestie and you've totally forgotten about me? she asked again using pitiful low tone, as if she hadn't heard me tell her I was busy she still asked me that silly question just to make me feel bad. Well, her plan had worked she was certainly sure I won't refuse if she persuaded me like that.I sighed in defeat and gave in.
"Okay bianca, Text me the address and time and I'll be there."I said hearing her squeal excitedly through the phone, I rolled my eyes in frustration now if I wanted to boycott the party I wouldn't be able to, bianca is obviously gonna be looking forward to seeing me at the party and I didn't want to let her down.
"Okay Flora, I'll be expecting you there, Big Bee out!" she said switching to military tone for the last statement and hanging up immediately I was forced to giggle at her silliness she still remember all those days we played undercover agent together back at school. she was my first and only friend at that time and while she had gone to chase her dreams cherry came into my life. With a huge sigh I added how to get a dress for the party to the endless list of things to worry about in my head.
"Just at exactly 12 noon, cherry bursted into my office to remind me of our lunch break I rolled my eyes at her, she's still craving for food after our near-death experience this morning.
She had ordered some food for me and had joined me for the lunch break and she continued to run her mouth here and there about anything while I absent mindedly nodded at her my mind had drifted away from my body and Tim's sad expression when I had turned down his offer clouded my thoughts. why did he ask me something like that all of a sudden? why the sudden interest in the company? He had always encouraged me to work harder and not to give up on making the best out of the company since we've been together. why the sudden change? I quizzed myself endlessly and only bulged when cherry snapped her fingers very close to my eyes.
"Earth to Flora, earth to Flora" she said waving her hands close to my face.
"what is it?" I quizzed sitting up to shake myself back to reality.
"What are you thinking about Flora, the supplies case is solved already". she asked worriedly looking at me.
"Well I just got invited to a get together party by my high school friend, am thinking of a nice dress to wear" I lied I didn't want to let cherry know of my suspicions about Tim, she'd only nurse the already implanted doubt she had put in me the previous day.
"Oh that's great Flora! I'll help you with the dress!" she exclaimed excitedly just as bianca had done hours ago and it made me wonder what was so exciting about a party, it's just like another problem to worry about to me.
"Yeah sure, alright" I replied unenthusiastically and she squealed in excitement and only stopped when she seems to have remembered something.
"Oh Miss Collins!" she called wanting me to know it's about business. " The supplies are already at the warehouse, just got the message" she said showing me her phone.
"Oh that's great! let's go!" I said picking up my jacket and standing up.
"To where?" cherry cluelessly asked showing me her puzzled brown eyes.
"To the warehouse, this are new products and I want to see what they are like" I said walking towards the doors.
"But-----but our food" cherry whined and I sighed before going back to drag her to the door when she was about to put the food in her mouth she groaned in displeasure as I forcefully drag out of the office.
"we'll come back for the food cherry" I said closing the door behind her.
"lt'll be cold by then" she whined, pushing her lower lips outside in hopes of convincing me but I was already making my way to the exit of the company and she stomped her feet on the ground like a little child and reluctantly walk behind me.
Getting into the SUV, cherry ignored me, sat at the passenger seat and folded her arms and kept her face away from me, what a bold secretary! I thought to myself, well she's my friend afterall. I drove cautiously to the warehouse and when I was almost there I heard the sound of a siren blaring loudly just when I was meters away, I looked up in the sky and saw smoke in the air. stopping at the gate of the warehouse, I climbed down slowly from the car looking at the warehouse that was still a little further away from where I stopped the car, I calming accessing the scenerio before me, fire fighters were present at the site trying to put out the enormous fire that had swallowed the entire building and the workers had ran out to the gate for safety and they were scattered around where I had stopped, I froze in shock and saw cherry walked closer to the gate with her hands clamped over mouth. one of our workers walked up to her and said something to her ear, I looked around to check if no one has gotten hurt my eyes caught a strange figure lurking at the corner of the gate wearing our company's uniform but what caught my attention was that he had identification card on like other staff, he wasn't acting as dramatic as the other staff and it was as if his eyes was fixed on me and his eyes were hazel and was cold and deadly that it sent shivers down my spine I walked forward wanting to get a better look at his face but the smoke was everywhere and before I could move forward cherry grabbed my hand.
" The supplies.... it's all gone Flora" cherry announced with teary eyes and my eyes widen in shock I couldn't say anything infact I could not move at all it was as if the world had paused around me and everyone was moving in slow motion while trying to recover from my shock my phone beeped in my hand and I looked at the message on the screen it was from Bianca and it read
"GLAMOUR HOTEL,
8PM, DON'T MISS IT FOR ANYTHING!!!!!."