DAVID Edward walked into his newly purchased company just as anyone else did that morning. He was escorted by the receptionist to the CEO's office where the outgoing boss was waiting for him.
He had actually purchased the company to add to his line of businesses all around the country. Growing up to become one of the renowned CEO of Alpha Group, is the only good thing that has happened in his life the past years, he always thought.
After school, he had to take over his own share of the Alpha Technologies, and before long, he has resorted to other businesses as well.
Ranging from night clubs, restaurants, hotels, car dealership, and now jewelries. He ended up leaving the technology aspect for his brother Solomon while he covered others.
Ten minutes after his arrival, he asked why the meeting hasn't started yet, and the outgoing boss told him that one of the employees, supposedly the P.A wasn't at work yet.
After waiting for extra fifteen minutes, the meeting was finally going to start without the P.A by David's order.
As they all settled in to start, that was when she walked in panting hard like someone that had been running for ages. He stared directly at her face and immediately recognized her. Someone he last saw about eight years ago when she was only eighteen. Not like she's changed much over the years though.
"I'm so sorry everyone one," she apologized immediately she entered. "I got the info very late and the traffic out there is crazy."
"Now that you're here, let's get started." Mr Burke said and offered Laurel a seat between himself and the new CEO.
That was when their eyes met and Laurel froze for a second before taking her seat and comporting herself.
"Hello," she simply said and sat down.
"Let's get started." Mr Burke started, "As you all may have guessed Prime Jewelries have sold out and as from today, this company and everything within it is now property of Alpha Group." he said and ripples of whispers followed, "And," he continued, "this meeting is to introduce you all to the new owner."
The man who has been sitting beside Laurel slowly stood up now, towering above all in the room. "Please everyone meet Mr Edward, Mr David Edward."
David kept a trained eye on Laurel's face but there was no sign of emotion at all. He quietly nodded his greetings to the many eyes concentrated at him before sitting down.
"As of today, Mr Edward takes over everything, and he has the right to reform the employees as he wants to." Mr Burke said, "As of this minute I'm officially no longer a member of this company. Mr Edward, sir, you can take over now. My personal assistant, Miss Madison will put you through anything you need to know."
Laurel could feel Maxwell's voice giving away and saw the first drop of tears leave his eyes and she felt sorry for him. She looked at David through the corner of her eyes and noticed he nodded at the man who quietly stepped out of the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, like he said, I'm in charge now. I'm still going to do a review of the employees but for now, do what you do." David addressed and everyone mumbled their agreement or nodded.
"Miss Madison, right?" he asked referring to Laurel.
"Yes," Laurel replied
"I need everything that'd give me an insight about the company's progress or downfall so far. Make them available and on my desk before the end of today."
"Sure sir."
"This meeting will be adjourned till two days time, when I'm done with the employees review." he said and turned towards a well built guy that stood behind him through the meeting. Laurel guessed it was his bodyguard or something.
Laurel, walked out of the conference room with steady feet, willing to put a lot of distance between herself and the new CEO of the company.
"Rose," she heard the name but refused to answer because she'd agreed with herself that that was no longer her name. So she kept walking. "Rose?" he called again. "Miss Madison," he called this time when she didn't respond the second time.
"Oh, hi Mr Edward," Laurel responded in a guilt-driven voice as she turned to face him. "Didn't hear you there."
"I bet you didn't." he said when he got close enough for only her to hear. Laurel just smiled sheepishly. "You look well."
"You're not looking bad either, sir." Laurel commented as well laying emphasis on the 'sir'.
"So what's the play here?" he asked "You move to another city and change names and act like we never knew each other?"
Laurel shone him a bewildered gaze before responding, "More like, I move to another town and start afresh after you ruined the one I had before." she threw at him.
"I didn't ruin your life, Rose. Things turn out a little badly for us. But you didn't even give me a chance to explain."
"I guess your explanation wouldn't have meant shit to me. By the way, it's Laurel... Laurel Madison and not Rose, thank you"
"You blocked out everyone, even Esther. And you forced Ava to block us out too." he complained.
"Ava is my friend." Laurel shot out angrily, "Not yours, or even Esther's."
"Well, Ava stayed away from us even after you vanished into thin air."
"Vanished into thin air..." Laurel repeated with a coy smile, "vanished into thin air... you say? I went through hell just because of that one night. That one night turned my life upside..." she was interrupted by the ring of her phone.
She picked the call quickly enough to ward off more explanations or questions and put it on her ear to listen through. "Laurel Madison, here..." she said and paused to listen. "What? Is she okay?" she listened, "I'll be there in twenty minutes... Okay thanks."
"Everything okay?" David asked with concern on his face when she was done with the call.
"I hope so." she replied and calmed down to talk to him. "I have to step out for a bit. I have an emergency I have to attend to. Is it possible I could go and rush back immediately." she looked at him pleadingly to let her go.
"Work related or personal?"
"Personal."
"Where?"
"It's not far from here about ten minutes drive."
"I'll drive." he said and started walking towards the garage.
"Huh, no I can go myself. I don't need..." Laurel started to protest.
"it's either I go with you, or you stay back. Choose wisely."
Having no other choice, Laurel got into the passenger side of the front seat while David took the wheel and in no time they were on the road heading down to Nicole's school.
***
Driving the car along, David always stole a glace at the woman sitting beside him. Its been seven years and the feeling of betraying her that he felt that morning is still alive in him.
He tried to recall everything that happened that day. After he found out what Cheryl had told her, he quickly dressed up and was going to go look for her when his father informed him he was leaving for school immediately.
He tried to get his father to give him just thirty minutes to go over to the Madison home to explain himself but his father wasn't ready to listen. By evening that same day, he was miles and miles away trying to figure out how he'd explain himself.
He called the Madison home line and never got through, he even asked Esther to help him explain things to her, but turns out she was pissed at Esther too and didn't want to see or talk to her anymore.
He tried reaching Ava but that didn't work as well. He even tried getting her through the school line, but turns out even the universe was working against him.
By the time he came back on holidays about a year later, no one knew where she was, not even her family. He did everything within his power within the next three years, he searched and searched but there was no trace of her anywhere, as if she'd wiped clean her slate.
He later gave up and agreed that the universe was giving him a much deserving punishment for the way he treated an unsuspecting soul. And now, here she is.
He continued stealing glances at her, while she sat, eyes closed pressing her fingers on her temple. "Is everything okay?" he had to ask.
"I hope so." she replied as he pulled into the school's parking lot.
Laurel quickly stepped out of the car and he followed her. "Where are you going to?" she asked alerted and stopped to look at him.
"You didn't think I'll stay here and wait for you, did you?" he scoffed and walked past her.
Laurel ignored him and walked straight to the principal's office, inside her mind she dreaded what will happen if David sees Nicole and connects the dots. But she was ready, she wouldn't let him take her daughter away from her.
David on his own was having this feeling that whatever he's about to find out about Laurel right now was going to affect his life forever.