VEE's POV
One more week has passed and now I feel like it has been a year since my Dad and my brother had been buried. Everytime I wake up, I still hope to hear their annoying voices either through my phone or laptop, or literally in my ear whenever they decide to invade the privacy of my bedroom. The past few weeks were still not enough for me to totally get over their sudden death, despite the idea of facing more tragic problems ahead.
I've always been reminded by my business advisors that I would need to speed up my adaptability to the nature of my family's business, as the stockholders are starting to doubt that I am capable of doing the CEO's job. My being incompetent in their eyes would affect our stocks and might pose a risk to my position. I would gladly agree, though - I was never raised to be a hotelier. I am confident running my own fashion business, but nothing like talking billions. I now understand why my Dad would want me to get married to someone who came from a decent family which not only cares for my own family, but also the business. And then I realized - no, my husband-to-be, wherever he is right now, does not even seem to know what his existence means - or he would have already shown himself. Or maybe he might not show up at all when he learns that he could get tangled up in an arranged marriage.
Such a nuisance we're in…
Today though, I feel a stroke of luck coming my way. I woke up with a smile for a reason I don't remember, and it made me motivated to continue with my search again. Conan kept true to his words - and I mean that with sarcasm - he made it a point to always avoid me, and he even declared an indefinite leave from work. I could not reach him nor get more information from him about his brother, and he also could not be found by the reporters who always followed him around. Today, though, I have a nice feeling of accomplishing something.
I wonder what kind of man this other Gallagher is… I looked at my mobile phone and revisited my photos gallery to peek at the picture that Conan had sent me. It was a digital copy of what he showed me at his office a week ago. I still couldn't understand why despite the technological advancements these times, no one from the Gallaghers' team had been successful with locating this man. But then again, I'm feeling lucky today. I filled my mind with the words that have become my mantra.
It all started when Max informed me that the investigators which Conan has hired are back with the news that one of the Generals in the southern country has agreed to have a meeting with me later in the afternoon. Even though it meant that I will have to endure flying for roughly two hours in my private plane to reach my destination, I still felt elated, as it will be my lead to where my groom was. I haven't mentioned it yet, but I've always hated long flights despite being used to them.
Guy and Lenka wanted to tag along, but I knew that they, too, have their own businesses to attend to, so I decided to travel on my own. I wasn't entirely alone - as always, Max was with me to be my pilot.
One of the things I've never paid attention to in the past was the biggest fact that Max was my shadow. I've gotten so used to having him as my driver, pilot, or personal assistant, that it never occurred to me that he was not just my bodyguard like what my father had used to refer to him. Now I feel like the most uncaring, self-centered person in the world who only learned to pay attention to details when my family got wiped out.
"Don't feel bad, señorita," Max once told me. "It was meant to be that way."
I didn't want to be hard on myself, so I shrugged off my negative thoughts. If my father had wanted me to know all these facts just now, then so be it. I trust that I would soon understand his reasons. I've always been taught how to act cool and stay strong no matter what kind of news I get, so cool I should be.
I guess I fell asleep while pondering on things because the moment Max announced that we had arrived, I was the only one left on the plane. I took a peek outside and realized that the weather was too hot. I decided to take a quick shower and changed into shorts, tank tops, and boots. Who knows, I might need to do some walking - I'd rather be prepared. These were my go-to comfortable clothes anyway.
As always, Max had done some preparations ahead of time and was able to arrange for a pick-up truck to take us from the hangar to the camp. I wondered at the choice of vehicle, but I also felt a little excited by the fact that I seem to be facing an adventure finding my groom. I have this tiny hope of being able to get a concrete lead this time after all the other useless meetings I've had the previous days. Yes, days were passing by and I knew that I couldn't afford to stay out of the stock meetings for a long time as it would likely give my business rivals a chance to poison the minds of my supporters to turn against me. It never occurred to me that the board of directors could elect a new CEO if they ever found me unfit for the role and it could mean the downfall of our family business if someone else takes over. My ancestors would surely turn in their graves and I shivered at the thought.
Max had been very keen in warning me that my single-and-twenty-two-fashion-model status was not very popular among the business class and that I would have to live up to the cold-hearted billionaire image that my father and my brother had maintained if I wanted to get some form of respect. When we were still in constant communication, Conan had also drilled in my head that I would need the help of his younger brother for stronger ties, but he still refused to give me a reason why he can't be that person instead whenever I asked him.
Ever since I got dragged into this rollercoaster of a situation, I noticed that I tend to easily get lost into dreamland. For the second time today, Max called me back to reality while announcing our arrival. I looked around and wondered how I was able to doze off with all the bumpy roads we had passed.
Maybe all the sleepless nights were catching up on me.
I still caught a glimpse of the desert we just crossed to reach the other side of the county from the hangar, and it didn't look pleasant at all. Shrugging off some dirt which could have accumulated on my light coat, I stepped out of the truck and instantly caught sight of the huge gates of the Elite Military Camp.
It was vast. I couldn't see with my bare eyes where the territory ends, but the many structures seemed to be marked by some logos and flags and I could see some stations high up some towers every hundred meters where guards were. I'm sure the guards manning the gates we have just entered were doing thorough checks on our trail if it looked like we had company.
When the barricade was lifted and our vehicle was finally allowed to enter, we alighted and walked towards the pedestrian entrance. As usual, Max led the way. I noticed yet again that he seemed too familiar with the environment - he was walking comfortably while constantly shaking hands with random soldiers we met at the lobby. They seemed to know Max too well as I heard them exchange pleasantries, a few even gave him salutes.
I was asked to wait while he confirmed my appointment with the General, and one of the guard soldiers at the reception started checking my backpack as his intimidating dog started sniffing my boots with much eagerness. I tried to give the guard a sweet smile to ease my growing anxiety and I half expected him to look at me with suspicion but he instantly smiled back.
Charms, baby. I mentally flipped my ponytail.
After the quick security check, Max and I were finally led to the Office of the Brigadier General.
"I must stay outside the office, señorita," Max announced, "the B-Gen would accept only you."
Fine. I just hope that the Brigadier General wouldn't be as tall as a mountain who could intimidate me to the point that I would just burst into tears. Yes, I'm an adult, I know… And yes, my Dad taught me to stay calm and collected, but whenever I was unsure of myself, I tend to develop social awkwardness towards people who seem to be a foot taller than I am - they make me feel like I will lose control of things. I've always wanted to be as tall as Viktor, but I stopped growing after eighteen, much to his delight. I rolled my eyes at the memory of him using my head as some armrest like I was a tiny human being.
I cleared my throat to ease my thoughts. I recalled how Viktor or Dad would usually present themselves during important gatherings and composed myself. I would have aced this had it been a go-see or even a big fashion show! To my defense, this is the first time I've tried reaching out to people not to sell my business but to find my groom - give me a break!
Adjusting my posture, I felt taller and ready for a battle. I tried to ignore all the soldiers bustling around as I walked down the hallway leading to the Office of the Brigadier General. I could feel some of them eyeing me like they were mentally undressing me, and it made me cringe a little bit. I quickened my steps and approached the soldier who was standing right next to the door I wanted to open.
"Hi," I tried to look passive as the poor guy literally dropped his jaw upon seeing me. I know, I know, I'm a celebrity. Duh. "I wish to speak with the Brigadier General," I said, making my voice a little louder as the guy seemed in trance. Gosh, are you on drugs, or something?
"I'm Franklin," the guy said, finally finding his voice. He smiled brightly and extended a gloved hand, and I felt obliged for a handshake. "Is the B-Gen awaiting your visit, beautiful?"
I tried not to roll my eyes as I grinned and shook his hand. I carefully explained my purpose and watched as his face changed expressions from amusement to shock - which I expected, then excitement - which surprised me. This Franklin sure knows how to hide feelings, I thought, as his face continued contorting into different expressions which further amused me. I heard him say that he had just gone out of the Office but he volunteered to usher me in, stating that he might be useful.
When Franklin and I entered the room, I was surprised that it wasn't that big. It was roomy enough to have a receiving area, a small pantry in the corner, and at the far end sits the mahogany desk labeled Brigadier General Phillip U. Sherman. A swivel chair behind it was turned away from us, but I could see a balding head showing from the top. I stopped walking when Franklin stopped to salute.
"Brigadier General Sherman, sir," he said in a booming voice which made me jump a little. I found myself straightening my already stretched posture, and tried not to show any signs of awe in my face as the aged Brigadier General turned his chair around, stood up and returned a salute. His eyes instantly traveled to my face, and I realized that I still had my sunglasses on. I took them off and bravely approached him with an outstretched hand.
"Venera Rustik Yates," I smiled a curt one as I stated my name, hoping that I looked confident on the outside as opposed to my actual awed feeling. I gained more confidence when the Brigadier General instantly gave me a wide grin and hurriedly left his seat to firmly shake my hand before kissing it.
"Of course, the lovely princess," he chuckled, tapping my hand which was still clasped inside both of his. "You are much lovelier now that you are grown up." I heard him comment almost like a whisper that I could barely hear him.
He appeared to be thinking back to some old memories as he studied my face, occasionally chuckling. After paying my face a good sweep, he finally let me go and he marched over to the pantry area. He offered me wine which I politely rejected, before he turned to Franklin with a huge, excited grin.
I was beginning to feel weirded out by their reactions - Franklin and the Brigadier General looked a bit too excited to my liking. It made me feel like they knew something that I didn't, and it only made my curiosity grow.
Are they excited because I am a celebrity or because I'm a Yates heiress? I thought about the younger Gallagher son. Really - what kind of man was he to make everyone seem excited about me visiting him? I haven't even mentioned yet about the arranged marriage - I wondered how the two would have reacted had I dropped the ultimate bomb. I tried to recall the words I had used earlier and I was sure that I had only mentioned that I was visiting the Gallagher son to talk about the recent demise of our family members.
"Sergeant," he said, "fetch the DI and tell him that a lovely lady is here to get him."
My eyes traveled to Franklin who was watching the Brigadier General with expectant eyes like a puppy. I caught him smirking like a criminal, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He gave the old man a salute before he hurriedly left, hopefully to find my groom.