Chapter 2
(A Sudden Change)
The next morning came far too quickly, sunlight breaking through the heavy curtains in Ariana's room, casting thin slivers of gold across the dark wood floors. The warmth of the sun was a cruel contrast to the cold weight that still sat in her chest. She hadn't slept; how could she? Her father's death was still too raw, her new responsibilities looming too large. But there was no escaping from it. she was the new head of the Collins empire, whether she liked it or not.
A loud knock shattered the quiet morning. Ariana jumped, her heart racing. For a split second, she had forgotten the weight of the world waiting on the other side of the door.
"It's Mrs. Hollis, Miss Collins," the voice of her father's long-time assistant floated through the door, gentle but firm. "The board meeting is scheduled for ten o'clock. They're all expecting you."
Ariana sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes. Of course, the board meeting. The first of many meetings she would now have to face. The idea of sitting in her father's chair, surrounded by men and women who had served the company for decades, men and women who would now look to her for leadership was overwhelming.
"I'll be there," Ariana called out, her voice a little too shaky. She heard Mrs. Hollis' footsteps retreating down the hallway and sighed deeply. Could she really do this? Could she stand in front of all those people and act like she had everything under control?
Throwing back the covers, Ariana forced herself out of bed. Her movements were mechanical as she slipped into a dark, tailored suit, the kind her father would have approved of. But no matter how professional she looked in the mirror, the reflection staring back at her felt like a fraud.
She descended the grand staircase, her heels echoing against the marble floors. The weight of the house its legacy, its history pressed down on her just as heavily as the empire itself. Her family had lived here for generations. The Collins mansion was a symbol of their power, but right now, it felt more like a gilded cage.
When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Mrs. Hollis was waiting for her, her hands folded neatly in front of her, face stern yet compassionate. "I've prepared the notes for the meeting," she said. "Everything your father would have discussed."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hollis." Ariana's voice cracked, but the older woman gave her a rare, encouraging smile.
"I know this isn't easy, dear," Mrs. Hollis said softly. "But your father believed in you. So do I."
Ariana managed a small nod, though the knot in her stomach tightened. If only she could believe in herself the way everyone else seemed to.
The car ride to the corporate headquarters felt like a funeral procession. The city buzzed outside the tinted windows, unaware of the turmoil that roiled inside her. Ariana's mind was a whirlwind of fear, doubt, and grief. Every street, every building they passed reminded her of her father's influence. His fingerprints were on everything except now, it was her name that would be on every decision. Her name that would carry the weight of it all.
When the car pulled up in front of Collins Industries, the imposing glass building seemed even more daunting than usual. A symbol of power, success, and control. All things Ariana felt she was lacking at the moment. She stepped out of the car, taking a deep breath to steady herself, but her hands still trembled as she smoothed down her jacket.
Inside the building, the tension was palpable. Employees who had known her since she was a child now eyed her with a mixture of pity and expectation. Whispers followed her as she walked down the hallway. She could feel the pressure rising, like a vice tightening around her heart.
"Good morning, Miss Collins," Henry, the head of security, greeted her as she passed the front desk. He was an imposing man, always there to protect the family. Today, even his presence felt heavy, as though he was guarding more than just the building.
"Good morning, Henry," Ariana replied, forcing a smile.
When she reached the boardroom, she paused just outside the door. She could hear the murmur of voices on the other side, voices of people who were waiting for her to take charge. The familiar faces of the board members, seasoned professionals who had served under her father for years, would now be looking to her for guidance.
Her heart pounded. What if I'm not ready?
Before she could turn back, the door swung open. Mr. Graham, her father's most trusted advisor, stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable. "Miss Collins, we're ready for you," he said, gesturing for her to enter.
Ariana swallowed hard and stepped into the room, every eye turning to her as she crossed the threshold. The tension was suffocating, the air thick with anticipation. She took her seat at the head of the table her father's seat and felt the weight of the crown settle even heavier on her shoulders.
"As you all know," Mr. Graham began, his voice steady but grim, "we've suffered a great loss. Mr. Collins was not only our leader but a visionary. Today, we must look to the future, and that future is in the capable hands of his daughter, Ariana."
Ariana's stomach twisted as she felt every gaze land on her. Some of the board members smiled politely, offering thin, fragile expressions of support. But other were not so kind. She could see it in their eyes. Doubt. Uncertainty. A twenty-three-year-old taking over one of the country's largest business empires? It was unheard of.
"I'm not my father," Ariana blurted, her voice breaking the silence. "But I am committed to honoring his legacy and continuing the work he started."
There was a pause. A long, uncomfortable pause. The board members exchanged glances, and Ariana felt her confidence faltering. But then Mr. Graham cleared his throat.
"I believe Miss Collins will lead us well," he said, his tone measured, but there was something else lurking beneath his words. Was it genuine support? Or was there an edge of manipulation? Ariana couldn't be sure.
Just as she was about to speak again, the door to the boardroom burst open. Elena stormed in, her face flushed with anger, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Every head turned toward her as she marched to the center of the room, throwing a thick folder onto the table in front of Ariana.
"I'm not letting this happen," Elena hissed, her voice venomous. "You think you can just take over everything? Like it was all meant for you?"
"Elena, this isn't the time " Ariana started, but her sister cut her off.
"No, this is exactly the time!" Elena shot back, glaring at the board members. "I should have been given the choice. I should have been considered. But no, our father hands everything to you on a silver platter, like you're the golden child."
Ariana stood, her face pale but her voice steady. "You said you didn't want this. You made that decision a long time ago."
"And I didn't want it," Elena snapped. "But that doesn't mean you should get everything without question. Do you even know what you're doing? Do you even understand what's at stake?"
The room was silent, tension crackling in the air like electricity before a storm. Ariana stared at her sister, her heart pounding, the weight of responsibility pressing down harder than ever.
"I didn't ask for this," Ariana said quietly. "But it's mine now. And I'm going to do everything I can to protect what Dad built."
Elena's eyes flashed, a mixture of hurt and anger swirling in their depths. "We'll see about that," she muttered, turning on her heel and storming out of the room, leaving a trail of icy silence in her wake.
Ariana stood there, shaken but resolute. The crown was hers now, whether she was ready or not.