Marina's POV

I couldn't make up my mind on what to do, my boss was willing to pay me a lot of money just to work the night shift at the restaurant. The amount is ridiculously higher than my usual overtime pay while on the other hand I have a job at the club this night that I need to be at. I stood in the small staff changing room fiddling with my phone. I was trying to call my boss at the night club. Immediately it started ringing, I placed it over my ear anticipating him picking up which he finally did.

" Hello, Mr Harris! How are you doing?" I said in the most friendly voice I could muster.

" What do you want Marina?" He said in a bored tone obviously not buying the charade.

" I'll be coming in late for work this night." 

" Marina, I'm starting to think you don't need this job."

" No! Please I need it sir." 

" This is the third time this week you are planning on coming in late." I looked around trying to think of other options, though nothing was coming through.

" Please Sir" I pleaded again hoping this time would be the charm. 

" This is the last time, I'm going to accept this." With that he hang up.

I closed my eyes, silently thanking my luck. So I just need to move straight from the restaurant to the night club.

" This customers won't serve themselves Marina." I heard from the other side of the door.

" Yes sir" I said before putting on my apron ready to get back to work. 

For the remaining part of the day, I spent it carrying plates, taking orders and serving food. I gazed at the time at short intervals as I waited for it to be ten o'clock pm. The restaurant was practically empty but it was just the rule to remain open up until ten.

Immediately it was ten o'clock, I picked up my bag and ran out of the restaurant. I glanced at the wrist watch on my hand as I ran towards the entrance of the club. I was allowed in, immediately I made my way to the changing room. I changed into my uniform which was a red crop top and a black short flair skirt. I pulled up my panty hose when my boss entered.

" Marina, hurry up!" Are bosses always this demanding. I stood up and sprang into action. The work at the night club was quite simple. Look enticing to men, serve drinks to them. If you're lucky enough you could get a huge tip from the customers especially those in the VIP booth. 

" Marina, you have the VIP booth today, get moving!"

Seems luck is on my side today, I got to the VIP booth and there were a group of friends. I pulled out my notepad with a smile plastered on my face as I approached them to get their order

There were some bad days while others were somewhat good. As I placed the drinks on the table I felt a smack on my asscheek. I closed my eyes trying to suppress the urge to be angry. 

" The customer is always right" I remember the exact word of my boss, easier to say than to do. I threw in one of my signature smile to them and left but on the inside I was full of rage. I was so happy to get back home after my hell of a day. I switched on the living room light to find my mum laid down on the living room couch. 

" Marina? You're back." She said weakly as she tried to get up. I felt really shattered seeing her in this condition. She is really strong, she still has her humour regardless of the type two diabetes.

" Hi mum." I said as I walked close to her. 

" You do remember how to fight karate, right?"

" Yes! I guess but why mum?"

" Cause you're going to be needing it with the way you get back home late." I chuckled a bit.

" Aren't you still working at Cross tech?" 

" I am, mum you need to rest. Everything is going to be fine."

I held unto her hand as I watched her sleep, I just wanted her to survive and be alive for me. 

" Please be fine mum." I whispered as tears spilled out of my eyes. I heard a crashing noise in the house, the sound came from the kitchen. I went into the kitchen to see my sister's lifeless body on the floor. I gasped as I ran towards her, fear gripping me. 

" Hi sis" she slurred. 

" Where were you?" 

" Relax, I just went out with some friends." I held her hand and helped her to stand on her feet. She was definitely drunk, her breathe reeked of alcohol. Ever since dad died she had been like this, rebellious more than ever. 

" Let's get you to bed" I said rolling my eyes. We didn't even make it to the bed when she collapsed on the bed. I tucked her in properly before laying down beside her. So many thoughts all flowing in at the same time. I closed my eyes shutting all the worries out. I'll deal with them tomorrow.

My eyes fluttered open, I shut it closed immediately due to the sun ray that streamed in. I normally don't wake up by this time, my eyes widened in realization. 

Shit! I was late for work. I threw the duvet off me as I ran frantically throughout the house trying to get ready. I placed a glass of water and aspirin beside my sister's bed then I placed a kiss on my mum's forehead before whispering a short prayer. 

From a distance I could see the bus driving out of the bus station, I increased my running pace but I doubt if that helped. I was so fucked.

Adrian POV

I looked out the window as the landscape of the city I grew up in came to view. I could still remember the reason why I left this city, the memory was still fresh in my head like it happened yesterday.

" Sir we are about land." The air hostess said drawing my attention from the window. I nodded my head at him before putting on my seatbelt. 

My father always had his manipulative way of getting what he wants. I had started up my company at Russia after finishing my masters degree. I was doing really well far away from the family drama but now I'm being made to come back to the United States of America to take over Cross Tech limited. 

" Welcome back, Mr Cross." A man greeted me as I got down from the plane. 

" Thank you Mr Burnley." I said as I shook his hand. Burnley was my father's right hand man and most trusted man. 

" Where's my father?" I asked him. 

" He's at home sir."

" At home?" His son finally came back after ten years and the best he could do was send his puppet to welcome me.

" Yes sir." He said as I walked towards the car that was packed few steps from the plane. 

" Cross Tech limited." I said to the driver as I got into the car.

" Sir, your father said I should bring you home." Burnley said, with confusion on his face.

" Well go back and tell him that I'm not longer fifteen. He wanted me back here, I came back, things are going to go by my rules." The words came out of my mouth with sterness in my tone.

It was still seven AM in the morning so I decided to take a drive round town. Everywhere looked so different some places got better while others got bad. Warmth filled my heart as I saw places I loved to go as a kid. 

All eyes were on me as I walked into Cross Tech building. My eyes caught the receptionist that was so fixed on her phone laughing at whatever she was watching. 

" This is an office, act like it." I said to her before walking to the elevator. I barged into the conference room grabbing the attention of everyone in the room. As I walked to my father's seat, I could hear background whispers but I paid none of them attention. The room was silent as I plopped down on the chair. 

" Continue." I said to the staff presenting. She fidgeted a little before continuing with her explanation. 

" I think this strategy is absolute nonsense, get me the heads of all the department." I said calmly disrupting the meeting before walking out. The sales strategy was whack, we deal with tech products and not some facial cream. 

I pushed the door open entering my father's office, soon to be mine. I looked around the office and my eyes landed on the framed picture on the table. It was a picture of me graduating from highschool. The memories of that day filled my mind as I caressed the frame.

" Welcome to Cross Tech sir" someone said behind me, jolting my out of my train of thoughts. I turned around to see who it was.

" Which department?" I said with an expressionless face.

" Sorry sir I'm not —" he stammered adjusting his tie nervously.

" Get me all the heads of department, doesn't anyone listens?" I said raising my voice a bit higher than before. 

" Yes sir." He said scrambling out. 

Few minutes later the head of the departments were lined up. They all had a plastic smile plastered on their face. 

" Human resource department get me a competent personal assistant and fire that receptionist along with anyone that wasn't present at the office by eight. Accounting department send in the financial reports for the last ten years. Don't make me ask twice, You're dismissed." I said waving my hands at them.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I picked the call placing the phone over my ear.

" Adrian come home this very instant." I heard through the phone. I sat down on the swirling chair while listening to my mother rant about me being as stubborn as my dad. I heard the door open, I lifted my eyes and I came face to face with an elderly man. It was my father's business partner and co-owner of Cross Tech limited, Mr DeMarco. 

" Mum, I do love you but I have work to do. I'll be back by eight o'clock pm." I didn't wait for her to say anything before I disconnected the call. 

" Good day Mr DeMarco." I greeted, rising from my seat to give him a hand shake. 

" Adrian my boy, how are you doing?" 

" I'm doing fine sir." I said connecting my hands with his. 

" It's good to have you back. Vivian has been looking forward to seeing you." He said with a smile on his face. Vivian was a childhood friend of mine who I hadn't seen in over ten years.

" I'll get in touch with her soon." 

" You should...I heard what happened this morning at the board meeting.

" Something wrong sir?" I asked. He gave me a cheeky smile in response.

" There is a certain way that things work out here."

" That strategy would only bleed the company." 

" Be careful Adrian." That was the last thing he said before strolling out of the office. I stared into a space trying to make out what he had meant .

The accounting department had sent in the reports so I rolled up my sleeves and got buried in work

I glanced at the most recent financial reports, squinting my eyes in confusion. My hands traced the column of numbers, my eyes widened in realization.

About twenty million dollars was missing from the book. 

Fuck!