# Chapter 3: Shadows of Our Past
"Miss," Grace said, pulling me back to reality. "She is asleep," she added softly.
I looked at Riha, her beautiful face serene in sleep, resembling a baby as she always did. But the pain from her bite lingered in me, a constant reminder of the turmoil we were enduring. I moved closer to her bedside table and picked up a picture of her singing on stage, a moment frozen in time. Now, she had lost herself and her dreams because of her trauma.
I stepped out of her room and gently closed the door behind me. My next stop was my dad's room, where I found him fast asleep. Thank God he didn't die that day. He had tried to take his own life but was saved. Since then, he had lost his memory and didn't even recognize us. I quietly closed his door, not wanting to disturb his peace, and returned to my room. I lay down on my bed, covering myself with the duvet, and began to remember the days when we lived peacefully.
The next day dawned bright and clear. I took a bath and applied a powder medicine to the scar on my hand from Riha's bite. After dressing in my casual office outfit and spritzing on one of my expensive perfumes, I headed to the dining room.
"Good morning," the maids greeted in unison, bowing as I entered. The dining table was filled with an array of fruits, food, and juices. My dad and Riha were already seated.
Riha was throwing the food served to her away. "I told you I don't like beans!" she yelled, her frustration palpable. I knew she didn't like beans, but the kitchen had prepared them for me because they were one of my favorites. Why was she behaving like this?
"If you don't like beans, eat something else," a maid suggested, probably unaware that I was nearby. Riha moved closer to the maid and grabbed her clothes, the maid trying to defend herself. No one loved serving her in this state.
Seeing the commotion, I stepped in to separate them. "You know I hate beans!" Riha yelled again, her voice filled with anger. I finally pried her hand away from the maid's torn clothing.
"Yes, I know," I said, trying to calm her down. "Tell the kitchen not to prepare beans again," I instructed Grace, who was standing nearby.
"Yes, ma," she replied, her voice steady.
"I don't like beans," Riha continued, her hands shaking with fear, her fingers twitching uncontrollably.
"Okay," I said softly, patting her back as she leaned against me.
"What happened to your hand?" she asked, noticing the scar.
"It was just a scar," I replied, trying to reassure her.
"Did I bite you again?" she asked, her eyes wide with concern. I nodded, and she whispered, "I'm sorry."
"No, I'm fine," I said, forcing a smile.
"C.E.O. Mr. Dukewhale will soon arrive at the company," my personal assistant, Kate, announced.
I helped Riha sit in her chair, giving her a gentle peck on the cheek before turning to my dad, who was eating quietly.
The Luke's Group was a sprawling empire, known for its innovative technology and strong market presence. I had worked hard to earn my position within the company, stepping into the role of C.E.O. after my brother's death.
The company had a reputation for excellence, but the shadows of our family's turmoil loomed large over it.
As I walked through the office, I smiled at everyone, but I could feel the tension in the air. The employees looked at me with a mix of fear and respect. Some greeted me, and I replied, but my mind was elsewhere. I entered the elevator, eager to meet our business partner, Pedro Dukewhale. His name sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it.
As the elevator doors closed, I overheard some staff gossiping outside. They whispered about how I had killed my elder brother and how I had once plucked out my ex-boyfriend's eyes. They even gave me the nickname "Weirdo." Their shock was evident when they realized I was in the elevator with them. They bowed, guilt in their eyes, and hesitated to enter.
Finally, I reached my office. Pedro Dukewhale and a man, presumably his P.A., were sitting across from each other.
"What? You again!" I yelled, my voice echoing in the room.
The tension in the air was palpable as I faced the man who had become a significant part of my life, for better or worse.