My mother died, leaving me under a care of a nanny who ends up my father’s new wife. My mom has cast aside as if she never exists at all, leaving me to grieve on my own trying to hold onto her memory and her warm smiles.
I will never forget every night when I will hear her cry because of my bastard of a father. In the end, a beautiful rose that she is wider under the shadow of my dad. Her bright blue eyes turn into a filmy grey that stares out into nothingness until her body finally gives in.
The heroic image that my mother tries to build in my little head crash into a large man I hate the most. I grow up loathing him, doing everything he doesn’t like. I swear to myself that I will never be anything like him. But no matter how much I try I keep finding myself coming back to the same old road I want to get away from.
I never want to be the next chairman of this company, but I have no choice. I keep finding myself everything I despise.
The throbbing behind my eyes intensify as the soft knocking interrupts my bleak thoughts
A low growl rumbles deep in my throat.
A woman with blond head pops her head in without my consent. “Sir, shall I send in the papers?”
I grumble, “Send them in.”
*
Olivia
I make it a point to be on time the next day. I greet everyone I see with a bright smile on my face. However, the moment I come to work, I know right away that there’s something wrong. It’s the way every employee is up on their toes looking skittish.
Lorina looks worries herself which tells me that this is something serious.
Not noticing me approaching, I say her name softly as not to surprise her. She regards me with worried searching eyes, clasping my hands.
“I suggest you not to go in there yet dear. He’s in a foul mood.”
I am about to ask who when I hear his soaring voice and scurrying footsteps to his office.
His voice bellows like a thunder storm that he is right now. “Why is everyone giving me a wrong information!”
The poor girl cringe, picking up the papers on the floor and is quick to get out of sight. I see her sniffling, her eyes shining with tears. I immediately feel for her, seeing myself on her back when I am a college student. Only the difference is I have a backbone.
As if noticing the defiance in my eyes, Lorina says, “Do not intensify the fire, Olivia. He’s not fit to deal with anyone with his mood right now. His father got sent to the hospital early this morning.”
My rising irritation mellows down, suddenly wanting to reach for him and comfort him.
Coming from an experience, one will rather hold on to anger than to deal with the gnawing pain in your heart. When my parents died, I feel like the whole world stops, there’s nothing to hold on to but the sinking feeling of the unknown.
Still, that doesn’t give him the exception to be acting like a pompous ass. He can instruct his employee accurately than biting their heads off.
“Where in the devil is she!” he bellows.
Lorina looks at m
e with worry in those eyes. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to go in there, dear.”
Despite her reassurance or the thundering of my heart, I hold my ground. “No, I’ll be okay. Today’s my first day of work, that is if he’ll hire me still.”
I don’t want to think further that Kenneth and I make an early celebration when my spot in the company isn’t sure yet. Instead, I reassure Lorina that I’ll manage.
Taking a deep breath, I march towards the lion’s den. The air is so thick I can slice through it.
He’s glaring at the paperwork when he hears me enter. The very air seems to stop breathing.
He looks up, dark circles under his eyes. “Don’t you make a habit of running late, Ms. Mathew?” his says coldly.
I meet his stare, trying to assess what is wrong. He’s far different from the man I first meet. This man in front of me is acting beastly and stuck-up boss with a temper.