Chapter 7– Mom, Dad, Skye...I'm back
1311 Words
Chapter 7
Hazel pushed open the door to Leon's office and strode toward his assistant.
"I'm here for file No. 0833 from Executive Lucas's office," she said.
"Okay," the assistant replied curtly, turning to search her system.
After a few moments, she looked up. "The file you’re looking for is with Executive Leon, and he’s presently in a meeting."
Hazel gave a small nod before walking to a nearby chair and sitting down.
"When will he be done?" she asked flatly.
"In ten minutes," the assistant answered promptly, returning to her screen.
Hazel nodded again and fell silent, her gaze drifting lazily around the office in no particular search. Then, as if struck by a thought, she turned back to the assistant.
"Do you perhaps know what is contained in file 0833?"
"Yes, file No. 0833 contains information for the new partnership that Executive Leon’s team is working on."
"I see," Hazel replied simply.
"It seems like you’re new to the department," the assistant said, clearly trying to make conversation.
"Yes, I am," Hazel replied, her tone flat, leaving no room for further chatter.
Ten minutes ticked by. Leon still hadn’t appeared.
"Can you call him?" Hazel’s voice had dropped a few degrees colder.
"Oh, right." The assistant quickly dialed his number. The call rang for a while before it connected. She informed Leon of Hazel’s presence. Silence lingered on the other end, then the call ended without further word.
Hazel didn’t react. She simply adjusted her position in the chair, her expression unreadable.
A few minutes later, Leon finally walked in. Without sparing her a greeting, he went straight into his office. Hazel rose and followed, her head held high.
Leon sank into his executive chair like a king claiming his throne. His gaze lifted to hers — mocking.
"Well, if it isn’t the crown jewel of the pure branch. Isn’t it ironic to have you waiting for me, a mere worker, in your own company, heiress?" The last word rolled off his tongue like poison.
"Well, isn’t it fated for you to stop at the very position your father did too, unable to go any further? And do you know what’s more interesting?" Hazel’s eyes left her nails and met his, her brows raised in taunt.
"You’ll eventually be my subordinate despite how many years you’ve worked here and how hard you worked. I’d get to the peak without much time and without even needing to try that hard," she said smoothly.
"Why? Because I was born in a position your whole existence would never dream to attain." Hazel smiled, but her eyes remained cold.
Her words struck deep. Leon’s hands clenched into fists beneath the desk.
"File. Now," Hazel ordered sharply, already bored of the exchange.
"You couldn’t do anything six years ago but take the fall, and now nothing’s changed. You still won’t be able to do anything. You’re just kicking up dust, if you ask me," Leon countered, though his voice strained to keep its edge.
"At least hide your insecurity until the game is over. Hearing it spill over when you speak is pathetic. Now hand me the file. Our little cousin bonding is over."
Leon slid a file across the desk. Hazel took it and turned to leave — but stopped mid-step. She opened the file and flipped through the pages.
"You really are pathetic," she said, turning slowly back to him, amusement glinting in her eyes as if she were watching a clown perform.
"You really thought you could hand me a fake file and sabotage my first task? Too bad I’m two steps ahead of you." She slammed the file down on his desk.
"So you took all that time just to prepare a fake file for me. And then what? Let me guess — destroy the real one and make me look incompetent?" Hazel chuckled softly.
She extended her hand, her gaze locking on him — too cold for comfort. Leon reluctantly handed over the real file. Hazel glanced through it, gave a slight nod, and turned to leave.
"Leon, level up your games. You’re making me bored," she said as she stepped out.
Behind her, Leon’s fist came down hard on the table. He stared at the door through the curtain of his hair, his eyes burning with undisguised hatred.
Hazel walked into Lucas's office.
"Sir, the file."
---
In the Voss mansion, Kyle set down his spoon and reached for a glass of water.
"Are you done eating, son?" Evelyn asked, eyeing the half-eaten food on his plate.
"Yes, Mom. I’m full," Kyle replied, dabbing his lips with a napkin.
"I knew this would happen. That damn military has changed you," Evelyn lamented dramatically.
"What change? He’s still the same. Big brother never ate much anyway," Alex chimed in, speaking around a mouthful of food.
Evelyn shot him a glare. Alex only grinned back cheekily before returning to his meal.
"Mom, trust me—I’m full, and I’m fine," Kyle said, rising from his chair.
Alex’s gaze dropped to the food left on Kyle’s plate.
"Mom, can I have that too?" he asked, pulling his best cute face.
Evelyn gave him a long glare, then raised her hand as if to smack him—only to rest it gently on his head, ruffling his hair.
"Of course you can, glutton," she said before standing to leave.
"Ah, this is so good! No school, just food!" Alex declared, spreading his arms dramatically.
A short while later, Kyle came down the stairs still in his black polo and joggers, now with crisp white sneakers and a car key in hand.
"Mom, I’ll be stepping out for a bit," he said to Evelyn, who was seated on the couch. His eyes flicked to Alex, still savoring his feast, before he turned toward the door.
Outside, the driver and bodyguards assembled instinctively.
"Stay back. I’m going alone," Kyle said, sliding into a limited-edition Mercedes with a custom plate. The engine roared, and he sped off like a bullet.
His first stop was a flower shop, where he purchased four bouquets—each a different type of flower. In his dark, fitted clothes and spotless sneakers, holding the blooms with one hand, he was the kind of sight that made hearts race. The florist’s gaze lingered long after he’d left.
Kyle drove for a while before reaching a quiet, secluded place where only the birds dared to speak. Stepping out, he walked through the gates of a cemetery. He passed fresh graves at first, but the further he went, the older the stones became—until he stopped before three graves set side by side.
The headstones were worn but well cared for, the grass neatly trimmed, leaves swept aside. Kyle knelt and brushed away a few fallen leaves, revealing the inscriptions:
Edward Voss. Aliya Voss. Skyler Voss.
He laid a bouquet before each.
"Mom, Dad, Skye... I’m back," he said softly. His cold mask was gone, replaced by something raw and unguarded.
"I promised I’d visit after returning from the military, so here I am. I brought your favorite flowers. Looks like no one’s been here for a while."
Turning to Skyler’s grave, he smiled sadly.
"I miss you so much, Skye. I treat Eva so nicely because she reminds me of you—but don’t worry, you’re still my favorite sister."
The smile faded, replaced by steel.
"I’m back stronger than ever, and I promise I’ll avenge you all. Not a single soul in that family will be left." His eyes had frosted over, but his tone stayed warm.
He stayed a while longer, speaking to them in low tones. When he finally stood, the softness was gone.
"I’ll be back—and the next time I come, it’ll be to announce the death of them all," he vowed, before walking away.
- Writer
