Sweet Revenge

Chapter 5: Back from the dead

Anna

" Today there will be a shareholders meeting. It seems that the ship is sinking and some investors want to jump ship. Now that's where we come in. We will take this opportunity to buy some of them out until we can reach at least 50% of the company to have ground to stand on. Obviously, with your return, an impact will be made." I was listening to Felix briefing me on how things are going to go down. And here I was just imagining how people would react on seeing that the alleged dead heiress was alive.

I hate the spotlight but I will have to go get used to it to do the needful. I could not wait to look at Bobby and Eric in the eyes as they witnessed their epic plan failure. And I was going to make sure I rubbed it in their treacherous faces.

" I can't believe that my company is facing such a loss under the leadership of that bastard," I say in an annoyed manner.

" Well, that's part of why we are here. To take over the reins and restore your family name to its former glory." He pushed away a strand of stray hair away from my face.

" I believe that you are going to do good. Just like your father" he said and I blushed. I can't stand his sweet talks, not in a bad way though. I mean he's too sweet and I feel like losing myself in his sweetness.

We left the house and headed straight for the SC group. My leg was shaking and my breathing was uneven. Felix noticed the state I was in and he placed his hand on mine. I looked at him and he nodded his head slightly with a little smile. With his warmth, I started to calm down. Thank God I did get a panic attack. That would have been worse. We reached the company and I looked at how it's still the same as it was years ago. We went and parked in front of the entrance.

" We are here!" Hiram announced looking at us in the review mirror. Marinette was not here because she was sick. Although she insisted on coming along, Hiram convinced her to stay back. " Alright, this is it, Anna. Once we go inside there is no going back. But if you don't want to or you are not ready we can turn the car around," Felix said in a calm and nice tone. Having this kind of support is so much better than being alone.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment and opened them again. " I'm ready!" I confirmed. I squeezed Felix's hand that was on mine

to draw the energy I needed from him. We have that kind of connection. " I will be with you every step of the way and I won't let anything happen to you so don't worry," he said and I nodded my head in understanding.

" Good luck Anna! and Felix, take care of her man. I will be in the parking lot when you are all done," Hiram said and we smiled at him. " Well, let's get this done and dusted," Felix got out of the car and he came to my side and opened the door for me. Such a gentleman.

I gave him my hand and helped him out of the car. He put his hand on either side of my face and he leaned in to kiss me on my forehead. Simple gestures like these mean a lot to me. He then offered his arm and I hooked on it. I waved at Hiram and waved back. Felix opened the door for us and we stepped inside the facility. I got nostalgic as soon as I was inside. I remember when my father first brought me here. I was so happy that I was going to see my father at work. Those were simple times and I always had fun.

We walked by the receptionist and got in the lift. My nerves were still not calm. This place was making old memories resurface and it was overwhelming. Suddenly Felix pulled me into his arms and embraced me softly, his hands wrapped around my waist. His woody musky scent wafted into my nostrils and I found myself sniffing it in. Slowly I slid my hands and hugged him.

" That's it, breathe," he said. I obeyed his and took in his scent which was like a breath of air and it was helping me a great deal. I nearly moaned when he withdrew from the hug. I reluctantly let go of him and he placed his hands on my shoulders. I could not look him in the eyes so he would not see the disappointment in my face. He placed his finger underneath my chin and raised my face. His eyes were a bit darker than silver because of the lack of light.

They expressed worry. " Are you alright?" he asked again with his hand on my cheek. I snuggled into it lightly and hummed. " It's not too late to turn back. I just don't want you under pressure, okay?"

I smiled. " I promise I am alright. Yes, I am nervous but there is nothing to worry about," I took both his hands in mine. " You are with me." He smiled and leaned in to kiss me on my forehead. Just at that moment, the elevator stopped.

He offered me his arm with a charming smile and I hooked mine on it. " Shall we?"

" We shall," I said with a bright smile. He restored my confidence and I felt like I was ready to take on whatever challenge I faced. We walked to the boardroom. I'm sure everyone has arrived. On the way, people were murmuring about. I could see the shock on their faces. Some of them were familiar faces but I never got to know anyone personally.

" Remember, I got you," he tenderly whispered and I felt shivers down my spine. Concealing my shudder, I smiled and acknowledged his support. The truth is, he is my pillar and without him, I would fall apart. I would not even be here today. He looked at me and I nodded. He opened the door and we went inside. As expected, everyone was there. At that moment, all the fear I had, went outside the window. I suddenly felt courageous. All the attention was on us. The chatter went silent and their mouths were agape. My head was held high as I looked around, meeting familiar faces.

That's until I faced the ones I wanted. And boy, their reactions were priceless. The fear, panic, and confusion were swirling in their eyes, Gosh! I can smell it from where I stand. There at the head of the table on the far end sat my worst enemy. My uncle, Bob Simpson. And on his left was that sly loser, Eric Shaw. Their faces were ashen as so was everyone else's. I don't blame the poor fellas. They are just surprised to see me, well alive. It's like seeing a ghost.

" Anna?" my uncle mumbled lowly but I still caught it. I smiled brightly upon hearing the quiver in his tone. " In the flesh?" I exclaimed in response. No one said anything else. They were all still in shock. The tension in the room was so thick a butter knife would not cut it.

" Come on everyone, I'm not a ghost. It is I, Anna Simpson," I announced and everyone slowly began to relax. Did they really think I was a ghost? I wonder.

My uncle Bob, abruptly stood up all of a sudden. " My dear niece! h-how i-is this possible? It's been a year and we thought you were dead," my blood boiled at his expression of fake concern. I felt Felix tense up as our arms were still connected. He has not said anything and he had a neutral expression on his face. I decided to play along with my uncle. No matter how much I wanted to shake him down, this was not the time to make a scene. Besides, where is the fun in being straightforward? I plan on playing mind games with him and his little affiliate.

" Where do I even begin?" I pretended to reciprocate his sentiments. " We will circle back to that," I sighed dramatically placing my hand on my chest. " All I can say is, that miracles do happen and my survival was for a greater purpose," I swear I saw his jaw tick and I smirked. He rounded the table and came over to me. He then put his as around me forcing let go of Felix. With every ounce in me, I controlled myself from pushing him away from him. Felix was about to act but I gestured for him to stop.

.

" I'm glad you are alive and well. You don't know how much I've been suffering and thinking I let my dear little brother down. Your parents must have been looking out for you. It's truly a miracle," he said with all his dramatics making it look like an emotional moment. I wanted to slap the daylights out of him but I could not forget the ultimate goal. One silly mistake would jeopardize everything I came back for.

After the phony heartfelt reunion, everyone began to settle and began murmuring and I was welcomed back. My uncle kept glancing at me in suspicion. Eric was sweating like a steed. I don't blame him. He did not do his job right. He should be scared, very scared.

Like a gentleman, Felix pulled out a chair for me and made sure I was comfortable In my seat. He took the seat beside me. Once we were settled, tension began to rise again. It was time to get to the matter at hand. " Now that you are here my dear niece, there is a lot to catch up on. But we are here on a different matter," I smirked and looked at Felix, giving him a signal to take the floor.

He cleared his throat before speaking. " That matter is still the same. We are here because of the sale of shares by some of the investors,"

My uncle's face scrunched up in confusion, not getting what Felix was saying. " What do you mean by that? And who are you?" he asked. Eric had the same expression.

" Oh pardon me, please. Amidst all of this, I forgot to introduce myself," he said with a chuckle. " My name is Felix Hunt. I am Anna Simpson's partner," Felix declared.

" Partners in what way?" Eric asked in an accusative tone. What's his deal anyway? " In more than one way," Felix replied in a clipped tone. " Anyway the point is, some investors here, want to sell their shares and we have offered to buy them,"

" What! That is absurd. How come I don't know about that!" my uncle yelled and everyone was shocked by his outburst.

" I've said what I want to. Now I'm here to seal the deal," Felix injected with a straight face unfazed.

" What is going on here?" he asked in exasperation. A man came in. He must be the lawyer whom Felix appointed to draft the papers for the sale. He put them on the table.

" Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Hale, Mr. Rogers, and Mr. Reyez. This is the offer in writing. All your demands have been met and we are ready when you are," he said looking at them.

" Gentleman, you? you went behind my back and you are pulling out on me?"

" It is nothing personal Mr. Simpson. Things have not been up to our expectations. Honestly, we would have sold our shares to the opposition but this man approached us with a much better offer than theirs that compensates for all our losses during the last few years,"

I could see that he was angry but his hands were tied. He could not do anything about it now. He gave in. Felix handed over the papers for the man to sign and after they all signed, it was my turn to sign. Felix handed me a pen and I took it. I looked at Eric, who looked anxious, and my uncle who was as red as a chili. I smiled sweetly before placing my signatures on the dotted lines of the contract. I was feeling so elated.

This is not the bigger picture. This is just the beginning of their losses. And I am here to stay. I am where I belong.

" There, now it is official! " Felix announced with a wide smile. He looked at me and said, " Anna Simpson, you are now the new COO of SC group."