Chapter 2
1520 Words
I'm about to get into the car that will take us to the airport. Jhanine is sitting next to the driver, and I'm in the backseat. I couldn't do anything but agree to have this woman with me, even though I could handle the deal alone. Of course, Daddy will get mad at me again, and there's nothing new about that.
I didn't even look at or acknowledge the woman in front of me, even though I knew she was looking at me. There's nothing new about that because Jhanine knows I don't like her. She knew that from the beginning.
I was just staring out the window, still thinking about the near-death experience I had. I almost couldn't have kicked Daddy's second wife out if that had happened. I turned when Jhanine suddenly spoke in the middle of the journey.
"How are you? What happened to you yesterday?" she asked, her voice showing hesitation.
I rolled my eyes before answering, "I'm fine, and none of your business," I said, rolling my eyes again and then looking out the window.
I don't know how many times I rolled my eyes, so I started feeling a bit dizzy. I noticed Jhanine looking at me through the rearview mirror of the car.
"Stop staring at me, will you?" I said sharply without looking at her.
We quickly arrived at the airport where our private plane was waiting. I got out of the car and put on my aviators, holding my hair as the wind blew it. I felt Jhanine following behind me. I entered our private plane first, and Jhanine sat on the opposite side facing me.
I glared at her, "Don't sit there, go to the back. I don't wanna see your face," I said while pointing to the back.
"I want to sit here, Sarhea," she said firmly.
"Ugh, whatever," I murmured, knowing she heard it.
She was about to say something when I closed my eyes, leaving her words hanging in the air.
I wish I was the only one here so I wouldn't have to see her annoying face. Every time I see her face, my anger towards her and Daddy resurfaces. How dare he replace my mother with a woman like her.
Why does he need to involve her when she knows nothing about the business? I know that because I spent money to have her investigated. All I know is that her background is related to cooking, and I don't care about that.
I didn't realize I had dozed off due to deep thoughts. I felt a tug on my shoulder, so I slowly opened my eyes. I also heard Jhanine's gentle voice, "Wake up, wake up, we're here." I stood up and grabbed my bag, ignoring her, knowing she was following behind me.
After getting off, we headed to our waiting car to go to a restaurant where we would meet with a businessman from the US for the benefit of our respective businesses. We got into the car, and it started moving. My stomach was starting to growl because I hadn't eaten.
We were assisted by the driver in opening the door as we arrived at the upscale restaurant. The restaurant looked luxurious, and only affluent individuals could afford to dine on their expensive dishes. It was a Chinese restaurant. Wow, I love Chinese food!
We entered and found a man in a business suit, probably in his mid-fifties. He had slightly graying blonde hair. He greeted us with his pearly white teeth.
I smirked when I noticed there was no one else around except us. I just stared at him while Jhanine smiled at him.
Ugh, such a show-off!
The man stood up from his seat and extended his hand, "Hi ladies, I'm Henry Carnegie," he said with a smile.
Jhanine extended her hand as I had no intention to, I didn't want to touch her hand, eww.
"Hello Mister Carnegie, I'm Jhanine Bon and this is my daughter Sarhea Adeline Bon, it's our pleasure to meet you," she said still smiling. I gave her a look; did she really have to use my complete name? Tsk!
I just nodded at him as he looked at me. There were already dishes laid out on the grand table. I sat down and my mouth watered at the sight of the food.
Relax Sarhea, don't show that you're hungry.
"Let's eat first while discussing our business," he said with a bright smile.
I started discussing the deal, with Jhanine speaking occasionally and sometimes staying quiet. It would have been better if she just stayed quiet; who knows what else she might say.
In the middle of our conversation, I found myself frequently holding the lower part of my left chest, finding it hard to breathe, but I ignored it and continued speaking.
We spent almost two hours discussing, and after finalizing the deal, we stood up.
"Thank you, Mister Carnegie," I said as we closed the deal. We shook hands, and he also shook hands with my stepmother.
"Thank you as well," the man said.
"We have to go now," Jhanine added, smiling at the man again. We left the restaurant and got into the car.
I knew Jhanine was observing me again, probably noticing my deep sighs and scowls due to the pain I was feeling.
"What?" I snapped. She just shook her head and didn't look at me.
We were heading to the hotel that Daddy had reserved for us because it was getting late and I was feeling extremely tired. All I wanted now was to rest.
Jhanine tapped me, "Are you okay?" I could hear the concern in her voice.
I looked at her wearily, "Yeah, I'm just tired," I said and leaned my head on the backrest. I was too tired to argue with her.
After a few hours, we arrived at the hotel where we would be staying. I let Jhanine take the key to our room; we only had one room but with two beds, I knew Marco had arranged this.
"Only one room was reserved by your Daddy, and the other rooms here are already full," she said with concern.
I just held my head in my hands due to stress; I was so tired that I didn't want to start a fight and just followed her to the room.
I quickly took off my coat and lay down on the bed, feeling the heaviness of my eyelids, unable to fight it.
Before I lost consciousness, the last thing I saw in my mind was the face of the man who had saved me.
The next day, I woke up early, took a shower, and changed into fresh clothes. When I came out, there were already food prepared on the table; Jhanine must have had the food delivered to our hotel.
The door of another bathroom opened, and Jhanine came out. I quickly glanced at her; she was drying her hair as she approached me. Due to my exhaustion from last night, I didn't notice that Daddy had reserved a large room for us; the design was modern. The walls, ceiling, and bed were white, while the furniture was all black, from the sofa in the living room to the bathroom fixtures.
"Maybe you want to go sightseeing first? We can go home tomorrow, there are many places to visit here," she said with a smile, inviting me.
I rolled my eyes while making coffee without looking at her, "No, I don't want to; I want to go home," I said and sat down to eat.
I heard her sigh and saw her sit on the other chair, somewhat far from me.
After a few minutes, she stood up and started talking again, "Okay, I'll call our pilot to get ready," she said, taking her phone. She leaned on the counter, but her phone suddenly rang, and she seemed surprised by the sudden call.
"Hello, why did you call?" she said, placing the phone on speaker on the table.
"Ma'am, I just wanted to inform you that there's a problem with the plane; it can't be used at the moment because it's dangerous. Please book tickets for your trip back, and I'll take care of your plane," the worried voice on the other end said.
I furrowed my brow at what I heard. What bad luck!
"Okay, okay, I got it. Thank you," she said and ended the call.
We were on our way to the plane that would take us home. We sat side by side, and as the plane started moving, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Why did the plane have to break down? Now I have to endure being with Jhanine.
I started feeling dizzy and having difficulty breathing, and my chest pain worsened.
Jhanine woke up when she felt me stand up.
"Where are you going?" she asked with concern.
"I'm just going to the bathroom," I said and walked away. I felt her gaze following me.
But before I could reach the bathroom, I felt dizzy and collapsed.
- Writer
