STAY WITH ME

THE NEW BEGINNING

VICTORIA'S POV

At the bustling airport of Chicago, travelers with their luggage move in and out of the terminal. Mr. and Mrs. Clovis patiently awaits the arrival of their beautiful daughter and only heir to Samlark Empire with a lovely rose flower. Victoria Clovis went to Cambridge University to study business management. She has been away for five years. Victoria Clovis is a beautiful young lady, fair in complexion with a pointed nose. Her hour glass shape is appealing. She is in her late twenties. Victoria Clovis’ ambition is to take over her parents' empire to continue the Samlark lineage. The Samlark's empire's fate lies in her hands.

A sonorous voice from the crowd screams their names. Her dazzling long gown sweeps the floor as she struggles to move her luggage with the stroller. With a broad smile on her face, she walks towards her parents.

"Look! She is here...” Mrs Clovis said, pointing towards her daughter's direction. Mr Thomas Clovis struggled to identify his daughter from the crowd. He scrutinized his tiny eyes. Alas! With teary eyes, he quickly ran towards Victoria's direction with an open arm.

"Welcome, my dear," he said, not wanting to let go of his daughter." Please, don't you dare leave me for that long again".

“Dad, I am here now”, Victoria said, while a tear dropped from her eyes.

Mr. Clovis was still glued to his daughter, ignoring the presence of his wife. Mrs. Jane Clovis quickly added "I am here too”, she said, with a bit of jealousy in her voice.

"Mama !!!! Forgive me". She let go of her father and hugged her mother. Victoria has always been her father's favorite girl. She runs to her dad whenever she needs counsel or money.

Mr. Thomas Clovis winked at his wife. He leaned forward and hugged them from behind. Mr Thomas felt a sharp pain in his waist. “Ouch!", he frowned at his eyes as he quickly held his waist. Victoria's eyes opened widely, Victoria and her mother supported him, and she held her father's arm.

"What's wrong Dad?” she asked, worried about her father's condition. Mr Thomas heaves and looks straight into her eyes.

“I’m fine my dear, I'm a little bit stressed", he struggles to stand straight as the pain is intense. “Let’s go home". Victoria looked around with her eyes raised.

" Where is the driver?, mom", pointing in the direction of the car park, Mrs Jane remained speechless as she was in shock that her husband's health kept deteriorating every day. Mr Thomas Clovis doesn't want the family reunion to end badly. He adjusted his posture slowly.

"Let's go home, I need to take a nap". His daughter walked him to the car silently while Mrs. Jane helped with her luggage. Quickly, Victoria reached her father's pocket for his phone. She dials their family doctor's number.

“Hello, Doctor”, she said, patting her father’s back. Mr. Thomas groans in pain.

“Hello... “. This voice isn’t Mr. Thomas’ voice. He said to himself.

“I am Mr. Thomas’ daughter, my father, groans in pain as we speak. Could you come over to the house?

“Okay, I will be there in twenty minutes. Victoria turned to her mom. She expresses her displeasure with her father’s recent health condition.

‘You kept this from me, why?’ Mrs. Jane remained speechless because her husband told her to keep it away from her.

The Clovis’ house from the airport is an hour's journey. It was a long and silent drive home. The Clovis’ mansion is an embodiment of wealth. Mr. and Mrs. Clovis had worked hard all their lives, and they were able to gather enough wealth to care for themselves and their only daughter. The building is filled with luxury. The car park is filled with fleets of cars. As the driver drove into the compound, the domestic workers stood at the entrance of the mansion to welcome the Clovis.

Victoria felt a familiar feeling. The cold breeze brushed her as she stepped out of the car, she greeted the domestic workers as she directed one of the maids to help Mr. Thomas to his room as he waited patiently for the doctor. Victoria, unhappy and worried about her father’s health, walks quietly to her room to refresh herself. Mrs. Jane, perplexed about the issue, sadly orders the maids to prepare a sumptuous meal for the family dinner.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door, Philip stood gallantly, dressed in a well-tailored brown suit with neatly trimmed dark hair at the door. The door opened and he was ushered into Mr. Thomas’ room. Mr. Thomas lies on the bed as he cuddles the throw pillow.

‘Doctor, you are here!’ he adjusted his position slowly and sat up.

‘Yes sir, how are you doing?’ he asked with a smile. Mr. Thomas sighs as his facial expression and body language show he is in pain.

‘The pain I feel is intense’, Mr. Thomas said as he groaned. Philip administers some injections and pills to him. He was placed on a bed rest. As he was about to leave, Victoria bumped into Philip. By his voice, she knew he was the doctor. They exchanged conversation about her father’s ailing health. Philip strongly advised that Mr. Thomas shouldn’t be allowed to engage in any strenuous activities as he needs complete bed rest. In no time, Philip left for the hospital. Their conversation dawned on Victoria as she knew it was time to take over Sam Lark’s Empire.

‘Am I really ready for this?’ She mutters. With a heavy heart, she walked to her father’s room.

.