His always and forever

Caroline As the car passed through the streets of New York City, I looked through the window to see all those people. Some dressed in a suit, a phone in the hand and a suitcase in the other, others taking pictures of the impressing buildings of the city, children with their parents among businessmen and -women. The city's always been a mix of different kind of people. You can find people from about every nationality and backgrounds here. Ever since the first time I got here 3 years ago, this place never seemed to stop amazing me. Though if it weren't for my sister, I wouldn't have stayed here more than a few weeks. I was home sick. I know what you might think. For a European girl, America was a dream, a place where anything could happen with a thousand possibilities. That's how my sister saw it at least. I, on the other hand, didn't feel at home. She insisted we stay here, to start building our empire. That was our goal. You see as we grew up, our family was originally from Russia but we moved to France on the year I was born. We didn't have a lot of money, my parents struggled to learn french to find a job. Eventually they managed to master the language as their mother tongue and both found jobs. Still we were different from the other kids. We could also speak French but while they received games and tablets for Christmas, we got Coke and tangerines. We didn't mind though, we were happy. But as the time passed and we grew up, it became harder and harder. We couldn't even invited friends over since our house was under renovation for nearly 10 years. There's worse I know. But you have no idea how hard it was to see other kids having whatever they wanted and we had so little. My sister, Katherina, is 2 years older than me. I honestly think she's the one who suffered the most from our condition. Even though we hadn't the same financial means as the other girls at school, we both were and are beautiful women so boys and men always pay attention to us. They hated us for it, they were jealous and always tried to create gossips about us. They used to call Kate a s**t and other names. I was less touched by the gossips, I was more shy than my sister and I didn't really like having the spot light. Kate's made for it, she has the confidence and is intimidating. She is also very smart and manipulative, in our world it's very helpful. We're basically two opposites. That's our strength, we complete one another. I didn't even noticed that the driver had stopped the car. He cleared his throat which brought me out of my thoughts. - "Ms Ivanenko, we've arrived." I looked at him through the rear view mirror and smiled - "Thank you John." He nodded. - "Have a nice day Ms." - "You too, John." Once the car had driven away, I walked to the entrance of the building. Our Building. If someone had told me 4 years ago, that we would one day own a building like that in New York city, I wouldn't have believed them. As I walked past the reception area, I greeted all the employees. I know them all by names. Being the owner or co-owner in my case of a company doesn't mean that you are better than them. We were just like them once. I walked to the elevator to find an 60 years old looking man. As I stepped in he smiled at me brightly. He was dressed in an expensive looking black suit and had a golden watch at his wrist. I returned his smile. - "Which floor Mrs ?" I knew for a fact, he wasn't working for us from the look of his suit he was healthy and powerful. He obviously didn't know how I was to call me Mrs. Who was he? Probably an investor. - "16th please." I didn't think it was necessary to correct him on the "Mrs". After all he'll soon notice who I am if he sticks around. He pressed the button for the 16th floor and we both stood in silence for a few seconds until his phone ringed. He excused himself and answered. I didn't want to seem rude by listening to his conversation so I took my phone out of my purse and pretended I was replying to a message. As the floor passed, I realised that he was also heading to floor 16th. That can only mean one thing, he has a meeting with Kate. As the elevator doors opened at our floor the old man let me pass before him which I thanked him for and I headed straight to my office while he stopped at the reception desk of our floor. My office was rather simple, nothing extravagant. It matched my personality. The walls were painted in white and the furnitures were all brown. Behind my desk, an entire wall of floor to ceiling windows where a breath taking view of the city was offered. The office next to mine was my sister's. Kate had it in black. She loved this color, it's her favorite. I set my purse on one of the chairs facing my desk and went to take place at the main chair behind the desk. I turned around and stopped a moment to admire this beautiful city I now called home. It's become my ritual every morning when I get at the office. I feel powerful looking at the city from above, watching all those tiny little people walking through the streets. I sighed and turned to my desk to turn on my laptop and start my work for the day. I didn't even had time to enter my password, that the intercom started ringing. I pressed the button and Anna's voice ringed in the room. - "Morning Ms Ivanenko, your sister is waiting for you in the conference room number 3." - "Morning Anna, I'm on my way." Oups did I miss a meeting? It surely wasn't on my agenda. Was it with the man from the elevator? Probably. Surely. Kate was going to kill me if I was late. I walked out of my office as fast as I could making sure to close the door behind me. A few meters before the conference room, I slowed my pace to make sure I wasn't all sweating. Thanks to the glass walls of the room, I could see Kate standing there in all her grace and by her side, as I had guessed, the gentleman from the elevator. I opened the door and stepped into the room. The man stood up to greet me, a smile on his face. - "We meet again Mrs Ivanenko." Katherina was already standing when I entered the room. We both shared a look as he said that. - "It's actually Ms Ivanenko." I smiled sweetly and extended my hand for a shake. - "My apologies ma'am, I hadn't realised." He took my extended hand in his and shook it delicately. - "Please sit down Mr...?" I didn't know his name and was actually curious as for why did my sister need my presence at this meeting. She does all the talking on her own and I take care of the statistics, numbers,... I'm better with numbers. That's how we work. - "Caroline, this is Mr Borreli, the owner and CEO of Borreli Corporation." Kate introduced him. - "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr Borreli." I replied and invited for them both to take a seat. They both sat down, Kate at the head of the table, Mr Borreli on her left and I on her right. - "The pleasure is mine, believe me" He replied smiling sweetly never looking away. I don't exactly know what that was supposed to mean but I nodded no less. This man seemed somehow kindhearted? It's hard to explain but I just got a feeling. Usually, my instincts are always right. The way he smiled wasn't creepy at all, he actually looked at me the way my father used to. With gentle eyes. Kate cleared her throat bringing both our attentions back to her. - "Caroline, Mr Borreli is here to offer us an important deal, that could actually make our company expend to Europe." She said but I could tell something was off. Expending our company was a dream, we wanted to do it since we had built it. To Europe, where we come from. She should be happy yet she seemed nervous, sad, even a little bit angry. That was a first, she never showed emotions such as sadness or nervousness in front of strangers. She said it makes her look weak. When it's just the two of us, she lets her guard down but never in public. She's strong headed, it's just the way she is. - "That's an excellent news but what are the terms of this deal?" I replied feeling the downsides coming. - "The terms of the deal are simple, dear; Our companies become associates, we help you expand with our ressources and contacts and in counterpart I just need you to do one thing for me." Mr Borreli said looking directly at me. This deal seemed extremely interesting for us, but I knew it was for them as well. But not as much as for us. So the question was... what's the trick? Did he want to buy a part of our company? I turned my head to look at my sister. She didn't seem to be pleased. - "What is it that we can do for you sir?" I guess the only way to find out was to ask. - "Only one of you can do it and I think that you are more suited to fulfill it." Now he got me intrigued. There wasn't something Katherina Ivanenko wasn't capable of doing that I could. I frowned an eyebrow and asked: - "What is it sir?" I was at this point worried and by the looks of my sister she was as well. Ever since I entered the room his eyes hadn't left me. I didn't mind but I was now feeling concerned and lightly uncomfortable. - "I have an older son, one that is to take over the company after I retire which will be for very soon." He said like it answered the question. - "I don't understand sir.. If you're worried that after you retire we will back down, I assure you we won't." That was the only logical problem he could have. Yet he chuckled and seemed amused by my reply. - "You really are sweet Caroline Ivanenko." He smiled gently while Kate sighed frustrated. - "I am not worried about that at all, your reputation is very good and all your partners are more than satisfied. I am worried about something else though." he replied his eyes never leaving mine. - "What is it?" I simply asked. This game was starting to annoy me. I knew he wanted something that I wasn't going to appreciate. - "My son, Alexander, is what we can call a... womanizer... It damages the company's image." He said seemingly irritated. - "How can I help?" The room was silent for what seem like eternity. Scenarios started to form in my mind. Did he want me to help his son? I know that I'm innocent sexually speaking since I'm still a virgin- Yes at 25, I know... - but no one knew about that so why would he seek my help? - "I'd like you to marry my son."