Shantel’s Journey

Shantel’s POV

‘Sweetheart’ I subconsciously uttered!! What the hell is he doing here? Does he work here? Who is he? He asked ‘where are you headed, we are currently about to have a meeting, probably you can wait at the reception if you don’t mind’

‘Oh I’m here for the meeting, I’m representing Lucy Ricardo, she asked I do so as she called in sick’ I lied. Immediately his countenance changed ‘sit’ he said. I felt terrified yet I had to do as I was told.

The meeting started and Halfway the conversation, he locked at me and asked ‘do you know the reason for coming here’ I replied ‘I was only to represent her and listen attentively other than that I’m oblivious’. ‘Well since she wasn’t able to attend, you on the other than would have to sign some documents on her behalf. I mean that is why you are here “oh her behalf” right’ he said. I nodded and some documents were passed towards me, I didn’t read them throughly because i felt they might have informed her that there was going to be some form of signing, so I read briefly and signed were I was supposed to sign.

After 1hour, the meeting came to an end, I was about to leave when I heard ‘sweetheart stay back’ I turned and he stood up with both hands in his pocket, his aura was exuding absolute dominance, he looked in his late forties but with dashing youthfulness, his beards well lined up, his arms filled with muscles like that of a gym instructor, I wondered what kind of man he would be on a regular day. Everyone had left the conference room when he walked towards me, halted and asked ‘why do you keep lingering on my mind sweetheart’ he whispered ‘this road you have chosen, you’ll have to walk it to the end’ and then he left. I was totally dumbfounded ‘what did he mean by this road? Which road?’

I walked out of the room still thinking about what was said, then I found the PA guy from this morning ‘hey it’s good to see you again’ I greeted, he nervously waved at me and entered a private elevator. ‘Oh wow that wasss cold’ I thought. I walked out of the building, boarded a cab down to my favorite fries and coffee shop “Ringgg Ringgg” my phone rang and it was Lucy.

Lucy: Helloooo, what the hell have you done?? I asked you to attend a meeting on my behalf and not sign a contract for me!! Are you mad?????

Me: contract? What contract are you talking about?

Lucy: did you not sign a document at the Alexander’s??

Me: yes I did but it wasn’t a contract, besides I didn’t read it to know if it was, also I thought you were informed

Lucy: get home right now, you’ll have a bigger fish to fry silly.

She ended the call, I could feel her anger from the shop. Immediately I hurried back home hoping it isn’t that serious but on the contrary it was extremely serious.

I got home to meet my dad, stepmother and Lucy sitted at the living room obviously waiting for me..

My dad: have you gone mad Shantel Ricardo??

[he stands up upon seeing me] how dare you sign a contract on behalf of the Lucy without thoroughly reading through?? Do you know what you have done?

Judy: you have ruined everything we’ve been working for by your silly attitude?? Who asked you to go there in the first place?? Answer me!!!!

To my surprise I looked at Lucy and said ‘at least you can tell them you asked me to go on your behalf, why are you silent about it’ furiously Lucy stood up and waled towards me, in a split second a defending slap from Lucy came straight on my face

Lucy: how dare you cause trouble and still act like you are oblivious to the situation?? I asked you to represent me and not to sign any goddam contract!! Who knows if you intentionally did it to jeopardize our company because of your jealousy!!!

I couldn’t believe my ears. My dad phone rang and in panic, he answered while looking angrily at me, after what seemed like 20 minutes of absolute silence, the call came to and end. With his eyes as red as fire, he lowly said ‘it is finished’

Lucy collapsed on the chair, Judy couldn’t contain her tears, my dad calmly walk to me and said ‘you will be the one to fix this mess’ and then he left.

What I did not understand was, what is happening? What is the contract about and why is he scared of the contract. A week later, it was announced on the news that The Ricardo’s empire will be dissolved and taken over by the Notorious kings court merchant as the Alexander’s group of companies has withdrawn all their shares living the Ricardo’s with only 20% which has now been taken over by the kings court.

In shock I went downstairs and behold my whole family was sitted on the sofa with tears in their eyes. Lucy turned back and looked at me saying’ you should be getting ready to leave this house shouldn’t you?’ ‘Lucy!’ My dad called ‘but she is the reason for all this!! She should be thinking of how to fix it’ Lucy replied.. ‘I’m the reason? How? When? What did I do? I questioned.. ‘the contract Damnn it!!!! Why the hell did you not read before signing?? Whyyyy???’ My dad bloated out.. ‘what exactly is this contract about? How would I have known? Lucy was supposed to attend her meeting but no!! Because of her nonchalant attitude, she decided I go in her steed!! Now I attended, I’m still the one at fault. Has there been a time I was ever appreciated?? I ignore my life to live y’all life but it’s still not enough!!!! I outrageously said to the shock of everyone, I finished and was about to walk out when my dad said ‘just a minute young lady, you either solve this issue or your mom would pay for it’ I turned in shock ‘what!!!! What has my mom got to do with this?? What does it matter if the empire closes down??? Of what benefits is it to us???’ I angrily asked him ‘benefit? Benefits? You live here, all your necessities were provided right from birth! What other benefits do you want?? You are the heiress to the Ricardo’s Empire goddamit!!’ He said with so much anger!! ‘Heiress’ I said sarcastically ‘what about me looks like an heiress?? I know absolutely nothing about the empire but I’m the heiress’ I laughed sarcastically ‘listen, I don’t care how you think or feel, you will go back to Arthur Alexander and you will fix this situation. Beg if you must, cry if you must but you must fix this or else your mum would be sent to the. Kings court’ he said. ‘You have changed dad’ I said sadly and walked out!!

I felt so alone, lost and betrayed by my own family but there was nothing I could do.