SHATTERED TRUST

Chapter4

Two days had passed, and I had made the decision to walk away from the company. Everything that Bia and Adam were doing seemed designed to diminish my sense of self-worth and humanity. The employees, too, had finally allowed their true feelings toward me to surface, likely because Bia had manipulated them with promises of better compensation in exchange for their loyalty to her.

“Good afternoon, Miss Bella,” Mrs. Anga said in greeting, maintaining that overly formal demeanor that had begun to irritate me.

“It’s Miss, not Mrs,” I responded with an eye roll.

“My apologies, Miss Bella. Would you like me to prepare lunch for you here in your room?”

“Could you please abandon that pretense?” I said with exasperation. “Everyone around me has become a stranger, and I simply cannot handle that dynamic anymore, particularly not with you,” I exhaled heavily.

“I apologize, Bella. I was operating under the assumption that you preferred solitude, and while my affection for you is genuine, I also want to honor your boundaries,” she said as she took tentative steps in my direction. “What’s troubling you?” Her tone was gentle and soothing, barely audible.

“I have decided to resign from my position at the company. I’m not even certain who would be willing to employ me—the unfortunate daughter of a wealthy man who inherited absolutely nothing after her father’s passing,” I admitted, laying bare my feelings.

She positioned herself beside me and placed a comforting hand on my back.

“But that business was founded by your father, and you played an instrumental role in building it through your own effort.”

“She transformed the entire place into something intolerable and hostile, and frankly, I think I need distance from everything that represents my misery: Bia, Adam, and even my father’s memory. Every corner of that company reminds me of him,” I said with a small, sad smile.

She remained quiet for several moments before speaking again.

“If that’s your perspective, then perhaps the moment has come for me to repay a debt,” she said, making direct eye contact while my expression registered bewilderment.

“What obligation are you referring to?”

“Your father had previously arranged employment for my boy at Cooke Universal Industries, and my son maintains a strong connection with the organization’s leadership. I could contact him on your behalf and report back to you with his response.”

“Actually, let me think it through until tomorrow, and I’ll communicate my decision to you then,” I said as I reclined back against my pillow.

Recognizing my reluctance, she continued. “From my perspective, Bella, you should prioritize your own wellbeing. Given that Adam betrayed you in such a manner, you shouldn’t dismiss a career opportunity simply because of apprehension about his reaction, provided that you feel satisfied with the position.”

She was making a valid argument. Besides, I hadn’t been exaggerating when I promised him that he would come to regret his choices and end up begging me for forgiveness.

Given that assessment, there was no justification for postponing my decision any further.

“I’ll conduct some preliminary research to understand the CEO’s perspective on my father’s decision to exclude me from his inheritance. If he appears to be under Bia’s sway, I’ll explore other possibilities,” I explained to her.

“That approach seems reasonable.”

“I appreciate you, Mrs. Anga. I’m going to lie down for a bit and research what I can discover about Cooke Universal’s chief executive today.”

She then withdrew from my room to allow me peace. Shortly after, she returned with food, but the timing was inopportune and I had no appetite.

“I’ll consume it once I return,” I said before exiting my room. Mrs. Anga had become my sole source of trust, so I had complete confidence leaving her unsupervised. “Just ensure nobody enters my bedroom while I’m absent.”

“Of course, Bella,” she said with an encouraging expression. “Best of luck to you.”

I got into my vehicle and reviewed some of my documents before departing the residence. When my phone buzzed with a notification, I glanced at the screen and found a message from Anga containing her son’s address and asking me to contact him upon my arrival at the business.

I parked in the lot and dialed the number, anticipating his response.

“Hello, this is Bella Reed.”

“Just signal with a wave and I’ll identify your location.”

I retrieved my purse and documents, exited the vehicle, and gestured as instructed.

“I’ve located you.”

I ended the conversation and observed as an attractive, well-presented gentleman approached me. His dark features and intense gaze complemented his professional attire perfectly, which made sense given that he was Mrs. Anga’s offspring.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Miss Bella, and please allow me to express my sympathies regarding your father’s passing,” he stated, his deep voice conveying genuine sadness.

“Thank you,” I responded, pausing momentarily as I struggled to remember his name.

“Luke,” he said with a light chuckle, extending his hand in greeting.

“Please excuse my lapse in memory,” I said, my face flushing with embarrassment.

He took a breath and continued, “If you’d prefer, I can escort you to my office. My mother mentioned that you’re contemplating a position with us.”

I indicated my agreement and motioned for him to take the lead. As we made our way there, I provided him with essential background information. Fortunately, he possessed his mother’s warmth, which made our interaction considerably more natural.

“I’d be misleading you if I claimed ignorance about your circumstances—I’ve heard the accounts regarding the corporation, the dissolution of your marriage, and Bia’s involvement. Information spreads rapidly in this city, particularly when it’s this scandalous. Nevertheless, I can guarantee you something important: our chief executive bears no resemblance whatsoever to your former spouse.”

“However, the situation is different now. Adam may have pursued Bia because of her access to wealth, which encompassed my father’s business, but he isn’t managing it. Bia is in control, and I’m concerned that given the number of people seeking partnerships with my late father’s organization, your superior might become vulnerable to her manipulations eventually.”

“I have been collaborating with this organization’s leadership for an extended duration,” Luke said with conviction, “and I can affirm his professional competence and moral character. He conducts himself with integrity both inside and outside of work. He would not compromise his company’s standing by involving himself in interpersonal conflict. Have confidence in me.”

After observing his unwavering certainty, I felt my anxiety diminish and I settled comfortably into his office chair.

“If you’re certain, then I’m going to place my faith in what you’re telling me. Is there a way for me to begin the application procedure right now?”

“Regarding that matter,” he paused and looked at me with some skepticism, “the CEO happened to overhear my conversation with my mother. I simply shared that you were thinking about joining our team, and he’s already expecting your arrival. It’s conceivable that he’s prepared an opportunity for you. Whenever you feel prepared, simply make an appearance,” he said with a grin.

“That’s surprising to me,” I responded, struggling to process what he was saying. “How could this be feasible given that we’ve never encountered each other?”

“I had the same reaction,” Luke laughed. “But apparently, he doesn’t concern himself with those particulars. He mentioned that the individual he desires to recruit is someone who has experienced total loss and continues forward regardless.”

“There’s no reason to be apprehensive, Bella. This CEO is fundamentally different from Adam. Additionally, Cooke Universal maintains a stellar reputation in the business world,” he said with a genuine smile. “My mother provided him with all the relevant information, including your reservations. When your concerns have been adequately addressed, feel free to reach out to me.”

A knock on his office door interrupted our conversation. After he opened it, he examined the envelope that was handed to him and then turned back to me, his expression shifting to one of astonishment.

“It seems we can dispense with any standard procedures.”

“What do you mean?” I stood up from my seat.

“The CEO himself has sent you a formal employment offer.“​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​