Chapter 9
1287 Words
Asia woke before sunrise.
For a few moments, she remained still beneath the blankets, staring at the ceiling above her. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioner.
Asia slowly sat up and pushed through the thoughts that had taken up her mind.
She had more important things to focus on.Her phone vibrated on the bedside table.
A new email notification.
Without hesitation, she reached for it and opened the file she had finalized late the previous night.
It was her resignation letter.
Her eyes moved over the document one final time.
With No hesitation or regret she pressed send.
A few seconds later, she dialed her secretary's number.
The call was answered almost immediately.
"Mrs. Fletcher?"
"Good morning, Emily. You should have received an email from me."
“Oh…I’ll check it out right now”Emily responded.
There was a brief pause.
Asia could practically hear the woman reading the document.
"Mrs... Mrs. Fletcher..."
Asia stood from the bed and walked toward the window.
"Yes?"
"This can't be right."
A small smile appeared on Asia’s face.
"It is."
"You're resigning?"
"I am."
The shock in Emily's voice was impossible to miss.
"But everyone thought you were coming back. We've all been waiting for you. The entire department keeps asking when you'll return."
Asia remained silent.
"The company won't be the same without you." Emily lowered her voice.
"Please deliver the letter to Human Resources."
"Mrs. Fletcher..." Emily tried to persuade her into rethinking but Asia mind was made up.
"It's for the best."
The secretary sighed heavily.
"If that's what you want, then I'll do it."
"Thank you." Asia said.
After ending the call, Asia headed toward her dressing room.
Today mattered.
She wasn't about to walk into Glanton Industries looking uncertain.
An hour later, she descended the stairs dressed in a fitted cream blouse tucked neatly into high-waisted black trousers. A tailored blazer rested over her shoulders, and a pair of black heels completed the look.
When she reached the dining room, Kelvin was surprisingly already there.
He sat at the table reading reports while drinking coffee.The sight of him barely stirred anything inside her anymore.
"Morning," she said calmly.
Kelvin looked up,His eyes lingered on her outfit for a second longer than usual.
"You look dressed for something important."
"That’s because I am."
Asia picked up a piece of toast.
"I have somewhere to be."
He frowned slightly.
"Where?"
Asia took a sip of coffee.
"Work."
A strange expression crossed Kelvin's face and He glanced back at his reports.
"You don't need to worry about work right now,I told you Jane is doing a great job.” He responded.
“That’s lovely to hear kelvin.”
“Then why do you insist on going to my company to cause a scene… you are just being petty.”
She instantly set the cup of coffee down.
" I never said I was heading to your company but have a good day." She said with a mocking smile.
Then she walked out.
Kelvin stared after her for several seconds before returning to his paperwork.
Rachel was already waiting when Asia arrived at the restaurant.
The moment she spotted her, she practically jumped out of her chair.
"There you are!"
Asia laughed softly as she sat down.
"You sound excited."
"That’s because I am excited."
Rachel pushed a folder across the table.
"My father wants to see you today."
Asia blinked.
"Today?"
Rachel nodded enthusiastically.
"I hope you are prepared with your board meeting presentation because,the board are a little strict.”
“But I know you’ll do amazing,he also reviewed the project outline you submitted.”
"And?"
"And he was more than impressed."
Asia's eyebrows lifted slightly.
Rachel grinned.
"He said he'd be an i***t not to hire."
Asia laughed despite herself.
"That sounds exactly like your father."
"Because it is exactly what he said."
For the first time in weeks, genuine anticipation settled inside Asia's chest.
“Then let’s head out “ Asia urged.
Two hours later, Asia walked into Glanton Industries.
The building towered above the city skyline.
Its glass exterior reflected the afternoon sunlight.Everything about it screamed influence and power.
A young woman approached her immediately.
"M.s richmore?" The young lady said.
Asia was stunned for a while,it has been a long time she heard her name without “fletcher” in it.
She politely nodded to acknowledge it and she preferred her name called that way now,she was trying to get used to it because she was getting a divorce anyway.
The woman smiled warmly.
"My name is Clara. Mr. Glanton assigned me as your executive secretary."
Asia shook her hand.
"It's nice to meet you."
"You too."
Clara lowered her voice slightly.
"Don't worry. The board members are terrifying, but they only bite occasionally."
Asia laughed,Immediately, she liked her.
The board room presentation lasted nearly an hour.
When it ended, the boardroom remained completely silent.
Asia stood beside the screen with her hands loosely clasped before her.
Waiting.
One board member adjusted his glasses while another reviewed his notes.
Then Mr. Glanton leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spread across his face.
"Excellent."
Several others nodded.
Questions followed immediately.
Asia answered every single one without hesitation.
By the time the meeting ended, even the most difficult directors looked impressed.
Mr. Glanton rose from his chair once more.
"I believe congratulations are in order.” As the older man extended his hand to Asia.”
"Welcome to Glanton Industries, Executive Director."
The room erupted into applause.
And for the first time since her father died...
Asia felt proud again.
Across town, Jane was shopping.
Designer bags hung from her arm while two friends followed behind her.
The three women had just exited a luxury boutique when one of them suddenly spoke.
"By the way, I saw Asia today."
Jane paused.
"Asia?"
The woman nodded.
"Yes…she was entering Glanton Industries."
For a second, Jane stared and just then she burst out laughing.
"Glanton Industries?"
Her friends exchanged amused looks.
"Maybe she was there for an interview."
Jane smirked.
"Good for her."
The women laughed.
"After all, she doesn't exactly have a position anymore."
"Maybe they'll make her a secretary," another friend joked.
Jane adjusted her sunglasses.
"If she's lucky."
The group laughed again before continuing down the street.
That evening, Jane arrived home feeling pleased with herself.The shopping trip had been successful.
Her new bags sat beside her chair while her family gathered around the dining table.
Halfway through dinner, her father turned on the television.
Business news filled the screen,Nobody paid much attention Until the anchor spoke.
"In today's corporate developments, Glanton Industries officially announced the appointment of Asia Richmore Fletcher as Executive Director of Strategic Development."
Jane froze instantly,The fork slipped from her fingers.
Clang.
The sound echoed across the dining room.
On the television screen appeared Asia confidently Standing beside Mr. Glanton while reporters surrounded them.
Camera flashes illuminated her face.
Questions were thrown at her from every direction And she handled every one of them flawlessly.
Jane felt the blood drain from her face.
"No..."
Her mother frowned.
"Isn't that Kelvin's wife?"
Nobody answered.
Because everyone was staring at the screen Including Jane.
Jane pushed back her chair so abruptly it nearly toppled over.
"I'm not hungry anymore."
Without waiting for a response, she walked upstairs.
The moment her bedroom door shut behind her, she grabbed her phone.
Her fingers tightened around it,Then she dialed Kelvin's number.
The call connected after three rings.
"Jane?"
For the first time in a very long time...There was panic in her voice.
"Kelvin."
Her grip tightened.
“Did you see the news,we need to talk.”
- Writer
