Yours Sincerely

CHAPTER 03: HATRED AND LOVE...

SAPPHIRE’S POV:

“Miss Steel, do you need some assistance Over the records or the information maybe?” I heard Miss Pablo say as soon as she came in with my milk. Yeah, milk...

“No thank you, Miss Pablo, You are free to go off for the day.” I smiled at her and she nodded and left the room greeting me with a ‘have a great evening’. Now I was the only person on this floor as only I, Miss Pablo and Mrs Morris are the only ones other than the cleaning and cooking staff that works on this floor.

This floor has a kitchen, a conference room, an office for me and my assistant, a common restroom and an attached bedroom with my office with a bathroom and a medium-sized wardrobe. And of course a bed with a couch and tea table.

 It was 6:30 now and my eyes are really tired. As promised, Mr Trivedi talked with my principal and convenience her to give me my graduation certificate in a week and it worked. Perks of being a rich and influential man... So, now I have my final exams, starting from tomorrow. 

Well, I’m not worried about that. For the last 7 hours, I’ve been reading the files on company records and important information about our rivals and business circle. Turns out I knew way too less information about strategic things.

As much as I read, I come a step closer to understand what does a business means to society. How much each decision of a business empire affects the politics and lifestyles of people. It wasn’t a joke when dad said we are the biggest whale in the ocean. We are the only whale in the ocean.

Now, after reading almost 20 files about the strategy of the last few years, I understood how the whole web of business works. We play with shares, policies, legality, patterns, including a simple interview of an actor or actress.

I leaned back on the chair and signed... Steels are the largest and most influential Business empire in not only London but in the whole of Europe and even in some other countries. Dad has grown the company to it’s best. I gained information about many of our aliens as well as our rivals. Even some politicians. Well most of them well decant. Most...

Some were the ones who we call ‘bitches’ in simple words. Well seems like dad mostly stayed away from politics. Though, there are some of the records that state our indirect interference in the matter. I just hope that  I’ll be able to attend the parties and events which is practically organised to show off or scare off.

And lets just not forget the fact that I’ll have to throw such parties from time to time too. I guess My oh so simple life is nothing but simple anymore.

Just then, My office door flew opened and a fuming Noah with a really angry mom came into my office. Now, let me tell you this, Noah is a short-tempered man and the one who does foolish stuff out of anger. Which I guess he is going to do like- right now.

"You b***h, what did you manipulated my Father to give you everything.  My card is not been accepted. It was a real embarrassment in front of my friends when I volunteered to pay for the bill of our lunch?!!!” He slammed his hand on the table and the woman I call mom smirked looking at both of us. Seems like my dear brother has some explanation for me...

“What have you done to get the money from him huh!?? Played innocent with him or the fake love you have been pretending worked just fine??!!! Ohh!! Or the best and the easiest way to become the CEO and heiress of his every f*****g single penny- you must have satisfied him in the bed??!! Because that's what you are, his little slut toy. Right, -" 

Slap!

I slapped his pretty face from across the table. I never felt so much anger in my life. And to my surprise, he started again.

"You little Who-"

Slap!!

Before he can complete the little speech of his little speech I slapped him again and this time even harder than before. How the f**k he can say such a thing?!!! How can he call me names like that??!!!

I breathed to calm my nerves and saw mom coming to me at a fast pace. Before I could even react. I was slapped hard on my left cheek. My face turned towards Noah and I saw him now even angrier. When I say I don’t understand My Brother, I’m always serious about it.

“How dare you raise your voice and your filthy hands on my son! The day Hunter brought you in the house, I always knew what kind of a snack you are!!” Mom said her signature dialogue.

“But I never thought you’d kill the only person who loved you.” I could feel her smirk and saw Noah going pale. On the other hand, I just stood there, processing the words she just said. My heart sunk in just a mere thought of the possibility.

“Wha...What?” I shattered. For the first time in my life, I shattered. Never in my wildest dreams, I could believe that I was the one who hearts my dad.

“Wha... What... Well seems like you don’t know about how you killed your fa..” She was cut off in the middle of the sentence by Noah who was now sweating like anything.

“Mother! You can leave the room, I’ll come when I finish my chat with this Slut!” His voice boomed through the four walls of my new office as mom left the room feeling embarrassed.

As soon as the door closed, Noah was beside me. Telling me to sit down and listen to him for once.

“Princess, listen to me. Look at me.”  I heard Noah’s distant voice as I continued to look at the wall in front of me.

“Tell me the truth, Noah,” I ordered him in a cold voice.

“Don’t be a bratty girl and just do as I say for once!” He screamed at my face. And I did the same.

"YOU listen to me! You’ll tell me why the hell I am going to be the almighty queen of this Business Empire and why the f**k mom said what she said! Right!!!  Now!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. He signed.

“You know what? Mom was right! She was always right!! You always find a way to do this! My father died, Sapphire! I don’t know the whole picture but I know that you are the reason I’m losing my home, city and my lifestyle! So Good for you, Sapphire! You’ll never get an ohh so happy family that you always wanted!!” He said with so much hatred that I flinched.

But then he smiled and took my hand in his giving me a piece of paper as his eyes showed pure adoration and love for his sister. That is exactly the brother I was looking for. Now I have even more questions... Just what I wanted...

But before I could ask something, his eyes looked at me with Hatred again. He slammed his hand on my desk for the last time and left the room, not before slamming my office door off course...

Now I can’t get a thing straight. He hates me or he loves me? What was mom talking about me being the reason for dad’s death? And why I’m not allowed to meet either of them?!

Today is a roller coaster for me. I opened the paper Noah gave me. And the note made everything clear. The picture that had no face came to life.

I killed my dad...

The only person who loved me and I killed him. I’m a murderer. The note Noah gave me said-

‘You don’t believe any bullshit he or Olivia says. Look at our only secret, it has all your answers. But keep yourself together, Angel. You can make it through this and I know that.

Yours Sincerely, Lovingly, 

Dad’

I am a girl with self-confidence and pride. I know that I should be weeping after what I found but now is not the time. It broke me to hear that they think so low of me. I felt my vision blur but quickly shook my head and wiped my eyes off.

I don’t want to go to bed and crave into a ball while crying my eyes out for like a lifetime... maybe. With that last thought, I took a few deep breaths to calm my crazy going nerves and signed.

Keeping the note in my drawer, I took the file I was reading just before all the drama s**t happened. I’ve already read all the external affairs of the business. Like Joint Venture agreements, Securities, policies, scope, planes, debts, Ongoing projects, Upcoming projects, under progress Tenders, Tenders the company is planning to apply, etc... etc...

Now, I’m going through the inner circle of the business. Like strategies, profits, important information about the assets and some extraordinary employees, management reports, stuff like that. I don’t want to be the dumbest person that knows all about the world but herself.

I was so engrossed in the financial reports that the noise of my alarm startled me. Yup! I kept an alarm so that I can clean up before going out for my first date ever...

It was already 7:50 PM as I was continuously ignoring the alarm from 7:30. Well, I guess I need to run now as I’m sure as hell that Adam will be here by any minute. He too is going to be a businessman after all. We need to act on time.

I collected all the files that I read and kept them neatly on a rack. Taking the last 4 unread files, I went to the bedroom.

I hope that the wardrobe has my clothes and not Dad’s, or else I’ll have to go on a date like a taskmaster freak. I took the leather bag that was on the coffee table and kept the files in it and ran to the wardrobe.

I signed in relief as I saw some of my business and casual wear. Quickly taking a black skintight Jeans and brown, white and black striped knitted sweater, I ran to the bathroom.

After changing washing my face with my face wash which was unsurprisingly there, I tied my brown locks in a high ponytail. Lastly, I applied a light lipgloss on my lips and I was ready. I put it back on my watch and took a pair of white sneakers. I didn’t even bother to look at the mirror before walking out of the bedroom with the bag of files in my hand. I’m not a fashion person but I can get decent without any problems. I trust myself for that.

As I was taking my clutch from the table. I heard a knock on my office door.

“Come in!” I said as I took the leather bag and my clutch. Turning around I saw Adam leaning on the door frame with his hands folded up over his chest. Looking at me with a smile.

This man should be punished for having such a god-like structure. Blue eyes, Broad shoulder, Brown hair which are jelled with perfection, the height of 6.2’ feet and course 5 o’clock shadow on his sharp jaw. Flawless white skin and the tight grey T-shirt only added how muscular he is. I’m drawling over him aren’t I?  ‘ great Sapphire, now you are the creepy one!’ I scolded myself while shaking my head.

“I think you are the cute one, Angel.” I saw him display his perfect white teeth. ‘Did I spoke that out loud?’

“You did it! Now let’s go. I have to take a beautiful girl on a date.” He chuckled. I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment and quickly took the note from the drawer and kept it in my clutch before leaving. 

We walked to the elevator in awkward silence. I don’t know what happens to me when I’m around him. It is just that I never felt something like this. When I of all the people want to look nice.

As a normal teenager, My best friends Bella, Max and Luca always wanted to find some hotshot guy as my boyfriend and I was the one that never liked all the ‘photoshopped’ boys. Yet, here I’m, getting all nervous and dreamy about this Greek god. Gosh, I must sound like a despot...

“Hey!” I felt a warm hand shook me from my thoughts as Adan kept his hand to keep the door of the elevator open. I didn’t even realise that we are already in the underground parking.

“Sorry, I kinda zoned out.” I smiled and got out of the elevator.

“Well, it’s okay. How was your day?” He asked and my smile turned to a nervous one, I don’t know why...

“It was uneventful. I have to give my final exams tomorrow and I haven’t even touched my study materials yet. I was going through important records all day after the board meeting.” I told him as he opened the car door for me. I wasn’t surprised that Lucas was nowhere to be found and Adam was going to drive. 

Bugatti Chiron, of course, is into cars. Cars are one of the favourites for the ‘comfortable’ people.

“Well, it can’t be uneventful when your right cheek has a handprint. Who was it?” For some odd reasons, he was really angry at this point. I saw his hands gripped on the staring so tight that his knuckles were turning white.

“It’s not a chat for a date, Adam. I’m fine ok..” This time he cuts me off.

“Then the date is off, Angel. You tell me who is that or we are sitting in the parking lot for the rest of the night. Choose.” He turned towards me and folded his hands, waiting for my answer.

“Adam, what are we? Five? It’s not important to let’s go and enjoy some time.” I scoffed and folded my hands as well. He chuckled humourlessly and fully turned to face me.

“Fine, but I won’t sit so peacefully and talk next time if I See something even near to that print on your cheek.” He signed and took a deep breath to calm himself down while turning back to the front. And said, “Buckle up, Angel. We have a lot to talk about after dinner.” 

He said the last part under his breath but I heard him anyway. I did what he said and we drove off. When we got to the main road, again the flash of cameras was heard with the chanting of questions.

‘Something tells me that I’m going to hate these people sooner than I thought I will.’ I signed as the bodyguards cleared our route and Adam drove off smoothly.

Soon we were away from the crowd. Looking at the man beside me who seemed still angry with this whole print thing, I think he is special. Something about him lores me in. Smiling I looked out of the window and saw that we were nearly back home.

“Is it dinner at home?” I smiled. He looked at me for a second and smiled too before nodding. It is so obvious that he is still pissed at the whole slap thing. When the car stopped, Adam was quickly by my side opening the door for me like a real gentleman he is.

I quietly walked out of the car and to the door. We entered the house and Adam closed the door behind him before locking it.

“Uncle Ethan would be back after an hour or two right?” I don’t even know why would I ask such a ridiculous question. I heard him clear his throat and looked at him.

“No, he won’t Sapphire. He already left for New York in the early evening. You and I are completely alone in this big house.” He nervously scratched his forehead. I looked at him with surprise.

“You didn’t leave with him? I mean you must be missing your school and all for more than a week now.” We sat on the couch of leaving the room.

“I will be here for the next six months if the atmosphere is convenient it is. I’ll be taking office training in our London branch.” He smiled at me and gave me a glass of water.

“Why so early. You are still 17 right?” I raised my brows in curiosity.

“Well, there is this crazy tradition that the oldest child Thales over the company when he or she is 18. So I completed all my studies a year ago and am already done with my factory training. Now the only thing I have to learn is office training.” I looked at him, dazed.

“That is...” He chuckled as I trailed off the words.

“Yeah, crazy. I know right. Now I’m in London because of some personal reasons.” He signed and we looked at each other for like a minute before he held his hand out for me. I took it and as before, warmth spread through my heart and soul. But his next words were more surprising than any event of today.