Destined To Be Mine

Melissa's POV Hot tears cascaded down my cheeks as I stared at the officer before me. I couldn't bring myself to believe what I was hearing. This situation happened so many years ago, and yet, there was no positive result. The case of my mother dying after getting poisoned hurt me so much. The fact that the person responsible for her death was walking free living their life like nothing even happened. The entire case was a bitter pill for me to swallow. A lump formed in my throat as I tried to process the officer's words. "We're sorry miss..." The officer began but trailed off the second he realized he didn't know my name. "Melissa." I breathed, my voice trembling. "My name is Melissa." With a sympathetic nod, the officer closed the document in front of him. "I know this isn't the outcome you were hoping for Melissa. And I assure you we've done everything that we can. But the evidence isn't here." My brows furrowed with disbelief. "Not there?" I questioned, my voice rising. "How is it not there?! My mother was murdered! She was f*****g poisoned and someone did that to her! And I'm hearing the evidence isn't here?!" "I'm sorry Melissa." The officer sighed, his gaze softening. "But I think you might have to sit this one down for now. No matter how hard we try sometimes justice isn't served. It doesn't mean we'll stop trying but..." He trailed off abruptly, his words hanging in the already tense atmosphere. My hot tears were the only sound in the quiet room. I felt a scream building within me but I gulped it down. My jaw clenched so tight I thought I was going to break my teeth. I let out a harsh breath as I fisted my hair. I thought back to the times when I was constantly bullied and couldn't stand up for myself. The countless times I'll cry in silence hoping nobody would see my weakness. Or the amount of times I had to watch my mother get abused by my father right in front of me. The times I had to bite my pillow because I dared not make a sound as my father lashed me countless times with his belt. But I wasn't going to give up. My mother's death was never going to be in vain. I left the station with the weight of burden settling on my shoulders. I didn't even care who was watching me as tears cascaded down my eyes because I was too broken to care. I had nobody to turn to, nobody to help me. Ignoring all the strange faces, I moved to my car. It was the car my mother bought for me with the only money she had saved just to run away from my father. I entered winding up the dark shaded windows before leaning my head against the wheel. She got it for me, so I wouldn't be laughed at in high school for having poor parents, so I would have a bit of dignity even though I was always getting bullied. I clutched my chest as I cried silent tears. My heart ached, a lot because there was nothing I could do about her death and I didn't know who would have poisoned her in prison after getting accused of what she didn't even do. "Mum." I sobbed. "Mum... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Once I reached my apartment, my head was banging after so many tears. I dropped my bag on the couch before collapsing into it. I closed my eyes, trying to relax. Then my phone rang... I let out a sigh. Who could be calling me at this moment? I didn't even have friends. I opened my eyes before looking down, my eyes feeling puffy alongside my body heating up like I was running a temperature, I received the call trying to sound casual. "Hello?" I said, trying not to sound like I was sobbing the whole day. "Is this Melissa?" A calm, masculine voice questioned. "Yes, it is," I replied, trying to know who was calling. "This is Loren from HR at Smith & Co. We received your application for the secretary position and we're pleased to inform you that you've been selected as the successful candidate." I felt my heart skip a million beats as I gently rose from the chair with surprise and unbelief. My eyes are wide with questions roaming in my head and scattering sheets of paper. It sounded like a lie. "I've... been...I've been what?" I asked with trembling lips. Was this a mistake? I didn't want to get too excited, I couldn't be so sure they weren't making a mistake. "Yes, Ms. You've been selected." The man repeated "Thank you so much!" I exclaimed trying to contain my excitement. "We need you to resume immediately," Loren stated, his tone firm and serious. "The company's president is returning from a two-month business trip. So he needs his secretary on his seat and ready. Can you begin by tomorrow?" "Ye..Yes, I can." I nodded as though he could see me. "I'll be there very early, thank you so much." I arrived at the office early the next morning. Dressed in my best professional attire, I couldn't help the smile plastered to my face after so many years of burden. A lady walked up to me with a beam on her face. "Hello Ms. Are you Melissa, the new secretary?" She asked curiously while I nodded. "This is the way to your office." She said before escorting me down the hall. I noticed my desk was in a private room. It was an office all on its own, I didn't understand but my eyes began to water again. This is what my mother would have wanted. I noticed there was a partition, one that would let you know there's another office beside mine. I didn't need anyone to tell me that was the CEO's office. "Thank you..." I trailed off realizing I didn't know her name. She smiled at me. "Emily. My name is Emily." "Thank you, Emily," I said before she nodded. "If you need anything else, I'm the one closest to your office." She said pointing outside the glass room. I noticed her seat was the last on the row but the closest to mine. "You can give me a beep." She said nodding towards the telephone on my desk. I nodded before she dismissed herself. Finally, I leaned back, staring at the ceiling of my new office. "I did it, mum. Your dream job." I whispered. "You'd be so proud to see me right now." The entire morning was occupied with me trying to get familiar with the office procedures. And as I began feeling comfortable, I turned my neck to see Emily staring at me. "How is it going?" She mouthed. I smiled back, giving her a nod. Unintentionally, my eyes traveled to the table beside her. Another lady was sitting, staring at me with disdain on her face. O...kay? I have no idea what I did to get that reaction. I turned back to what I was doing, typing away at my computer, not noticing the CEO had walked into the room. It wasn't until he was halfway across the floor, his steps quiet on the carpet that I looked up, and froze. Memories of the past clashing in my hand... "....good for nothing, just like how your dad left your mum..." "...hates you. You're too good for nothing..." "...ple... please... stop." The insults, the torments, my pleas and tears... A shiver ran down my spine as I recognized who it was. Alexander McKenzie, my bully in high school, is my boss.