CHAPTER 3
1901 Words
A luxurious black car, gleaming in the sunlight, pulled up gracefully in front of the Williams mansion, its sleek lines and polished exterior catching the eye of everyone. From the back seat emerged a strikingly handsome man in his early 30s, exuding an air of elegance and confidence with every step he took. He stopped right in front of the entrance door to take in the view of the mansion, letting out a sigh before stepping into the house.
“Hello, dear. You must be Brian,” Mrs. Williams said as she walked gracefully down the stairs.
“And you are?” Brian responded, turning to face her.
She chuckled before responding. “Mrs. Williams, Joan Williams, the wife of your supposed late father, as I heard.”
He smirked. “Supposed?”
“Yes, dear. I mean, you don't think I'd just accept a total stranger into my family claiming to be my husband’s son immediately after his death, do you?”
He let out a little chuckle before standing upright with his hands in his pockets. “And why would you think I care about what you think?”
“Oh, you would, my dear. Let me let you in on something, yeah, if there is no proof that you are the son of my husband, then there is no room here for you,” Mrs. Williams stated.
“And you want to get proof how?”
“Oh, we're definitely running a DNA test, that's for sure,” she replied. “God knows whatever lies you and your father's mother cooked up.”
“You shall never speak about my grandmother like that!!!” He raised his voice, expressing his furiousness.
Mrs. Williams stayed quiet, narrowing her eyes as she carefully observed him and his movements for a while.
“I see,” was all she said after that.
“The doctor will be here by 5 pm,” she stated before walking up the stairs back to her room.
*
“The result is ready,” the doctor announced, handing it over to Brian.
“I think you should hand it over to my STEPMOTHER!” He responded, laying emphasis on the latter with a hint of sarcasm.
She opened the result, looked at it before looking back to Brian with a straight face.
“I apologize for my behavior earlier. One can never be too careful when it comes to family matters.”
“Maybe next time you do proper research before letting words leave your mouth,” Brian said before walking out.
*
“Mum, I need to go see Mrs. Williams. She said she has something really important she needs to discuss with me,” Tara told her mum while putting her hair up in a bun.
“Mrs. Williams? What for?” Her mum replied, concern and curiosity laced in her voice.
“Nothing for you to worry about, okay? I'm sure it will be beneficial to us whichever way.”
“Well, darling, you have to be careful either way. I don't know what it is she'll be needing you for at this moment.”
“Don't worry, Mom. I'll be back before you know it.”
*
It was 6 pm when Tara was let into the Williams mansion. Being the goddaughter to Mrs. Williams, she often visited until her father passed away three years ago. He was a committed employee to the Williams family as a long-time chauffeur to the late Mr. Jayden Williams before he fell ill and passed away. Since then, both families have hardly related, and Tara rarely visited.
She waited in the sitting room for Mrs. Williams before going to look for something to entertain herself. She immediately walked to the photo area in the house, looking at the pictures, including the ones she happened to be in.
“And you are?” A loud deep voice resonated so close that Tara jumped in fear before turning to see who it came from.
“Don't you know how to make a proper entrance in order to avoid startling people around you?” Tara said with her hand on her chest and the other holding a small table for support. She looked like she had seen a ghost.
“Since when do I have to make a proper entrance into my own house?” Brian responded, his hands in his pocket while he gave Tara a questionable look.
“Your house?” She let out a little laugh while straightening her posture. “Dear, I understand that you may have been working as a domestic staff for a while, but I don't think that gives you the right to use the phrase ‘your house’. More like your boss’ house,” she said while still chuckling.
Brian paused for a moment with a questionable expression. He gave himself a quick full-size up before looking back at Tara.
“Do I look like a domestic staff to you?” This time, he sounded offended.
“It doesn't have to be written on your forehead for anyone to actually know. Next time, when you enter a space like this, exchange polite pleasantries with the people you meet. That's what reasonable people do,” she said before walking away from the space she was standing in.
“Excuse me? Did you just call me unreasonable?” Brian said, even more offended.
“If you were the opposite, you'd definitely have more manners.”
“Who the hell do—--” Brian continued but was cut off by Mrs. Williams who walked into the sitting room.
“Ah, I see you two have already met,” she said with a smile on her face.
“Tara, my darling, meet my stepson Brian. Brian, meet my goddaughter, Tara.”
“What? Stepson? Him? How?” Tara asked while wearing a confused expression.
“I know, darling. My exact reaction,” Mrs. Williams responded so casually as she quickly sat down.
“Your goddaughter is rude and arrogant,” Brian stated before walking out of the sitting room.
Mrs. Williams just rolled her eyes before standing up to properly greet Tara.
“Oh, my darling. How have you been?” Mrs. Williams said, embracing Tara in her arms. “I've missed you so much, my love.”
“I’ve missed you too, Mrs. Williams. It's been forever.” They both embraced each other before letting go and sitting down.
“Well, you are the one who has decided to stop visiting us as often as you used to when you were growing up,” she said, smiling at Tara.
“That was not the plan sincerely. I just got busy with work and all. It hardly even gives me time for myself,” Tara responded.
“How's your mum?”
“Uhmm, my mum, well, she's doing well so far.”
“And how are you able to afford those expensive drugs, child? Isn't it too much for you?” Mrs. Williams asked, concern evident in her voice.
“I've been keeping up. I'm sure if I get a better job it will make things easier.”
“Not so, dear, not so. Getting a better job isn't the solution. Why don't you let me help you now?” She offered while sipping her tea.
“No, Mrs. Williams. This is my burden to bear.
Please let me do it. You and your family have done enough for us already. Putting me through school isn't a walk in the park.”
“My dear, you are still young. You shouldn't have to worry about all these. You should do things girls your age are doing, not trying to be the breadwinner for your family or pay for your mother's expensive medication.”
Tara didn't give an immediate response to Mrs. Williams' request. She said she was going to think about it and left for her house. On entering her house, she checked her mails and that was when she saw that she had been offered a job in Young Keith Audit firm as a personal assistant, the first interview she went for five days ago.
“Mom, mom!” She screamed at the top of her voice, running into the sitting room where her mum was. “Guess what?” She said while jumping and giggling.
“What, baby?” Curiosity was written all over her face.
“I was just offered a job with one of the top audit firms as a PA to the CEO, mum.” She immediately ran to hug her mother.
“Oh my! My baby, I'm so happy for you.” She said as she squeezed her daughter in her arms, kissing her on the head.
“I'm so happy and proud of you. You are becoming a complete grown woman.” She paused before saying, “Your father will be so proud of you, my darling.”
“I know, mum. I'm proud of myself too. Thank you for always being my support system. I love you so much.” She hugged her tight before letting her go.
They stayed up all through the night watching a movie before retiring to bed.
Tara woke up pretty early, ready to give a good first impression to her employers. She got dressed in her corporate leaf-green mid-length gown and her brown handbag before walking out of her room.
She walked to her mum's room to tell her goodbye but found her mum sleeping so she simply left.
On reaching her new workplace, she walked in excited and ready to work. She was greeted by the receptionist who directed her to her office on the 7th floor, which was the office of the CEO.
“Good morning, Madam,” she greeted the head of the Human Resources department.”
“Good morning, Tara. How are you doing?”
“Fine, thank you.”
“Alright, Philip,” she called her subordinate. “Ensure to put her through, show her her desk and her schedule. Also introduce her to the boss. He asked to see her today.”
“Alright, Madam. This way, Miss Tara,” Philip instructed.
He took her around, introduced her to the people she needed to know, and put her through on her schedule and the expectations the CEO who she will be working directly with has for her.
“So, the boss is around. I'll take you to his office right now. Ensure to be on your best behavior,” he said.
“Okay,” she replied.
On reaching the office, he opened the door after the CEO let him and walked in with Tara behind him.
“Good morning, Sir,” Philip greeted.
“Good morning, Philip,” the CEO said before turning his seat round to properly face them.
“This is Tara, your new PA.”
Tara narrowed her eyes, carefully looking at him. She could swear she has seen this face before. How could she forget a man that got her drooling? That was when she remembered.
“The coffee shop guy,” she said out loud before widening her eyes as realization hit her.
“What?” Mr. Philip and the boss said before he looked at her. He narrowed his eyes on her and suddenly remembered.
“You!” He said while a smirk appeared on his lips.
- Writer
