MELODY OF A BROKEN HEART: CHASING DREAMS, UNCOVERING LIES

EPISODE 2: SHATTERED REFLECTIONS

Taiwa Town

"Come on in, my girls. Don't stay out in the cold," Miss Lynn said warmly as soon as she saw the two ladies approaching. "Where have you been, Andrea? You made me worry."

Andrea was fighting to keep her emotions locked away. She replied quickly, "I had to wait up for Janice." Her hand reached out, pinching the hem of Janice’s garment, silently pleading for her friend to cover for her.

"Oh yes, yes Aunty! I asked her out for a girls' night out, you know how it is," Janice jumped in quickly.

Miss Lynn’s vision was a bit blurry in the darkness, and the dim glow of the lantern didn't help much. She didn't notice her daughter’s pale, strained face. She simply muffled an "okay" and ushered them in. Janice declined the offer to stay, as it was late and she had a strict grandmother waiting at home.

The decor inside Andrea's house was a world away from the elegant, expensive, and ostentatious mansion Billy owned. Here, the sofas were faded from years of use. It was a simple one-story building with three bedrooms and a small kitchen where the aluminum sink leaked due to poor maintenance. On the cypress wood dining table, a single candle illuminated a cold dinner set. Andrea could tell her mother hadn't eaten yet.

"Come on, dear. I’ll warm your meal," her mother spoke softly.

"No, Mom, thanks. I’ll take a rain check. My stomach is churning. Goodnight," Andrea said, rushing upstairs after a quick peck on her mother’s forehead. She hated letting anyone see her weakness.

What's wrong with this girl? Miss Lynn thought, her maternal instincts sensing something was wrong.

Upstairs, Andrea slid down against her bedroom door and began to sob uncontrollably. She read the text again. "What happened, Billy?" she whispered into the dark.

She thought back to the past few weeks. He had been acting strange—avoiding her touch, postponing dates, and barely speaking when they were together. He seemed irritated by her presence. She had seen the red flags, but she had turned a blind eye, hoping things would return to normalcy. Instead, the end had come via a cold text message.

With a heavy heart, she typed back: "IT'S OKAY. CAN WE MEET AND TALK?" She hesitated, then pressed send.

Billy’s Penthouse

"Hey! Wake up, sleepyhead!" Joe shouted, ripping the bedsheets away.

It was 1:00 PM. Billy hadn't reported to work yet, thanks to the way he had wasted himself the night before.

"Don't you have a home? Do you always have to camp at mine?" Billy growled, his head throbbing.

"That’s the 'thank you' I get for pulling you out of that pub?" Joe replied sarcastically. "And mind you, I cleaned up your damn mess."

Billy dragged himself to the shower. As the cold water hit him, the memories flooded back. "Oh, Andrea... if only you knew how much I still love you. I had to hurt you for your own good." He thought of her smile, her petite body, and the innocence he had been so proud to cherish. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud bang on the door. "What is wrong with you, Joe?"

"You have a meeting with investors at 2:00 PM. Hurry up and moan later!" Joe called out. Though Joe was the smaller shareholder, they had been friends since childhood. He was the only one who could talk to Billy like this.

Billy emerged from the bathroom, aloof, drying his hair.

"On a serious note, bro," Joe said, "if you're still in love with her, go amend things."

Billy ignored him, reaching for a black suit and tie.

"Well, say something! Is this about your mother? You practically gave in to her," Joe insisted, his tone full of disappointment.

"Don't look at me like that, Joe. You know I had no choice. Besides, she’s naive. She just thinks she’s in love because she’s curious about dating," Billy snapped. Deep down, he knew it was a lie to justify his actions.

"Really, Billy? Is that how low you’ve stooped?" Joe was angry now. He had never seen a girl as pure as Andrea, and it killed him to see Billy destroy her.

"I was in a tight spot! I had to let her go! Period!" Billy’s authoritative side returned. "Now, why is the meeting today instead of tomorrow?"

Joe sighed. "I’ll tell you on the way. Get dressed, Sir."

Left alone, Billy saw a beep on his phone. It was the message from Andrea. 'ITS OKAY CAN WE MEET AND TALK?'

His heart felt like lead. He wanted to rush to her, to pin her to his bed and hold her dainty body. He started to reply, but Joe’s car horn honked outside. He tossed the phone onto the bed and grabbed his work phone instead. He would text her later.

Back at the Office

At Donald Enterprises, Billy was in a foul mood. He was struggling to save his late father’s company before competitors dragged the family name through the mud.

Though he had a degree in Cyber Security, his true passion was Graphic Design—a secret he had kept from his father for years. Now, he was swirling in his father’s old leather chair, feeling the weight of a company he wasn't yet ready to lead. He missed his father's guidance, even though they hadn't been close until Billy's success in high school.

Joe walked in, his professional "Right Hand Man" persona on display. "They’re all set in the boardroom, Sir."

"I’m right behind you, Joe." Billy stood up, grabbed his files, and prepared to face the world, leaving his broken heart behind.

As he walked along the corridors of the upper floor designated for board members and his direct subordinates, Billy exuded an aura of respectable command. The receptionists on the floor grew visibly fidgety; the very atmosphere seemed to permeate a mood that screamed business. Some bowed slightly as he passed, but he merely dismissed them with a stoic face. He was truly his father’s son, following in those heavy footsteps—though he knew his own demeanor might be even harsher, as he allowed no exceptions for perfectionism.

When he reached the boardroom at the farthest corner, he didn't hesitate. He swung the door open, his eyes immediately locking onto his designated seat at the head of the table. The board members rose to their feet, nodding slightly to show respect for their new President. He waved a hand, gesturing for them to sit.

"The business of the day," he began, his voice projected with an ounce of pure authority that echoed through the room. Everyone turned to their files; a heavy silence fell as no one dared speak first. Billy adjusted his spectacles, averting his gaze to each person in the room, never flinching.

Joe, seated right beside him, cleared his throat to speak but was sharply silenced by Billy’s raised hand.

"If I can't hear directly from my people, how am I supposed to give direction?" Billy looked at the gathered faces. "Did you summon me here to keep quiet? Someone talk!"

He banged his fist on the desk, jolting everyone’s senses awake.

"We apologize, Sir," started Mr. Philips, the Board Director, who seemed more courageous than the rest. "Our business today concerns the lagging trust in our company from firms that have signed contracts with us. Some of our biggest investors are pulling out."

"Who was in charge of overseeing this project before Mr. Donald’s demise?" Billy asked sharply.

"The project was given to your uncle, Mr. William McDowell, but he hasn't shown up to the company for two weeks now, Sir," Mr. Philips answered politely.

"Alright. And are there any investigations or strategies you've come up with?" Billy paused, then added, "And please, everyone should engage. The company doesn't pay only Mr. Philips."

"Sir, the situation is dire," added Mr. Mark, the Deputy Director, his anxiety evident. "There has been a muddle in our strategies to curb the fraudulent cases thrown at us due to our failures."

"I don't see incapability when I look at you," Billy stated firmly. "Each of you has a mandate to curb the situation befalling this company. We should not depend on those who are absent simply because they were put in charge. The second-in-command should continue as though nothing happened, and the accolades that would have gone to the intended party will automatically go to the one showing the work."

He paused to swallow a glass of water. The board members remained attentive, some even looking relieved that the new boss’s thoughts aligned with their own.

"Having stated that, Mr. Philips, you will lead the team formerly led by Mr. William. I want clean work. Do you hear me?"

"Ye... yes, Sir," Philips stammered. Billy spoke with such finality that no one dared oppose him.

However, one man followed the proceedings with hidden disdain, carefully refraining from objecting. He was William’s loyal mole, and he could hardly wait for the meeting to adjourn so he could report these "reforms."

"Mr. Mark, I believe everything is going well on your end?" Billy continued. "I need the files for Damas International Bank. I want to know the progress and the reforms you've come up with. That goes for everyone else in charge of various departments; I need those files on my desk after this. Mr. Philips, I’ll expect yours in three days."

"Yes, Sir. I definitely will not fail you," Philips reassured him.

"And before we adjourn, who is the principal assistant for Mr. William?"

Billy’s gaze swept the room before landing on a well-dressed, middle-aged man with a half-raised hand. "And you are...? I don't believe you worked under Mr. Donald."

The man was caught off guard by the direct approach, his jaw tightening with a conceited grit he tried to hide. Plastering on a faint smile, he answered, "Yes, Sir. I’m new here. My name is Xavier Thompson. I recently joined the company, assigned by Mr. William to be his assistant."

"Very well," Billy said, his eyes drilling into Xavier’s. "I need the files for Bricks Construction."

***AUTHOR'S NOTE***

"From a leaking aluminum sink in Andrea’s kitchen to the leather-bound power of the Donald Enterprises boardroom—the gap between them has never felt wider. 💔 Billy thinks he’s protecting her by being a 'stoic boss,' but did you catch that ending?

Xavier Thompson has entered the building, and I have a feeling he’s bringing more than just construction files with him. Who else wanted to hug Andrea when she was sobbing behind that bedroom door?

Let me know your thoughts!"Abigail

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