Chapter 5 - The Family’s Disapproval
1210 Words
LAYLA
Aunty Beatrice was my father's younger sister. She was known to be the black sheep of the family. Of course, I have just taken the position from her because there was no difference between us now.
Grandfather couldn't entrust her with the company's affairs because she never showed any seriousness, yet she wanted it. I was certain she thought she would be the one Grandfather would make the CEO of the company since I went after a man, but it turned out that none of that happened.
Grandfather waited for me and gave it to me.
"Auntie!" I muttered, standing and walking up to her. I wanted to hug her, but she took a step backward and shook her head.
"Not with those filthy clothes you put on. You look like a maid. What the hell happened to you in your lover's house?" She asked, her voice filled with sarcasm and mockery. I expected that. We were family but sworn enemies. She had been expecting me to return with nothing, and I did.
I returned with nothing but brokenness.
I was embarrassed, but I concealed it with a smile. "Is it my eyes, or have you really become more beautiful?"
She chuckled and settled on the couch. "Well, it seems your misfortune didn't affect your eyes."
"Thank God you are here, Beatrice. Where is Aurora? "Inform her of her sister's arrival," my grandfather announced, gesturing with his hands.
"I am here, grandfather. And what sister are you talking about?" Aurora stopped in her tracks when her eyes landed on me. She darted her gaze over me with a dropped jaw.
For a moment, I saw her expression change from astonishment into displeasure and disappointment. However, before I could confirm what I had seen, her eyes brightened up and she rushed to me. "Sister!!!" She jumped on me excitedly.
I think I must have seen wrong. There was no way the only sister I had would be displeased to see me again after three years.
Aurora was my sister by adoption. My parents were scared I would be bored alone and decided to adopt a child since all efforts to conceive one more time proved abortive. However, the Flynn family had never treated her like an adopted child. Nobody knew that she wasn't related to the family by blood but by adoption.
But of course, Aunty Beatrice wouldn't stop throwing it in her face because of her jealousy.
"Aurora… How are you?" I asked, smiling brightly. I couldn't remember the last time I smiled genuinely since I got married to Bastian. For sure, I had been suffering for nothing. I had a family who loved me and was ready to accept me no matter what, yet I stayed with that bastard, Bastian, and his family, who had nothing but pain to offer.
"I am fine." I missed you, sis. I didn't know that you would be coming. How is your husband? Has Grandfather forgiven you? Did you come for vacation? When are you returning to your husband's house?" She threw a lot of questions at me. Before I could answer one, she had raised another one.
I waited until she finished asking her questions before responding.
"We are divorced. And no, I'm not returning to his house. Grandfather has forgiven me, and I am allowed to live here with you," I responded.
"Beatrice, Aurora. Layla will be the new president of the Starlight group of companies. "You both should support her," my grandfather announced, earning exclamations from Aurora and Aunty Beatrice.
"What! Grandfather! Father!!" Aurora and Aunty Beatrice exclaimed respectively, their eyes widened and filled with shock.
"Do any of you have a problem with her being the CEO?" He questioned expressionlessly.
Aurora’s lashes flickered as she averted her gaze. "I... I am just surprised by your benevolence, grandfather. You didn't just forgive me, sister, who neglected the family and followed a man who wasn't worth it; you also made her the president of all our companies," she mumbled. "I want to be like you, grandfather. You have a great heart."
"What rubbish are you saying, Aurora? Grandfather has a great heart for making an ingrate the president of the group. No! That's not having a great heart. That's wickedness," Aunty Beatrice flared up. She turned to face me. "You do not deserve that position, Layla. You should go back to the man you left your family for three years ago."
I was speechless. Each word pierced into me like needles. Aunty Beatrice was right. After all, I deserted the family for Bastian. I didn't deserve to be welcomed with open arms, much less to get the position of the group's president. Her anger was reasonable and justified.
"Shut your mouth, Beatrice. You cannot teach me how to run the household. When Layla's father was working tirelessly to build the company into a group, where were you? You were f*****g running after those small boys who offered you nothing," Grandfather spurted out angrily.
I was scared. Did I just cause a rift between the family? I only just arrived today, and I have already caused a lot of trouble.
"Grand...." I tried to stop him, but he continued before I could do that.
"Tell me, Beatrice. Who do you think deserves the position of the group's president? Who? Just shut up if you do not have anything essential to add."
Sister Beatrice wouldn't dare retort. Who all knew Grandfather to be rigid and disciplined? We'd all been taught to never speak back whenever he was angry.
"I have made my decision, and that is final. Anyone who has an objection should prove herself to me. Prove to me why you are a better option than Layla," he asserted.
As soon as he finished speaking, the head of maids, Mrs. Lola, came over with a glass of water and placed it on the table in front of Grandfather. She had been working with us long enough to know that the next thing Grandfather needed after his anger was warm water.
"Mrs. Lola!" I called, smiling. She had been working for the Finn family before I was born. She was literally my nanny.
"Layla! Welcome home. I am already preparing your favorite meal, and I have also asked one of the girls to prepare a hot bath for you. Your room has been cleaned, and everything has been put in place for you," she explained, her eyes filled with elation.
Tears rushed to my eyelids. This is my home. Where almost everyone cared about me. I didn't have to say it out loud before they knew what I needed at the right time.
"Thank you, Mrs. Lola. I have missed your meal so much," I said.
"Let me know if there's something else. I will always be at your beck and call." She assured me, bowed, and turned.
However, before she could take a step, she faced me again, and her brows creased. Her expression was laced with worry, and it alerted me.
"Is there a problem, Lola?" My grandfather asked. He had also seen her reaction.
"Huh?... Not really. "I just want to confirm if Layla knows she is carrying a baby," she revealed.
"What!" I let out a shocked cry.
- Writer
