When Hate Ends

You're Practically A Hobo

“You good?” Serena asked.

They had finally found their way out of Calloway Empire's premises. The moment they stepped outside, the weight of everything that had happened seemed to settle over them.

They were now seated on a bench at the central park, surrounded by the distant sounds of traffic, passing pedestrians, and the occasional laughter of children. The city continued moving as though nothing had happened.

But for Sloane, everything had changed. She had refused to let them see her break.

But now that she was away from them, the strength she'd been pretending to possess was beginning to crumble.

“Sloane?” Serena called out but Sloane didn't answer.

She sat forward, elbows resting on her knees, her head lowered.

Just a few minutes ago, she had stood in front of some of Manhattan's richest and most influential families, holding her head high despite their judgmental stares and cruel assumptions. Even in front of her mother.

“I'm fine.” The words came out almost automatically.

Serena studied her for a few seconds. She knew Sloane well enough to recognize that expression. It was the smile she wore whenever she didn't want anyone to know how badly she was hurting.

“Solution time, I guess.” Serena said and Slaone kept that smile on her face but looked away.

“So you have no house, no car and no job” Serena said again.

“You're practically a hobo” For a second, silence filled the space between them. Then Serena burst into laughter.

Sloane simply stared at her. Serena's laughter died almost immediately.

“Bad joke, sorry”

“It means I'll have to move on with you I guess” Sloane looked at Serena but Serena wasted more time on answering than she had expected.

“What's wrong?” Slaone asked, confused.

“Ummm…my place is sort of busy right now” Sloane's expression changed. “But I do know where you can stay for the main time” Slaone's face then softened a bit.

“Why can't I stay at your place?” Sloane asked again, unable to shake off the feeling that Serena was hiding something.

“Are you hiding something from me?”

Sloane asked and Serena gave the smallest shake of head.

“Speaking of…” said Slaone.

“You know the Calloways personally or what?” Slaone then noticed Serena's shoulders freeze a bit.

“Well, sort of.” replied Serena. “It's not something I want to talk about right now, Sloane but I promise, I'll tell you.” Sloane raised her hands on agreement.

“Whatever you say, just be fine,” said Sloane.

“So, we'll go to the penthouse and get the rest of your stuff.” Serena said and Sloane inhaled deeply.

“Yeah, I guess so,”said Sloane. “It's still so hard to believe,” she continued.

“Girl, you did it once, you'll do it again” Serena got up and dragged Sloane up.

“It'll be alright. You're strong.” Serena said and Sloane closed her eyes for a moment.

“Yeah.” She wasn't sure if she believed it but hearing Serena say it made it a little easier to pretend that she did.

Serena released her and linked their arms together.

“Come on. We've got your stuff to collect.”

Together, they headed toward the walkway. Neither of them noticed the dark sedan parked across the street.

“Yh” Serena locked arms with Slaone. Both headed towards the walkway.

=====

CALLOWAY EMPIRE HQ – CEO’S OFFICE

“Michelle, tell me the truth” Michelle, whose hands were behind, looked up from the ground again.

That was the third time her father had told her to ‘tell him the truth'. Roman remained seated behind his desk, studying his daughter with a look that made her uncomfortable.

He had spent decades building the Calloway Empire into one of the most powerful corporations in Manhattan. He had learned to read people.

“Dad, I promise I had nothing to do with it” Roman Calloway continued looking at his daughter with questioning eyes.

“I know you well enough, Michelle. I chose not to say a word because of my own reason. But know that I am not a fool”

“The stunt you pulled tampered with that young lady's future” Michelle's demeanor changed.

On the outside, she seemed apologetic and responsive but internally, she was battling with her thoughts. How could her father have read her actions?

“I'm sorry, Dad. I apologize” She hoped to calm the whole situation. She couldn't afford to offend anyone at that moment, especially not her father.

“I hope you're sincere. I will not punish you. But know that you being my daughter doesn't make you untouchable, it makes you more vulnerable.” Roman said and Michelle sweetly nodded her head.

“It won't happen again, I promise.”Roman's eyes remained on her. Michelle lowered her gaze again, pretending to accept his warning. But inside, she was anything but apologetic.

Her father knew, then why did he not help Sloane Hart immediately.

She felt his reasons wouldn't hold weight if he did not want to make something out of the situation.

“When will your brother be returning?” Roman asked and Michelle inhaled deeply, glad that he changed the topic.

“He didn't give me a date but he did say after three months, he'll be free to come back home.”

“Oh well, reach out to him, he seems a bit too busy for his father.” Roman sat up straight and cleared his throat but it quickly exaggerated to a hardened cough.

“Dad, are you okay?” Michelle rushed to her father's side.

“I'm fine, just get me water”

“Not a problem. Right away.” She turned to around to leave her father's office.

Immediately, she locked the door behind her, the panicked face she had on fell.

Her fingers dug into her palms and her teeth gritted against the other. Then slowly, a smile crept on her face.

“Very soon, all of this will end.” She said with determination in her eyes.

She straightened her clothes, dusted an invisible speck from her sleeve, and rearranged her face into the worried expression she had worn moments earlier.

Then she hurried down the hallway, deliberately making her footsteps sound rushed.

To anyone watching, she was simply a concerned daughter going to get water for her sick father.