Her billionaire enemy

*ALYSSA Mornings seemed the happiest at home . The smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the house , salivating everyone while mum hummed to an old tune as she skillfully threw the pan of eggs up in the air making them land on their other sides with a sizzling sound . “Alyssa!” she screamed , making me quickly jolt out of bed for the second time that morning. “If you’re late again today , don’t blame me when your father leaves without you” “I’m awake “ I scream back while dragging myself into the bathroom . “You said that ten minutes ago” “ I mean it this time” I looked at my self in the mirror, my curls pointing in every direction with most of them falling over my left eye, I stared at the mirror for a long time trying to recall what day it was . Suddenly I widened her eyes in shock “The handerson proposal” I hurriedly freshened up , grabbed the nearest shirt , tied my into a ponytail as I rushed downstairs. The scent of butter , cinnamon and brewed coffee overwhelmed me as I walked into the kitchen . “Good morning sleepyhead” MUM said without looking up from the frying pan. “You promised not to call me that “ “And you promised to wake up at your first alarm” “Gosh why does everyone always remember my promise is except me” A newspaper slid across the dining table “Because some promises matter” Dad said smiling over the top of his reading glasses. My dad, Richard Hayes had the kind of facial features that made everyone want to trust him even before he spoke . Years of running Hayes construction had etched strengths into his features but yet his eyes still carried the warmth of a man who never forgot where he came from. He carefully folded the paper “So” I froze. Looking at the expression on his face I already knew what exactly he was going to ask “So did you finish revising the Henderson design yet?” “Maybe” “…maybe wasn’t the answer I was hoping for Alyssa” “I finished them…in fact I redesigned about half” Mum laughed softly “The architect in you just had to resurface didn’t it” I smiled at her while picking a slice of toast and stuffing it whole in my mouth . Outside, a delivery truck pulled up at the front of the house . The driver stepped out carrying a medium sized package . Glancing twice at the address, he walked towards the front door like though he wasn’t sure of what he was doing. Three subtle knocks. “I’ll get it” mum said walking towards the door “Delivery for Mr. Richard” Dad’s expression changed slightly “I wasn’t expecting anything “ The driver put the package down , asked for a signature and left almost immediately. I watched through the window as the driver climbed back into the truck. Before driving away, he looked back at the house for a brief second as though he wanted to memorize it. I I I felt something was off about him ‘maybe it his hair ,he sure need a hair do’ I thought to myself . Dad placed the package on the table . “No sender’s name huh?” “Hmm” I murmured from across the room but loud enough for all to hear. Mum smiled “probably another sample from one of your suppliers” “ yeah probably” *Richard Hayes * I had built my company brick by brick, the same way my dad thought me to build a house. Brick by brick. Never rush the foundation. By the time I pulled into Hayes construction headquarters, the morning traffic had already begun . Workers scurried past me toward the entrance, carrying blueprints, steaming hot cups of coffee and tool boxes. “Morning Mr. Hayes” the security guard greeted. I smiled slowly as I lowered my car window “Morning Peter” I drove through the gates. I think the lobby was my best part of work , getting to interact with everyone before beginning the day. I grabbed my coffee from the cup holder, my. Suitcase and jacket all in one hand as I walked into the lobby . “Good morning sir” Gabriel echoed from the other side of the lobby . “Morning Mr. Hayes” “Morning boss” I greeted everyone by their names, which wasn’t common as most CEOs barely knew the names of their workers. “Morning Martha” The elderly janitor looked up at me and smiled warmly. “You’ve been working too hard again” she no said no with a tint of motherly affection in her eyes. I chuckled “My wife said the same thing” “Then listen to her” “I usually do” “You usually pretend” I laughed. The elevator doors open. Getting to the top floor, the atmosphere was different. Executives moved between offices carrying folders with a tense expression on their faces. I noticed it but didn’t pay no much attention. “Sir..” Evelyn- my secretary stood up from her desk walking towards me . “Yes Evelyn” “We received another letter from Hawthorne bank” My expression grew cold. “I thought we settled everything with them” I said collecting the envelope she offered me “So did I “ she said more like a whisper. The bank’s logo stared at me. I didn’t open it immediately. I stared outside through the glass window Below me stretched half finished buildings, cranes reaching into the sky, and hundreds of workers depending on this company for their livelihoods. I couldn’t fail them. I finally opened the envelope. Loan review. Additional financial assessment. Temporary suspension of new credit facilities. It wasn’t a rejection though it wasn’t good news either. Evelyn watched me closely , I began to wonder what might be going on in her head . She opened her mouth as of to say something but said nothing. Finally she broke the silence. “Our finance department say we have enough cash flow for several months” “Several months” I quietly repeated. I folded the letter. “We’ll figure it out “ I said calmly . This wasn’t the first time we’ve had problems arising. Evelyn hesitated a bit before saying “ there one.. more thing” I looked up. “The legal department received an anonymous email” “What kind of email” She looked worried I began to grow worried too. “It says someone from inside the Hayes construction is selling confidential project information” Silence. I laughed softly breaking the silence “That’s impossible” “I hope so” “So do I” I watched her leave the office. But for the first time in years doubt knocked … Not at the door of my company But the door of my trust. Far below, unnoticed by everyone inside the building, A man wearing a grey baseball cap stood across the street. A camera in his hands Click. The headquarters Click. Richard’s office window Click. The company’s logo. Lowering the camera, he picked his phone from his back pocket and made a phone call. “They’re exactly where you said they’d be” The distorted voice from the other end answered “Good” The man looked at the towering building of the company “Should I continue watching them” There was a brief pause . “No” “Why” “Because very soon they’ll be too busy watching each other “ The call ended A smirk appeared on his lips as he disappeared into the crowd.