CHAPTER SIX
2592 Words
CHAPTER SIX: CONFRONTATION
CHRISTINE 'S POV
IF YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE THE POWER AND AUTHORITY, YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE EVERYTHING.
This is the mantra that I kept saying when I heard the whole story of Harissa. The anger that I am feeling is starting to consume me. My father is nothing monstrous and miserable to me. I don't know how his hatred consumes him. It feels like I didn't know my father anymore.
It's not only about becoming the one who has the power. But I aim to be on top and no one can ever touch me or get too near me if I am tall enough. No one dares to look at you, and if they do, I am gonna blind them to what I can do.
That’s why I don’t and will never stop.
The higher my company flies, the more they respect me, and one day, they will all bow down to me, even him.
My father...
“I am Christine Dela Vana,” I paused and looked at the mansion in front of me. “I don’t bend my knees. Everyone else does.”
I opened up the gate and walked off with my intention of confronting my father. The house is huge, as expected of my father likings and have his own compound in New York. The black and white marble stairs lead to a hallway that has cream marble flooring. The couch sofa in the center, the pillars, and even the carpet are all framed in gold and silver. The arched ceilings have a mural of angels fighting demons in the center. This frequently causes people to pause and gaze at the image's rich detail.
While they invite their friends here, they also invite their enemies. And now I am part of it.
Heaven and hell. Angels and demons. Me and my father
My father, Cloud Cassio Dela Vana, was a man of his word, which shouldn’t have been a surprise considering his origins. He was not only the CEO of one of the most successful bachelors that had a lot of companies and branches in Asia and Europe; his roots go back to the beginning, since 1978.
And now I am part of that bloodline. It scares me because I have to carry that. In fact, I’m the only one who can bring glory to his surname.
Today, I opted for white suit pants that give me a sharp edge to my body while my beige coat hangs on my shoulders without me having to wear it. My burgundy hair is twisted in an elegant bun. My makeup isn’t loud, but my lipstick is doing its thing, making me look like I’m in my thirties instead of twenty- seven.
Being young is a weakness in the business world, and there’s no way I will let them exploit any of my shortcomings.
I was stopped by a radiant face at the bottom of the stairs. My mom, Cassy Andriea, smiles upon seeing me, revealing perfectly straight and white teeth. In fact, everything about her was perfect, from her nose to her lips and her frame. The only thing that’s big are her huge blue eyes. It’s like staring straight into the calm of the ocean. Aside from that, she’s wearing a modest long-sleeved dress that stops below her knees. Her brown hair, a few shades lighter than mine, is gathered in a low, neat ponytail by a clip.
My mom. Always beautiful and radiant. But I seem like I have got my attitude towards my father.
As usual, no ounce of makeup covers her face. Her smiles turned brightly upon seeing me.
“You're here, Christine.” My mom said and in an instant she was hugging me. My mom knows me the best and that is why I love her. But my father is really great. I can't handle it.
"Hey Mom." I said and composed myself to act up. I don't want her to worry about me. I started this so I need to end this. "Where's Dad?' I asked and roamed my eyes.
"Christine.." Her eyes looked at me full of concern. She knows and I know. “You can either tell me now, Christine, or we can stand here all day until you do. So please," she begged, and I kept my composure.
Not now Mom.
I bite my bottom lip so I stop myself from talking and she seems to understand it. And led me to the garden and prepared some food.
Ever since I started doing my magazine business and not obliged them. My father thinks of me as a rebel woman. I don't have any indebtedness to them and I am selfish. But then I do my best to prove to him that I am worthy of his approval. Even if I ace the exams and make something impossible. He seems to think that he is right. Always right.
The first time I was amazed by father was when I was thirteen. Back then, I looked up at him as if he was the best man in the world. As if like a superhero in a cartoon movie who will save me no matter what.
We instantly became best friends—or more like I became his precious daughter and I am too fragile to be out there in the world.
Fifteen years later, everything changed. Even us. Change is constant in this world.
That’s the last thing I want to feel towards my father, to protect myself even if I am afraid of him. But it is not that easy and I won’t only be scared.
"Christine, why are you here?" my mom asked as she put a glass of orange juice on the table with my favorite cookies.
She placed a hand on my shoulder, stroking it gently. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
I nods twice.
“Then what aren’t you telling me?”
I bit my lower lip again. “You won’t be mad?”
“I will never be mad at you,” she said, and I smiled at her, which is possibly the warmest type of smile I can offer to anyone.
“Papa…he is spying on my company. ”
“What do you mean?”
I relax, not trying to remember what he did. “He used some people to get back at me and it has been three months since he did that..”
“Then?”
“You know Mom, he keeps on giving my work, layout to the leading company and making some fake news that I am stealing some creation work for the leading company..” I explained and felt the breeze of the wind.
"It is unfair Mom. You know that," I said, and heard a footstep towards us.
My father.
"I am gonna stop pestering you if you agree to be married" he said directly, and looked at me again.. with that kind of coldness and sterness. This old man.
“F-for…marriage. Again.. ” I flicked, and I saw how my mom flinched, her shoulders turning rigid under my touch. I internally cursed myself for frightening her and took several seconds to calm down. “Did I tell you that I have my own life and I am living with the decisions that I will make?”
He shakes his head, teasing me, but it won't work. I know him. I am her daughter. His attitude I can have it too. For him, crying is a weakness, but for me my tears shouldn’t be shown in public. Especially him.
The fact that I want to express my anger, but can’t because he will use it to me like a knife digs deeper into me.
I force a smile, “Oh father, make me..”
His expression turns into a dark “Really?”
“Have I ever made a promise and not kept it?”
The angry expression made me want to tease him, so I answered my own question. “Never.”
I’m the only one who encouraged myself because it’s the thing I chose freely and without shackles.
“As you wish...” my father said and left.
My mom looked at me.
“What did your father do this time?”
"He used some of my employees to distribute my work. And it is unfair." I explained, and now she understands it. She knows how hardworking I am.
Why am I not surprised that my father would know that I would bring up the whole marriage thing when she wanted for his own sake.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful,” I said to please her, even though I was already plotting a war.
My mom is a martyr woman. As long as she loves my father... or she knows what she needs to say, because once upon a time, her man changed for a greedier one.
She stepped forward and hugged me. “Stay safe, Christine, please." she begged and hugged me.
----
After that confrontation, I decided to stop by at my office and think about how I ended up there. My company.
I went through hell and back, working in the background and arranging meetings with different teams; the content team, a layout team, a management team and a marketing team. I even went as far as recruiting people in the mall and handling some fliers. I started a small company.
Isabella helps me by handling some of the list of people who I need to use and influential people that I can deal with. Isabella is a rich woman and I don't know why she stays behind me. She never left me, even though I have this cruel family.
It's always the approval of my dad. His approval, but now, just because I was born a woman, and can't take his position, it doesn’t mean I’ll let anyone stomp all over me.
But since I knew his things and, of course, his world. Mafia.... I heard him with Mom talking about it. I know that but didn't need to bring it up. For my own safety. With that, I stay on the surface.
I should be ready when my father takes over my own company. It will be an eye for an eye, and one thing is for certain— my father and I will never be the same considering my rebellious character, they’ll definitely kill me.
There’s no way in hell he will kick me out of my bloodline and start this legacy, and I will continue to uphold it.
I’ve never considered it a burden, though, since it’s my way to claim my place at their table. And be on top. Maybe I am a woman but I am the woman.
Inhaling deeply, I stood in front of my window and I used the city lights as an opportunity to meditate.
From here up to an end. Here I come.
“Miss Dela Vana” The sound of my last name coming from my door... I stare at Isaac. But Ian came to my mind.
He’s part of the elite group, one of the prestigious people who had a lot of business in New York. He plays an important role in my company because he is one of the stakeholders.
Isaac is my best friend along with Isabella, who I trust—or more like, I trust their loyalty. Like me, he wants to have a peaceful life.
“Afternoon, Isaac”
“Hey perfectionist woman”. He speaks with a Russian accent, similar to Ian's.
Ian again, Christine.
"Stop that. It's not fun." I said, and opened my espresso machine.
Coffee makes life so easier.
“I will use whatever I want.”
Isaac is a wonderful person but an intense person who knows how everyone keeps on obeying him. He also has the looks that go with his grumpy personality. I’m not short by any means, but he’s so tall and broad that he blocks my vision whenever he stands in front of me. He dwarfs his suit’s jacket, and his beard is shaved more to his intimidation factor.
“Now, move, I am the one who is making the coffee, ” he said and pushed me.
“I think it’s better if you keep yourself away from me”
“Guess what, Tine? I don’t care what you think.”
“Damn you”
“Same”. I met his impenetrable gaze with my own.
"Make me listen to your story Tine."
“You know that, and that’s exactly why I try not to disrespect him, but he gave me a reason to." I said and checked my documents.
"And one more thing, he wants me to get married." I said, and Isaac just laughed.
“They want to have me, to be married to some random man. And do you know he is f-cking proud to use me in his business?" I exclaimed to him.
Ian stares down at me with what seems like condescension mixed with bemusement. “Did he tell you who the guy is?”
“You bet he does not, he is gonna fetch me, so I won’t stand there telling no.”
He remains silent for a second, and I think he contemplated it. “How about you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Get married.”
“Get what?”
“You’re older—you can have a husband.”
“Have you lost your mind?”
“This is, in fact, a perfectly sane solution. The only way to get a higher power is to get your father and use your husband to avenge him and to know his true colors. Then the only reason for it is to get married.”
“You think I haven’t thought about that? But any man within his group of people will make me into his obedient tool. I would rather die first.”
“What if you could make him your obedient tool?”
“What do you mean?”
“Take a husband to rule for you. Take a puppet you can rule through.”
“And you think such a man exists right now? To the point will we benefit from it? Every last one of them is hungry for power and, of course, money.”
“There are those who, like you, have me to find you one."
“And how would I be sure such men exist?”
“They do. I’ve encountered a few, and that’s how I am helping you.”
I am absorbing what he is saying. I need to make a nice decision about it. I am even rude to him. Isaac always helped me and always had the best interests in mind. If we can find someone who fits the criteria and in my own way, my father would need to find a man for me. I can push my husband to the top and then, not only will I preserve my company, but I will have his heritage and shares.
“Any man in mind?” I asked Isaac and grabbed his hair to play with. “Have I told you lately that you’re the best?”
“More than ever.” He smiled, “Americans and their things.”
I guess this will be the last time I will think of Ian. And I hope Isaac gave me a man who is on the same level as me.
- Writer
