The first step
Melissa
Within the confines of my car, I let it all out. The hot tears, the sobs that clogged my throat tightly and waited for me to be alone before erupting.
I fought back the tears, angry that I was doing little in obliterating the emotional part of me. I disliked the fact that little things could still affect me when I was supposed to just shove it off and move on.
Maybe it was because I had high expectations which Dexter had successfully shattered.
I dug into my bag in search of my phone so I’d call the only one who genuinely cared about me. Simultaneously my phone rang with his name popping on the screen.
“Dad?” My lips trembled as I held back a sob.
“Melissa, are you alright? You sound broken. Didn’t the meeting go well?” He asked worriedly.NôvelDrama.Org owns this.
He stayed back in Mexico, where his headquarters was situated, then made sure that everything I needed to have a successful stay here in California was provided for.
I didn’t want to attract attention to myself by living extravagantly, so I chose a well furnished condo in Beverly Hills which wasn’t too far from Dexter’s house. I could see myself joining him for a run every morning just to make Emilia mad with jealousy.
“It did, dad, but I just discovered that he has a child with Emilia…” I trailed off, gripping my phone tightly as though it was the cause of my problem. “While I was fighting for my life and anticipating meeting him again, he was busy making babies with her.”
Father said nothing, but I could tell that he was finding it difficult to stay calm. After living with him for some time, I got to learn some sides of him. And one of the things I loved about him was how protective he was about the people he cared about.
“Honey, why don’t you allow me to deal with these people by myself? They aren’t worth the stress.” I could hear the concern that was mixed with anger in his voice, but I didn’t want him to meddle.
This was my fight.
I wanted to see their empires crumble. I wanted them to gnash their teeth in pain and regret. I wanted to do it by myself because that was the only way I would heal.
“Don’t worry, dad, it’s not your battle. I just called you for emotional support.” I told him and he sighed in frustration.
“I wonder why you can’t allow me to do things for you. You are my daughter.” He whined.
I smiled, wiping the tears off my face. “At least, you’ve made me smile. That should be enough.” I joked, then spat out the phlegm that had piled in my throat because of my runny nose. “If there’s anything I need from you, I promise I won’t hesitate to tell you.”
“Are you sure? Because I’m holding onto this promise.”
“I’m sure, dad. Have a good day and take care of yourself.” I said and blew him a kiss.
The depression was beginning to wear off and I was so ready for my next meeting. I flung my phone to the other chair and it fell on Dexter’s jacket.
I grabbed it immediately and made to wring it, but my fingers couldn’t go through with my intended action. Instead, I brought the jacket closer to my nose and began to sniff it, enjoying the familiar musky scent that followed suit.
My heart began to ache, knowing that I couldn’t have him the way I wanted. And it hurt badly because Emilia was already succeeding in snagging him to herself.
I wasn’t going to fight for Dexter because he had made his choice, but I could definitely have some fun while dishing out revenge to both sides..
With that decided, I started the car and drove off. My car rolled up at the parking lot of Hills jewelry, then I floored the engine and wore Dexter’s jacket.
It gave me an extra layer of confidence I needed to waltz into this building that once belonged to my mother. I didn’t need to stop by the reception because the secretary told me that the receptionist had been informed of my coming.
I’d never been to Hill’s jewelry because I didn’t know my mother had a company like this until my informant told me about it. Apparently, I hadn’t only signed my monetary inheritance, I’d signed away my legacy, hoping that it would be enough to save Victoria.
The memories from that day still haunted me and it was my motivation for whatever step I was about to take right now.
“He’s waiting for you.” His secretary said quietly, pointing at the door adjacent to her cubicle.
I inhaled deeply and counted from one to ten which helped to control the surge of fury I felt for the man. Then I knocked once and went in without hesitation.
Just as I thought, he was scrolling through his phone, his back resting on the back-rest. He didn’t even look like someone who had an idea of what to do in an office, and that was why I had made plans of kicking him out and sending him back to abject poverty.
“Hi, Mr Jones.” I greeted him icily even though I tried to sound formal.
This murderer deserved nothing short of cruelty, but I had to hide my hatred for the meantime.
As if he was jerked out of his reverie, he quickly sprang to his feet and stretched his hand with an embarrassed smile. “Oh, miss Rogers, you’re welcome to our office. I didn’t know you had arrived.”
I shook his hand as firmly as I could, holding his gaze coldly. He couldn’t even fathom what I had in store for him.
“Yes, I got in a few minutes ago and I didn’t want to disturb you since you were so engrossed in your phone. Tell me, is this how you run the company?” I smiled, though the mockery in my tone was audible enough.
He lowered his gaze as I took a cursory glance of the office. It was just as boring as his secretary described. No office decor or anything that showed it was a workplace.
There had been no new innovation since he became the CEO.
Just some squeaky brown table and an old executive chair that should have been replaced long ago. This man was doing nothing with the money he stole from me.
Well, this was the main reason for my visit. To see how incompetent he was and keep it as evidence.
A frown crossed his face then vanished almost immediately. He couldn’t afford to bear his feelings openly when he knew that I wanted to invest in the business or I’d put it correctly.
I was here to take back what belonged to me.
“I’m so sorry, ma’am. It won’t happen again.” He apologised and I waved it off with my hand then settled on the chair.
“It’s alright. Let’s get down to business.”