CHRISTINA

I glance back at myself in the mirror. My smooth brown hair and icy blue eyes match impeccably with my pink Gucchi A-line dress and Jimmy Choo pencil heels. I grab my keys and get going.

Hi. I am Christina Wills. The next in line of owning one of the major tycoons in the business industry, Wills Enterprises. The Wills Enterprises was commenced by my father Austin Wills. It has since its existence been in an incessant enmity with the Black Enterprises. Being an only child and colossally rich, I haven’t faced any problems psychologically and materially.

My parents have been on a business trip to UK and today is their 25th Anniversary and I have prepared a surprise for them at the Dalton Hotel; the most luxurious hotel in NYC . My inner goddess is jumping up and down at the thought of it. I hop in my sporty Bentley and head out. I was humming merrily when all of a sudden I ran out of fuel. I let out a frustrated sigh and got out. As, I was frantically trying to hail a taxi, a man walked up to me.

My breath hitched as I looked at him. He was a flawless person with broad shoulders, sexy lips, jet black hair and grey eyes. Damn, those eyes! He was wearing a black suit with a matching tie.

He stood in front of me and asked, “Miss, do you need a lift?” I stood gazing into his grey eyes and suddenly realised I was making a utter fool of myself. Taking in a deep breath I replied “Yes.”

I could see the corners of his mouth turning up into a smile. He cocked his head to one side and asked “Where are you heading to?” “Dalton hotel.” I replied. His smile broadened as he said, “I am heading to the same place. Why don’t I give you a ride.”

My inner goddess winks at me as I heave a sigh of relief and thank him. He grabs my hand and leads me to his car. This sudden contact of skin sends an electric shock throughout my body. He holds open the door for me and let go of my hand. I can’t help feel a bit disappointed. He gets on and starts to drive.

He asks in a nonchalant tone, “Why are you heading there?”I give him a wide grin and reply, “Today is my parents 25th Anniversary and I have prepared a surprise for them.

He pulled over and I got off. Out of the blue, he grabbed my arm and asked, “What is your name?” “Christina. Christina Wills.” I reply and head in with a smile on my face.

I twirl around in the centre of the hall taking in its beauty. The ceiling is covered with blue and white balloons- my parents’ favourite colours. There is a stage decorated with lilies and lavenders. Everything is perfect. I check the time on my phone and find it odd that my parents haven’t arrived yet. I impatiently tap my feet as I wait for them to arrive. All my family members and my parents’ close friends start to file in.

My best friend Camilla Evans comes over with a worried look on her face and asks, “Haven’t your parents arrived yet.” I shake my head.

Camilla hugs me and whispers in my ear, “Everything is going to be alright.”“I hope so.” But deep down I am feeling like something dreadful is going to happen.

I excuse myself and head out into the lobby .Unexpectedly my phone chimes and a number appears. I pick up.

“Christina Wills.” I say. “Hello ma’am. Are you the daughter of Austin and Emma Wills?” the voice asks.

“Yes.” I hesitantly reply. “I am deeply sorry to inform you ma’am but your parents’ plane crashed and they did not make it.”

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces. My hands began shaking and the phone fell down; streams of tears ran down my face. Suddenly, there was no strength left in me to stand and I slopped to the ground. I just wanted to wake up from this horrible nightmare. I did not want to be an orphan. But deep down inside I knew this was the cruel and harsh so-called reality.

All of a sudden firm and warm hands took hold of me. I continued to express my sorrow through tear shedding but these tears could never amount to the pain I was facing. All my happiness was snatched away from me and now I had nothing but a dark road to walk on.

A soft voice spoke to me, “Are you okay?” I looked up and saw the man from before with a concerned look on his face. I wiped my tears away.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. I spoke out, my voice quivering. “My parents met with an accident and they did not survive.”

“Oh God Christina.” He said and wrapped his arms even tighter around me. At that moment I knew that I wanted to stay in the warmth and light that he gave me forever.

I woke up with a start as the same dream came to haunt me again. My girlfriend had left me for seven years now but the memory still was as sore as a knife stab. My eyes fell on the clock and I got up to get ready for a meeting at the Dalton hotel.

I opted for a Stuart Hughe black suit with a tie and headed to my Porsche SUV. I was standing at signal when I caught sight of her. She was no less than an angel. She had gorgeous brown hair and lively blue eyes. I was bemused by her beauty. Her attire showed she was affluent as well. She had her eyebrows knitted together in a frown.

Before I even knew what I was doing I got off my car and headed straight towards her. She gazed directly at me and I was caught off guard by her virtuous and innocent face.

I asked her, “Miss, do you need a lift?” She replied, “Yes.”

I inquired, “Where do you have to go?” She retorted, “Dalton hotel.”

I was inept to hold my happiness within and decided to give her a lift .To my astonishment she concurred.

As I was driving I asked her, “Why are you heading there?”

Precipitously, her face lit up and I couldn’t help but gape at her innocence. She elatedly tells me, “Today is my parents 25th Anniversary and I have prepared a surprise for them.”

Before I even knew it I was pulling in front of the hotel. My conscience told me to grab hold of her and never let her go but instead I lightly took hold of her arm and asked, “What is your name?”

“Christina. Christina Wills.” she replied and got off.

I closed my eyes and smiled sheepishly as I let her name sink in.

I handed over my car in the valet parking and went in. Being the CEO of Black Enterprises was an arduous job. Firstly, because of the vastness of its empire and secondly, our rivalry with Wills Enterprises. I entered the conference room and took my respective seat at the head of the table. After everybody had settled down I ordered the meeting to be commenced. The meeting persisted but my train of thought had derailed towards Christina and her twinkling blue eyes and innocent smile. Damn that smile.

The meeting concluded. I could not resist anymore and decided to steal a glimpse of Christina if I could. Damn, what had I become. I set off towards the hall and halted when I saw Christina in the lobby. She picked up her phone and out of the blue tears started making their way down her face. I was shocked and felt a deep pang of pain as I saw her slump to the floor. I could bear to see her in a state like this and reached out to grab her. At that moment she needed someone and that had to be me .

I softly asked her, “What is the matter?” and she replied, “ My parents passed away in an accident.”

My heart filled up with sympathy for her. What wrong had such an innocent girl done to face such an impediment in her life ? I clutched her tighter against me and she started sobbing again. This was the first time in seven years I was holding a girl. But, I did not give a damn; it did not matter. All I wanted was to comfort my sweet, innocent angel.

When Christina had gained composure I helped her up and she said, “I am really sorry for dragging you into this mess. I genuinely apologise.”

I was taken aback by the fact that at a time like this she did not fail to remember her courtesies. She went up to the restroom to tidy up.

As I awaited in the lobby a young lady came rushing up to me and asked me with a perplexed look, “Excuse me sir. Have you by any chance seen a beautiful lady with a pink dress on?”

I figured out she was one of Christina’s friends so I elucidated the situation to her. She covered her mouth in horror and dashed to the restroom.

After a while, she reappeared with Christina. Christina looked like she would collapse any second which did not come as a surprise considering the recent mishap. Christina’s friend led her to the hall and I decided to follow them. As Christina entered the hall a wave of silence fell upon its occupants.

She grabbed the mic, “ My dear friends and family. I bring to you sad tidings involving my parents. They are no longer here with us.” There is a sudden gasp as Christina continues, “Their plane met with an accident and they did not make it . I request everyone present here to observe a few minutes of silence in their memory.”

My heart broke as I saw her breakdown again. As I looked at this innocent girl whose feeling of ecstasy was robbed from her, I prayed to the Almighty to give her strength and light so she could continue to be the innocent and sweet angel she is.

It began to rain as I stood in front of my parents’ grave. No other weather could have expressed my solemn mood better. My mother had always doted on gardening so I had a glasshouse built under an apple tree and had their graves dug beneath it. My house was a magnificent villa covering acres of land. I had invited only a few close friends and family as it all happened in a blur and to prevent the media from coming as the death of my parents was undercover.

As the rain began to fall more heavily all the guests began to depart. Camilla was very persistent and was not willing to leave me alone.

“OMG! Christina are you out of your mind ! How can you be alone at a time like this ?” she exclaimed. I gave her a small smile. “Camilla I promise if I need a shoulder to cry on you will be the first one to know.”

She was very reluctant but she left anyway. I turn back to my parents.

“Mom.” I say, “Do you even know how helpless I am right now. The thing I yearn for right now is to lay in your arms and forget this ever happened. But I know I am just fooling myself and you are never coming back. I had a surprise ready for you and the thought of you smiling after seeing it made me so glad. But, the pain that I am experiencing now is tearing me apart mom because I know you left and are never coming back.” I break down into a stream of tears as the pain takes control over me.

“Dad.” I continue, “You were always there for me at all times no matter what. If I was sad or gloomy I knew you would always come to me and say ‘cheer up my sweet princess.’ So where are you now when I need you the most? On your anniversary I gladly chose to wear the pink dress you had brought for me and in return you left me. I HATE YOU MOM AND DAD.” I scream.

After sitting in  solitude and sobbing I head inside. It was fucking silent inside. I was hoping to hear my mother’s sweet voice calling to come have dinner and my father’s laughter when we were playing chess together. But the only sound I heard was the pitter-patter of the rain and the constant piercing of a knife through my heart. I head to my room and cry myself to sleep.

When I woke up again it was quarter past five. I headed down to get myself  a cup of wine to relieve myself from the splitting headache I was having thanks to the crying. Out of nowhere, an idea struck me. Why don’t I go join my mother and father.

I recalled that my father had a bottle of Botulinum toxin and went into their room. I was rummaging through the vanity drawers when I came across a piece of paper. All the tears came welling back up as I read it:

Dear Christina,

                             If you are reading this then it means me and your father are no longer with you. We had already suspected somebody would try to take our lives and yours as well. So to keep our sweet baby safe we went on this business trip. I know you must be going through a lot of pain right now and we wish we were there for you. Sweetheart you must always remember we have always loved you.

Now listen carefully, if we do not come back, meet up with the Renolds. Actually your father and Harry Renolds were like brothers and Kiara was a sister to me. They will surely help you as the rivalry was on the surface so no harm comes to our loved ones. Take care sweetheart.

Yours truly,

Mom.

At that moment, I made a promise to myself that I would find the murderers and make them pay for what they had done. I had to be strong and continue my father’s dream of strengthening Wills Enterprises. I went into the washroom and stared at myself in the mirror. I was a total mess. There were dark circles beneath my eyes, my eyes had swollen because of the crying and to sum it all up I looked like a pig. ‘ Damn Christina get a hold of yourself’ my inner goddess spoke. After washing up I picked up my phone and called Theo.

“Hello Christina. I am deeply sorry that I could not be there for you” he answered. “It’s okay Theo I’m fine but I want you to fly over tomorrow because Wills Enterprise is getting into a collaboration with Black Enterprises along with The James Company.”

“But Chr…..” I hang up before he can say anything. I throw the phone on my bed. It was time to meet my Godparents.