RING! RING! RING!

"No, I am fine. I need this. I've waited long enough,5 am already

I am excited about today's first day at my new company branch in New York. I went to my in-home gym and worked out for a while. Later, I hoped in the shower. By 7:30 am, I am ready to take on today, head high. This investment is one of the most important of all my 15 branches. I wish father was here to see all my success but he is not. I look at myself in the mirror one last time before walking out of my mansion. My driver Jahid was right there waiting for me and opened the door for me.

"Jahid," I said and nodded

"Good morning ma'am," he said and closed the door. He got into the car and we drove off.

The drive is about 30mins so I take the time to answer some emails and make some calls. Only important calls from my company back in Italy. As we got closer to the location, I saw the press all over the building. These people are pathetic. They will do anything to get a story. I hate the press so much.

"Are you ready ma'am?" Jahid asked

"Just gimme a second"

"Chloe if you're not ready for this we can leave," he said looking worried.

" I said looking more serious now. Jahid is like a brother to me. He has been with me since father was here. I take a long hard breath and nod to him and he gets that am ready he walks out and opens my door for me

Camera flashes everywhere. I see the guards come to clear a path for me. I put on my shades and walk to the door so gracefully ignoring all the questions coming at me like 'are you ready for this' 'after your tragedy are you well enough' things like that. It had been two years for goodness sakes. The tragedy is my dad's death.

As I get into the building the air tenses. I love that. Everybody goes very silent. The only sound is the distant reporters and my heels on the floor.

I look at the two guards on both sides of the doors "Take care of that" pointing at the reporters "Unless you want to lose your jobs today." I take off my shades and look at them very sternly and so was my voice. They nod at me.

I walk to the private elevator but it does not open

Bloody hell! Someone is using my fucking elevator! Someone is losing his or her job today.

I look at the receptionist with a death glare.

"Next time something like this happens make sure you have a different job to go to." She is shaking like a lost puppy. Stupid irrelevant workers.

I hit the button again and it opens and I walk in.

The door closes and I breathe. I decompress. Before the door opens I take a few more breaths. This is not how I wanted today to be but I need these people to fear me to get their jobs done properly.

As I get out on my floor, I expect to see my assistant with my itinerary but I see a young boy about 19.

"Goo-good morning miss" he stammers talking probably from fear.

"Where is Mrs. Michelson? Who are you?" I asked looking pissed

"My name is Nick miss and I'll be the one running your itinerary Mrs. Michelson is getting the boardroom ready for your meeting which is in exactly 5mins."

"Get Mrs. Michelson here right now," I say, trying not to be mean to him.

"Your office is right this way ma'am," he says and I follow him. He stops at the door and leaves.

This is it, Chloe. Father would be so proud of you right now.

Before opening the door, I see a few employees that worked on this floor and they all had dreaded looks on their face. That means I am in control, I am no longer powerless and that makes me happy. I open my office door and take a moment to look at it. The room is mostly black white and a hint of burgundy. These colors complement each other. It is not too bright in here but the natural light from the big glass wall at the end is amazing. My desk is huge and well organized.it had a grey couch on the side of the room and two little chairs a few feet away from my desk. I walked and sat on my chair.

A few seconds later Mrs. Michelson walks in.

"Where have you been? I don't appreciate lateness. You know this," I look up and snap.

"I'm sorry ma'am" she handed me a file "the conference room is ready and everybody is waiting for you.

"Thanks, I'll be there in a minute." She nods and leaves.

I get off my seat and walk to the conference room. I took my stance at the head of the table and all the voices died down. Staff meetings are my favorite. I laid down the file and my phone on the table. Walked around the boardroom for a bit. Everybody's eyes on me

"This right here," pointing to them "this silence is the first thing all of you have done right since I got here. This is how I expect the building to be every time I am here unless your customer service. I expect all of you to be at your utmost best every time you walk into this building. This will give us the best results and most of all lateness is not accepted. Late two times gets you fired so make sure you're on time every day." I pause for a bit and loose the serious face and I have a half smile on.

"Now that we have the basics covered my name is Chloe Moretti, owner, and CEO of Moretti Enterprises and I hope I have a wonderful time working with all of you." I take a seat at the table and we go through all the introductions and H.O.D's. And we went through all the ground rules and everything.

"One more thing I hate when my private elevator is used by anyone but me. Strictly out of bounce I hope we are clear."

I walked out of the boardroom and it was dead silent. I think they all think I'm bipolar. I am happy they know who the boss is.

Came home around 6 pm after work. It was a good first day. I went into my study

and continued working. Had to make some international business calls. The

downside of being the CEO of a multi-billion international company. Work never

ends. By the time I look at the clock it's 9 pm. Wow, I've been working for 3hours

straight. Am proud of myself. My hand strays to my necklace and it is the last gift

my birth father gave me.

His last moments, telling me he loves me, protecting me in his last breath. I have to

make both him and my adopted father happy. They both passed right in front of me

and that's my drive to want to work hardest to make them both proud. The

necklace, my birth father gave the day before the incident. I close my eyes as I feel

tears stinging in my eyes. "Don't let it consume you Chloe" I say to myself just

then Juanita the maid came in.

"Ma'am I think you should come and have some dinner, your food is getting cold."

She said in a caring and soft tone.

"Thanks, Juanita I'll be there in a moment." She nods and excuses herself.

As I was about to leave for dinner my phone lit up a message from an unknown

number. I opened and it turned out it was my brother Juan. After 10 years he texted

me. He stopped talking to me 3years after father Rafael adopted me. I wonder why

now

JUAN: Hey, I heard you are in New York and I thought we could meet up. Juan

I remember the last time I had an encounter with him there was a lot of shouting

and harsh words were spoken. Maybe he wants to make up for it.

CHLOE: Hey, Juan I am free. Tell me where and I will meet you there.

Almost instantly, he responded

JUAN: the coffee shop

That was all he sent me. There are only a million coffee shops in New York. Come

to think of it, which coffee shop are you talking about? Then it hit me 'the coffee

shop' the one I last saw him at. But why? That is where our family broke or at least

what was left of it. I went into my bedroom to bet ready. I wore a pair of black slim

jeans, a loose white blouse, and a casual pair of stilettos that matched my purse. As

I was about to leave the house Juanita walked up to me questioningly.

"I need to meet someone I'll be back soon but don't wait up"

"But the driver already left ma'am"

"I can drive myself, you know Juanita I'll be back soon," I said, smiled at her and

walked away. I got into my range rover velar because I did not want any attention

tonight. I drove off with a lot to think about. I am somewhat nervous and I don't

even know why. When I got to the coffee shop, I sat in my car for about 3minuites

gathering the courage to go in and talk to him. Finally, I got out of the car and

locked it because this wasn't the safest neighborhood here. As I walked to the shop

people snapped their necks in my direction. I tried to be discreet but am guessing it

did not work. As casual as I was, I was overdressed for this location. The place had

changed a lot since the last time I was here. I walked into the café and my heart

started racing when I saw Juan. And I saw his back but I knew it was him because

we all got matching tattoos, Aria our older sister Juan and myself.

We got it a year before the incident, I was only 14 and he was 17, my sister, Aria

took us to the tattoo parlor back home in Italy. She was 20 so I guess they let her

give us tattoos.

"Juan" I called out, making the people around him turn too. He looked so different.

He looked like he had not slept in a while or even shaved. As I got closer to him I

realized the little golden flakes that used to be in his eyes were now gone. He had

grown his hair too. His face lit up as he saw me. His eyes looked at me for a while

as though he was studying me.

"Hi Juan," I said when I was close enough to him

"Hi Chloe," his voice was different too. He had some emotions laced in his voice

as if he was happy and sad at the same time. He gave me a hug

After 10 years, he hugged me again. I couldn't respond to his hug immediately as

though I was savoring the moment. I was trying so hard not to cry. I was trying to

keep the teats in. I just became stiff. I did not hug him back. He let go and looked

at me. I looked at him too. I put my hand on his face and traced a scar that was not

there before. I had a bad tingle in my stomach that made me fear. My eyes were

getting watery but he held my face and said, "Hey am ok. And good come sit with

me." He said and guided me to the table he was sitting at. We sat together and just

stared at each other for a while as though looking for words to say to one another

but they weren't any. However, I had to break the ice.

"How have you been?" I asked trying to keep a cool head

"I've been good. How are you?" he said with a low and husky voice

"I'm getting by each day I mean I have a home and food so I can say I'm doing

good"

He pulls in, holds my hand, and holds it tight.

"I know it's hard for you to see me after all these years. I get it and I know we have

many issues to talk about. But I have a more pressing matter to discuss at this time"

his voice became cold like the way it was the last time I saw him and that made me

pull my hand away. Nevertheless, he took it again and looked into my eyes.

"Please, Chloe, don't do that. Before we begin, I just want you to know that I love

you no matter what. Even after all these years I still love you so much." I nodded

and he continued with a cold voice again.

"Now let's get into the business. I have terrible news. Our mother has been

diagnosed with stage4 lung cancer" he paused waiting for my reaction but I do not

know what he wants me to say. The woman abandoned 13years ago like I wasn't

her own and gave me a burden no child should have to carry. She threw me out of

her house when I was 15 and had just lost my father right before me. She blamed

me for his death and threw me out with no food, no money and no place to go.

Now I find out she is dying and please forgive me for not feeling any remorse but I

do not think I can. I pulled away and put my hand to my side. He looked at me

sadly, understanding me but he continued regardless.

"I know you hate her and you have every right to be she put you through hell but

Chloe she is dying and all she wants is to apologize to you that's her last wish. She

made me fly out here and have you come home so she can apologize, Chloe, she is

very sorry for what she did. I mean this is the least you can do for her after what

happened with dad..." he said the words before he could stop them

I snapped. After all these years, he blames me for what happened to our father

meaning he lied to me all these years. He made me believe that he was on my side

but he is just like our mother

"Juan finally you've told me how you really feel after all these years you blamed

me for papa's death." I stood up "I don't care if mama is dying or if she wishes to

see me because if my memory of that night is correct she said she never wanted to

set eyes on me or even cross her property. She threw me out the house into the rain

at night with nothing but a burden of guilt. Now she needs me, am I just supposed

to up and go? Besides growing one thing I learned from her is never to defy her

and I am just obeying her commands." Tears were running down my face now and

I turned to leave but he held my hand

"Chloe listen to me I don't think it's your fault but I do know that mom thinks it's

your fault and she did horrible things to you but Chloe she is dying"

"Don't you think I know that but I don't want to flipping see her. All of you

freaking turned your backs on me when I needed family most of all. When I saw

my father murdered In front of me and I needed you, all of you abandoned me.

And you all thought it would be any easier blaming it on me. But it was hardest on

me. I never got to properly mourn our father. I wasn't even allowed to the funeral.

Being traumatized and alone on the cold streets all by myself and I do not want to

see her Juan, hell I do not even want to go to Italy. For no reason. I have a lot

going on right now" I pulled my hand out of his grasp with all the strength I had

and I could see his eyes water too but I walked right out of there and he just stood

there.

I walked past all these people who had been looking at me all this while and I saw

someone take a picture of me and my teary eyes. Stupid reporters but I do not care

about that. I got into my car and looked at my phone so many missed calls from

Jahid. Right now, I do not care. I just want to be free. I need to think. I speed off in

my car back to town and get into one of the bars close to my house. I sad by the

counter and ordered

"Tequila shots and keep them coming," I said to the person and he nodded and

brought back my drinks a few minutes later

"Seems like you had a rough day?" he said with an Irish accent

"You don't know the half of it" and I started to down myself I liquor. Soon enough

I was on my fifth shot of tequila.

Alexa is dying of cancer and she wants to see me. I spent half my life hoping that

one day she would reach out to me and tell me she was sorry and wanted me back.

But I got over her and I got a much better family in return. My adopted mother

gave me the love Alexa could not give. So why now, when I am finally living the

life I always wanted.

Even though father is gone, he is in my heart driving me to make him proud and

that's what I'm going to do. Now the time has come when she wants to see me I do

not want to see her because I am over her and all that came with loving that

woman.

The night she threw me out her words rang in my head for a very long time 'you

will never be anything in your life you are nothing but an ugly foolish girl' now

thinking about these words I laugh at how ironic this is now the owner and CEO of

a company I made international. How beautiful I am and how guys beg for dinner

with me. How rich I am now and how good am going for myself now she would

probably be ashamed now.

My thoughts were interrupted by the bartender he handed me a drink and said,

"The guy over there said your very pretty and he wants you to have this" he

pointed to some blonde hair guy sitting at the corner of the bar.

Here we go again can't a girl have a night alone with no boys

He looks like one of those people that think they can charm any girl they want.

"Take it back to him. Tell him I can buy my own drinks" I said and went back to

my tequila.

After drinking, I was ready to go home and asked for the check but as I was about

to pay that blonde guy who ordered a drink for me came up to me.

"Hi, I'm Wyatt. Wyatt S'mores" he said extending his hand to salute me. I looked at

his hand, I was tipsy, and I was tired I cannot do this now

"Hi I'm leaving" the bartender brought my check and I paid

"Don't you think that's an odd name" I gave him a death glare

"Well, my parents were weird people. Excuse me." I walked past him out of the

bar. It was somewhat chilly out here but I'm so drunk I can't drive I'll walk home. I

start heading to my house but then I feel a huge hand hold my arm and spins me

around

"Hey baby girl why don't you let me take you home and I know exactly how you

can repay me"

I was very upset when I turned around how dare he touch me fuck lord!

"Take your hands off me right this instant," I said to him

"Or else what darling you going to call the cops" he came closer to me and I could

smell his cheap perfume and alcohol

"I don't need the cops. I can handle you myself so for the last time let me go or you

will be sorry," I said in a harsh voice I was getting really pissed.

He moved closer instead and I punched his nose hard and my knuckles started

bleeding but he moved back and held onto his nose.

"You little bitch" he was coming at me and I punched him again on the same spot.

"Wrong move bitch you should have come with me when you had the chance it

wouldn't have come to this," he said and I don't think my hand could handle

another hard punch so I was going to kick him in the crouch when someone behind

me punched him and that knocked him out.

Ouch! That should hurt.

Huge muscles were the first thing I saw as I turned around. A man! I was

immediately on alert and I held out my fists.

"I'm not gonna hurt you," he said in a soft but masculine tone "Are you ok?"

he looked at my bleeding fist.

"Yes I'm fine, thank you but I could have handled that," I said not even looking

at his face

"Clearly!" he said with a smile in his voice "So what are you doing out here all

by yourself late at night and you have clearly been drinking," he said with such

authority

The nerve of this guy just because he helped me in a situation I was clearly

handling perfectly well he thinks he can talk to me, however. The nerve of this

guy.

"Well that's not your business now, is it? ... just because you... you helped me

don't mean you can act dad to me," I said slurring my words. Alcohol does

that to you

He looked at me questioningly with a stupid smirk on his face

"I don't think you can drive in that condition and with that hand. You should get

that looked at."

"Well good thing I'm not driving. My driver will get my car tomorrow. I'll walk

home," I said turning to continue on my path home but I stopped when I

realized I do not even know his name. I turned around and asked,

"What's your name so I can have my secretary send you a card or

something?" I asked half-aware, I looked up at him, and all my senses were

heightened

Mama Miya!

He is a fucking god!

His man face is so well structured. Perfectly chiseled jaws and amazing that

fell in his face. His lips were luscious and very pink he had no hair on his face

Wow just looking at him is taking me places.

"How about I take you home instead and I could take care of your hand for

you?" I looked at him as though he had grown a second head then he noticed

and quickly added "No no no not like that I am a doctor I could stitch it up for

you" he said and laughed. My God, his smile is divine and his teeth are

perfectly shaped. At this point, I couldn't argue with him so I agreed.

I gave him my address and in less than two minutes we were at my mansion

"Wow," I heard him say under his breath

"Amazing right?" I asked him.

"Yeah," he came around and helped me out of his car. "It is really amazing."