Chapter 2. Heartbreak

Lizzie

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 It's all over the internet. The company is facing bankruptcy, and the paparazzi are following Snow, asking questions about it. Snow kept her mouth shut. She poses, smiles perfectly, and acts as if not affected. My father's image was all over the media and the internet, including my stepmother's. They look good together, but she's an immature woman like her daughter, my stepsister, Snow.

 "Are you sure about it, Liz? I don't think your stepmother will sit back and watch your father's kingdom fall. I can smell trouble. Just be prepared, okay?"

 I blinked my eyes and sighed. Emma never liked Kristoff, my stepmom and my stepsister. After a heart-to-heart talk with my father, he finally gave up and gave way to my decision. And today, I will visit Kristoff to talk to him about the company. After that, it's time for us to settle down.

 "I don't trust him, Liz. I have a bad feeling about Kristoff. He's the type of person who always takes advantage of your kindness. Can't you see that?" She turned her back on me, disappointed in my move.

 I sighed in dismay. Emma is my only friend, and I love her. She's better than Snow, who's bitchy at times. I trust Emma more than my stepmother and Snow.

Kristoff became my boyfriend six months ago. We've been friends for more than a decade. He came from an excellent family background with a neat reputation. He was a consistent suitor of mine back then. Although I wasn't attracted to him initially, his loving and genuine personality melted my heart.

 I sprayed my favorite perfume on my neck twice and flicked my hair. I am optimistic that everything will go smoothly according to my plan. I can't wait to see Kristoff. I'm excited.

"I'll see you later, Em! Love you!" I said with a flying kiss. She twisted her mouth but then smiled afterward.

 I ARRIVED at Kristoff's place with so much confidence and excitement. I never sent him a message because I wanted to surprise him. I know the PIN code of his unit, so I entered it without trouble. It opened, and my smile widened. But it didn't last long because my heart sank when I saw a woman's brassiere on the floor closer to his bedroom door.

 She got a familiar voice and repeatedly moaned, calling Kristoff's name. My heartbeat deafened my senses. I felt numb when I saw the two of them naked. She's on top of him, moaning. Their voices sounded like they were on the verge of climax.

 "Fuck, that was good, baby. You're so good," Kristoff's panting voice.

 "Oh, baby. I want more from you. Fuck me again," a woman's voice.

I know I should not be looking at the two of them, but my eyes have a mind on their own until her image becomes more apparent. . . it was Snow, my fucking stepsister!

 "Liz?"

Kristoff's soft voice shattered my vision, and my tears fell. He pushes Snow out on top of him, and she instantly lands on the ground. She hit her head on the side of the bed.

 "What the hell, Kristoff!?" she complained. Her eyes widened like she had seen a ghost in me.

I immediately turned around and stepped outside. I wiped my tears, and Kristoff held my wrist, stopping me from stepping outside his unit. 

I turn around, and the guilt in his eyes makes me want to kill him.

 "Liz, let me explain," in his heavy breathing.

A hard slap on his face from me was my answer. I didn't say a word. Perhaps I couldn't bring myself to talk to him anymore.

 I DIDN'T BOTHER THE TIME when I walked into my father's office. I'm supposed to have two weeks before stepping inside his kingdom. But I came earlier than I expected.

It was dark inside, and his desk was full of unorganized paperwork. My father looked at me, shocked, as I came without notice. 

I offered him a solution three days ago, but now, I have nothing. I need to learn how to run a big company like this. And as much as possible, I want to avoid being tied up to an arrangement he made to the El Del Real. However, I know there was this one more solution, and I hope this could save the company from going down.

 "Put the company into the bidding, Dad. I will take full responsibility and accept the demands of whoever will win the bidding. But, do it in secret," I confidently ordered and pressed my lips. My tears are locked and loaded.

 "Elizabeth, you don't. . ."

 "I don't care anymore, Dad," I cut him off with a pleading look, "please, please just do it."

 THAT WAS all I wanted to get over a heartbreak. So I asked for a month of vacation from my father and went far away with Emma, down to the countryside where she was born. I could have chosen my late mother's place at Alice Springs. But I choose not to. So, I have my reason: trying to avoid mental breakdowns.

 Kristoff tried to reach out to me, but it was too late. I don't want to be fooled by him anymore. I also chose to ignore Snow and my stepmother and only my father, whom I talked to on the phone occasionally. 

He always called me using Emma's number, as I deactivated mine for a reason. However, he never asked about what happened between Kristoff and me.

 "The company is climbing back to the ladder," he said in the line.

 I sighed deeply in relief. "That's good to hear, dad. I'm glad everything is slowly coming back."

 "Thanks to you, my dearie. When are you coming back?"

 "In a few days, dad."

 "Are you having fun?"

 "Yes, I am. Emma's family are wonderful. They're all kind and loving. Don't worry about me, dad. I'm a grown adult and not your baby anymore," I smiled.

To honestly describe everything when it comes to relationships and respect? Emma's family treated me much better, like I was part of their family than my stepmother and stepsister. I tried to like the two of them, but not anymore. Finally, I had enough of putting a fake smile on my face, especially in front of my stepmom.

 "Who won the bidding?" I just remembered. I've heard from a good source that the bidding exceeded its value. It was unexpected.

 "What are the demands?" I continued.

 "I-It went all well," he stammered, clearing his throat, "The winning bid is the company that is one of the leading resort hotels in Asia. I have already met him. He wants to talk to you. It looks like the person knows you well."

My forehead furrowed. The El Del Real is the only one capable of helping my father's company.

 "I hope it's not the El Deal Real, Dad?" I groaned, uneasy about it.

 "No, no, it wasn't. I haven't seen my best friend, Direk, since you rejected his son three months ago," he sighed in the line, and I went quiet.

 "I'm sorry, Dad. I promise to make it all up. I will work hard and pay back what we owe from the El Del Real."

It's embarrassing to face the El Del Real without the bidding because of the significant loss. My father's best friend is Mr. Direk El Del Real. He's got a son; Elizalde is the name, and I despise him.

 "So what are demands, again?" I repeated the question because he didn't answer it.

 "I don't know, my dear. Mr Donnatello Miranda wants to talk to you. They want you."

 "Oh, is that so? No problem. Could you give them a date for us to meet, Dad? I will do my best to cater to all their demands for saving the company."

 "Thank you, my dear, and you take care. I will see you when you get back," my father said in the line, ending the call.

I looked at the phone in my hand, feeling puzzled about the situation. There's something odd about it, and I feel uncomfortable.

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c.m. louden