4: The Phoenix arises

Two years later

Avery

"And now, before we go live to the inauguration ceremony, where Miss Sasha Montgomery is about to be made the new CEO, let’s ask her a few questions about how she currently feels. Miss Sasha, how does it feel to be taking on this new role?"

The camera panned to Sasha who was standing confidently in the midst of a sea of reporters, surrounded by her bodyguards.

"It's an incredible honor," she said with a smile. "I'm excited to lead this company into a new era of innovation and growth. With my guidance, Montgomery Corporation would be unlike anything else you’ve seen before.”  

I watched her keenly as she spoke. The sudden ringing of my phone drew my attention away from the television screen. I picked it up and placed it close to my ear.

“Is it time yet?” The voice from the other end of the line inquired.

I smiled and swirled the drink in my hand looking back towards Sasha who was still chattering to the reporters excitedly. “There’s still a little time before the real fun begins but yes, the time has finally come.”

“I trust you will be able to take care of things. It’s a shame I won’t be there to watch the spectacle unfold.” I hummed and hung up. I switched off the television getting bored of her speech. It sounded exactly like a rehearsed speech, clearly orchestrated by her mother.

“Miss, the car is here to take you to the venue,” my personal bodyguard informed me. I picked up my bag and strutted towards the door. It’s been two years since I was last driven past the streets I grew up. Two years since I last visited the country. But as we drove past the familiar streets, I felt nothing. I was all cold and numb inside. I wore my dark sunshades and a hat that covered most of my place.

He parked the car in the underground parking lot and I stepped out. The paparazzi didn’t give me any attention because I wasn’t one of the very important people they wanted to take pictures of. My bodyguard took care of the invites while I simply stood behind and watched.

We were finally allowed in and I must admit, the decorations looked good. Way better and more expensive than mine looked. I caught sight of my Father which made me quickly turn around, evading him in the process. It wasn’t time yet. I couldn’t let him see me now but when the right time comes, I would be the one to reveal myself. In the process of avoiding him, I saw my mother and sister. No- stepmother and step-sister sounded way better. They made that quite clear.

They clinked glasses with other guests as they chatted and laughed heartily. I was filled with bitterness as I stared at them. The anger, betrayal, and deceit all came rushing back. One would think they were innocent with the way they looked but behind that facade of theirs lay the most cruel and ugliest personality.

As the guests moved around socializing, I made sure I stayed rooted firmly in a spot where no one noticed me. I hated to admit it but I was still wanted. I didn’t clear my name yet but that was about to change. They both approached my direction. I looked up at them and stared right in their direction. Sasha was still busy glancing around and nodding towards the direction of the guests in greeting but my step-mother stopped abruptly. Her eyes widened in utter disbelief and her face paled. I knew she had recognized me.

“Mum, is there something wrong?” Sasha asked in surprise.

“How is this possible?” she whispered in shock. Sasha looked in my direction as I slowly approached them. Her jaw dropped in shock.

“W… what the hell? Avery?” Sasha stuttered mouth agape.

“Why do you both look like you’ve seen a ghost? I thought you were going to be happy since the last time we met, I wasn’t actually in the position to speak. Great inauguration party by the way. Congratulations,” I replied cutting through the tension in the air.

“How is this possible? You were supposed to be…”

“Dead? Bedridden forever?” I asked with a dry sarcastic chuckle. My stepmother sucked in a sharp breath since she had been the one to pull off my oxygen mask and left me to die. Sasha clung to her arm desperately.

“We saw you. You were supposed to be dead. H…how is this possible?” Sasha whispered in a trembling voice.

“Forgive me, I forgot to invite you to my resurrection party,” I replied and that familiar glare of hers returned. I wanted to scream at them for all they had done to me. The way I had crawled out of the hospital, filled with pain was forever etched in my memory. And that pain, they were going to get it tenfold.

“Compose yourself. There are other people watching,” her mother muttered but she didn’t look composed herself.

“What are you really doing here Avery? Did you come over here to screw me over?” she spat.

I folded my arms in front of me and raised a brow. “Why would I do that? Did you do anything to make me want to screw you over?” Playing dumb was definitely adding to their anxiety.

“And now it’s time for the newly inaugurated CEO’s speech. Miss Sasha Montgomery? Will you please come up?” A voice called out to her. Most people turned around looking for where she could be.

“Come on, I will take you,” her mother assured her while she clung onto her with her dear life, her knuckles turning white. I watched her legs tremble as she walked. She walked up to the podium alone and the room became entirely silent.

She plastered a confident smile on her face. But as she spoke, her words faltered. “W…welcome everyone…to…to this..this momentous occasion…”

Her eyes darted towards me and my lips curved up into a smirk. She dropped her shaky hands to her side. “I-I mean...it's a great honor...to…to be here today...as we celebrate...my...my inauguration.."

The stuttering grew more pronounced, and her face reddened with embarrassment. I shook my head at how pathetic she sounded.

"P-pardon me...excuse me...l...l seem to have…lost my train of thought,” she apologized looking towards her mother in desperate need of help. They both exchanged uneasy glances. I could see the way Father glanced around in confusion. The audience began to murmur, their whispers filling the room. I turned around and walked out of the room. One of my purposes for coming was fulfilled and the other will be soon.

I walked through the hallways and the person I had been expecting was headed towards me, glancing at the watch on his wrist.

“Found you,” I mumbled to myself. I stopped but he walked past me. His steps gradually faltered. I turned towards him just when he turned around. His eyes widened in shock. Everyone thought I was dead because of my sudden appearance and the severity of my accident. I wouldn’t expect anything less from his reaction.

“Avery Montgomery?” he asked in shock. I simply stared at him without responding. I evaded everyone else’s gaze but his, I wanted him to recognize me on purpose. He closed the gap between us and peered deeply into my face as if to confirm his findings. I held out a hand to stop my bodyguard from approaching, silently informing him that he was not a threat.

He glanced at my entire body frantically. “What in the world? H…how is this possible? You were registered dead. How are you back here? So alive and well?” he asked numerous questions at the same time.

“I will answer your questions at the right time Mr. Hart but before that, the E7-1987 file. What if I told you I know where you could find it?” I muttered barely above a whisper. His eyes widened and he glanced around to make sure no one heard us. I utilized my time in recovery well. His reaction was everything I had expected and more.

And while digging up dirt on my family, I came across something interesting. I wanted revenge and I needed a powerful ally to make that happen. Nathaniel Hart happened to be the right person that fit my criteria.