Chapter 4

Angela

The moment both hands struck four am, my eyes opened, and although my body pleaded with me to go back to sleep, I knew I had to hit the gym. Thank God for indoor gym.

I brushed my teeth, fix myself a bottle of energy drink before hitting the gym. I found the gym empty which doesn't surprise me. Back in the days, I was the only one who utilized the gym. Blocking my ears with my ear pods, I started with the treadmill.

The last time I was on this treadmill, father scolded me for wasting too much time on it.

"You should equalize everything Angela, do not give one thing all your attention."

I still remember his words vividly, the scowl on his face as he scolded me. My chest tightened as the pain hit me hard on the chest. Why am I constantly living in regret?

My feet slapped faster and harder on the treadmill.

Why has the pain refused to go away? Will I be able to watch him get lowered to the ground? Say my last goodbye to him?

Why can't I breath properly? What's going on?

Someone snatched me off the treadmill. Through my blurry gaze, I watched Xavier take in my air as I exhaled, his lips dangerously close to mine. I want to tell him off, to push him away, but I can't do that, not when I can't even breath properly.

"Take a deep breath love," he coaxed "Come on, breath with me on the count of three. One," I took a deep breath. "Two... Three. Breath in..."

I took another deep breath together with him, following his directives.

"Breath out..." I did as instructed. We continued the process until I was able to get air into my lungs. Even when it was obvious that I'm now okay, he didn't let go neither did he create any space between us. "Are you okay?"

His worried eyes tried to read mine. "I'm fine, tha_"

"What is going on here?" An enraged voice asked and I pushed Xavier away, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Cat caught your tongue?" Natasha snarled. "Why are you that close to my husband?"

Although Xavier took few steps back, his eyes never stopped assessing me. "Chill Natasha, I was only trying to help your sister."

Her eyes narrowed at his words. "You were trying to help her with what?"

Xavier's lips pressed together at her constant questionings, and for a moment, he considered ignoring her. "She had a panic attack while running on the treadmill, I was only trying to get her back to normal." He picked up his gym bag that I hadn't noticed earlier. "I'll find another gym house with Chad. Inform my men if you need me."

Somehow, I felt his last words were intended for me. I cleared my throat, avoided both their eyes and picked up my energy drink.

"How long has this been going on?"

I choked on my drink. "What?" I looked up to discover that we're both alone, Xavier long gone. "How long has what been going on?" Did she hear our conversation last night?

"The panic attack," she clarified "How long has that been going on?"

For a moment, I was flustered. I thought she already caught a wind of what happened. "Ever since I left home." I lied. The panic started ever since I thought I lost her. "I'm sorry you caught me in such a comprising position with your husband, I promise you, it won't happen again."

She sat down next to me. "Don't apologize, he did what he had to do to help you." She put on a small smile to help soothe me. "Although I'm surprised that he helped you," my brows furrowed with confusion which made her chuckle. "You see, Xavier isn't that type of guy that just helps people."

I beg to differ. He helped in the airport when my useless ex popped out of nowhere, although I'm regretting accepting his help. "Maybe he helped me because I'm your sister. There is no way he could have watched his sister-in-law choke to death."

Aunty Veronica mentioned something at the table which has been bothering me. The fact that Natasha doesn't have a baby yet. The paparazzi claims she's trying to maintain her figure but I don't think that's the case. Natasha has always wanted a baby even before she got married. I remember she cried so bad when she lost her ex's baby. I wonder what's wrong now.

"What's going on in your head?"

I gave her a one-sided shoulder shrug. "Nothing serious, just the shit that has been going on in my life." Uncomfortable with the conversation, I stood to my feet. "I really can't wait for this funeral to be over so I can get back to my life."

"You're going back?" Somehow she sounds hopeful but I refuse to read meaning into it.

"Yes, I have a life that I need to get back to."

"Can't you bring that life over here?" I smiled sadly. If only she knows what she's asking of me. "I mean, if dad's will is read today and it turned out he gave you the company, will you still leave?"

Yes, I would love to handle the company, but that will mean risking things that I do want to risk, things that I shouldn't even risk. "Even then, I'll still leave." I smiled at her one last time before walking towards the door.

"Why? What is more important than your family?" She stood as well. "I've been trying to understand you, but you make it so damn difficult. Why are you hell bent on leaving."

For starters because I had sex with your husband and seeing him everyday is making me think about it. "I need to get ready for the day." Without meeting her gaze, I walked out of the gym room.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Everybody got to say something to the audience about papa expect me. Guess I’ve been excluded from the family. I watched them lower my father to the ground. I’m going to miss him…Derek was a good man, a good father and I feel so sad that Mckenzie wasn’t able to experience her grandfather’s love and it’s all because of me.

Excusing myself from the crowd that aren’t even interested in me, I got into the car and instructed the driver to take me home.

I didn’t see my family till the next morning.

~~~~~~~~

A soft tap on my door woke me up. Massaging my temple to get rid of the headache, I rolled off the bed to get the door. Cracking it open a little bit, I blinked at Xavier. “What do you want?”

Dressed in a black shirt and black pants, he looks handsome than I’d care to admit. “It’s good to see that you’re still alive.”

Too tired for his sarcasm this morning, I opened the door wider and leaned on the doorway. “What do you want Xavier? It’s annoying enough that you woke me up this early. Speak your mind or I’ll bang the door to your face.” I need to pack.

“It’s eleven o’clock in the morning.” He deadpanned, watching me closely. “Why did you disappear even before the funeral was over?”

“I didn’t think anybody would notice.” Besides I was there for my father, not for them.

“Well, I did notice. I always do notice anytime you’re absent.” His husky voice sent my senses on alert so I quickly went defensive.

“Since you have nothing to say,” I leaned off the doorway and began closing the door. “I’ll see you later.”

“Your mother wants you in the library.” He said seriously, all trace of humor disappearing. “I believe the lawyer is here to read Derek’s will.” I have no interest in his properties. “You should be there Angela, your father would have wanted that.”

He’s right. “I’ll be there shortly.”

Smiling approvingly, he took a step back. “Don’t keep the young man waiting for too long.”

“I won’t.” We stared at each other without blinking, as if one would disappear if the other blinks. When the stare became intensified, I looked away. “See you later Xavier.” I closed the door softly behind me.

~~~~~~~~~~

Everybody expect my mother looked up when I walked into the library. The lawyer who looks younger than I expected smiled warmly at me as I made myself comfortable on the white sofa.

“Since we’re complete,” He started off “I’ll read the will of late Mr. Derek Shirley.”

If this is being read, then that means I’m no more. I may be gone, but I’m still with you all, my love and memory shall continue to live with you all.

To my lovely wife Vera Shirley, I leave my estate in Washington. You’ve always cherished that building, and I’m leaving you in charge of it.

To my beautiful eldest daughter Natasha, I leave my hotels. You’ve always being wonderful in handling the affairs of the hotel, and I’m sure you’d do a wonderful job in my absence.

To Jackie, I leave my restaurant in Toronto. You’ve always loved cooking, so I’ll give you that as a thank you gift.

It was on the tip of my tongue to ask who Jackie is, but I kept my questions to myself, not wanting to interrupt the young man.

To my wonderful youngest daughter Angela, I love you, and I’ll most definitely miss you. You’ve always been crazy about fashion, you always know the right fabric to put together and you always know what the public needs and expects from us.

Your love for fashion and family is the reason why I’m leaving my most treasured possession to you.

To my daughter Angela, I leave S.H fashion. It will be under her care and management for as long as she shall live, and if anything should happen to her, I want the company to be sold, and it’s proceedings forwarded to the orphanage in Africa.

I love you all, and I hope you all will uphold that love.

Your lovely father

Derek Shirley.