Chapter 5: Sister At Home

Violet's heart raced as she stepped into the sleek, marble lobby of her father's company, West Media. Today was her first day officially at the company, and though Clyde had prepared her, she couldn't rid herself of the butterflies clawing at her insides. She had woken hours earlier, had practiced her lines from the carefully written backstory by Clyde, and had run over her role in her mind over and over until it felt real. She was the long-lost daughter of Richard West, Clyde's sister, and soon everyone would know.

She took a deep breath and moved toward the elevators, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Clyde's instructions replayed as she rode up, floor by floor, toward the upper offices. "Stay calm. Be confident. You're a West now," he'd said with that slight smirk that was becoming familiar. But before she could get her bearings, the elevator doors opened and she found herself standing face-to-face with one of the people she had hoped never to see again.

It was Tony, her ex-boyfriend, and right beside him was a tall, willowy woman with make-up so flawlessly applied that her features seemed chiseled, wearing an expression of smugness. Violet recognized her at once as his new fiancée, a woman from a wealthy family, just the kind of girl Tony had always spoken of wanting. For a moment, there was a standoff. Violet's heart plummeted, but she squared her chin, determined not to let him see he had so much as unsettled her.

Tony's face had contorted in surprise, and his eyes scanned her business attire. "Violet? What in the world are you doing here?" he spat, his surprise rapidly melting into disdain. "Don't tell me you're here for me."

 

Violet squared her shoulders and met his gaze squarely. "I'm here for work," she firmly replied, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

Tony let out a loud, jeering laugh. He glanced sideways at his fiancée and found she too mocked him with an expression. "Here for work?" he snorted. "You? A lowlife girl like you doesn't belong here." Then, he turned to the security guards nearby. "Get her out of here. Now."

The security guards closed in, one grasping each of her arms. Violet wriggled to free herself, her chest churning with fury. Just as they dragged her back toward the elevator, Clyde's voice sliced through the ruckus.

"Stop," he commanded.

Everyone's head turned, and Clyde strode in, commanding as ever. He walked further into the room with his assistant, his glare cold as ice as he switched between Violet and Tony. Clyde's eyes passed over to the guards. I nodded, and immediately released Violet, stepping back after doing so.

"What's going on here?" Clyde asked, one eyebrow cocked in Tony's direction.

Just getting rid of this little nuisance," Tony replied, still blind to the storm gathering in Clyde's stare. "She is trying to sneak her way into this company, claiming she is here for work.

When Clyde's assistant, already seemingly tired of Tony's arrogance, stepped forward and slapped Tony across the face quite strongly, the room fell silent with a collective gasp echoing through the hall. Tony couldn't but stagger and clutch at his cheek, eyes wide in shock.

"How dare you insult the sister of the CEO?" the assistant barked, "Have some respect.".

In an instant, shock gave way to confusion in Tony's eyes; before he could utter a word, Clyde hastened to explain. He laid a guiding hand on Violet's shoulder, his eyes boring into the assembled multitude.

"Let me introduce you to Violet West, my sister, now finally home," Clyde said in a smooth powerful tone.

A wave of gasps raged through the present employees, and his fiancée looked horrified. Tony himself looked dumbfounded while his mouth opened and shut as he digested Clyde's words. The rest around them started applauding, some talking excitedly in hushed tones about Richard West's long-lost daughter finally being found.

Welcome to West Media, Violet", an employee said, stepping forward to shake her hand, and soon others followed suit, warmly introducing themselves.

Violet shook hands; her manners so deeply instilled that she could only manage a hushed "thank you" and a nod as her mind still reeled from the humiliation Tony had dealt her, from the unreal, bizarre quality of this moment alone. Here she was, standing amidst the very company that belonged to the family she'd supposedly been born into, a stranger among people who believed her to be someone else entirely.

Clyde kept a hand on her shoulder, skillfully navigating them through the throngs of employees. He leaned down as his voice took on a low, reassuring tone. "See? You're a West now. They're happy to have you here."

She forced a small, awkward smile. She couldn't deny that the safety of Clyde's presence or the relief of not facing Tony on her own was a big plus. Still, questions swirled in her mind, and her stomach churned with unease. She looked back to catch the eyes of Tony, this time filled with rage and confusion.

Clyde's assistant, having kept a close watch, stepped in front of Tony before he could approach Violet again. "I suggest you watch your mouth from now on," the assistant warned, cold and severe.

As Clyde continued leading her down the hall, Violet whispered, "Thanks. I'm not sure how much longer I could've kept my cool with him."

Clyde smirked. "Tony's just a small fish. You've got bigger things ahead, Violet. Let him drown in his pride." He spoke softer as his eyes softened. "You did well today. Don't let anyone make you feel like you don't belong here.

Chastened by his words, Violet cast her gaze away, but her heart grappled with the undertone of protectiveness behind Clyde's voice. The young woman so used to fight for herself, scratching her way through life all on her own, found herself taking an unexpected hold of Clyde's strong shoulder here in this alien setup. She would still have to learn to perfect being a West alone, but with him beside her, perhaps she could fake it.

Clyde escorted her to his office and shut the door behind them. He smiled, reassuringly. "It'll all take some time to get used to, but just remember, you aren't alone.