Chapter 3

A year ago

……

It was our Third month together, and I was spending the weekend at Leonard’s mansion. Everything felt like a dream. Leonard was the perfect man for me, or so I thought, He was charming, Intelligent and Hot, with a quick wit and a kind heart. He had swept me off my feet, and I had fallen deeply in love with him.

My stepfather was against our relationship, feeling that everything was moving too quickly, But I didn’t care; he had no idea how deeply in love I was with Leonard. My stepfather had always been very protective of me, but I felt like he was being unfair.

As I worked on a company project in Leonard’s study, he came up behind me and gently kissed my neck. “You should get some rest, you’ve been staring at that screen for two hours” he said, his voice low and soothing.

I yawned half-asleep from all the typing. “This is a company project and I have to finish it today.” I replied  feeling exhausted.

Leonard smiled and took the laptop from me. “Don’t worry, you can go to bed. I’ll finish it up for you, Just tell me what to do” he said

I couldn’t help but think that Leonard was perfect. I didn’t care what my stepfather or anyone had to say; he was the one for me.

***

I was in my room, getting ready for a bath, when my phone rang. It had rung three times, and I was already pissed off before checking to see who had called. My stepfather had called twice, his secretary had called once.

Just as I was about to call back, my phone rang again. “Nora, where are you!” my stepfather screamed through the phone. “I want to see you at my office now!” He hung up and I was petrified.

I quickly got dressed, grabbed my car keys, and headed straight for the company. When I arrived a huge crowd of news reporters and media personnel were waiting outside. They blocked my entrance and bombarded me with strange questions

“How do you feel about betraying your family’s company?” One reporter said, shoving a microphone to my face.

“Is it true that you signed a petition admitting the company’s fraudulent acts?”  

“How long has the company been involved in fake goods?”

I was confused and overwhelmed by the questions, I felt I was going to collapse, a hand pushed me through the crowd.

“Hurry up, he wants to see you now,” Vasquez said as he led me into the elevator.

When we arrived at my stepfather’s office, he was furious, “How the hell did this happen?” he thundered looking sternly at me, “All these documents have your signature on them. How did they get hold of this?”

I stood there, looking confused, as nothing they said made sense. My stepfather handed me a tablet, and I saw a news headline: ELLIS ENTERPRISE ADMITS TO PROCUREMENT OF GOODS THROUGH FRAUDULENT MEANS.

The article mentioned Leonard McKelis, the son of Ryan Mckelis, and how he had released documents confirming the company’s wrongdoings. I couldn’t believe what I was reading.

I didn’t know when I let the tablet fall, My whole body was shaking. I felt an instant headache. “This can’t be happening,”  I thought to myself, breathing very hard. “ there must’ve been a mistake”

“I did not do this,” I said, trying to defend myself. “They look exactly like my signature, but I never signed any document.”

My stepfather’s face registered disappointment. “How could you be so careless?” he asked. “I warned you not to trust him. He was smart enough to fool you into falling in love with him and now he has used you to destroy this company.”

I struggled to breathe, realising the weight of my mistake. My late mother had given up so much to build this company from scratch, and all her efforts over the years had been destroyed by her daughter.

“There must be a reason for this. I’m sure he didn’t mean to. Leonard would never hurt me”  I said those words and ran out of his office.

Leonard’s company was a 30 minute drive from my family’s company. My heart pounded furiously as I approached his office building. I had to make things right, “This is all a big misunderstanding, Leonard would never do anything to hurt me”, I murmured to myself, trying to reassure my doubts.

As I walked through the corridors of his company, I noticed that the security guards were occupied with other things. I managed to slip past them undetected, and I made my way to Leonard’s office. I was surprised to find that his secretary was not at her desk and I wondered if she had stepped out for a moment.

As I approached Leonard’s door. I heard moaning sounds coming from inside. My heart sank. I slowly turned the handle and pushed the door open, confirming my worst fears.

There he was, having an intimate affair with his supposed secretary. I stood frozen in the doorway, shocked and unable to utter a word. Leonard suddenly saw me and jumped to his feet, quickly recollecting himself as he zipped up his trousers.

“Ugh, what does she want?” his secretary groaned, trying to cover herself.

“Stay, it won’t take long”  Leonard said, waving his hand dismissively as he shot a look at me with a smile etched at the corner of his lips.

“How could you do this to me, Leonard?” I demanded, my voice shaking. Tears pricked the corner of my eyes as i took in the scene before me

He shrugged, his expression unrepentant. “How do I say this?” he began, caressing his beards he said “I didn’t expect you to be so cheap,” he sneered “But damn, you were so easy” 

I felt a surge of anger and hurt at his words “You never loved me right? I said, my voice rising “How could you do this to me?.”

I was furious and before I knew it, I had slapped him across the face. Leonard’s eyes flashed with anger and he pushed me against the wall and I felt myself growing weak.

He walked over to me, looking down at me.  “The business world is a cruel place, There’s no space for weak little girls.” He said mockingly.

I felt a surge of humiliation as I looked up at Leonard, I quickly gathered the little strength I had left and walked out of his office. 

I navigated through the sea of reporters and camera crews. My black cap and black shades served as the perfect disguise. Someone must’ve tipped off the media about my presence at the company.

As I emerged from the company’s gate, I spotted Vasquez waiting for me. No words were exchanged, I knew that my stepfather had sent him to escort me.

***

I slumped in the chair, my eyes fixed on my stepfather, Reginald. Half listening as he spoke.

“The company’s reputation has taken a severe hit,” He had said. His voice firm, “The news headline was pulled down but not before it caused damage. Most of our investors and partners want nothing to do with us anymore.”

I swallowed hard as I processed the extent of the damage.

“So, we thought it was better you take a short break.” Reginald continued, His cold eyes held no emotion.

 “What?” I shot up from my seat, my eyes wide with horror. “You can’t do this!” I exclaimed, tears welling up in my eyes. “It was all a mis…”

“A mistake that almost destroyed the company’s reputation,” he interrupted, his voice firm but laced with sadness.

I know and I'm sorry,” I said, my voice shaking. “If  I was present in the board meeting, I would’ve apologized.”

Reginald’s expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. “It wasn’t your fault, but the decision has been made. You must leave the city for the time being.”

I felt a wave of desperation wash over, I had to find a way to convince him

“You’re the CEO Reginald,” I said my voice pleading. “There must be something you can do about this. I’ve worked tirelessly for our company. I’ve done everything right. You just can’t send me off like that” 

Reginald’s expression remained unyielding. “I know honey, but the company’s future is at stake now. Your mom worked so hard for the progress of this company, and I know she’ll  be turning in her grave by now seeing the mess the company is in.”

I felt a pang of guilt. I knew I had let my mother down and the thought of it was almost too much to bear.

“I’ll have Vasquez send you a list of cities where you can lay low for a while,” He said. “Once the whole matter dies down I'll send for you,” he concluded dismissively. 

“No you can’t do this,” I said, trying to control my feelings. “I’m one of the executives, remember? I have a say in this company”

He glared at me “The decision has been made. You have no choice.”

I felt a wave of desperation wash over me. His mind was made up

“It wasn’t my fault Reginald,” I wailed, tears streaming down my face. “It wasn’t my fault!”