Chapter four

CHAPTER FOUR

CLARA'S pov

Four years later...

I walked into the big white room where I work. My shoes made loud noises on the floor. People said "hi" to me as I passed, and I smiled back.

I looked at my watch. Only 30 minutes before work starts. I bet Velma will talk the whole time.

Then I heard Sofia call my name. She's my helper at work.

"I got here before you again, Sofia," I said, smiling.

Sofia looked sorry. "I don't think I can ever beat you, Boss. Do you ever sleep?"

We got in the elevator together. Sofia told me about my day. "You have a big meeting at noon. And Dr. Mathews will be there."

I nodded. This was my life now. Lots of work and making money. It was good, but sometimes I felt lonely.

When we got to my office, I saw my daughter Velma sitting with Rodney. They were looking at something on his computer.

"Well, someone's having fun," I said.

Velma ran to hug me. "I missed you, mama!"

"I missed you too, baby!" I said, hugging her tight.

I looked at Velma's face. She looked just like her dad, Mike. It made my heart hurt a little.

"Was school fun today?" I asked.

Velma made a face. "School is never fun. But after school is!"

I knew what that meant. I looked at Rodney. "You took her for ice cream again, didn't you?"

Rodney laughed. "Just a little bit!"

"You're spoiling her," I said, but I was smiling.

Rodney has been so good to us. I met him again two years ago at a charity event. He remembered me from school, but I didn't remember him at first.

When we met, Velma thought he might be her dad. It was embarrassing, but Rodney was nice about it. Since then, he's been like family to us.

"I have so much to thank you for, Rodney," I said.

Rodney smiled. "How about lunch? We could eat together."

I usually say no, but this time I said, "How about dinner instead? You could come over after work."

Rodney looked happy. "Great! I'll come early to cook. Velma likes my cooking."

"Show off!" I said, laughing.

Later that night, we were eating dinner. Velma was telling Rodney how good his food was. Then my phone rang.

I don't usually answer the phone during dinner, but it was a number I didn't know. I felt worried, but I answered it.

"Miss Clara Jenkins?" a man's voice said.

"Yes, who is this?" I asked.

"I'm Andrew Page, a lawyer. I work for your grandfather's company."

My heart started beating fast. I didn't want anything to do with my old family.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Your grandfather left something for you," Mr. Page said. "It's about the company. You're supposed to take over when you turn 26."

I felt like I couldn't breathe. "What do you mean?"

"We need you to come back to Los Angeles," he said. "The company needs you."

After I hung up, I just sat there, feeling shocked.

Rodney looked worried. "Clara, are you okay? What happened?"

I looked at him, then at Velma. "They... they want me to go back..."

Rodney's eyes got big. "Back where?"

"To Los Angeles," I said. "To run my grandfather's company."

Velma looked confused. "Mama, are we moving?"

I didn't know what to say. How could I explain this to a four-year-old?

"I don't know, sweetie," I said. "Mama needs to think about some things."

Rodney touched my hand. "Clara, you don't have to do anything you don't want to."

But I knew it wasn't that simple. This was my past coming back to haunt me.

That night, after Velma was in bed, I sat in my room thinking. Could I really go back? Face all those old memories?

I thought about Mike, about Lucy. About how they hurt me. But I also thought about my grandfather. He must have had a reason for this.

The next morning, I called Mr. Page back.

"I'll come," I said. "But just to talk. I'm not promising anything."

Two weeks later, I was on a plane to Los Angeles. Velma was with me, and Rodney came too. He said he wanted to support me.

As the plane took off, I felt scared. What would happen in Los Angeles? Would I see Mike? Was I ready for that?

Velma held my hand. "It's okay, Mama. I'm here."

I smiled at her. She was so brave. Maybe I could be brave too.

When we landed, a car was waiting for us. It took us to a big building downtown.

"This is it," I said to Rodney. "My grandfather's company."

We went inside. A woman met us in the lobby.

"Miss Jenkins? I'm Sarah, Mr. Page's assistant. He's waiting for you upstairs."

As we rode the elevator, I felt like I might throw up. Rodney must have noticed, because he squeezed my hand.

"You've got this," he whispered.

The elevator doors opened, and there was Mr. Page.

"Miss Jenkins," he said, smiling. "Welcome back."

He took us to a big room with a long table. Other people were there too, all in fancy suits.

"Please, sit down," Mr. Page said. "We have a lot to talk about."

I sat, with Velma on one side and Rodney on the other. I took a deep breath.

"Okay," I said. "I'm listening."

Mr. Page started talking about the company, about how my grandfather had built it. Then he got to the part I was worried about.

"Your grandfather always wanted you to take over," he said. "He thought you were the only one who could do it right."

I felt confused. "But why? I left. I haven't been here in years."

Mr. Page smiled. "That's exactly why. You proved you could make it on your own. You built your own company. That's what your grandfather wanted to see."

I didn't know what to say. Part of me felt proud, but another part felt angry.

"So this was all a test?" I asked.

Mr. Page shook his head. "Not a test. A chance to grow. And you did."

Just then, the door opened. A man walked in, and my heart stopped.

It was Mike.

He looked older, but still handsome. When he saw me, he froze.

"Clara?" he said, like he couldn't believe it.

I stood up. "What are you doing here?"

Mr. Page looked uncomfortable. "Mr. Harris is one of our top executives now."

I felt like I couldn't breathe. Mike was working for my grandfather's company? How long had this been going on?

Mike looked at Velma, then back at me. I could see the question in his eyes.

"Yes," I said, answering before he could ask. "She's yours."

Mike's face went white. He took a step towards us, but Rodney stood up.

"I think that's enough for today," Rodney said. "Clara needs some time to think."

Mr. Page nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need, Miss Jenkins."

As we left the room, I could feel Mike's eyes on us. I didn't look back.

That night, in our hotel room, I couldn't sleep. My mind was racing.

Could I really take over the company? Could I work with Mike? What about my life back home?

Rodney knocked on my door. "Can I come in?"

I nodded, and he sat next to me on the bed.

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

I sighed. "I don't know what to do. This is such a big opportunity, but..."

"But you're scared," Rodney finished.

I nodded. "What if I'm not good enough? What if I mess everything up?"

Rodney took my hand. "Clara, listen to me. You're amazing. You built your own company from nothing. You can do this too."

I looked at him, feeling grateful. "Thank you, Rodney. For everything."

He smiled. "That's what friends are for."

The next morning, I made my decision. I called Mr. Page.

"I'll do it," I said. "I'll take over the company."

Mr. Page sounded happy. "Excellent! When can you start?"

I took a deep breath. "In one month. I need time to get everything ready."

After I hung up, I looked at Velma. She was playing with her toys, not knowing how much our lives were about to change.

"Velma, sweetie?" I said. "How would you like to live here?"

Velma looked up. "Here? With the big buildings?"

I nodded. "Yes. Mama's going to have a new job here."

Velma thought for a minute. "Will Rodney come too?"

I looked at Rodney. He smiled.

"If you want me to," he said.

I felt my heart get warm. Maybe this new start could be good for all of us.

Over the next few weeks, we got ready to move. I sold my company back home and found a new house in Los Angeles.

The day before I was supposed to start my new job, Mike called me.

"Can we talk?" he asked. "Please?"

I didn't want to, but I knew we had to. For Velma's sake.

We met at a coffee shop. Mike looked nervous.

"Clara, I'm so sorry," he said. "For everything."

I didn't say anything. I just waited.

Mike sighed. "I was stupid. I threw away the best thing in my life. Can you ever forgive me?"

I thought about it. Could I forgive him? Did I want to?

"I don't know," I said honestly. "But we have to work together now. And we have a daughter. So we need to try to get along."

Mike nodded. "Can I meet her? Properly, I mean?"

I hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. But slowly. She doesn't know you're her dad yet."

As I left the coffee shop, I felt strange. Like a chapter of my life was ending, and a new one was starting.

The next day, I walked into my grandfather's - no, my - company. People smiled at me, looking excited.

Mr. Page met me at the elevator. "Ready, Miss Jenkins?"

I took a deep breath and smiled. "Ready."

As the elevator went up, I thought about everything that had happened. Four years ago, I was broken and alone. Now, I was strong. I had Velma, I had Rodney, and I had this new chance.

Whatever happened next, I knew I could handle it. Because I wasn't that scared girl anymore. I was Clara Jenkins, CEO.

The elevator doors opened. It was time to start my new life.