CHAPTER 12: It wasn't a mistake!

Emma beheld the stunning masterpiece that was the Steele Shoes company building. For a moment, she watched people troop in and out without moving an inch.

She almost felt overwhelmed at the amount of people trooping in and out. Each and everyone of them seemed to know exactly where they were headed to.

Emma wondered if she had made a mistake coming and contemplated leaving the premises until she had a sense of direction on exactly where she was headed.

Maybe she should head home and wait for the arrival of her step mother instead. Engage in proper dialogue and possibly understand the recent and confusing string of events that has played out in her life.

What was there to be scared about anyway? It was her father's company and she was a huge part of its growth. It was about time she got a feel of the place again. It's been a long time coming after all.

Straightening up, Emma crossed the main doors with her, sporting an emboldened look that was the opposite of how she felt within.

" Good morning ma'am. How may I help you?" A gruff voice belonging to the security detail asked in a polite manner, obviously noticing she was a stranger in the building.

" Hi, I'm Emma Steele, I have an appointment with Mrs Steele." She replied with a wide but shaky smile.

Who was she kidding? It was obvious she was lying! Heck, she even tattled out her full name out of fear.

The man regarded her outlook with a brow arched in surprise. No doubt at the ' Steele ' behind her name. There was only ever one Steele that was known to the world. And that was Talia.

Matter of fact, she was originally never bothered at the fact because she enjoyed being anonymous and not having anyone in her personal business. Along the line, she quickly understood that for her to continue her mother's legacy, she actually had to be known.

For her to become a famous and successful shoe designer, she needed to actually exist to people. For her to get out of the shadows of Talia's name and background, she needed to establish her own household name.

This was something she had in the works to do. On her twenty-first birthday, she'd planned on exhibiting her designs and introducing herself to the world with Colton's help but so far that was a total fail.

" Okay.. Ms Emma. You are welcome to Steele Shoes, I'll escort you to her if you don't mind." The security man said with an unsure look.

" Sure! That would be pretty much helpful." Emma couldn't help herself. She didn't feel like wandering about in faux knowledge of where she was headed. This way, she didn't have to answer a bunch of questions concerning herself while getting her end goal.

With a head nod, the man led the way, making her transit through the many security details smoothly. Although she still received odd looks from some workers on the way, she kept her head up, refusing to cower from their gaze.

As a child, she remembered her father always reminding her who she was and why she shouldn't cower away from people regardless who they were.

" You are a Steele, Emma. Don't ever bend." He'd always say while raising her head by her jaw.

She wasn't trained to cower. She was trained to stand her ground no matter the situation. If she was wrong, she'd be reprimanded for her wrong deeds and if she was right, she'd receive her compliments with dignity.

With all that training, it was somewhat a sixth sense to always face things head on. One of the reasons she thought it wise to confront her step mother about what was going on. What their little birthday stunt was all about amongst other things.

Although, over the years, she had managed to reel in that unrelenting nature due to the toxic environment she had been living in but now, she was legal and it was only natural that she exercised her full rights especially in a situation like this.

The elevator finally opened and Emma was ushered in by the security. Together they endured the short and quiet ride to the highest floor of the building which apparently belonged to her step mother.

Emma took note of the exquisite looking interior of the building as she made way into the floor with security. She couldn't help but be awed by just how much money she'd perceived was used to make the place so beautiful.

By the time they got to the end of the little hallway, a clearing opened up with a set-up desk. Just outside a glass walled office that was clearly the CEO's office. Or rather, Mrs Steele's office.

" That's the assistant, you can check in with her, have a great day ma'am." The man said with a curt bow.

Before she could muster something in reply, he walked away from her, heading back where they came.

In two seconds, the voice of the supposed assistant rang through the air.

" Hello? Can I help you? " She muttered unsurely, one of the tips of her finger underneath the desk. She was literally seconds away from calling in security with the look on her face.

Emma wondered if she looked that bad.

" My name is Emma and I'm here to see Mrs Steele." She managed to ramble out, hoping to actually get her to maybe relax around her but no such luck.

" Okay? Do you have an appointment?" The assistant expertly pressed some things on her desktop to confirm, her eyes flickering between Emma and her screen.

" I don't, but I need to see her anyway. Just tell her Emma's here and it'll be fine."

" Okay, I'm going to have to decline. Mrs Steele is currently busy and would see you if and only when you book an appointment with her. That said, kindly call in advance before walking in again." The assistant said dismissively.

The condescending tone of the pretty assistant didn't escape the hearing of Emma. She wasn't surprised though. That's what you get from fraternizing with the wrong sect of people. People of whom her step mother was unfortunately a part of.

Emma wasn't giving up. She knew how tedious it was to get an appointment with ' Mrs Steele '. She also knew of the fact that it was all a ruse to get her out of the building.

" I'm sorry to disturb you but I'd much rather wait for her. I promise when she sees me, it won't be a problem. I'll just sit over here–"

" You seem not to be getting the point ma'am. This is not a waiting area. Kindly book an appointment via call and come in then. " She interrupted curtly, trying but failing to produce a genuine smile.

Still not minding the protests of the assistant, Emma sat down at a bench situated by the side of the clearing, determined to see her step mother.

" I've called the security. Leave now or your removal wouldn't be nice young lady!" The assistant screeched, totally mad at her stubbornness.

" I'm not trying to make trouble, I just want to–"

Emma was cut off by the sight of a board room situated directly opposite her. She'd somehow missed the room on her way and didn't realize her step mother was holding a meeting there.

" Don't even think about it! She gave explicit orders. she is not to be distracted! " The assistant said as though discerning her brewing thoughts.

Before a reply formed through her head, her mind went blank. Emma couldn't believe her eyes. Stifled by shock, she stood up to get a clearer view of a very familiar picture on the projector.

It couldn't have been possible! There was no way she was seeing correctly. Emma's thoughts were all jumbled up at the sight of what she saw. The definite picture drew her closer in confusion.

How on earth was this even possible? The more she went forward, the more she saw.

" Ms Emma! Do not enter. You are infringing the laws and rights! "

She continued until her hand grasped the handle of the conference room. She opened the door like one caught in a daze, thereby disrupting the meeting going on.

" I'm so sorry ma, I can explain!" The assistant said to a standing Mrs Steele and some investors.

Meanwhile, Emma was stuck, looking at the live samples of very familiar shoes. Her shoes. She was counting the loss when her eyes fell on a particular set of shoes. This time around, It was a unique design that stood out amongst the others. It was also one she knew too well.

It wasn't a mistake.

" What is this? "

Emma asked aloud, purposefully heading towards the front, not the least bit aware of the amount of eyes trained on her.

" Emma. " The voice of her step mother rang out. Dangerously low. " It's fine, you can go. I'll take it up from here." Mrs Steele said to her assistant, not wanting any more pair of eyes or ears to witness what was possibly about you go down.