Chapter 5

FIVE YEARS LATER

VALENTINA

“Hey, Val, aren't you done yet? Chairman will be sad if you don't make appearance to his birthday party. Everyone are already there and the party have already started.” Cullen, my personal assistant grumbled as he paced back and forth in my office, while I focused on the muffler I was crocheting.

“Dear friend, while I appreciate your worries, I must ask you to be patient. I am currently in the process of crocheting a beautiful muffler, and I need to focus on this work. The muffler will be well worth the wait, I assure you. I promise that once it is complete, I will be more than happy to attend the party. But for now, please allow me to concentrate on my craft. Thank you for understanding!” I said in one breath. Cullen grunted and I smirked.

He stopped pacing and came to me at where I was sitting. “The chairman told us he has an important announcement to make at his birthday party. If we miss the chairman’s speech, I hope to God you won't make me lie to chairman that you weren't in the city. Remember how hard the chairman begged us not to be away on business on his birthday?” Cullen scoffed, eyeing the muffler in my hands as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

After my husband chased me out three years ago, and that stranger, Mr. William Frost helped me to the hospital and offered to help me to be a better version of myself after learning of my situation. I had least expected that man to be someone significant in the world.

Mr. Frost, the founder and the chairman of the most reputable organization in the world helped me, a nobody. He took me in and cared for me like his own daughter. I felt bad that such a good man loss the only child he had to a car accident. I promised to help the man heal, but I never knew I was the one who would be getting the most help.

Mr. Frost went above and beyond for me. He not only adopted me, but he also paid a visit to the orphanage where I grew up. He introduced me to everyone at his organization as his daughter and even gave me his surname. He also sent me and Cullen, his late son's house manager, out of the country to study business and learn about his organization. He made such a tremendous impact on my life, and I will always be grateful to him.

When he said he would changed my life for better, I never knew it was in this way. I didn't see it coming.

“I, a nobody was now a president of DHN solution. I owe Mr. Frost my life and I would forever be indebted to him.” I mumbled under my breath.

“Huh? What did you say?” Cullen asked, glancing at his wristwatch and he pinched the bridge of his nose as he realized we were running out of time.

“Eh,” I sniffed, didn't know I was already at the verge of tears. “Nothing. I'm just thinking of how we're going to get to the party on time to meet the chairman’s speech.” It was funny how I kept calling Mr. Frost, chairman, even though he was legally my father and he had been making fuss about how I wasn't calling him father.

Staring at the word “DAD”  I crocheted on the muffler, I smiled and rubbed my fingers crossed the emotional word. Finally, I was going to give him the best gift anyone could give him on his 70th birthday and the thought of how happy that would make him feel made my lips curved into a smile.

“Now you're ready to go. Thanks for being done on time.” he mocked, pulling open the door as he patiently waited for me to pack up the gift I made for the chairman that I would probably be calling DAD soon.

“20 bucks says we'll meet the chairman’s speech,” I said with a grin, patting him on the shoulder as I walked out of my office. Cullen locked the door behind me. 

“20 bucks? You're such a cheapskate,” he snorted, and we both burst into laughter. 

The organization party was one of the most extravagant events I've ever attended. People from all over the world were there, and it was incredible to see how well-connected and powerful Mr. Frost was. Living with him gave me a unique insight into his world, and it was easy to forget how influential he was.

“Told you we would make it here right on time.” I mouthed to Cullen who sarcastically rolled his eyes at me while we both watched as Mr. Frost made his way to the podium to give his speech. I stared at the muffler and I smiled proudly at what I did.

“Yeah, right. Now let's hear the chairman’s speech.” he sneered and I bit back my laughter.

I smiled and clapped my hands happily as the chairman adjusted the microphone. Honestly, the man looked way too young for his age.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take a moment to thank you all for joining me in celebrating my 70th birthday. It is truly an honor to have such wonderful friends and colleagues here today, and I am grateful for your presence. Your support and friendship have been invaluable to me over the years, and I am so grateful to have you in my life. Thank you for making this day so special, and I look forward to many more years of friendship and collaboration.” Mr. Frost spoke into the microphone and I held back my tears at how soft his voice sound. If angel of God took a human form, they would definitely looked identical to the chairman.

I thought that was all he was going to say until he leaned back to the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce to you the future Chairwoman of this organization; my daughter. I know that many of you may be surprised by this announcement, given her age and the fact that she is my daughter. But I can assure you that she is more than qualified for this role. She has shown an impressive level of maturity, intelligence, and leadership skills. She has already played a key role in many important decisions for this organization in the past three years, and I am confident that she will continue to lead us to success in the future. Please join me in welcoming my daughter and the future Chairwoman of this organization. Valentina Frost.”

I put my hands together, clapping and cheering for the so-called Valentina Frost. I looked everywhere, wanting to see her walked up the podium and cheered for her but no one was going up their and I was so damn confused until the spotlight came on me and everyone’s attention were on me. That was when it clicked.

I was Valentina Frost.

“Hey, dear, please come up here.” Mr. Frost beckoned to me to come forward. Like a jelly, I dragged my feet towards him. Cheers and cheering from the guest were so loud that I didn't heard myself crying as I climbed up to the podium and hugged Mr. Frost tightly like I was going to collapse if I let go of him.

But I didn't. In fact, I was standing tall when he disengaged from the hug. “Congratulations, dear.” he smiled, patting my shoulders.

“Thank you. I don't know what to say,” I sniffled, my words failing me as I looked down at the muffler in my hands. I wrapped it around his neck and leaned in to whisper, “I know this is just a small gift compared to everything you've done for me, but I hope it shows how much I appreciate you. I'll do my best to make you proud and use the power you've given me for good. Happy birthday, Dad." Tears pricked at my eyes as I finished my heartfelt speech. 

“You called me DAD?” Dad asked and I nodded, looking away shyly. “Thank you, Valentina. I am so happy you are no longer held back by your past. I wish you nothing but happiness.” he hugged me once again and I climbed down the podium to give room to the guest who wanted to wish Dad a happy birthday.

Words of congratulations were all I could heard from the crowd and everything felt surreal. Instead of going back to my table, I decided to go take a fresh air outside of the hall. Everything was so overwhelming and I needed to step outside to let what Just happened to sink in.

I wasn't looking where I was heading when I bumped into someone and I staggered backwards. A large arm wrapped around my waist, holding me still from hitting the floor and I was so grateful for the person.

“Oh, thank you very…” my word got caught in my throat when I saw the person who I had bumped into. Nathaniel, my ex-husband stood before me with eyes wide open and jaw dropped to the floor as he stared at me like he had just seen a ghost.

“Val…” I took a step back, letting his hand dropped from my waist and he trailed off on whatever he wanted to say.

“Excuse me, who are you?” I asked, my chest tightened and my breath uneven as I stared at him like a stranger, and that was what he was to me. A stranger I had never met before.