Thea’s POV
I splashed water again on my face, refusing to accept the consequences of the recent happenings in which I was somewhat involved in. Tyler fucking Blackwood had ruined my family, and my life along with it.While I was busy enjoying his hands over me, he had his own evil scheme planned out in his head, and unluckily for me, he got away with both things. I felt worse than I did when I dressed up to meet him at the hotel. It was my fault either ways, I should have read the handwriting on the wall.My reflection stared back at me, if she were a different person, she must have been disappointed and heavens knows, I was disappointed. How did I let this happen? Why didn't I see this coming? If I had, maybe I could have prevented it. But, perhaps, somehow, shamelessly, I wanted to warm Tyler's bed, I had seen him on several occasions and he charmed my imagination, but pride made me ignore him.Damn me! Even in the midst of all this shit, all I could think of was sleeping with Tyler. "Damn you, Thea, have you no sense of decency!"I looked away from my reflection and sighed. It has been two days and my father was nowhere to be found. The news of Tyler buying the company spread round like wildfire, and the mockery that came with it was not assuring.He had some guts that man, giving me money to run off to somewhere else. I wouldn't be able to stay here anyways. What board meetings would I go to? There was nothing left to save, he had taken everything away from me. I retched at the thought of his hands on mine, and the stupid feeling of wanting him again the morning after. Had I known the outcome, I would have killed him while he slept.It won't be long before the press swarmed my house to ask my father why he gave up and asking questions to cause us more embarrassment. Worse scenario, he wasn't present to answer any of that. Perhaps that was why Tyler asked me to go, he knows I'd tell his scheme to the world, I could do it now, but where is the funds to do all that, I've got nothing left and Tyler was the city's favourite man.Since I left the hotel room, I had phoned my father trying to explain things to him, but everything went to voicemail. I didn't know the exact message to leave for him, I thought of one, "Hey Dad, I slept with Tyler Blackwood, and he's planning something fishy, or Hey dad, Tyler deceived me and left me in his hotel room with a half million." Both were terrible! I grunted. The words weren't coming. I told my dad to call me back. 48 hours and he hadn't replied to even one voicemail. It left me with disturbing thoughts. Had Tyler informed him of our business deal?He must have been hiding in shame. He was the last man standing up to Tyler, the business tycoon and now he had given up and run away like a coward. I didn't know who to blame, but the rest of the responsibilities now fell on me. My thoughts shifted to my little sister, Cora, and I braced myself. I couldn't lay here, crying and heartbroken. I picked up the check from the table, and looked at the money in my hand. I turned to look at the passports on my bed. He wanted us to leave? Then leave we shall."Cora! Cora, where are you?" I ran down the stairs, with anxiety building up in my chest, that my sister had also gone missing. I found her outside, sitting with her phone in her hands."What are you doing sitting here all alone?" I switched my tone to a calm one, like I wasn't just arguing with myself in the room upstairs. She didn't respond and she turned her face to the other side. I sat beside her and placed my arm on her shoulder, bringing her closer to myself. "What's wrong? You don't seem like yourself.""What's this on the internet? What did father do? And where is he even? What does all of this have to do with us?""Can I see?" I put out my palm for her to drop her phone in it. She was a bit reluctant, but then she did. I opened it and saw the site she was reading from. It was one of the popular blogs known for spreading rumours about influential people. The headlines read, "Exxon oil has finally surrendered themselves to the one true business man, after not being able to recover from their last season's losses." I let my breath out after reading the headlines, and the throbbing pain in my chest wouldn't let me continue to read it. Cora being a young teen, could be really affected by this. In that moment, my rage for Tyler Blackwood knew no bounds."What does it mean?" Cora tugged at my shirt waiting for an explanation. I had no idea what to tell her. I couldn't explain how I'd sold myself off to Tyler to help us, and how I'd gotten played by him instead. I decided to play by the truth. Not the whole truth though."Father is gone. He's never coming back." I said, my face laced with concern for her. I pulled her even closer and gave her the warmest hug. "We have to leave. I don't know if we would be back, but we have to leave right now.""Could we afford to leave? Leave to where exactly?" Cora raised her head from my chest, knowing the state the family was in before. Father often came back sober, promising us both that he'll fix things. I thanked Tyler silently for leaving us the money."Yes we can. Now go to your room, pack your bags and wear something nice. We're leaving tonight. Don't tell any of your close friends okay? We should keep it between us for now.""Okay, I won't tell anyone." She stood up and walked to her room to get dressed. I frowned as soon as she left, pissed at the world, my dad, Tyler and most especially myself. Now I had to go into hiding, and bear someone else's name. Nothing irritated me more than pretending to be someone else, at worst someone who Tyler the monster himself had created. I sighed and stood up from the floor and walked towards my own room. This place wasn't much of anything anyways. I walked to my closet to get dressed for the travel.I hadn't left the country in a while, since our business wasn't moving smoothly. I didn't want our departure to get to the press, so I didn't book a first class flight. Cora was already asleep next to me on the plane. Nature was calling me bit by bit, but some part of me wanted to stay awake for some reason. It wasn't long before I dozed off, giving in to my drowsiness. The plane was soothing, perhaps it could wash away my pain.I looked up as I descended the airstairs. A middle aged woman held out a card with my newly given name written on it. "Are you Miss Booker Greyson?" She asked me tilting her head to the side.Booker Greyson. That name was mine now, I will go about with that new identity gotten from a one night stand with a treacherous man. Goddamn Tyler. I felt like a captive for some seconds, but then I thought, what's the point of it? He already took all we had. I nodded my head and pointed at Cora, introducing her as my sister. We walked with her to the other side of the airport and got in a black jeep. "So much for influential..." I muttered quietly under my breath.We drove into a white gate and there it stood. A magnificent tall building—an obvious mansion, with more windows than I could count. The door of the house was controlled with a button, from a tab held by the woman. I scrunched my nose. Don't blame me, I tried to be impressed, I wanted to be, but Tyler Blackwood was at the top of my blacklist. Whatever he'd done that seemed nice to him, was just simply bland to me. Who was this Booker Greyson anyways? Why did I have to be her?Well, now I'm her, and she is me too. If I could work with her, things could go back to normal. I was grateful to Tyler for this part, but the rest, it cut through me, hurting me desperately. I must hurt him, in every way possible. I will watch him crumble and sit back while I watch his ruins. He didn't just take over my father's company, he took my family, my father and my life.As long as I live, I will make sure Tyler pays, and he would pay dearly.Thea’s POVThey were clapping as I walked to my seat. The applause started out in a fine pitch, until it rose to a crescendo. I looked around me, feeling proud of what I was able to achieve in five years. It was unbelievable but I did this.This was the third meeting to be held this month and it was as a result of the company's sales. The company even had its name in the mouths of the top investors in Italy. It's in the good books that Booker industry was beating the odds. Today, the main discussion was to find ways to expand our business to my hometown. The place I left years ago, it seemed like yesterday; I and Cora alone, but now, I had more responsibilities.I smiled when I sat down and took the paperwork before me. I had these thoughts since Booker industry hit limelight, but I wasn't sure how to present it to the other stakeholders. They were mostly French men with few from America. I knew they might not approve of my decision but whether or not they agree, Booker industry will
THEAI darted into the house in a rush, a whirlwind of emotions consumed me. Surprisingly, amidst the chaos, it was Tyler who came to my mind, and with his name came a surge of anger that intensified within me.The front door swung open as I entered, revealing a dimly lit hallway. The familiar scent of home greeted me, but it offered no solace in my current state of mind. I stormed through the corridor, my foot echoing against the walls, mirroring the turmoil within me.Did I kill that man? Was he dead? Why did I even get so pissed off? The least I could do was walk away, because the man was probably drugged but no, I took the bottle and used it on him. It wasn't because I was drunk, it was because the way he was ogling reminded me of him.My mind raced back to the events that had transpired years ago, that night, the sex and the way he sent me away. It was all sex, was I expecting something else?As I reached the toilet, I found myself standing in front of a large mirror hanging on t
THEAI was angry with myself for recognizing him. I know I had made a resolution within that I'd be ready, but I wasn't really. It had really been five years. He looked rough, and looking around it seemed father would be nearby.He noticed me searching, "Thea, your father isn't here." He said. How bold of him to speak to me. Did he know where father was? I collected my thoughts and shut them out. I didn't come back home for him. I walked swiftly past him, hoping he would ignore me. "It's good to see you. How have you been?" He kept talking walking closely behind me.I placed two fingers to my lips signalling to Cora, and walked even faster. The thought of my father's betrayal and cowardice irritated me, let alone the people involved in it. My guards lead him away from us, even as he kept on screaming that he was sorry he couldn't reach out. 'Sorry' couldn't do it for me. I already wanted revenge.I felt like an All Star Model, walking through the halls of the airport to the other side
THEA"Sebastian?!" I itched my eyes to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. Why was he here? How did he get here? I frowned immediately pushing back my tears and cleaning the ones that had poured down my face. I had cried a little, but the pain I bore was so much, that it showed plainly on my face. It seemed like I had been crying for hours. I turned to look at my reflection in one of the window blinds that wasn't completely covered in cobwebs and my face was reddened like a little baby who was deprived of something sweet. It was a funny sight, considering I was always playing the sophisticated woman in front of Sebastian. But I was too angry to think about that now. "What are you doing here?" I relaxed my tone so he wouldn't notice my earlier expressions."I came to see you." He folded his arms and rested on the car, smiling sheepishly. I think I let off too much. I don't think he could see how angry I am. I frowned even more. What a brat. He thinks he can just come see me anytime he wa
THEAPalpitating! Palpitating! Damnation! My heart beat kept palpitating and it must have palpitated out of my ribcage if I allowed it to.I slumped unto the chair, feeling hot and cold at the same time. I felt like screaming as the tremendous weight of the situation became suffocating, and I could feel the panic rising within me. My business, the one I had poured my heart and soul into for years, for five years, meeting this man and this woman, signing every piece of document, just to be here, now, everything was on the verge of crumbling. The fear of going bankrupt loomed over me like a dark cloud, threatening to destroy everything I had worked so hard to build.How did so much money go missing in less than 48 hours? How! I knew this was a scheme to sabotage my reputation, it must be those lousy stakeholders who disagreed on expanding my bussiness to Manhattan, they wanted me to sell all I had for the money I couldn't account for. This was how it all started, this was how it all sta
THEA"You should go home to rest, I'd watch over her." Sebastian must have said that five times before I agreed to him to stay back while I go home to take a relaxed nap. The hospital didn't have what it takes to having a stress free sleep.At last, I agreed and went home. In less than five hours, Lily was back home. Sebastian said she was fine and the doctors said that there was no reason to keep the girl waiting. The moment I held her in my arms again, I felt a sense of overwhelming love and protectiveness. However, along with these emotions came an intense fear that gripped my heart. I couldn't shake the thought that my daughter could have spent more days in the hospital, or that something terrible could happen to her at any moment.The pain was so excruciating that it brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't bear the loss of Lily, she had been my driving force, the one why I know all things are possible. Because while I had nothing, she was there, she was growing and was smiling, she
THEACora picked the perfect dress to suit my skin tone and still give me that glow. I wasn't the biggest fan of red, but this maroon satin dress said otherwise. It had a large slit in the front that went from my upper thigh all the way down to my legs. The back was strapped with ropes that weren't tight, knotted in a beautiful pattern. The silver chain had a shiny moon pendant that matched my earrings, and the entire look was a showcase of royalty. Cora clapped her hands together as I got out of the dressing room. My little baby Lisa also jumped and clapped, like she'd seen her favorite cartoon character. I could tell she was also excited about the dress. She ran from the corner to come hug me. "I love this one, mummy." She said smiling with all her teeth. I bent to lift her up into my arms."My precious jewel, and mummy loves you. Shouldn't you be in bed, dear?" I asked her. She placed her head on my shoulders without answering me. She must have still been weak from all the treatmen
TYLERParty in Manhattan never goes wrong.Upon entering the party, I was immediately struck by the grandeur of the venue. The space was elegantly decorated with opulent chandeliers I was sure was imported from Italy, the exquisite floral arrangements, and tasteful artwork adorning the walls. The atmosphere, vibrant and filled with lively conversations, laughter, and music.I took note of the large number of attendees present at the party. The room, bustling with people from all walks of life, many of whom I recognise and have done bussiness with. This diverse crowd includes successful entrepreneurs, influential celebrities, respected politicians, and accomplished professionals from various fields.I knew this kind of party would bring in more reputable investors, and damn, I need them in my bussiness, so I got myself a fashion wear to look as good as possible, even if it means ruining my bank account. I choosed an outfit that exudes sophistication and style. I went for a tailored bla