Chapter 4: Echoes of destiny

ACADIA

When I got to his office, I knocked.

“Come in”. He called out. 

“Take a seat”. He smiled and offered.

“Acadia” he began, “Your work has not gone unnoticed and you have been nominated as the best employee of the month. Mr. Dante would be going for an important gala in London and you are to go in place of his secretary with him. You would work hand-in-hand with him. You would be in charge of the contents and would communicate with me on the progress. Do you have any questions?

Questions? I had a lot to take in. I couldn’t put a name on how I was feeling. I was happy to be given such a huge responsibility for the little time I had spent there. However, how could I deal with the sudden pull, sweating of palms and anger that felt whenever I laid eyes on Dante. I was certain that he would not be happy about this development. 

“No, sir. I’m honoured to be given this opportunity. I won’t let you or my team down”

“You may leave. Meet my secretary to give you a briefing of your role and what you need. I’m counting on you” 

“Thank you, sir.” 

The New York evening sky was awash in hues of pink and gold as I returned to myr modest apartment. I closed the door behind me and leaned on my door. I took a deep breath, and let the events of the day wash over me.

The apartment was a reflection of my personality – cosy and filled with mementos of my past and my dreams for the future. The living room was adorned with bookshelves brimming with literature from classic novels to contemporary poetry. I had always found solace in the written word, anyone could tell with the collection which was a testament to my love for storytelling.

The apartment's walls were adorned with my mother's paintings, vibrant and filled with emotion. Each canvas was a window into my mother's soul, capturing moments of beauty and passion. I often found myself lost in these paintings, seeking inspiration and connection with the woman who had given me life.

My father's guitar stood proudly in the corner, its strings worn from years of music and memories. It was a constant reminder of his love for melodies and the dreams he had instilled in my heart. I played the guitar when I needed to escape from the pressures of the world outside.

I moved to settle onto my worn-out couch, I couldn't help but reflect on the direction my life was going. My thoughts drifted to the magnetic pull I had felt when I and Dante’s hands briefly touched during the collision, a spark of attraction that had taken me by surprise. I prayed for the strength to overcome the temptation that seemed to be looming. 

I reached for the guitar, cradling it in my arms. My fingers instinctively found the strings, and began to strum a soft melody. Music had always been my solace, a way to express my emotions when words failed me.

As the music filled the room, I allowed myself to drift into a contemplative mood. I thought about my parents, their dreams, and the legacy they had left behind. I believed that my journey at D. M. Corps Ltd. was a way to honour their memory, a chance to turn their dreams into reality. A tear slipped down my face as I made a subtle promise.

"Maybe, just maybe," I whispered, "this is my opportunity to make you proud."

My evening got interrupted by an email notification containing the overview of my job description at the gala.

Late into the night, I got a text from a strange number. ‘Be ready by 10 a.m. The driver will drive you to the airport.’ 

I immediately knew who the message was from. He somehow had gained the power to rile me up. However, I wasn’t going to let him ruin my night. Turning my favourite playlists on, I packed my essentials, it wasn’t much. Neither were they the best but I would wear them with pride. One good thing I had learned from my mom was contentment.

It became morning faster than I would have liked. As promised, his Driver was waiting at exactly 10 a.m. Talk of punctuality. The drive to the airport was a long one, all my attempts to initiate a conversation were futile.

At last, we arrived at the airport, I heaved a sigh of relief. The driver led me to the private jet. My jaw dropped at its grandeur. The hostess led me inside, taking my luggage. I took a quick look around searching for the CEO. My heart skipped a bit when I found him, he made everything he wore look good. He was wearing a slim-fit designer suit, accentuating his broad chest and muscles. His legs were crossed in the most fashionable way. It wasn’t fair for someone to effortlessly look this perfect

I walked towards him with my cup of green tea, and suddenly, I tripped and emptied the contents in the cup on him. My eyes widened “I’m so sorry, sir.” I pleaded and tried to wipe it off. I knew it wouldn’t work but I needed to try. He looked up at me with  disgust in his face and cussed under his breath. “Do you go around ruining things on purpose or are you just dumb?” he stood up angrily and went to the lavatory to freshen up.

I stood speechless, shocked at his outburst. I felt so much shame that I wanted the ground to open and close me up with it. What did I do to deserve this kind of treatment? 

A few minutes later, he came back dressed in a grey hoodie and sweatpants. Was there anything he didn't look good in? ‘Not now, Acadia’ I internally snapped. It wasn’t the right time to gawk over him. He sat down in another seat adjacent to mine and got back to what he was reading, ignoring my presence.

I had no choice but to keep myself busy with my phone. I had the strong urge to look up the city we were going to. My financial state never gave the luxury of travelling, so I had been in New York all my life. It got me excited that I was finally travelling even though it wasn't going as planned.

The flight was a boring one, I fell asleep at some point. "ma'am, the jet has landed" a lady with beautiful hair woke me. 

I scanned the surroundings. "Oh, where's Mr Dante?

"He left, the driver would take you to the hotel. He said to give you this." the lady said and handed a piece of paper to me.

How could he leave without me? I felt a pang of pain on my chest but quickly discarded it.

When I came down from the plane, the fresh air hit my nostrils and mixed up with my hair. It was the most beautiful feeling ever. I would have a good time here whether Mr. Dante approved of it or not.

The drive to the hotel was refreshing. Unlike New York, which has iconic skyscrapers, such as the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center and is a bustling city. London is known for its blend of architectural styles, from historic buildings like the Tower Bridge to modern skyscrapers like The Shard. 

I was fascinated. When we arrived at the hotel, my chauffeur helped carry my luggage. While on my way to the reception I saw something that caught my eye.