Laila Moore
_______'Hi, I'm Laila, your father's personal assistant. I am calling you from the hospital to inform you that your father is in critical condition. Please call back as soon as you receive this message, thank you.'**I had to assume that my boss' son had lost his phone, or that he was somewhere with poor network coverage. I had left him tons of voice messages and the guy did not seem to respond. Or perhaps I had the wrong phone number.I let out an exhausted breath and averted my gaze from the screen to the deserted hospital hallway. The silence on the floor was a sign that the nurses had managed to put every patient to sleep. It was probably midnight but I was scared to leave my boss alone.I pulled myself off the wall I had been leaning on and then walked to the door of the room he was in. The room where he was busy fighting for his life.Mister Ross was a good man. He was a boss everyone would wish to have. Despite having been his PA for three years, he was also like a father to me.I opened the door and strode in. The noises I heard in the room were only the machines that were probably supporting his life. I could hear the sound of his rapid inhale and exhale. He was likely unaware of who he was or where he was at that moment.I walked to a sofa in the room and sank into it. Looking at him brought sick thoughts of what led him to be on the bed unconscious. Mister Ross got into an accident together with his driver, Mike. His driver died in an instant, leaving our boss in a critical situation that threatened his life.I was supposed to be in the car if it was not for my day off. I always went everywhere with Mister Ross and his driver. Whether it was a business trip, his vacations, or a dinner with clients, I was always with him.Every week, mister Ross gave me a day off on Tuesdays. That was because I was taking online classes and I could use my Tuesday to catch up with my classes and also have a break.Mister Ross offered to let me continue with my studies ever since he learned that I never graduated. That's the day he learned how shitty my life was.So, on Tuesday when I was off he got into a destructive accident.I was still unable to think that his driver was gone. Every thought of it was killing me. It brought tears to me to think Mike was gone, and Mister Ross was on the verge. The two were my close people, and just like how Mister Ross used to say he had been lonely until he met us, it was the same case for me.According to what he told me, his wife divorced him five years ago and went to marry a rich man in Las Vegas. Those days, mister Ross was still struggling to make his business grow, which of course managed to grow because he was among the top ten richest men in California.His wife left with his son, that's what he said and ever since then, he never saw them.He was a hardworking man, but now he was unable to even lift his finger.We shared a lot, he also knew about me and my family. He knew that my parents betrayed me. I ran away when I had just started my college classes. I found myself in California where I had to struggle to survive.What he did not know was that I came from a rich family. But even though my parents were rich, I was poor as fuck.When we first met, that was in a restaurant where I was working as a cleaner, he happened to have accidentally collided with me where I fell and passed out. I suspected it was from fatigue. He rushed me to the hospital and made sure I was okay. When I woke up, I begged him to offer me a job because I knew him from the news and how rich he was.He did, and I was lucky enough because my life changed.The only thing that he requested me to do in case something happened to him was to call his son. He gave me his son's number which I had been calling for hours but he was still off.He loved his son, but his son hated his existence.I had rested my head on the sofa's armrest and did not realize I was falling asleep. I was woken up by some heavy movements in the room. The beeping sound of a machine also got my heart racing. Just when I was about to get up, someone grabbed my hand and yanked me up."You need to leave the room." It was a nurse.Four more people were surrounding Mister Ross. Fear and shock sabotaged me as I made hesitant steps toward the door. I could feel my heart beating insanely. Something was happening to Mister Ross, and when the door clicked shut, I slid down against it as tears cascaded down my cheeks.After I had sobbed and finally realized that it wasn't time to cry. I got up and wiped my tears. I checked my phone hoping to see a call or even a message, but there was nothing.I needed to do something. I peeked through the small glass on the door but I didn't manage to see because someone grabbed the door and opened it.The doctor.I followed him. "How is he? Is everything okay?""Where is the family?" He was walking away in a hurry. "You said his son will be here today!"."He–"He stopped and whirled to me. "I have been his doctor for ages, and I also know he would wish his son to be here, so, do your work as his assistant and bring him here!" He declared then walked off."I'm trying to call him, I don't know another way to reach him.""Maybe he changed his phone number.""So what do you suggest I do?"He halted, let out a heavy breath then turned to me. "Las Vegas. Go to Las Vegas and bring his son, that's the only way you can help here. Now, excuse me as I attend to him."He disappeared from my sight, and I disappeared in endless thoughts. Every thought persuaded me to book a flight to Las Vegas because that was the only thing I could do to help Mister Ross after all he did to me. And I did, I booked a flight.Early that morning, I arrived in Las Vegas, and the first place I knew I could go was Robert's corps. Robert was the man who married Mister Ross' ex-wife, and I believed I was to find Mister Ross' son. Oliver Castillo Ross.Laila Moore _____ An aged man clad in an expensive six-piece suit walked into the office where I had been waiting. He carried a file which he dropped on the table then turned to face me. I had stood when he walked in, and I did not miss the look on his face. He looked like he did not achieve what he desired that afternoon. Robert Frederick was a well-known businessman in Las Vegas. He was known for his touch on real estate. Well, I couldn't have known him if it were not for Mister Ross. He was rich and was also famous for doing some business which succeeded. "Good day, sir." I greeted him with the respect he deserved. He reminded me of my father who has always been making people want to lick the ground he stepped on. "I heard that you have been waiting." He unbuttoned his coat and resumed taking it off. "How can I help you and first of all, who are you?" "My name is Laila Moore. I came here in need of your favor." I commenced explaining as I held my gaze on him. It was something
Laila Moore _____ It was so ironic how I was starving yet I was an employee at a food organization. Fitfood was a well-known industry that touched every aspect of food products. Mister Ross had his business being the best food supplier in the state and was slowly creeping into the world. I yawned at the mere thought of the meals I usually devoured in the company kitchen. Shaking off the thought, I stared outside through the car window. We had arrived in the hospital. After a flight which mostly found me sleeping and getting woken up by nightmares, we finally landed and drove to the hospital. The blue sky which was dotted with clouds was rapidly turning into a shade of black, an indication that the rain was approaching and the storm was going to fall down. The hospital was industrious as usual. There were movements around the reception area where we were approaching. We hadn't reached the reception when my eyes fell on Susan. Susan was the company secretary. A well-known lady wh
Laila Moore _______ I never got any sleep the whole night. I mostly wanted the morning to rise so I could rush back home. And after almost a seven hours flight, I arrived home. I was back in New York, a place I never thought I would return to. As expected, I got cold feet from everyone. I had joined them in ST James cathedral where there were memorial services taking place. After so long, I saw them again. My mother who was as beautiful as always, my sister and his husband, and my father who was sadly in a portrait. They also saw me, and no one even cared to be good enough to say hello. They concentrated on the memorial, letting visitors come in, view the body and leave. My sister was heavily pregnant. It was something I did not expect because for those years, I lived remembering some words from her husband, who was my ex-boyfriend, 'I will never love her until she gives up. And I will be back with you.' I spent my three years thinking Timothy meant those words, and part of me w
Laila Moore ______ I traveled back to California overnight. I aimed to be at the FitFood building very early in the morning to secure my job. When I ran away from home back three years, the pain never felt this immense. The heaviness I was feeling in my chest as I left New York was unbearable. Many were those who pitied me while on the plane, maybe from how dead I looked. I wanted to give up. I was on the verge of drowning myself to death. But some words kept chiming in my brain. They were Mister Ross' words. 'Never give up' There must have been a reason why everyone in my family hates me. I hoped just a day would come and I would at least know, because it was really hard to bear it all without knowing why I deserved it. I hated everyone, and I was close to changing my name and living like they did not exist. I deleted everyone's number and blocked them from every social media. It was not easy, but it was for the best. They were not gonna hear from me ever again. I had just arr
Oliver Castillo Ross_____I switched off the disturbing radio news that was all speaking of the CEO of FitFood. He was not only all over the internet but also in the news where everyone was trying to exaggerate the story.I gripped the steering wheel tighter, making my knuckles turn white. I revved the speed of the car, desiring to make it to where I was going, as quickly as possible. The rain was dropping immensely and the night had crawled in like an insane demon.I left the highway and took to the road that led to my destination. From a distance, I could see the lights illuminating from the windows of the building I was nearing. The music was blaring to the stereo and expensive cars were driving into the building.I stopped the car outside the entrance, grabbed my phone, and stepped out. A parking valet took the car keys and I left it to him. I advanced towards the entrance door.The assessment was as usual but my presence was recognised. The two guards opened the door for me imme
Liana Moore._____I stuffed my mouth with a fork-full of spaghetti. The restaurant served them best with baby kale salad and an avocado lime sauce which always worked wonders for me. Whenever I felt lazy to cook, since most of the time I ate at work or home with Mister Ross, you'd find me in Cain restaurant enjoying their spaghetti.Some of the waiters knew me. My arrival was always felt and they did not miss to approach me and tease me with my "the usual" order.I sat near a window that gave a view of the busy area. People moved about and vehicles made noises in the street creating an industrious ambiance. That was the noise I was craving for on my shitty Sunday.I had no idea why I needed to eat a lot. It was a day after my father's burial and even though I had resolved to never care about my family, every pain was now on my shoulders. The thought that he was gone forever was what gave me nightmares.I wanted to assume everything and move on but it hit hard to realize I even missed
Liana Moore____Monday morning found me at the Fitfood building for the interview. I nearly missed the interview as I overslept but luck was on my side. Though it had begun, there were still a few people who were waiting.As soon as I walked into the room where the interviewees were waiting, everyone turned to me with a deadly silence reigning. Not even a single sound could be heard, except maybe the noise made by my uneasy breaths. Maybe they were staring at my attire. I had a feeling with the ridiculous black-fitting dress that I chose to wear that morning. Or perhaps it was my hair which I styled with my fingers as I ran here. Oh, it could have been my face, definitely yes. I had a fever and I knew due to excessive blowing of the nose, I looked as red as a monkey's butt."Ah, ignore it and sit down. At least you made it." My super supportive inner voice encouraged me.I mentally calmed myself and ambled nervously to a three-seater seat that was occupied by two ladies. I could fee
Liana Moore _____ It was either I was the problem, or something was certainly wrong with Susan. I did not expect us to have a decent conversation, but the point where she couldn't even answer a question about the company was infuriating. I had delivered my papers to the HR office where I found her having a chat with Jonathan. Jonathan was an employee at the HR office.I had no plan to talk to either of them but when I heard her saying she canceled all of Oliver's meetings, I was concerned and I had to ask about it.The last time I checked, Mister Ross was supposed to have a meeting with William Banks. Everyone knew who William was. He had launched a new five-star hotel and a resort. The meeting with mister Ross was for Fitfood to start supplying food to his restaurants.He was to be part of major customers of the company but from what Susan was dishing to Jonathan, it appeared that the meeting was not gonna happen. As if the company hadn't lost customers already.There was an hour