One and a half years later…
Eleana looked at the busy streets of Vancouver through her car's window. Nothing had changed about this city in the past one and a half years of her absence. It's as busier as ever. She smiled watching the familiar places she used to roam around.
It's good to be back. It's time to face everything and claim whatever was hers.
As the Campbell mansion came into her view, she couldn't help but smile. She didn't realise how much she missed home, it was her home because her beloved Uncle and Aunt still lived there. She couldn't wait to see their surprised faces after they saw her. She didn't tell anyone that she was coming back. She wanted to surprise them. With that thought, she got out of the car.
"Peter, please send my luggage inside and then you can take the day off and rest. I will call you if I need you. Have a nice day!" She warmly instructed her driver before bidding him a bye. Peter smiled and nodded at her before thanking her. Eleana smiled at him before strengthening her back. Her eyes collided with her reflection in the car's window.
Gone was her long straight brunette hair instead of it was Short shoulder-length brunette hair with dark brown streaks, her deep blue eyes looked calm and serene, while her face looked fresh bare of any make-up. She was wearing beige colour formal pants and a baby pink chiffon shirt and a pair of black high heels. She looked elegant as ever.
Eleana Davis, the only heiress of the Davis Empire was back, stronger than ever. She quickly grabbed her phone and purse from the car before making her way inside.
The butler Fredrick was surprised to find her young mistress standing in front of the door after more than a year. His face held surprise, shock, and happiness at once. He couldn't believe his eyes. The girl he saw growing up in front of his eyes for years suddenly disappeared for more than a year. He only heard she went abroad to manage her business. He couldn't express how much he missed seeing the young girl whom he treated like his own daughter.
"Young miss, is that you? Is it real? You are finally back! Oh my God!" Frederick exclaimed in joy and happiness. He was a kind man in his early fifties.
"Uncle Freddie, Yes it's me. I'm back." Eleana answered with a grin before engulfing him in a warm hug. Fredrick hugged her back.
"Why didn't anyone tell me you are coming back?" Fredrick wondered after they broke their hug.
"Because it's a surprise," Eleana answered with a laugh.
"Oh, Lord! Madam and Sir will be so surprised and happy to see their darling. You don't know how much they missed you. How sad they were after you left." Fredrick started sadly, making Eleana sigh. She gave him a tight smile.
"Don't worry, I won't let them become sad as I'm already back. What is this Uncle Freddy, won't you let me in? You are keeping me standing here for so long. My legs are almost aching." Eleana exclaimed dramatically while giving Fredrick a baby face, making him feel guilty.
"My apologies, please come inside, I will go and call madam," Fredrick said and made a way for Eleana to enter, making Eleana nod and then smile.
"What happened Fredrick? Why is there so much noise? Are we having any guests?" Just as Eleana entered, Kathleen Campbell's voice reached her ears while she stood just a few meters away from her. As Kathleen noticed the familiar person whom she hadn't seen in person for more than one and half a year standing in front of her, her eyes went wide in shock, surprise and joy.
"Darling, is that you? Am I seeing things? Are you really here? Oh my God!" Kathleen cried in joy.
"Aunt Kathy, it's me, your Elea," Eleana said before running straight into her arms.
"Oh, my God! My darling has really come back! She's here." Kathleen started to cry after hugging Eleana tightly. Eleana couldn't help herself either as she wept into her Aunt's arms.
"I missed you." She mumbled between her weeps.
"I missed you more, darling," Kathleen said as they broke their hug. She couldn't believe her daughter had decided to finally come back.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? Your Uncle and I would have gone to the airport to pick you up." Kathleen inquired as they both took a seat on the sofa resting in the huge living room.
"Because I wanted to surprise you guys," Eleana answered with a grin making Kathleen chuckle.
"Where's uncle by the way? Is he in the office?" Eleana asked as she lazily put her phone and purse on the centre table and placed them in front of her.
"Yes, let me call him. He would be on cloud nine knowing you are back." Kathleen said with a chuckle.
"No. Let's go to his office and surprise him. It will be dinner time soon so we could have dinner together, like in old times. Just inform him to clear his schedule and you will have dinner with him." Eleana instructed Kathleen with a smile.
"But darling, don't you need some rest? You just landed after a long flight. Are you sure you are not tired?" Kathleen asked with concern, making Eleana shake her head.
"No, Aunt. I'm completely fine. I will just go and take a shower. We have around three hours on our hands." Eleana added while checking her watch.
"Sure, Your room is as you left, completely untouched. I didn't know when you would return so I made Martha clean it every day." Kathleen informed her while heaving a sigh.
"Thank you, Aunt. I love you." Eleana said softly before giving Kathleen another hug. She smiled and hugged her back.
"I love you more, darling. Now go and take some rest. I will send some food for you in your room." Kathleen said while kissing Eleana's forehead. Eleana nodded with a smile before making her way to the room she hadn't been in for more than a year.
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Eleana and Kathleen got out of the car before making their way inside the fancy French restaurant. It was decorated elegantly. Everything inside screamed luxury. The decorations, walls, paintings, everything was neat and clean giving off a vintage vibe. Kathleen talked to the manager who instantly recognised her. Why wouldn't he? She was Kathleen Campbell, the renewed fashion designer of the country while also the mistress of the Campbell family. Everyone in Vancouver knew her. He respectfully greeted her before showing her the way to the private room where her husband, Philip Campbell was already waiting for them. From the corner of his eyes, the manager eyed the woman quietly behind Kathleen Campbell. She was wearing a maroon off-shoulder, quarter-sleeved knee-length evening dress matched with black high heels. Her hair was left open while she wore a beautiful Princess cut pendant which stayed beautifully on her creamy white neck. His eyes went wide in recognition when she realised it was Eleana Davis, the heiress of Davis corporations and also one of the top designers in the country.
But didn't she mysteriously disappear more than a year ago after her breakup with the CEO of the Campbell Corporation, Ayden Campbell? Now she's back?
The manager was very curious as he kept glancing at Eleana who seemed to ignore his presence.
Soon they reached the private room and the manager held open the door for them. Kathleen thanked him before making her way inside. She found her husband sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, he was talking over the phone with a serious expression. Kathleen smiled. Philip turned around to look at her with a smile as he probably heard the sound of her heels clicking on the marble floor. Kathleen smiled and suddenly took a step aside making Eleana who was behind her, come into his view. His eyes went wide with shock as he found his long-lost daughter whom he hadn't seen for almost a year standing in front of him.
"Uncle, won't you give me a hug?" Eleana asked with a smile, making Philip come back to his senses. He quickly put his phone away before getting up from his seat and making his way towards Eleana.
"Oh Lord, Elea darling, when did you come back? Why didn't you tell me?" He cried out in joy and surprise while engulfing Eleana in a hug. He kissed her head repeatedly while wrapping his hands around her.
"I arrived at noon. I wanted to surprise you." She mumbled in his chest. Eleana could feel her eyes welling up after seeing her beloved uncle and aunt in person, it's been so long since she had last seen and hugged them.
"You should have told me. I would have gone to pick you up." Philip said while breaking the hug. He smiled at Eleana
"It's ok, uncle. See now I'm back." She said with a smile making them chuckle.
"You really surprised me, darling," Philip said as they all took their seats. Eleana smiled at him. Kathleen sat beside her husband while Eleana was about to take her seat before them when the door of the private room burst open and someone entered,
"I'm sorry, I hope I'm not late. I was stuck with an emergency meeting." The familiar deep yet domineering voice reached Eleana's ears making her go numb. She instantly turned around to the source of the voice while hoping she heard wrong.
Her blue Sapphire eyes collided with a pair of cold grey eyes which held a genuine shock.
"Ayden, you are finally here." Kathleen's soft voice vanished into the air as Ayden Campbell stood there rooted in his place while staring at the blue-eyed woman standing before him whom he hadn't laid his eyes on for more than a year.
Eleana soon composed herself and masked all of her emotions before turning her head away and sitting down. She knew that moment would arrive from the day she had decided to come back and face everything. But as she was experiencing the situation unexpectedly, everything felt surreal to her. She didn't understand why her heart was beating crazily against her rib cage after seeing the man who broke her completely. As those unwanted thoughts were making her head burst, she decided to block them and face everything the way she planned. "What happened, Ayden? Why are you still standing there? Come and have your seat." Philip asked from his seat which made Ayden come out of his shocked state."Oh let me guess. He's also surprised to see our Elea darling back, right Ayden?" Kathleen asked with a chuckle, making Ayden look at her with a nod. Eleana heard everything but didn't bother to make any comments because anything related to him wasn't her concern. "Yeah, I'm surprised," Ayden mumbled
"What are you doing Eleana?" Ayden asked, looking straight at Eleana who just shrugged carelessly at his words."Whatever you are seeing Mr Campbell." She answered while crossing her legs. Ayden looked at her irritatedly. "What's wrong with you?" He asked as he removed his blazer and threw it on the other side of the sofa. He then loosened his tie and then rolled both of the sleeves of his shirt. He was clearly annoyed and Eleana knew it. She knew him like the palm of her hand. "There's nothing wrong with me. I simply don't wish to continue our collaboration. I don't see anything wrong with that." Eleana replied with a straight face. She kept her face void of any emotion. "Really, Eleana? You don't see anything wrong with it?" He asked with a humourless chuckle. Eleana could see him clutching his teeth while keeping his hands in a fist, it was a sign that he was getting pissed off. "No." She answered curtly, making him glare at her."You go to Paris without informing me, you cut
The next day, the whole country got the news of Eleana Davis coming back to the country and showing up to the film producer Kolton Miles's party with Robin William as her date. The gossip and juicy headlines again surfaced and she again became the trending topic online. When Eleana went to the breakfast table for breakfast she came face to face with Ayden again. From the cold look she was getting from him, she was sure he also read the gossip."Elea, darling, do you want me to deal with these silly paparazzi and make this useless gossip disappear?" Philip suddenly asked, Eleana shook her head before finishing her bite."No uncle. Those are just silly gossip. Don't bother yourself with them." Eleana dismissed the idea with a chuckle. The truth was she didn't want to remove that gossip. Not yet. She wanted everyone to know that it was over with Ayden Campbell and she was over him. They weren't connected anymore. "Why darling, do you like the boy?" Suddenly Kathleen asked while looking
The next Saturday evening, Philip Campbell decided to throw a lavish party to celebrate Eleana's return and her new design launch. They picked the venue in one of their five-star hotels. Eleana walked through the crowd while holding Philip's hand. While walking into the ballroom she felt her breath getting caught in her throat because she was facing those people after more than a year. The huge space made her feel so small–or so plain. Crystal chandeliespiralledled down from the arching sky-blue ceiling, illuminating the glimmering golden walls and a floor so polished it looked like an iced-over lake. And it wasn’t just the ballroom–the women sparkled like a box of jewels, shades of emerald and ruby and amethyst swirling before her, their low chatter accompanying wafts of rose and hyacinth and jasmine. She looked down at the beautiful red floor-length chiffon gown she was wearing, it was strapless and had a sweetheart neckline. The dress flowed around her like water waves. It was weig
The next Monday Eleana got ready early to go to the office because she had to review some designs and sketches done by her artists. As she was walking through the hallway, the receptionist Bela greeted her with enthusiasm. "Good morning, Mam. Have a good day!" Her sweet voice reached Eleana's ears making her smile "Good morning, Bela. You too have a good day!" She greeted her back before making her way inside the private elevator. Pushing the 35th-floor button, she waited for her destination to arrive. She went directly to her manager's room after arriving on the floor. "Good morning, Mr Rivera. Please tell the head designer to get ready with the sketches and sample dresses. I will be there in five." Eleana informed him from the door, making him nod. "Good morning, mam. They are already waiting for you in the design room." He informed her politely. "Perfect, then let's go there first." She commanded with a smile. Mr Rivera hurriedly grabbed the files and followed Eleana to the
"You can't be serious, uncle! This is not possible!" Eleana uttered in horror. She was shocked to hear Philip's words. "I'm sorry darling, but it's true. After I handed over the company to Ayden, he became the sole owner of the company and this gave him the power to control both Campbell corporation and C & D Corporation. It was your idea to merge the two companies. Ayden the CEO of Campbell Corp. holds 65% of the shares, which makes him your boss." Philip explained sympathetically when Eleana proposed to separate the two companies. Eleana looked at Ayden with a glare who just smiled at her devilishly."He can't be my boss." She exclaimed in horror. How did this turn out like this? She was sure that bastard was behind all this."Too bad, Princess. I'm already your boss and I have arranged everything for you." Ayden replied with a smirk making Eleana's blood boil."I will leave you kids to sort this out. Excuse this old man." Philip said before excusing himself from the two."But unc
After that incident in Ayden's cabin, Eleana made sure to avoid any unnecessary contact with Ayden as much as possible. But it wasn't easy when she was forced to work as his assistant. She had to come and finish every work he ordered her to do. Swallowing her anger and pride, Eleana did everything he had asked her to. But fortunately, Ayden didn't get much time to bother her because of their new project. Eleana was also busy with her new collection launch meanwhile Ayden was also busy with his new real estate project which cut his time shorter. Eleana was working in her cabin when the intercom of the Cabin rang, making her annoyed. Eleana sighed angrily before getting up, unwilling to go to Ayden's Cabin. Without knocking on the door she entered the cabin. Ayden, who was looking through some files, looked up at her. He stared at her irritated face for a while before looking back at his files. Eleana frowned at his action but didn't say anything for a while. Instead, she kept patting
"Lucien!" Eleana called out in surprise, making the person look at her with a mysterious smile. He got up from his seat with a smile before making his way towards her. The man was around six feet two inches tall with a well-built physique which was hidden under his black business suit. He had a fair complexion, a pair of beautiful blue eyes and a head full of dirty blonde hair. He was a typical handsome French guy next door. Eleana couldn't believe her eyes as she didn't expect to meet him so soon here in Vancouver. "Hello, Ma Belle! Surprised to see me?" He greeted her and then asked in his usual flirtatious voice making Eleana chuckle. "Of course, I am very surprised. You didn't tell me you were coming here." She said the first part in a happy tone but her last sentence was accusing. Eleana opened her arms and took a step forward to hug Lucien. Lucien chuckled warmly before wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her cheeks and she did the same before they broke their hug. "I mis