Chapter 2

Mikhael~

My head hurts. After all the years of hard work, I’m finally about to achieve my dream: becoming the Chief Executive Officer of Henderson Enterprise. Our business revolves around luxury real estate and property development. We're among the richest and most successful in the world. And now that I’m stepping into the role, I already have a project lined up—the Henderson Tower. It will be the city’s new landmark and a symbol of the Henderson legacy. Add to that my father’s expectations, which I always seem to fail.

I leaned against the tinted window of our luxurious car, trying to control the tension as I thought about the new challenges ahead. It’s not easy being a CEO, especially with a father who doesn’t trust you watching your every move. I endured and completed dual degrees in financial management and architecture. I did nothing but bury myself in studies and work.

My attention was caught by the gleaming, towering glass windows of the Henderson Company building—our family’s empire. I took a deep breath before stepping out of the car. I removed my sunglasses with pride, holding my head high. I looked around. What a sunny day. I hope their reception of me would be just as bright and warm.

“Look, he’s here,” I heard someone whisper as I walked in. The employees were neatly lined up, eagerness clear on their faces. They were excited to meet me.

“The new boss is here,” one of them said cheerfully.

I barely smirked. “New boss, uh-huh, but the same old problems,” I muttered to myself. I greeted them with nods and reserved smiles.

I spotted Dad at the end of the hall. Matteo Henderson’s expression was as grim as ever whenever he looked at me. He stood tall and imposing, exuding authority. His eyes bore into me like I was a child again. He has always been the only person I feared.

Beside him was Mom—Aurelia Henderson—smiling warmly and lovingly. She was always the one on my side. The tension in my chest eased a bit when I saw her supportive gaze.

“And now,” Dad began, his attention commanding the room, “I’d like to introduce to you all your new CEO, Mikhael Bryce Henderson. My one and only child.”

The applause echoed through the hall, bouncing off the high ceilings, but it felt distant and muffled. I stepped forward and bowed respectfully, but my heart was filled with uncertainty. Was I truly ready for this? Or was this just the beginning of my own crucifixion?

“Thank you,” I said, my voice slightly trembling. I tried to steady myself before continuing. “I promise to lead this company with the same vision and integrity my father built it on. Together, we will move forward into a future of growth.”

They applauded again, but it still felt surreal. As if I were an actor reciting lines instead of living my own life. Soon after, Dad leaned toward me and whispered into my ear.

“Do not get too comfortable, Mikhael,” he said coldly, his voice sharp and crisp. “This will not be yours forever.”

I froze. Every word he said weighed heavier than the suit I was wearing. I could feel eyes on me, like they were cutting right through me. I gripped the microphone tightly and swallowed hard. It was a sunny morning, yet I felt like a storm was brewing inside me.

I clenched my fists as Dad walked away. I blinked several times. His icy words echoed in my head. After everything I had done to prepare for this, all the sleepless nights, all the sacrifices—this was how he welcomed me? My heart pounded, anger rising within me. But I kept my face composed, striving to look professional.

“Hector,” Mom said, breaking the tension. She looked at Dad as she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. Her presence was a balm to my frayed nerves. Thank God at least one person still made things feel a little lighter.

“Let him enjoy this moment,” she added.

She looked at me, her tender eyes comforting me in a way only she could.

“Don’t listen to him, son,” she whispered. “I’ll make sure this company becomes yours.”

Mom’s only flaw was how overprotective she was—it could be suffocating at times. They say I’m a mama’s boy because I follow everything she says blindly.

Still, I couldn’t shake the bitterness my father always treated me with. He will never be satisfied no matter what I achieve.

“Mikhael,” he called out as the employees started to leave one by one. I turned to him and forced a smile.

“Yes, Dad,” I answered cautiously, keeping a neutral tone.

His eyes narrowed as he approached. “You’ve been handed the title, but you have yet to earn it. Don’t forget that.”

His words pierced my heart. I wanted to speak, to tell him I could do this, that I had prepared for this for so long—but the words got stuck in my throat like stones. Instead, I simply nodded.

“I understand,” I said, though I really didn’t want to.

After he left, Mom stayed beside me, her hand still on my shoulder.

“Don’t let him discourage you, Mikhael,” she whispered. “You’ll do great things. This company is your future.”

Should I be happy with what she said? Somehow, I felt even more nervous.

I gave a bitter smile, but inside I knew—this was just the beginning. Their expectations already weighed heavily on me. My father’s shadow loomed large, and I had no choice but to find my way out from under it.

I walked into the CEO’s office for the first time. As I closed the door behind me, I felt it deep in my heart—this was the start of the real battle.

---

I stood on the veranda of my penthouse, left hand in my pocket and a wine glass in my right. I watched the sunset, slowly swirling the liquid inside the glass. No matter how beautiful the cityscape was, I couldn’t focus. My mind was fixed on one person.

Althea.

Her name ate at my thoughts. She had become a ghost in my mind. Seven years. It’s been seven years since she left me without a word.

She vanished without a trace, leaving nothing but a gaping hole where my heart used to be.

After spending what was the happiest day of our lives together, she never showed up again. I didn’t know why. I waited. I searched. But she was truly gone. No call, no letter. Nothing. She disappeared like a puff of smoke.

I downed the wine in one gulp. The warmth spread through my chest, intensifying the ache. Then it turned into boiling anger. I hated her for leaving me. But I hated myself more for still thinking about her. After all these years, I was still yearning.

It was like a story that ended with a cliffhanger—my love for her.

I was startled when the door suddenly opened. My eyes narrowed as the wind blew in. I didn’t bother looking. I already knew who dared enter my penthouse.

“Mikhael,” Milena greeted sweetly, her voice flirtatious. I grimaced at the strong rose perfume that filled the air. I set the glass down on the side table and turned to face her.

“What do you want?” I asked coldly, not hiding my irritation.

She was wearing a revealing red dress, flaunting her generous chest. But with her makeup and hairstyle, she looked more like a prostitute.

“Don’t be like that. I came here for you,” she said dramatically, pushing herself onto me. I wanted to move away, but she hugged me. “You look tense. Let me help you relax.”

I stiffened, jaw clenching. She didn’t seem to notice—or care. She pressed her lips to my cheek, her warm breath revealing her clear intentions.

“What the hell are you trying to do?!” I snapped, my voice harder than steel.

She ignored me. She pressed herself closer and kissed my neck. Her soft, warm lips made my skin crawl. “You work hard, Mikhael,” she whispered. “Let me take care of you.”

Milena Sanders—my fiancée who knew no limits. We were childhood friends and close companions. But everything changed when she kissed me and forced herself to be my girlfriend. But I could never love her. I only saw her as a friend.

“Stop it!” I repeated. I pushed her away forcefully. She almost stumbled in her heels. She glared at me, shocked by my sudden action.

“What’s wrong with you?” she shouted, her face a mix of confusion and irritation.

“Why are you acting like I’m disgusting?”

I glared at her coldly.

“Because I don’t want you, Milena.”

Her mouth parted slightly, shocked by my words. I saw the flash of hurt in her eyes, but I didn’t flinch. I was tired of pretending. Tired of being polite when all I felt was suffocation.

“You’re my fiancée, Mikhael. You owe me at least respect!”

“Respect?” I echoed, laughing bitterly.

“You forced your way into this engagement. My parents agreed to it for business. Don’t twist this into something romantic.”

Her face reddened, a mixture of rage and humiliation.

“So what, are you still hung up on that ghost from the past? Althea? She left you, Mikhael. You’re pathetic for still thinking about her.”

Her words were like poison, but I stood still. I didn’t respond.

Seeing that I wasn’t reacting, she gave a mocking smile.

“You’re a fool for waiting for someone who probably forgot you exist.”

That was the last straw.

I stepped toward her, towering over her slight frame.

“Get out, Milena,” I said in a tone so low it sent chills even through me.

“Don’t ever speak about her again.”

She faltered, then raised her chin in defiance.

“One day, you’ll realize I’m the only one who stayed. When that happens, don’t come crawling back.”

Without another word, she turned and stormed out of the penthouse, heels clicking furiously on the marble floor.

As soon as the door slammed shut, silence enveloped me again. But it wasn’t peaceful. It was deafening.

I grabbed the wine glass and hurled it across the room. It shattered into pieces against the wall—just like my patience.

I leaned on the railing of the veranda again. The city lights began to flicker like stars, indifferent to the chaos inside me.

Althea.

Where are you?

Why did you leave?

And why, after all these years… do I still want you back?