Chapter 5

Carly

I dragged my foot to my drawer and I picked the bottle of drugs that I've started using a lot lately. I shook my head at the headache crowding in.

It felt like a block was placed on my head. I sighed, pouring three tablets out, then gulped them down with water.

My steps felt heavy as I moved around the room, taking a blanket from a locker, then I moved to the sitting room.

It was still dark outside, and I should be sleeping after working all night, but I couldn’t bring myself to sleep.

Recently, the nightmares have become more frequent, and I was out of my sleeping drugs, but I couldn’t ask for more as not to notify everyone.

I wished I could tell my therapist about the recurrence of my situation now, but she was from my grandfather.

I knew the reason why I was in this state again.

I sat on the couch to watch the TV as the news broadcast, but somehow, I wasn’t hearing them.

Earlier at the meeting, I threatened to kick out all the board members if they dared defy me. M&M was promising, but I couldn’t care less, as there were other projects to work on.

I couldn’t care less about Father, he would be against it, but he couldn’t fight against all the shareholders who were more afraid of me.

It was tiring having to fight against the same thing.

Working with cordisR was working with Arthur, and I have avoided working with them for the past four years.

Whenever there was a project that involved them, I'd either drop out or take the project all by myself. I was hoping this had been the same, too.

They said that when met with fate thrice, it becomes inevitable. Meeting Arthur at the parking spot, and now a collaboration, I hope there won't be another occurrence.

The sound of my phone ringing drew me to the table. I picked up the phone and answered.

“Good morning, Gina,” I almost whispered.

“Good morning, Carly. Why do you sound so tired, or did I wake you?”

“Hm, yes.” I lied. “Where are you going so early? I can't remember you coming so early to the company.”

She laughed, her voice echoed through the phone.

“I had to wake up early because our dear friend is coming back to the country.” She spoke, the sound of her driving whizzing through the air.

“Who is that?” I asked. I covered my head with the blanket.

“You speak like we have so many friends. Who else is capable of making me drive so early?”

“Liam?” I asked.

“Wow, don't tell me he didn’t tell you. That crazy bastard, he sure doesn’t want to bother you. Good for you. I´ll leave you to rest now.”

“Alright. Say hi to Liam.”

“Alright, see you later.”

The call ended, and I dropped the phone. The sky was getting cloudy blue, a sign of morning was approaching faster.

I needed to rest, but couldn’t bring myself to. The only way out of it all was working. I stood up to head to the room.

“The two companies are doing so great, and I can see them staying in the top for decades.”

“Yes. The genes are really strong as both grandfathers and even the fathers at some point dominated the business market, so it is really no surprise seeing the children doing great. They are even going intentional.”

I turned back, looking at the TV, images of my company and cordisR were displayed on the screen as the two anchors went about their discussion.

“In our last private meeting, there was a link of secrecy about how both families will be joining together soon. Apparently, there is something between Ms Carly and Mr Arthur.”

My brows furrowed the more I listened.

The news channel was renowned for being genuine, and we have worked with them a couple of times. They won't spread false news, or else they would be true.

“The top people coming together isn’t something new, but both of them will be extraordinary. I see a great future ahead.”

The voice faded as I picked up my phone again, checking through the media. On the top search was my and Arthur's name. I went through the articles, confused about everything.

Why would there be such an article?

´What was going on?´ I asked in the silence of the room.

My phone suddenly rang and I almost dropped it in fright.

“Miss, I don't know if you have seen the news going around. I called the reporting company, and they said your father gave them the information about the engagement, and also spoke about the upcoming project that involves both companies. Though I asked them to take it down, small companies are taking over the news.”

“Call as many as you can. If they refuse to take it down, they should get ready to close their company.”

My legs weakened as the call ended.

I found my way to the floor as my phone started beeping, thousands of messages flowing in. I stared at the TV but couldn’t hear anything. The room suddenly grew silent, like nothing existed.

My phone lit up, and it started ringing, dragging me back into reality. My grandfather's name flashed on the screen.

“Grandfather,” I said, but I couldn’t hear my voice.

“So, it was that bastard!” He yelled, and I flinched.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why am I hearing about him from that ungrateful son of mine after he made another crazy decision!”

“Grandfather,” I called, my voice low. My heart hurt all of a sudden, and I could feel a knot in my stomach. My eyes stung so bad that, for the first time in a long while, I felt truly helpless.

“Speak, child, talk to me.” His voice lowered.

Maybe his soft tone did it as I couldn’t help the tears that flowed through my eyes anymore.

They said when you meet fate thrice, then it's bound to stay with you. And this was the third time.