Let’s Get Even

The airport was chaotic, a usual atmosphere in New Jersey around this time of the year. It was spring break with a lot of persons going on vacation. 

"It's been how long? Five years, right? How does it feel to be back?" Natasha asked Anna as they walked to the exit of the airport.  

Natasha Roberts had met Anna for the first time three years ago at the Fisher telecoms System, where Anna had come to put them through a cybersecurity course. The two had hit it off from there, fast becoming friends. On Anna's part, Natasha's personality reminded her of Lily.  

"I don't know how I feel, Nat; honestly, I don't think I want to feel anything for this place," Anna replied.  

"I understand that feeling. I don't know the whole story, but I got your back anytime," Natasha said with a warm smile.  

Anna smiled and replied, "Thanks, Nat."  

Barely five minutes after they got to the exit, Clayton appeared with a trolley in tow. All their bags were stacked on each other.  

"Okay, Billy, you go home with the kids; we'll be back before you know it," Anna instructed.  

The kids had fallen asleep towards the end of the flight so they each carried one of them. Their sleep was a welcome relief to their incessant questions about their father and coming back to New Jersey.  

Clayton helped arrange their luggage in the car trunk and then instructed the driver to drive carefully.  

"Let's go," Clayton said as soon as Billy and the kids drove away.  

Clayton noticed the look on Anna's face, placed a hand on her shoulders, and said, "They will be alright, okay?"  

Anna nodded and followed them to the other car. A chauffeur had brought the car from the house. The Fisher family was well-to-do, not on the level of the Howards, but they moved in the same cycle.  

"Nat, pass me the file," Anna said as soon as they got into the car. Clayton was driving, and Nat was sitting beside him in front of the car.  

"You have gone through it for like a thousand times on the flight; I think we are good to go now," Nat responded.  

"It won't affect anything to go through it again," Anna responded.  

"Anna, I really appreciate you doing this; it means a lot to me," Clayton stated, looking at her through the rearview mirror.  

"As long as you are sure there is nothing else, I need to know about it." Anna stated.  

Clayton was her only child, but he tended to make stupid decisions. Despite several pleas for her to work in the family company, Anna had refused, agreeing only to consult them as a cybersecurity expert.  

"We are here," Clayton said, drawing Anna out of her thoughts as he parked in front of the hall. 

It was a conference hall used by most organizations to book meetings and event. 

"Okay, let's get this over with," Anna replied.  

The goal was to generate enough funds to sustain the company, and one of the ways was to get investment.  

"Good day, Mr. Fisher, welcome back," the receptionist said as soon as she saw him walk in.  

"Good day to you too, Agatha. Is the room ready?" Clayton asked.  

"Yes, it is ready and Mr. Michael is waiting already," Agatha informed him with a warm smile.  

Clayton glanced nervously at Anna, taking a deep breath and hoping everything all worked out nicely.  

"Hmm, Mr. Fisher, also, the other participants and judges are in the hall too," Agatha added.  

"Okay, thank you, Agatha," Clayton responded, then turned to address Anna and Nat, "This way, please,"  

They followed him down a long corridor and stopped in front of the last door.  

"Is Michael the client?" Anna asked.  

"Hmm, you'll…" Clayton responded, stuttering.  

Anna's eyes narrowed as she followed him into the hall. The room was filled with quite a few people.  

"Wow, this is quite bigger than what we were expecting. Are we in the right place, Clayton?" Nat asked.  

"Hmmm…" Clayton muttered.  

Before he could say more, someone called out to him.  

"Fisher! There you are at last," a man said, walking towards them from behind Anna.  

"What is going on, Clayton?" Anna asked, her voice was iced cold.  

Before he could say anything, the man got to them, hit Clayton on the arm, and said, "Thank God you're here now; all we need to do is bag this contract and go home. Now where is the famous Vectra?"  

Anna closed her eyes momentarily, trying not to believe Clayton had done exactly what she feared again.  

"Michael, this is…" Clayton muttered, sounding breathless as he tried to muster up his courage in front of Anna.  

Anna looked up and turned to look at Michael, trying to keep her composure.  

"I thought this was supposed to be a bid with a private client who is coming to listen just to us?" Anna asked them both.  

"Hmmm," Michael's brow went up in confusion as he looked from Anna to Clayton.  

"Then what is this?" Anna asked.  

"This is a competition for a telecom contract. The Parker family…" Michael tried to explain.  

Not waiting for him to finish, Anna pulled Clayton's arm and drew him aside.  

"Spill!" She said through gritted teeth.  

"We are on the brink of going bankrupt," Clayton confessed.  

"What?" Anna asked in shock.  

"When did this happen? Does Loveth know about this?" Anna asked.  

"No, I can't tell her; her health is fragile. If the Parker group takes over now, it's going to be disastrous. I promise if you win this bid for us, I will explain it all to you." Clayton pleaded.  

"Was the Parker thing a lie to get me back here?" Anna asked, although she never told them about Simon, but she needed to ask.  

"No, it's not, I swear it," Clayton responded.  

"Okay then, let's go home, and we can sort out other ways to get funds," Anna said, turning to leave.  

"Anna, wait!" Clayton called out.  

At that moment, Anna bumped into a hard chest, hitting the glass cup on the stranger's hand. The cup hit the floor, shattering into a thousand pieces. Drawn by the sound of the glass, people turned to look at them.  

"I'm so soo...” Anna started to say as she looked up.  

"Anna?" came Simon's voice as he looked down at her.  

Anna's jaw clenched as her gaze locked onto him. Her eyes were ice cold as she stared daggers at him. The pain all came rushing back, the coldness of the sea around her that night, and her anger and thirst for revenge burned hotter with him before her.  

Suddenly her lips curled up in a smile, and she called out, "Clayton, I think I just changed my mind, let’s get even."