Chapter Two

She couldn't hold herself — she broke down crying, feeling bitter as she remembered what happened on prom night. She was tired of life, hoping that one day she would meet her mom in heaven. Esther didn't know that her father was one of the most feared and respected man — the biggest tycoon in the whole of Manhattan in New York City.

"But what she never knew was that there was a mystery behind her birth."

She kept cleaning the counter, fidgeting and crying silently, not knowing that Smith was watching and feeling bad for what he had done.

"Leave," he said, with a calm voice.

She walked away and closed the door behind her.

"Mr. Smith, Mr. Pears Wolf is here."

"Okay. Get the documents prepared," he said softly.

"Yes, Sir," Linda said.

Pears Wolf was a business associate of ValeX  Technologies. Pears said calmly, "Good to see you again." 

"Welcome. Come, let's go to the office," said Smith. They both smiled and shook hands.

"Please, sit," said Smith.

"Thank you," Pears said calmly.

"So, this is the home of the world's best technology system, Mr. Pears," said Smith. "I'd like to tell you that the drone production would be life-changing for humanity and the future," he said, smiling.

"As one of the…" Pears began, then lost his train of thought completely after catching a glimpse of Esther outside the glass door, cleaning the floor. He tried to repeat what he wanted to say but was still distracted by her face — she reminded him of someone from his past. Someone he had eliminated from his past. He couldn't think straight.

"Are you okay, Mr. Pears?" Smith said, glancing outside the glass door to figure out what had caught his attention. When he noticed Esther outside, he fumed. He grabbed his phone and called Linda.

And said in a low but aggressive voice, "Tell that girl to leave the front of my office. Immediately. Now." He dropped the phone, his fist clenched. Then he smiled again. "Are you okay, Mr. Pears?"

"Yes, I am," Pears said.

When he turned again to look for Esther, she was gone — he caught only a glimpse of her walking away from the door.

"Are you sure, Mr. Pears?" Smith asked with concern.

"Yes, I am."

But before he could speak again, he was struck still. Standing outside the glass door was a face that shook him to his core — a woman who looked exactly like someone he had wronged many years ago.

Could this be Emilia? Or am I losing my mind? Pears said to himself. No…no…this can't be. My past cannot come back to me…no…no… he said silently in his mind.

"Mr. Pears." Smith called.

"Yes! Oh, I apologise for the distraction earlier," Pears said. "This is wonderful news and I am truly proud of you, Smith," Pears said, calmly, though his heart was rattled.

"Thank you, Sir," Mr. Smith said, smiling.

"I have to get going. I have a meeting with my board later," Pears said, rising from his seat.

"Of course," said Smith.

"It was a pleasure having you here” shaking Pears' hand.

As he walked toward the door, he glanced at Esther again. This time, Esther looked back at him as she stepped out of the elevator — and what he saw in her face stopped him cold. He turned quickly, walked straight to the exit where his escort hurried to meet him.

"Alex, open the car," he said, getting in.

"Boss, where are we going?" Alex said.

"Take me home." The car sped off.

They arrived at the Penthouse. Alex opened the door as  Pears stepped out. "Are you okay, Sir?" Alex asked. He was Pears' most trusted bodyguard.

"Yes, I am. Thank you, Alex," Pears said.

"Daddy!" A voice rang out from the staircase. A tall, elegant, and beautiful lady called out and came rushing down to hug him.

"Chloe?!" Pears said, shocked to see her. "What are you doing here? What do you want? Why are you in the state? What brought you here?"  Pears said, calmly but with a deeply disturbed heart.

"Dad, why all the questions? Aren't you happy to see me? I missed you, Daddy, and that's why I came back to spend time with the most lovely man in the whole world," Chloe said, laughing. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you, dear," Pears said, still disturbed but covering his worry with a faint smile. "I've missed you so much. Now that you're around, everything will go smoothly," he said softly.

Chloe smiled and said, "You're right, Dad. Watch how I handle things around here." They both laughed. "I have to go to my room now, Dad. Bye for now."

As the door closed behind him, Pears turned and said quietly, "Find out who that girl from ValeX Tech  is and bring me everything about her."

"Yes, Sir," a voice from behind responded, and the door closed.