FIVE

Florence's POV

“I hate you.”

The words left my mouth before I could stop them. They were hot, cracked and ragged. My fists were clenched at my sides, trembling with the weight of five years of silence and pain.

“You’re wicked,” I breathed out, laughing bitterly. “You’re so wicked but you have no idea that your worst enemy is working right under your nose.”

Anthony didn't move, he didn't even speak. He just stood there, his dark eyes fixed on me like I was a stranger speaking in tongues or a foreigner rapping in an unknown language, but maybe I was. Maybe this is what happens when you tear the stitches open all at once and let salt pour into your wounds.

But I kept on talking.

“Every morning you walk past me in your expensive suits thinking you own the world. Meanwhile, I’ve been sitting in your office plotting to tear it down, your company, your image, your control.”

His jaw tightened, but he still said nothing.

I let out a cold, broken laugh. “You don’t even realize what you’ve done to me. What you did to my family, to my father, to Gabriel. And yet you sit so calm and composed like nothing and no one can touch you.. unfortunately I am here to change all that. I will hurt you so much.”

I stumbled back, my back hitting the wall and I felt the world tilt and a wave of dizziness hit me.

"I hate you." I said before darkness fell and everywhere went still.

*****

When I opened my eyes again, I was not in the same hotel room. This one was much smaller. Quiet and dimly lit with the air smelling like roses and linen.

I sat up too fast causing my head to spin, my temple was pounding, and my body ached like a steamroller had gone through me.

Where am I? For a moment, my mind was completely blank and my mind felt fuzzy like there was static.

But then it rushed in like a flood, the champagne, the one sided shouting match, the balcony, and him. Me screaming, confessing, cracking wide open in front of the one man I was supposed to destroy. I had completely ruined my plans but completely going clean in front of him. And the fact that I kissed him. I planted my lips on the man who had ruined my life, how far had I fallen.

I sang my legs over the bed and realize that I was still wearing the dress from last night, minus the shoes which were discarded on the floor. Someone must have brought me here. Was it him?

But he had left no note, no message, just nothing but silence. The same kind I have been living in for the past five years.

I gathered myself, my belongings and head out. Got in a cab and went straight home to freshen up.

Mum was pacing around the living room when I got there. She was holding an old tie that used to belong to Dad.

“Florence, he didn’t come home,” she whispers, rushing to me with worry maring her eyes. “He went out, and I waited but he didn't come back. I waited all night.”

I took the tie from her gently and tried to soothe her. “Hey mum. He’s okay, he just… had to work late and you of all people should know how tiring his work is.”

She started shaking and her eyes welled up with tears. “Did he forget about me? Is he mad at me? He didn't call me to tell me.”

I pulled her in for a hug. One so tight and warm I hoped it would be her cure. “No don't think that. Dad really loves you. He probably just got busy or his phone died because he forgot to take the charger along, but he’ll call later, okay?”

She nodded, slowly calming down. I helped her into her room and laid her down, brushing her hair back like I used to when I was younger. She closed her eyes eventually, going off to sleep.

While my own eyes are burning red with tears that came straight from my soul.

I showered quickly, changed into work clothes, and grabbed my bag dashing out of the house quickly. My stomach felt like it was made of stone and I need something to distract myself from the ache in my chest. I didn't even know if I still had a job, but I couldn't sit here like I had given up.

I had stepped into the elevator and went down when my phone buzzed. It was an official email.

Subject: Termination Notice

Body: Ms. Davidson, your probationary employment with St. Louis Corporation has been terminated, effective immediately. Your access to office property has been revoked.

I just stared at the screen.

My employment was terminated? Just like that?

There was no warning or explanation. Anger surged through my chest, fierce and hot like a dormant volcano ready to explode.

I didn't wait to wallow in self-pity or contemplate my next plan. I went straight to the office.

The security guard at the door gives me a confused look. “Miss, you’re not authorized to go in today. Your access card was deactivated this morning.”

I gave a tight smile. “I left personal belongings in the executive office. Just a few files and personal items, I’ll be out in five minutes.”

He hesitated for a while but he nodded eventually and stepped aside from me to walk in.

And I did, with no badge,no clearance,no rules. Just unbridled rage and anger.

I marched to the 41st floor and stepped into Anthony’s office like I still belonged here. And there he was, behind the desk, as usual. Calm and composed. The face that gave away nothing.

“You terminated my appointment. You fired me.” I say coldly.

He looks up. “Yes I did. ”

“No meeting? No call? No conversation what's so ever?!”

“You screamed at my in public. You insulted me based on false accusations. You are clearly unstable and I do not need such people in my office.”

I laughed. “So this is about your ego.”

“No. It’s about responsibility. I’ve noticed your... quirks, since the day you arrived.”

“You mean my dislike for you?” I snarled. “You mean the way I couldn’t pretend to admire a man who destroyed my family?”

His eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

I stepped forward. “You don’t remember Davidson & Co.?” My voice rose. “You acquired them four years ago. My family’s biggest no one branch, the crown and foundation of our business, the one your company devoured.”

“That company you are talking about was completely drowning in debt,” he replied sharply. “We salvaged what was left and made it what it is now.”

“You mean you stole it,” I said. “After you sent my brother to jail. After you framed him for tax fraud and let my father die from the disgrace of it.”

“I have never met your brother,” he says firmly. “I don’t even know his name.”

“Gabriel Davidson,” I snap. “He was the CFO and he was framed for a crime he didn't commit. Everything fell apart because of your company. My mother has been slipping out of reality ever since. I’ve been trying to keep her together while you climbed your precious ladder.”

Anthony blinked, slowly. Then leaned down, opening a drawer. He pulled out a file and slid it across the desk to me.

I hesitated but then took it and looked down. It was a death certificate.

One with Gabriel's name written on it, and that wasn't all. Gabriel’s date of birth was there along with a photograph clipped to the corner.

The apparent cause of death was a car crash. Certified by a local authority. Time-stamped, signed.

My hands trembled in confusion and fear. “This... this can’t be real.”

“He died according to what I know. It happened before we acquired that company,” Anthony sa quietly. “I remember it clearly because the deal was delayed. It was part of the reason it was up for auction.”

“No.” I shake my head. “No, he didn’t die. He was arrested, he is currently in jail in a different country. He’s alive.”

I unlocked my phone, open the police database link that I had saved for like three years ago.

I slammed the screen down in front of him.

The name: Gabriel Davidson.

Crime: International Financial Fraud.

Status: Detained.

Location: Undisclosed, foreign facility.

Anthony looked at the phone and then at me, and for the first time since I met him, he didn't look composed.

He looked... completely lost.

“This doesn’t make sense,” he murmured to himself.

My hands tightened around the edge of the desk. “No it doesn’t.”

Silence stretched between us, filled only by the soft hum of the AC and the sound of two people realizing neither of them knew the truth.

“We both have proof,” I whispered

He nodded slowly. “So... which one is real?”