Chapter Four: Sudden Realizations

One week later

“I’m feeling kinda jet lagged over here bells, who would thought,” I say in disbelief over this weird feeling. I guess I’m going to keep discovering new feelings about myself everyday. Fuck my life.

“The queen of weekly vacations feeling jet lagged? Who are you and what have you done to my Steph?” She gasps with false surprise.

“Question of the year” I whisper bitterly. I knew she was just kidding but everything that has happened in the past week has just been too overwhelming. The constant realization that I’m quite literally a homeless orphan. The gap in my memories and time. My fiancé being married. The conspiracies. Although I’m holding out for the last one. Today we are going to find out the truth and the small thread of hope is all that’s keeping my sanity at bay.

“You know I didn’t mean it like that Steph, I’m sorry and I’m an idiot. I guess it’s too soon,” she mutters with a helpless shrug. Instantly hit with guilt I make my way towards her.

“No no it’s just me and my crappy mood swings Bells. I guess being back in Beverly Hills feels foreign. It’s almost as if nothings changed and I hate it. I hate that I changed. No one else bells, just sad ole me,” my words came out shaky as I fight to keep the tears at bay.

“I know it feels that way, but I promise you that you are still the same beautiful, strong and amazing Stephanie Malloy I’ve known since I was 6. Nothing I mean nothing can change that,” she reassured with a strong voice, causing me to smile slightly. “Now let’s get this show on the road” she said almost immediately as the driver arrived.

The driver came down and rounded the corner to open the door. Sebastian Torez. Fuck those green eyes.

“Miss Isa-” He started but stopped short as those deep emerald eyes fell on my face, recognition and confusion flickering through them. “ Miss Stephanie?” Comes the very confused voice that I was used to die for. Good ole days of having crushes.

“The one and only.” I confirmed, allowing the delight I felt known.

“As much as this whole reunion is touching, I don’t plan on standing all day with these 4 inches louboutin heels,” she says sternly, directed at Sebastian. Crap we have somewhere to be.

“Sorry Ma’am” he apologized gruffly before stepping aside to let us in. But not without shooting a curious look at me. I watch him make his way over to the driver’s seat and strap on his seat belts.

“Where to Ma’am?” He asked as he gazed at us through the rear view mirror.

“Take us to the Malloy Holdings and co.” Bella replied. At the reminder of our plan, I let out a tired sigh, already dreading the journey ahead of us. Sebastian responds with a curt nod and sets the car in motion.

This is going to be a long ass ride.

*************

The car halts in motion after about an hour of steady movement which alerted me of our arrivals. Sucking in a deep breath and steeling my shoulders, I step down from the already opened door and gaze at the large corporate building in from of me. Malloy Holdings and Co. My inheritance. Bella shot me a concerned look and I let out a small reassuring smile. I’m fine. Yep, I’m doing great!

“You ready to go in now Steph?” She whispers softly to me.

“I was born ready,” I retort back, trying to ease the tension radiating of my body like heat waves. With slow confident struts, we step into the building that was once a second home to me.

I couldn’t help but notice the obvious changes in design and staffs and just Everything. It’s like my memory of how it once was never truly existed. My steps faltered a bit, but at sight of the numerous curious gazes being thrown in our direction , I recomposed myself. Finally teaching the elevator, I tapped on the 18th floor which used to be Dad’s and my office. As soon as the door closed, I let out a shaky breath and let my shoulders sag.

“Shit Bella, eveything is so freaking different and hostile. I don’t like this one bit. I really need to speak to my uncle” I rambled on to my best friend.

“Trust me Steph, it gets worse,” she admits. Worse than this ? Is that even possible. I debated within, while tapping my feet impatiently on the floor. Soon enough the ding of the elevator sounded as we arrived at the top floor. Clinging onto Bella’s hands, we walked in the direction of the CEO’s office which I assumed was where my uncle was. Micheal Malloy CEO. The sign read. Shit it’s true, at least the part of him the CEO is. Not bothering to knock and ignoring the assistant who was asking us silly questions. We stepped into the office.

I see my favourite Uncle seated on the executive’s seat. My dad’s seat. He slowly swerves the chair and halts his movement as his gaze landed on my face. Shock, was his first emotion, the confusion and then fear.

“Steph bear, Is that really you?” He asked carefully while making his way over to me. Steph bear just like he always called me. See, everything’s fine. I knew Bella was just misinformed. Finally easing up a bit, I flung my arms around my uncle and embraced his familiar scent. Just like daddy. Gosh I missed him and him.

“Yes uncle Mike, it’s me. I’m back” I affirmed almost too happily. He pulled back slightly and shook his head, as if trying to wish me away. I stood still, confused by his warm welcome. Maybe he’s still shocked, I thought.

“But that’s impossible, you were dead. You are dead. I watched them bury you along with you parents. You must be an impersonator.” He said to my utter disbelief.

“I didn’t die uncle. I was in a coma for those two years and I just came back. I’ve missed you so much uncle Mikey. Now I’m hearing that dad and mums dead and that you erased my existence and you took over and I’m jus-” came rushing out from me in slight panick.

“Of course I took over the company. We both know it was long overdue. Even your father would have wanted it. You never believed he would hand over his dynasty to a girl now did you.” His vile voice came, that sounded nothing like the usual comforting voice I once knew. Something in me broke at the realization of his words. He killed them. I swayed a bit, unable to shoulder the weight of the final realization. I opened my mouth like a drowning fish, about to reply when the door pushes open.

“Micheal, these are the folder’s for the Adams venture deal.” The deep voice came. A voice that I’d recognize even in my sleep. My gaze snapped to his face. Kelvin. I began walking down to him, body buzzing with joy at his sight but what I saw stopped me dead on my track.

A wedding band. A fucking wedding ring. Kelvin was the last hope of sanity coming back to me. At the realization that he is really is married to my cousin, I completely shattered and ran out of the door.

No fucking way.