Chapter 010

10.

A DAY LATER…

“It's been a day, Nathan, and you have refused to eat or tell us what happened at the event you went to.” Laylani scolded her son. Nathan had been moody ever since he returned from the event where Samantha was announced the heiress to her father's conglomerate.

He had been so shocked and devastated that he couldn't even bring himself to eat or say anything to anyone.

“Nathan, say something already.” Lucas shook him and he sighed instead.

“Why are you two bothering me? Don't you watch the news?” he snapped, a frown settling on his face while Laylani and Lucas exchanged looks.

“What news?” she asked.

“Come on, mum, don't tell you don't watch the news anymore. It's all over the internet, and it's the hottest on search engines now.”

“Tell us what it is then, and how it is associated with you losing your appetite.” she took a seat beside him and placed her hand on his shoulders.

“It's about Samantha.” he began and Laylani scoffed, withdrawing her hand from his shoulder.

“I thought you wanted to tell me something important. I had no idea it's that bitch of an ex-wife you are talking about. What's up with her? Did she remarry or did she die?” she questioned, the hatred she had for the lady evident on her face.

Nathan shook his head. “Mum, you won't believe it. You know the Salvadors, right?” he asked.

“Yes, I know them. They are one of the biggest business conglomerates in the country. Your father even tried to land a deal there when he was still alive but failed, but I am hoping you would make us proud and get them to become our shareholders one day.” she explained, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Let me shock you, mum,” he sighed. “That company you love so much and want us to land a deal with belongs to Samantha's father,” he revealed and Laylani blinked. “And that's not all. At the event yesterday, Samantha was announced as the heiress to the company.”

“What! That's not true. Samantha is a worthless girl who we threw out of this house. There is no way she is the heiress to the company.” Lucas spoke up immediately.

“I would have said the same thing if I wasn't there to see everything with my own eyes. Mum, you need to see Samantha. She has changed a lot.” he explained everything to them but Laylani was finding it difficult to believe.

“No way, Nathan. You can't tell me Samantha is that rich. Didn't she say her parents were-”

“She lied, mum. According to her, her parents weren't in support of our relationship, so she forsook them and got married to me behind their backs.” he explained and Laylani placed her hand in her mouth, shock written all over her face.

Never in her life did she imagine that Samantha, the lady she mistreated and called bad luck, was the daughter of the Salvadors, and not just that, she was the heiress to the conglomerate. She was literally swimming in money right now. She felt a wave of shame hit her, realizing too late that her hatred and bitterness had been misplaced.

“Nathan, I… I don't know what to say,” she stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper. “I was so wrong about her, and I treated her so poorly.”

Lucas placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression sympathetic. “We all were, mum. We let our prejudices and biases cloud our judgment. But we can't change the past now. What's important is how we move forward.”

Nathan nodded in agreement. “Exactly, mum. And I think it's time we made amends with Samantha. I'm sure there is still some love in her for me. After all, I was her husband and she practically did everything for me. I was just too blind to see how much she loved me then. I'll have to find a way to get back together with her.” he said, and she agreed with him immediately, knowing that getting back together with Samantha was the only hope for their company.

“You have to do that immediately.”

“But, mum, are you sure Samantha will be ready to take Nathan back? We did her dirty and if I were in her shoes, I wouldn't accept him back.” Lucas shrugged his shoulders.

Laylani poked his forehead. “Shut your mouth, you foolish boy. Why would you say that? Don't you know how much Samantha loves Nathan? She was ready to do anything for him while she was still with us. Don't tell me she would hate him so much in such a short time.” she scolded Lucas, but he still stood on his word. He knew how much suffering Samantha passed through in their hands.

“I understand what you're saying, mum, but we can't just assume Samantha will take Nathan back without a second thought. We need to consider her feelings and the fact that she's moved on with her life. She's now a powerful woman, and we can't just waltz back into her life and expect her to forgive and forget,” Lucas argued, his voice firm but respectful.

Laylani's expression turned stern. “Stop talking already. You are only making this whole thing look bigger than it already is. Samantha has a good heart, she will accept Nathan back. Stop assuming stupid things.”

Lucas shrugged again. “I'm just saying what he should expect if he gets there. I know he must have made a move, but it didn't work and that's why he's like this.”

Laylani frowned deeply, but Nathan intervened before she could respond. “Mum, Lucas has a point. I need to approach this carefully and respectfully. I'll reach out to Samantha and apologize for my past mistakes. Maybe we can start with a friendship and see where it goes from there.”

Laylani's face softened, and she nodded in agreement. “You're right, Nathan. Approach her with humility and respect. We'll support you every step of the way.”

****

Aiden sat in his office, his legs crossed as he worked on his computer gracefully. A cup of hot coffee sat on his desk and he took a sip occasionally as he worked. His mind traveled to Samantha, and he wondered what she might be doing now.

The door to his office opened and Seth walked in with some files in his hand.

“Mr. Callymore?” he called, and Aiden looked up at him.

“Any news?” he asked, his expression serious. Seth nodded and stretched out the documents to him.

“These are all the things you need to know about Nathan Miller, Samantha's ex-husband.” he answered, and a smirk formed on Aiden's lips.

“Fill me in on some information.” Aiden demanded.

Seth was about to talk when the door opened and his secretary walked in. “Sir, Samantha Salvador is here to see you.”

Aiden and Seth shared looks. “Let her in,”

The lady nodded and walked out. Seth gave Aiden a slight bow and walked out as well. Aiden wondered what Samantha could be doing in his company. A few seconds later, Samantha walked in. She was dressed in a corporate outfit, her white blouse and black pencil skirt accentuating her curves. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail and her makeup was simple yet elegant.

Aiden couldn't help but stare at her. Samantha noticed this and flicked her finger, bringing him back to earth.

“Good morning, Aiden.” she greeted him with a slight smile.

He was about to respond when his eyes darted to her hand. She had put a bandage in the place that had a cut and made sure it wasn't too noticeable, but Aiden spotted it immediately.

He stood to his feet and held her hand, his eyes darkening.

“What happened to your hand? I know you are not a careless person, Samantha, so tell me, who did this to you?”