Drained

Having her curiosity eat her up, Leia picked up the documents and took a glance at the first page.

Her eyes went wide and her lips parted at the content.

Instinctively, she turned to the second page and third but with each turn, every document was a bomb thrown at Leia.

With that many, she decided to take her time reading the documents while she waited for the staff. 

At last, it was 10 am, and by this time everyone had arrived, but she was so caught up in the document that she forgot about their arrival, including her address to them. 

Knock! Knock!

"Huh!" 

She sent her gaze towards the door and found a formally dressed woman outside, most likely her secretary.

Looking past the woman, her eyes dropped to the lively environment outside and realized she had lost track of time. 

Quickly she hurried out, right after putting the documents where they belonged.

Standing before the many serious faces staring at her with not much expectation, Leia sucked in whatever fear she had while chanting Rachel’s words in her mind and smiled.

"Some of you may have already heard the news,” she began, making sure she kept eye contact.

“However, my husband being arrested will not affect my job here. And since I was nominated for the position of CEO, I will do my duty diligently until the election is over.”

She gave a brief pause to let her words sink in.

“I trust that you would work together as a team to achieve the best sales because I'll be in your hands and need your support. Together we can achieve greater heights and take this company to the top. Thank you for your future cooperation and good luck.”

It was the shortest and simplest of speech she could think of while trying to remain strong and bold.

However, before anyone could make a comment or even clap, a voice hollered from behind.

"Leia, what are you doing?!"

Keeping her smile professional, she turned only for her gaze to land on her stunning mother-in-law, Claire, who was fuming with rage.

"I came to do my duty.”

“Excuse me?”

“I hate letting people down and I know Kasen would be unhappy if he discovers that I remained holed up in a corner rather than doing something he trusted me for.”

That pleased smile was on her lips again with a hint of humour laced in her dazzling blue eyes.

“So, from today, I will be working in this company," she replied fiercely. 

Claire frowned at her and scoffed.

She itched to give the vile small-town girl a piece of her mind but she couldn't do that, not with the many eyes watching. 

Her chest rose with great effort as she clenched her jaw and stormed off, leaving Leia to her business.

A sigh escaped her lips right after. Regardless of her tough nature, she was quite frightened by Claire but did not want to show it. 

It'll be difficult for them to accept her but she wasn't going to sit back and do nothing. 

“You've kept me in a difficult position Kasen.” She mumbled to herself. 

‘You shouldn't have left the company in my hands in the first place. That way I wouldn't be concerned about both you and the company.’ She lamented in her mind.

Reaching for her wedding ring with her right hand, she rubbed on the diamond ring, hoping to soothe and gain support from it.

‘If only you were here, Kas. My heart can only hope you are okay wherever you are.’

Her shoulders slouched a little bit when a thought came to mind.

‘No, I should visit him today once I leave this place.’ She concluded inwardly as she beamed with happiness at the mere thought of seeing him.  

******

"You'll be having a meeting with the board members tomorrow, followed by one with the shareholders. It'll happen at exactly 9 am so to set a record and show them that you're serious it's best if you arrive ten to thirty minutes earlier." 

Julia, Kasen's appointed secretary for Leia, briefed her on her responsibilities and duties.

After seeing her schedule and comparing it to her husband’s, she came to the conclusion that he was a workaholic.

She had not begun but it was already draining for her.

"I can't do this," she uttered in defeat.

"Ma'am?!" Julia called for her attention, snapping Leia back to her senses. 

Still, her secretary could tell what that look on her face meant. 

She couldn't pressure the woman any further, she had promised her employer that she would take good care of his wife. 

"That'll be all, the next list of activities can be held next week," Julia announced. 

"Really?" Leia asked, unable to believe it at first, but the excitement on her face told too much of her expression, that it had Julia smile slightly. 

Knowing she made a mistake she cleared her throat and reverted to boss mode. 

"Alright, have the car ready, there's somewhere I need to go," she announced.

Julia nods, acknowledging her effort while under pressure. 

Taking her phone from her pocket and making calls while Leia gathered the documents from his office so she would leave with it. 

"Hmm! I'll need to ask him about all this," she murmured.

Although the few issues in the report worried her, too much of it could lead to serious issues, and the many files Kasen had was more than enough to have that happen.  

While she was a journalist she would usually spot a few things like this. 

This was trouble and if something like this gets into the hand of the wrong person.

Another issue she had with documents was that the record was coming from the finance department and the people in charge of that department are none other than her lovely in-laws. 

"Is this what you wanted me to find out, Kasen? What exactly do you want me to do?" She asked herself in confusion.  

"Ma'am the car's ready." Julia phoned. 

"Yes, and please tomorrow, find time to fix a separate meeting for me and my in-laws regardless of their departments." 

She needed to speak with Kasen today no matter what. 

Making haste, she took the elevator down and hurried past the receptionist, quicker than the speed of lightning. 

"Have a nice day ma'am." The receptionist greeted but she had no time to listen as she headed towards the exit. 

The door was opened for her by a man who was coming in.

Just as she was about to step outside, she retracted and turned around, recalling the appearance of the man who held the door for her. 

The back of the man who walked past her with his hand in his pocket and a scarf around his neck was broad and big. 

It felt like a familiar figure, a posture of a perfect someone with a walking style that was defined as elegant and high class. 

Something in her stomach tingled.

Curious, she began following the man back inside. 

"It couldn't be, could it?" She questioned, but the man walked too fast for her to catch up. 

With boldness, she stopped and called out one name. 

"Mark?!" 

The man suddenly stopped walking and turned around. He took a good look at her.

"Is that you, Leia?" The man questioned. 

Caught in a trance she had no idea what to do at this point, even if she called him first.

Her body stiffened and she was out of words. 

Mark!

All memories of good, bad, and ugly floors upon seeing him. 

Leia's first love, the man who abandoned her.

That Mark had returned