Chapter 1

Kiara Hasting's Pov

"Ki get your fat ass off that couch before I come help you myself" Kim my crazy bestie shouted from the kitchen. She was like my mother; always bossing my around though I never met my mom. She was a surrogate.

She had the chance to stay and  take up the responsibility of being my mom but she chose to leave.

That's her loss by the way 'cause I had my granny and dad's love. I was the apple of their eyes before my dad decided to get married to an ugly grimalkin. I probably sound childish but I'm damn serious when I say she is the devil reincarnation; that's the reason I feel she never had kids of her own and I'm so happy about that because I couldn't bare to share my dad with  some annoying spawn of the devil.

Don't get me wrong I love children though I may never get mine, don't get me started on that, that's another chapter of my life I'm not ready to open. But I don't want siblings from my stepmom 'cause I know they will take after their bitchy mother.

My father passed away three years ago and as expected, my stepmom kicked me out of the house but still agreed to pay my college tuition and give my monthly allowance. I'm  happy with my decision to school in Boston 'cause thankfully I don't have to pay for accommodation since my  granny lives here.  Fortunately and unfortunately for me I'm in my final year and will be graduating in 3 weeks. Fortunately because I'm finally graduating from college. Unfortunately because my stepmom will stop the allowance so I have to get my ass in the business world to keep the funds flowing.

That's brings me to where I am now. My professor offered me an opportunity to join an internship presentation for young Designers in Newyork where there will be high profile companies in my line recruiting. Though I don't believe I have that  much capability to get recuited by those companies, my professor 'claims' he sees potentials in me. Besides it an all expenses paid trip for only me though 'cause my professor knew I would have used my lack of finance to decline the opportunity and I'm grateful he is also guilding me through the presentation.

I'm just sad that granny or Kim can't come with me, most especially granny 'cause I've not been away from her since my dad's death. I wonder if she'll be able to cope without me but I trust Kim to take good care of her; that can't stop me from missing her though.

"My child" granny pat my head softly bring me out of my thoughts. I could never get tired of her touch and pats.

"What have you been thinking about" 

"I don't want to leave you granny" i voiced my thought.

" I'll be fine dear, I have Kim here with me. You don't have to worry about your presentation; I have faith in you" she smiled warming my heart. I just can't imagine life without my favourite old lady.

"What if I get chosen I'll have to live 4 hours away from you; what if I don't have much free time to come visit, what..." 

"Enough with the what ifs. Time will tell my darling child but first you have to take a step at a time" she said lovingly shutting my rambling up.

"Why don't you get dressed so we can spend the morning and afternoon together before you have to go to Professor Jones for your final review" 

"Sure that sounds like a plan, I'll be right back" I rushed up 

"Finally that fat ass is up" Kim huffed 

"Heard ya bitch" I shouted back before shutting my door louly. I don't want to be scolded by granny.

I rushed in the shower for a much  needed  long bath. It's been a while since I took care of my body.. I haven't shaved in forever or cared for my hair 'cause I've been busy with exams and projects. I needed to look and feel good for the presentation so I walked over to the bathroom drawer to get a shave stick, shampoo, conditioner and some other beauty supplies.

After a hour or two when I was sure I've put the items to good use, I walked out of the bathroom in my worn out bath robe and a towel wrapped on my head. I walked in my big closet to pick an outfit. I had a lot of clothes most still with there tags since I've never worn them. My dad used to get me three clothes a week 'cause he knew if it was left to me I had  go shopping twice a year and I'll end up with little to no clothes in my wardrobe so he took it upon himself to get me new clothes weekly leaving me with a closet full of unworn clothes. It's not that I don't like them but I don't just fancy dressing up.

After fifteen minutes of debating, I went for a navy blue gown which I've never worn. I blow dried my hair, applied mascara and a little gloss. With that I was ready to go have fun. 

"Damn you look nice. What's the occasion 'cause I know you 'always want to feel comfy in your hoodie and leggings' " she tried mimicking me.

"Shut up bitch" I flipped her.

"No swearing in my house young lady" granny tried to sound stern but I knew she could not hold her a laughter for a long while. I blew her a kiss and ran off with Kim on my trail both laughing our heads off. I remembered how granny used to chase us when we were being naughty. 

~~~~~~~~~~

"Awwnnnn it looks so good on you" Kim cooed as I tried on a short black lace dress.

"I'm not buying it" I went back in the changing room.

"Why. It looks so nice on you. I wished I had your nice ass and body" she pouted following me into the changing room. She knew that always worked on me but not this time.

"She's right darling. It looks really nice on you" granny offered joining us.

"I don't go to parties or any social event and I can't wear that to work. It's a waste of money 'cause I have  nowhere to wear it to" I pout. It was so hard to say no to my granny.

"Don't worry child an outing will present itself" she winked at me.

"Fine" I huffed adding the cloth to the other ones they made me choose. I could see Kim doing her happy dance from my peripheral view.

"Now let's get you some underwear" Kim had a mischievous glint in her blue orbs.

"Hell no" my voice rose a few octaves gaining stares- more like glares from passers-by. 

I was actually kinda enjoying the day and seeing shopping as a not-so-bad idea but Kim is now making me reconsider that thought. I know you all be wondering why I'm freaking out; it's just underwears but knowing Kim she's going to choose a lot of uncomfortable lacey set. She says I have to look sexy but the thing is I don't have a boyfriend or anyone I'm trying to impress. She already made me buy lot of kitty care product but I'm  more comfortable with my cotton panties.

"Earth to Ki" Kim snapped in my face.

"Huh" I looked around to see we were standing in from of Victoria's secret.

"I promise not to make you feel uncomfortable" she gave me her best puppy eyes and that did it though i knew she wasn't keeping that promise but there is no harm in hoping I suppose.

~~~~~~~~~

It was 3pm, I was on my way to see professor Jones for the final review of my project. I had a fun filled day and Kim kinda kept to her promise. Although granny had to go home after we left the cloth store as she can't stand or move about for long.

By 3:25pm I was in the waiting room. Professor Jones had a meeting which would be ending in the next five minutes but being my punctual self I decided to come earlier. I played cooking fever while waiting on my professor.

"Kiddo you're here on time as always" he smiled unlocking his office. Professor Jones was a nice man. He and his wife took me as their daughter. It's so sad they never had children of their own. Aunt Helen loves children, she owns an NGO for children and women. She is a good woman with a good heart.

"What are we working with" he settled on his office couch.

I opened my old laptop and showed him what I've created. We started to talk on some corrections and some other things, putting finishing touches to my work.

~~~~~~~~~~

Trion Ander Valencio.

(Note: Ander is Amelia's maiden name)

"Sir" my assistant came in with the work I've asked for.

"Put them on the side" I ordered, my gaze not straying from the document I was reviewing.

"Have you done the necessary adjustments" I fixed my glasses at the bridge if my nose. Yes I still use my glasses but only when I'm working.

"Yes sir. You have a program on Wednesday at NYU' he read off my schedule chart.

"What program is that" I signed the document putting it aside.

"It's the Designers internship program where each school produce 3 best design student for presentations" 

"Tell Camden to go in my place" i picked the next document.

"Si... sir you have been  listed as one of the judges" he hesitated 

"Who the fuck put me as a judge without informing me about it first" I was fuming at this point. I wasn't a fan of being around people who are not family.

"It was Mr Clifford sir" 

That fucking old man. He has been getting on my last nerve and I don't think I can condone him anymore but unfortunately for me he is going to be around more often than I desire.

Hank Clifford is a lengend in my line of business. He started running his company before I was born and there had never been a moment of bankruptcy or loss. He got the company from his father-in-law but the strange thing is there is no Intel on his wife it's like she never existed. Also Hank never remarried  after his wife left or died, I'm not sure of what happened to his wife but I'm still trying to figure that out. 

It's time for him to seat back and enjoy his labour but alas, he had no one to pass on his legacy to, I seriously don't think anyone from his wife's family want to have anything to with so now he is looking for a viable company to pass on his legacy to. Nobody actually believed him when he made the announcement a month ago 'cause he had been saying that for almost ten years but it seems he is very serious now and dad doesn't want this opportunity to pass us by. "This is a good opportunity to take out business to the next level and we'll finally climb the ladder to becoming the biggest holding in our line" dad said with a dreamy look. 

I feel the main reason he wants to take this deal is because he always liked to outshine his rival. The Carters had been in rivalry with the Valencios from the days of my great grandfather Massimo Valencio. I'm not interested in continuing in their steps as Owen Carter is like my best friend. Sadly our friendship had not stopped our fathers from hating each other's gut. 

"Sir" Caine called out probably trying to get my attention. I've gone into my own world.

"Damn it" my fist hit the table forcefully coming back to the present situation. This was why  mom made sure my office table was not made up of glass or ceramic because she knows I tend to hit things when I get angry and that's so often.

"What time is it" I gritted out trying my possible best not  to lash on Caine. Caine Anderton has been my assistant from the moment I took over from Dad which is now five years. Sometimes I feel sorry for him as he is always at the receiving end of my anger. I really don't like how I lash at my employees but I have to 'cause I don't want to show people my soft side or else they will trample on it and i also don't want to seem weak.

"10am sir" He read off my schedule chart.

"Have my suit delivered by 8am on Wednesday. If that's all, you can go home" I averted my gaze to the file in front of me.

"Sir I'll wait till you're done" 

" I'll be fine by myself. I'm not a kid Caine" I look at him pointedly getting the message across before looking in the file.

"Okay Goodnight sir" 

"Night"

It's been ten minutes since Caine left my office. I'm finally alone. I placed my reading glasses on my desk and slouched in my seat pinching the bridge of my nose. I've had a long day and I needed some booze to take my mind of some things. 

With that thought, I made my way to the mini bar in my office and poured myself some scotch. I sat on the sofa thinking of my boring loveless life. When I was younger I had always wanted to be a small scale decorator with a family of seven kids. Yeah I wanted seven kids. I loved kids a lot. To everyone I'm a ruthless boss but deep down I'm a big softy. It's so sad that I have no one  to show my soft, loving side to except my family. I'll most likely end up old and lonely like Hank but the difference is that I'll have nephews to pass the Valencio legacy onto. With those thoughts I rested my head on the arm of the sofa drifting off to dreamland.