Chapter 4

Zaria

My heart is pounding so hard in my chest, a mix of emotions swirling inside my head as I walk into the hospital building. I ignore the curious looks from the security staff as I make my way to the reception, my tiny bag clutched tightly to my side.

This can’t be happening. I’ve thought that to myself for the hundredth time. Sam’s voice keeps resounding in my head over and over again.

He’s back.

And he’s the reason why Dad lies in his sick bed.

I simply can’t believe that any of this is happening. My mind races to the last time I saw the stupid man. Tristan King. He was Sam’s fiancé for only a few weeks after we met. Even though my sister had been heartbroken, I told her it was probably for the best. It took a while for Sam to open up to me and tell me the reason why she broke up with her boyfriend whom she was literally obsessed with.

“The life he wants for me is not the life I want for myself. No one forced me. I am just tired,” she had said to me when I asked why they broke up. I didn’t disagree with her because I knew I couldn’t stand her boyfriend. Shortly after, Sam introduced a new guy to the family and they’re still together till this moment. I never fail to tell her how happy I am that she’s in love and has her life figured out, unlike me who is constantly unlucky in love and can’t figure out what to do with my life apart from being my father’s secretary.

“Hello, my name is Zaria Buckley. I’m here for my father, David Buckley,” I say to the receptionist, my voice tight with tension. The woman looks up at me and smiles brightly. I’m guessing she recognizes the name. It’s something I’ve gotten used to against my will. I really hate being known because of my family. Unlike my sister who is a natural with the crowd. Samantha was born for this life. I wasn’t.

“Of course, miss. Here is your pass. Your father is on the second floor, room D12,” she says, handing me a card with the floor and room number on it.

“Thank you.” I dash off and jump into the elevator, the nerves in my body rising up. I try to swallow, but I can’t. It feels like a boulder is stuck in my throat. I pray that my father will be alright. He needs to be fine. How else will he take back his company from that monster? My father is the only one who can right all these wrongs.

I take one step in front of the other as it leads me closer to my father’s room. I open the door and walk inside. The room is warm, too warm. My gaze instantly lands on my sister, who is propped on the pillow beside the bed my father sleeps on. Her blond hair looks disheveled, but she is still extremely beautiful as she always is, her clear skin shining from a distance. My stepmom, Anita Buckley, is seated beside the bed as well, her head in her hands.

I tense as I study my father, who is fast asleep. He looks peaceful, quiet, a clear contrast to the loud and strict man he is when it comes to his business empire. The empire he is about to lose in a blink. God.

I take a deep breath. “Hello, Mom,” my voice comes out in a pathetic whisper.

Their heads whip up speedily at the sound of my voice. They didn’t even realize I was standing there for a few minutes. I instantly notice the crease under my stepmother’s eyes. Anita Buckley is a woman who doesn’t play about her skin and beauty. She is always on makeup done to perfection, her personal makeup artist even lives with us. That’s how much she loves the beauty life. Right now, no amount of makeup can hide the lines under her eyes as she glares up at me. I know without a doubt that I’m about to be scolded like a child again.

“Finally! You decide to show up! We should be thankful to God that Miss Important has graced us with her presence. Should we warm up some tea and fry some chops for you?” Her voice is laced with bitter sarcasm. My heart pounds in my chest as I struggle to rein in my anger. Anita has her way of getting under my skin. Even Sam knows how annoying her mom can be sometimes.

“Mom… please… calm down…”

“Calm down?? Really? Your father has been on the verge of death and you were nowhere to be found! How can you ask me to calm down?”

“Mom… she’s here now. That’s all that matters,” Sam says, standing beside her mother, trying to calm her down. My stepsister looks as beautiful and graceful as she always does. No matter the chaos, Samantha always serves ‘face card’. I smile gratefully at her when Anita finally keeps quiet.

“How is he?” my voice is barely a whisper as I walk over to Dad. He is asleep, but I notice how strained his breathing is. The news must have hit him hard. My heart breaks at the sight of him motionless. I gently place my fingers on his, feeling the wrinkles on his skin.

“The doctors say his situation could have been much worse, considering he hasn’t been using his meds consistently,” Sam explains, her voice laced with exhaustion. I turn to look at Anita, my gaze questioning.

“Well, don’t look at me like that. How was I supposed to know that he wasn’t using his medicines?” Anita snaps, jaw set in a stubborn line.

“You literally live with him,” I state flatly. Sam and I moved out of the house a year ago, and we begged Anita to make sure she always looked after Dad and ensured he took his weekly drugs. Dad couldn’t afford a second health crisis. The first time he had a heart attack was two years ago, in the middle of a board meeting. Thankfully, I had been there, so I rushed him to the hospital. Any moment longer than I got there, the doctor said he would have been gone.

Now, as I watch him lying still and motionless, I can’t stop the rush of tears pooling in my eyes. Knowing the reason behind his current predicament makes it worse.

“Let’s hope he recovers as soon as possible. While that happens, what are we going to do about the main problem?” Sam asks, looking at me like I caused all this.

Well, technically, I always felt like my disapproval of their relationship years ago led her to break up with that despicable man. I think hard about what could be the reason he is back after three years. Why did he target my father’s company? It couldn’t be because he wanted payback for their breakup, could it? Could he be that immature? I don’t want to believe it, but then again, what would I expect from an arrogant, self-righteous, pompous prick?

I look at Dad, sleeping peacefully. I know without a doubt that he would expect me to handle this situation and fix this whole mess. He trained me for years to always manage the company’s crisis. While it isn’t my dream to spend all my life working for him, I love my job. I love working for my father and providing solutions when problems arise.

I have to do that now.

I have to take back my father’s company from Tristan King. Buckley Enterprise will not fall into the hands of a vindictive man-child. Not on my watch. This is my one chance to finally prove myself to my father.

I turn to my stepsister and stepmom, my gaze full of determination. “I will fix this, Sam, I promise. I’m going straight to the head office. I’m sure that animal will be there right now.”

“Are you insane? It’s not that simple, Zaria!” Sam says, sounding genuinely scared. “I’ve known Tristan for a long time, and I know how dangerous he can be. You can’t confront him on your own.”

Anita watches us through hooded eyes. It’s obvious she doesn’t care about the whole situation, all my stepmom cares about is my father getting better so she can maintain her expensive lifestyle.

“I don’t care if he’s dangerous, Sam. He is a fraud and a thief who must be brought down. Dad still has the support of the majority of the shareholders. If they all listen to Dad, they will listen to me.” My voice sounds strange, full of confidence. Confidence I hope won’t put me in trouble.

Sam watches me for a long, tense moment before nodding hesitantly, tired of arguing with me. “Alright, sis. I have a show to catch up to in a few minutes, anyway. So I can’t go with you. Don’t worry about Dad, Mom won’t blink an eye till he’s up and running.”

I nod and proceed to walk out of the room, my heels scraping the tiles uncomfortably. I leave the door slightly open as I walk out. I try to calm my nerves at the thought of what I am about to do.

You’re not afraid of anyone, Zaria. You’re a force to reckon with, and that man will regret the day he crossed paths with you. 

I tell myself. I will not let—

“Zaria!”

The sound of my stepmom’s voice stops me in my tracks. I turn to see her hurrying toward me. Did I forget something? Or does she not want me to go? I wait for her to reach me.

“Is there any problem?”

“No. I just wanted to tell you something before you go.” Anita’s eyes hold mine strongly. “I don’t care what you do or how you do it, but make sure you get our legacy back. Even if you have to get your hands dirty, do it. Just don’t let that man take our only livelihood away. Do you understand me?”

My heart clenches at her words. What does she mean by getting my hands dirty? I look at her silently.

“The board is a group of shrewd people who only believe in one language. Power. If you find a way to tap into their power, you can control them. You are a woman. A beautiful one at that. Don't be dull, Do you understand me? ”

I’m speechless. I’m not sure what she is trying to tell me. A part of me hopes that she isn’t saying what I think she is saying. Anita can’t be that shallow, can she? The look on her beautiful face tells me she is not joking at all. Jesus Christ.

“Offer yourself to one of the biggest board members if you have to. And do it smartly.” She’s actually advising me to whore myself with dad’s associates.

“I truly cannot believe you sometimes,” I whisper, mostly to myself, staring at my stepmom blankly. She chuckles softly and touches my cheek.

“My dear stepdaughter, if you like, take my advice, if you like, don’t. After all, you’re the main reason why we are in this precarious situation. It’s up to you to fix it. If not, that validation you seek from your father so badly will disappear when he wakes up.”

The blood in my system turns to ice at her words. What…?

“What… what do you mean?” I stutter, my cheeks heating with anger and shame.

“Oh, you think I don’t know the role you played in breaking my daughter’s relationship with a man who is now evidently a hundred times richer than us? Sam confessed to me this morning that you interfered in their relationship years ago. If not for you, they probably would be married with two kids by now. I know your sister is prettier but does that mean you have to be jealous and try to spoil things for her? Look at the situation you put us in now. ”

The words hit me like ice water. Sam told her I caused their break up? She made me promise never to tell our parents anything about Tristan. And now she told Anita I ruined her perfect love story, conveniently skipping the part where she ended things herself? Why would she put the blame on me?

My throat tightens. “I… excuse me,” I whisper, pushing past Anita before my voice breaks.

Tears prick my eyes, but I swallow them. This is not the time for tears, This is the time for war.

Tristan King messed with the wrong family.

And I’m going to face him myself.

***