CHAPTER ONE

Today marked the three month anniversary from the date when I slowly started to revealed myself to my company. Although I had been running my company for over four years now, none of my employees- apart from my secretory Joseph, the council and my team of bodyguards knew who I was. At first I did not know why my parents would keep me hidden, and it was written in their will that my identity was to be revealed to the public at my eighteenth birthday. But looking back these couple of months, I knew why they did that. 

It was utterly stupid on my behalf to start showing my face to my employees from my seventeenth birthday. I had taken into account of the advice from my council as these were my most trustworthy men - some of whom are at least thrice my age. I did not expect it to lead to this problem that I was currently facing. However that did not deter my respect for them in any shape or form. They were trusted by my parents, and hence myself. 

I sighed as I looked out from the window from my private jet. Remarkable hues of purple, pink and orange scattered across the blue canvas as the night slowly emerged along with the stars. Sunsets were always my favourite, there was just something calming about the end of the day. Maybe it was just because I got to relax or maybe it was because it was the time I used to be able to spend with my parents. The last time I saw them was four years ago. They passed away that fateful night. I was only thirteen at that time, waiting for my parents to come home so that I could tell them what I had learnt about that day. I was training to take over their business at that point, and I was so excited for them to come home - if only I knew they wouldn't be able to. I let out a deep sigh again. 

"Are you okay pumpkin?", my thoughts were disrupted by my head bodyguard Robert. He was not only my bodyguard but also my father figure at this point. I knew him since I was two years old. 

"Yes, I am okay. Thank you for asking Robert". I smiled softly whilst nodding. 

He gave me a smile of his own. "We're landing soon darling, I'd say in about ten minutes. I'm going to check the security before we get off, okay?". I just nodded in response as he took off.

I look to my right and slightly adjusted my sleeping younger brother Levi into a more comfortable position, pushing his dark hair back and kissing his forehead. He was snoring softly with his mouth slightly open . He was my only blood related family left and I would do anything to protect him. I was fortunate enough to get to know my parents- Levi didn't have the opportunity. Our parents passed away in a car accident when my mother was pregnant with Levi, and the business world thought that he had died as well. 

Gathering my thoughts, I faced my laptop that was laid in front of me and quickly saved my designs that I had been working towards, before sending a quick email to Joseph regarding my meeting that was scheduled tomorrow at the headquarters. I packed away my laptop in my bag as the rest of my bodyguard team sat down and fastened their seat-belts preparing for landing. 

                                                                      _____

It was now currently eight in the morning in the bright city of Rome, Italy. Grabbing my sunglasses, I headed into my SUV, the bodyguards following behind, towards the headquarters. I sat next to Robert who looked like he was about to burst a vein. 

"Calm down Robert, everything will be fine". I tried to reassure him. 

"Pumpkin, How can I calm down! This is about your safety! I knew we shouldn't have started to reveal your face to the employees just yet. I bet it's one of those fuckers who is threatening you! Or maybe it's your council, they were just waiting for the opportunity. We're lucky that no one knows about Levi." He growled. 

"It's not the council and you know it too. They were... no still are the most trustworthy men in the company. They are loyal. Someone else must have leaked the information about my whereabouts that day. Besides you did a thorough background check on the whole company after the first threat, did you not?". I questioned with a raised eyebrow. 

I tried to ignore his suggestion about any sort of danger towards Levi. I would stop at nothing to keep my four year old brother safe. This was actually the reason why I scheduled the emergency meeting as the threat was not stopping and it sounded serious. Previously when I was threatened, my private investigators - under the command of Robert dealt with it as soon as one week. However, this was going on for over three months and there was not a single clue. I tried to not let my worry on my face show but I was nervous. I guess that the only good thing about this situation was that apart from the bodyguards, Joseph and myself, none of my business colleagues knew about Levi's existence - not even the council. It was safer for him. 

Robert grumbled, "I suppose you're right, but I am still allowed to worry. It's my job as your bodyguard but also because you're my daughter!". I absently nodded at him before putting on my emotionless mask and walked towards the elevator for the top floor where the emergency meeting was to be held. 

As soon as I entered the lobby of the top floor, I was greeted by an awaiting Joseph. "Good morning Miss Kingston, I hope your stay at the Platinum suite was delightful?".

"It was thank you Joseph, are all the board members here?" I questioned in return. 

"Yes, all of the members are here and are awaiting for your arrival Miss Kingston". 

"Very well, let's head in". With this I pushed the glass doors and immediately silence fell upon the conference room. Robert and Ian stood besides me as I made my way towards the head, while another four took their places in the corners of the room surveying everything. 

"Good morning ladies, gentlemen, I hope your travel has been adequate?" I take my seat as I gestured for the six in the room to do the same. 

"It has been wonderful Miss Kingston", my council member from Japan, Itsuki Sato replied with a smile. I just nod in acknowledgement. 

"Miss Kingston if I may ask, what is the reason for this emergency meeting today?" I glanced to my left towards Tristan Walker - my Australian correspondent. 

"Not at all Mr Walker, as you know I have recently started to reveal my face to the company shortly after my seventeenth birthday." They all nodded giving me their full attention. "Following this reveal, there have been some messages sent, addressed to me which regards my safety". I gave a subtle nod to Joseph who stands and displayed the letters addressed towards me on the smartboard behind us. Gasps could be heard as soon as they read the contents of the letters. 

"This is outrageous, who would do this? How can they threaten you and demand Kingston Ltd!" Comments and opinions were shared throughout the room as everyone spoke over each other. I raised a single hand and once again silence falls upon us. 

"As you can see the situation at hand is quite serious. We all know that I've had threats like this previously, however this is not like the others as my face was revealed to the company. I have notion to believe that this person has some sort of personal information about myself. This could be just a ploy from paparazzi to show myself to the public, however this has been going on for the past three months. Thus we cannot take this as a simple joke and must respond accordingly". I looked at them each in the eye. 

"You're right Miss Kingston, we cannot take this threat lightly. They have been utterly disrespectful towards you and the company. How dare they ask for Kingston Ltd and accuse you of a little girl who knows nothing about business. We all know how hard you have worked for the success of your company. You built this company to this stage in just the span of four years! From one company to a multi-billion international corporation!" He exclaimed using wide gestures to get his point across. 

My eye twitched in annoyance as I subtly wiped the spit off of my face, from his over enthusiasm. "You're correct Mr Sato, thank you for the input". He smiled widely at my comment. I think I heard Ian snickering from behind me.

"May I suggest that until the problem at hand is fixed, you remain hidden. It is clear that whoever this is knows about your whereabouts, albeit they are only able to narrow it down to London. It is only a matter of time before they find your location. It is only nine months before your eighteenth birthday where you can show yourself to the public in regards to your parents wishes. But before then, we must ensure that you are safe". Tristan said with a concerned tone. 

"Mr Walker, it is not as simple as that. We all know that it was a major step to show myself to the company this year. It had to be done and I simply cannot go back into hiding for this threat. I knew what consequences there were going to be but this simply defeats the purpose of revealing myself in the first place". I argued back with a cold glare. 

The members of the council and I conversed for at least two hours with regards to the situation at hand, after which we finally came up with a solution that would benefit both parties - at the same time taking into account of my safety. 

"Very well, I will not be returning to London after this and Kingston Ltd will run as normal. With regards to my whereabouts, only Joseph and my bodyguards will know. I will always be available via phone and if there are any urgent matters that require my attendance I will be present. On a much lighter note, how are the designs for the new phone and laptop coming along?" I asked the six members. 

"They are wonderful, the prototypes that have been approved by yourself are now ready to be manufactured to get a final check by you. I should hope at least three months before we manufacture our final prototype". I turned my head to Olivia - my correspondent for the Russian district. 

I slightly nodded in acknowledgement. "Good news, please send the prototypes to me before approval as always. I will see you all soon. Have a nice day". With this I dismissed the meeting and walked out of the conference room to discuss the plans for my safety with Joseph and Robert.