Chapter 2 The second

Katalina's POV

"What do you mean my company has been taken over? By whom? Who authorized this?" I screeched. My voice resounded throughout the office. .

Nelson hesitated before speaking, choosing his words carefully as he tried to placate my anger.

"I'm so sorry, Katalina. I didn't know how to tell you. The board of directors received an offer from a mysterious buyer, and they voted to accept it. They sold their shares and the transfers were finalized yesterday evening."

A strange numb feeling spread throughout my body, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.

"A mysterious buyer?" I repeated, my voice incredulous. "What does that even mean? Who is it? Why did the board agree to this?"

Nelson dropped his gaze in regret. "The buyer's identity was kept confidential throughout the negotiations. The board didn't even know who they were dealing with. They just knew it was a lucrative offer."

My eyes narrowed in disbelief. "This is ridiculous," I spat.

"I'm the majority shareholder. I should have been consulted. This is my father's company. This shouldn't happen, not without my knowledge."

I paced back and forth across the room, my mind racing with thoughts of betrayal and anger. I can't believe that the board would do this to me. Was I truly too naive to run a company?

As I paced, my eyes landed on a photo of my father, the company's founder, hanging on the wall. I felt a surge of determination and anger.

I was going to fight this take over with every ounce of strength I had. I was going to make sure that the board regretted ever crossing me.

"I want to see the take over documents," I demanded, turning to Nelson. "I want to know everything about this mysterious buyer. Get the lawyers on the phone and get me the information I need."

Nelson nodded hastily and began dialing the phone. I continued to pace, my anger and frustration growing with each passing moment. I was going to get to the bottom of this, no matter what it took.

"When are the board members having their next meeting?" I paused.

"They're having one right now." He said warily. I laughed bitterly, those old fools.

I made my way to the boardroom, my heels clicking on the polished floor. The board of directors, a group of middle-aged men and women with smug, self-satisfied expressions, looked up from their seats.

Some board members refused to look me in the face. Their dropped gazes and grimaces told a story of shame and regret.

"Good morning, Katalina," said Reginald, the chairman of the board, his voice dripping with insincerity and triumph.

"We've been expecting you. Please, have a seat."

My eyes flashed with anger. "Expecting me? You have some nerve!" I hissed,my voice cold and sharp. I continued, "You think you can just sell my company shares behind my back and expect me to be okay with it?" I stepped forward, menacingly.

Reginald leaned back in his chair, a sly smile spreading across his face.

"Katalina, Katalina, Katalina. You're so naive. It's nothing personal, this is just business. And in business, sometimes you have to make tough decisions."

My face turned red with rage. "Tough decisions? You call betraying me and selling my company out behind my back a 'tough decision'?"

Reginald shrugged. "Hey, someone's got to make the tough calls around here. And let's be real, Katalina. You're not exactly known for your business competency. You barely know what is going on in this company"

My eyes glinted with anger. "How dare you," I spat. "I'll have you know, I've worked hard to build this company into what it is today."

Reginald snorted. "Work? Please. You barely come into work. You've been riding on your father's name and legacy for years, hiding behind his accomplishment."

He stood up and walked towards me "It's time someone take the reins and run his business properly." He whispered in my ear, his breath hot and humid.

My voice was laced with venom. "You're just a bunch of corrupt, slimy..."

Reginald held up a hand, his expression mocking. "Katalina, you will never be like you father. You're nothing but a socialite, an airhead."

My eyes flashed with anger and the back of my eyes stung. "I'll make sure you pay for this," I vowed, turning on my heel and storming out of the room.

I thundered down the hallways, my mind going miles per minute. Nelson was waiting in front of my office.

"The lawyer is in there." I took a deep breath refusing to let the tears that have gathered in my eyes fall, then I went in.

"Mr. Carlos, It's a pleasure to see you." I shook hands with him.

"Katalina." He nodded at me. We took our seats at the desk.

"My company is being taken over by a mysterious buyer." I got straight into business and recounted the whole story. He listened attentively

"I just can't believe they would do this to me," I finished, my voice shaking with anger. "I thought I could trust them." I whispered.

"I know it's hard to accept, Katalina. But we need to focus on what we can do to rectify the situation." He said, his warm eyes were filled with sympathy.

I leaned forward, my fingers locking together on the desk. "What can we do?"

He hesitated before speaking. "Well, Katalina, it's not going to be easy. But I think we can negotiate a buyback of the company."

My eyes lit up with hope. "Really? How much will it cost?"

Mr. Carlos' expression turned serious. "Katalina, according to the contract here, the buyer is willing to sell the company back to you. But they're asking for a premium price."

My heart sank. "How much?" I repeated.

He hesitated, exchanging looks with Nelson before answering. "They're asking for $2.5 billion."

I sat in stunned silence, my mind reeling from the enormity of the price tag. I had never felt so defeated in my life. A strange numb feeling spread throughout my body.

There was a moment of calmness that none of us felt at that moment. Mr Carlos started "Katalina, I know it's a lot to take in. But we can-"

I shook my head, standing up abruptly. "No, it's fine. I understand." My voice was flat, devoid of emotion. I felt adrift and lost.

Mr. Carlos looked concerned. "Katalina, don't give up. We can-"

But I was already walking out of the office, my heels clicking on the floor. I felt like I was walking away from my dreams, from my family's legacy.

As I stepped out into the bright sunlight, I felt a wave of despair wash over me. I had never felt so lost, so alone.

I walked slowly down the street, my eyes fixed on the ground and my confidence stripped away from me. I didn't notice the people passing by, didn't hear the sounds of the city.

All I could think about was the company, and how it had been taken away from me. I felt like a part of me had been ripped away.

I eventually found myself back at my car, parked by the curb. Looks like Nelson had my car brought for me.

Sliding into the driver's seat, I leaned my head on my steering wheel. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly till my knuckles turned white

The tears I had been holding back finally dripping down my face. Quiet sobs escaped my lips. I thought about facing my dad and telling him that the company he handed to me had been sold and I sobbed harder.

All I ever wanted was to make him proud of him. I was always seen as the dumb prissy one, the socialite. The fact that I was blonde didn't help matters.

This was my one chance to prove that I'm not just a girl whose brain was filled with bags and shoes, to show them that I could be more.

And I failed, the weight of it all overwhelmed me. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, I failed.