Chapter 1 The grief

"I can't believe this is happening barely after my graduation." my voice shaking with a note of tears dropping off my face as I bury myself in the brown leather chair, amid my father's family, all dressed in black attire. Alongside other visitors who came to bereave with us. I had just lost both my parents in a fatal accident on their way for a trip.

And this happened just a month after my graduation. I didn't even get to celebrate it well enough with them yet, my whole body weakened at the feeling of having to live as an orphan. But some part of me felt like it's not true, maybe it's just an illusion that my mind had made up, considering that a lot of people are with me I don't think I'm dreaming.

Grief hung thick in the air, each face reflecting the pain of their sudden loss.

Everyone in the room was silent for moments, until a soft voice finally pierced the stillness, pulling me out of my thoughts

"We are all going to be here for you Rena. Everything will be okay." Jena, my best friend since childhood, damp her fingers softly on my shoulder, comforting me like a baby that's about to sleep.

I bury my face in my palms, desperately fighting the urge to scream my last breath out of me, my stomach ruffled with mixed feelings of disruption, and confusion. As I let out a loud sigh.

Questions kept popping into my head leaving me even more confused and bothered about how I would push through with my new life without my parents, but somehow I found myself consoled all of a sudden as everyone started to take off to their various destinations one after the other until I was left with only my father's family.

"I mean what more could I have possibly done?" I thought to myself, sighing heavily as I accepted my fate. And just when I was about to excuse my sober self from the rest of the sad and quiet-looking people surrounding me, the doorbell rang,

"I'll get it..." my friend Jena stood up to approach the door and she opened it gently as if she did not want to wake anyone from sleep.

"Hi, I came to pay my last respects, my condolences" It was a man's voice, his voice sounded so deep, husky, and commanding. The moment Jena stepped out of the way to let him in I felt a sudden rush in my stomach and no it wasn't the one of fear,

"Why is he always this handsome? " I know I'm not supposed to have such feelings especially not when k I'm still grieving but I can't help drooling over the masculine in front of me with a rose flower bouquet. It's him, Raymond Levi, my dad's best friend who I've had a crush on for a long time but can't seem to bring my naive self to acknowledge it.

His gaze on me was so sharp and shaded a piece of pity, his dominating aura was nothing I could handle. I felt a little squeeze between my thighs as heat flushed my face.

"I'm so sorry for your loss Rena, I came as soon as I heard, this must be so difficult to handle" he sat beside me, my heart skipped when he gave my hand a gentle reassuring squeeze.

"Thank you, and thanks to my family Raymond. I'm holding up fine." he met my gaze again and I felt a pump of shiver building up my spine.

"You know, your father always talks about you and how brilliant you are, he'll go about how you will make a good CEO for the company and I must admit looking at you, I think he's right. He squeezed my hands again as if he was reading through me.

"You can start tomorrow if you want, I'll be more than happy to show you around." a smile curved on his face almost like a smirk, and I returned the gesture. I nod in acceptance, fighting the urge to lean into him. His cologne engulfed me, sweeping me off my feet.

"I'll take my leave now. Do let me know if you need anything okay?" he patted my shoulder and gave a respectful bow before storming out of the living room.

The sun rises directly in front of my window causing a ray of light to penetrate through my curtain as I lay on my bed with my eyes wide open, my mind wandered off my body as I tried to process the questions buzzing in my head like honey bees.

I struggled to roll out of bed feeling too tired to prepare for my first day at work.

"Good morning Rena, omg you look so squeezed did you sleep at all?" Jena stormed into my room. She's always trying to make sure I'm constantly okay. To be honest, I get bored of it sometimes, But with my current situation, her treatment is highly needed.

I sighed and glanced at her for a minute before dragging myself to the bathroom.

"What do you think? Casual or extra?" She pulled my wardrobe open to pick a few outfits out for me. "I think you should do extra, I mean being your first day at work as the new CEO of your dad's company, everyone should know you ain't there to joke right?" she chuckled and had a wide grin on her face.

"I'll just do casual, Jena..., I don't have the energy to impress anyone, besides it's my father's company, remember." I shrugged at my response. She noticed I was nervous and gestured.

"What's on your mind? Listen I know you're still probably tense from the situation, but I know you've got this, and you know I've got you too right?" a faint smile curved on her face, and that made me feel so much light at heart. "Thanks, Jena." I checked my time and realized I was running late. I quickly slipped into my dress and rushed out.

The moment my chauffeur pulled to a stop in front of the company and I saw how much work had been done to the structure of the company, I instantly became nervous reminiscing on how I could head the whole people in there, my stomach rumbled as I stepped into the building. A young lady at the reception area led me to Raymond's office, it was as if she already knew who I was coming to see.

"Hey, i wasn't expecting you to actually resume today you know?" he gestured toward me leaving his chair rolling in circles.

"I want to believe you are feeling much better now..." he extended his arms to hug me but instead, brushed his lips on my cheek.