Chapter 4 The queen is back to dominate

~Ariela~

Five years later

"Your meeting with the Lakman agency will be around 10, then you finalize the deals with the private investors before your flight to San Francisco, " Joana, my PR, tabled down my schedule for the day immediately we stepped out of the elevator.

"What time is the fight?"

"2 pm, ma."

I nodded my head in affirmation. I was elegantly draped in a well-tailored suit, my platinum blonde hair packed in a high ponytail as I walked gracefully to my office, returning greetings from my staff.

For five years, I effortlessly rebuilt the broken pieces of me. Working diligently to build back my career crushed in the name of marriage. I took every piece of my shattered heart; refined, reformed, and restructured it into pure gold, evidence being 'Lank's concept,' my architectural firm. The long-discarded ambition turned into reality.

The most prominent and sought-after architectural firm in California. I made sure to transform every pain into gain. And now the high and mighty sought the attention of the rejected woman. A woman who was trampled and cast off by those she adored, and devoted her six years of life to.

I initially intended to stay in California and move my mother as well, but she bluntly refused. Clenching to her homeland, refusing to leave San Francisco with the excuse of holding onto her memories.

Now, I've to travel back to the city. The city, I vow never to step my feet in because my mother is critically ill and refused to fly to California.

The only option was to go stay with her for the meantime, but Desmond, my fiancé, had proposed I open a second branch in San Francisco and also accept the invitation from Business and financial institutions to become one of their prominent members, which I had declined for a while.

Yeah, I'd have someone. You weren't thinking after all these years, with my status, I'd still be single.

Oh! nay

I'd have someone, Desmond Albert, a business tycoon and one of the biggest investors in my firm. I had met Desmond in my lowest, and he stood with me and helped build my empire.

"That will be all for now, ma, " Joana's voice jolted me out of my deep reverie.

She held the door of my office, stepping aside for me to walk in.

"Alright," the minute I drop my bag on the desk, my phone buzzes.

Glancing at my phone screen, my face beamed with excitement at the sight of the caller.

Immediately, I signal Joana to leave.

"Hi you, what's up?" I sat on the chair right in front of me, swaying it back and forth gently.

"Just checking up on my angel," he spoke softly, his voice dripping with love.

The love I've fought so hard to earn, so desperate to experience.

Desmond has shown me all the love, warmth, and tenderness deprived of me for six years. The more reason I never regret opening my heart to him.

"I'm good, making an effort to round up before heading to the airport."

"That's good, I'll be in San Francisco before you know it."

"Yeah, you know I'll really need you by my side during this branch opening."

"And I promise to be there, okay."

"Alright, I need to hang up now and finish up before my flight."

"You're right, take care."

"And you too."

With that, I lowered my phone and concentrated on the workload before me.

"Welcome to San Francisco International Airport," the voice of the flight attendant echoes the moment we landed.

As I stepped off the plane, the cool San Francisco breeze came washing over me, stirring the memories of my past. I took a deep breath; instead of getting lost in nostalgia, I shook it off my mind, focusing on my present purpose: taking care of my mother and building my second branch.

One hour after checking out my luggage, I was still standing in the pickup zone waiting for the private chauffeur hired by my assistant, and no sign of him.

'What an incompetent human,' I fumed, and swiftly retrieved my phone from my bag to call Joana.

"Where the hell is the chauffeur you arranged? I've been waiting for hours, and there is no sign of him," I said, trying to keep my frustration in check.

"I'm sorry, ma. He should be there by now; there must have been a mistake, " She pleaded.

"Do not test my patience," I snapped, and ended the call abruptly.

Five minutes later, the fool came running towards me, batting like someone being chased by a lion.

"I'm sorry, ma, I was held back by traffic," he begged remorsefully.

"Suit yourself, just take me out of here."

I was already irritated and angry, after five years of being out of this city, look who welcomed me.

An incompetent chauffeur

Jess!!!

I stormed out of the place towards the car, but was momentarily frozen when I heard a voice screaming, 'Mummy Mummy' at my back.

I tried to wave it off, probably a child calling his mother behind my back.

"Mummy mummy"

The voice grew louder and closer, and I tilted my head to the back, my eyes widened in shock as I took in the unbelievable sight before me.

My heart skipped a beat, and my breath caught in my throat. I was momentarily paralyzed, unable to process the shock. The last people I wished to see were now standing in front of me.

I had no idea what happened to my legs, but they refused to move. I wanted to run to escape from this scene, but my legs betrayed me; they remained rooted to the spot.

'Daniel'

'Alfred'

A voice in my head murmurs.