Chapter 3 Handle me

ATHENA

"They wanted a fiery person, so I showed them my fire."

The air was crisp in Dradesvow's Airport.

It had a familiar scent to it.

A scent I disliked.

The scent of home.

I was back home, much to my distaste.

As I strolled out of the airport, I couldn't help the beautiful expanse around me.

The high rise buildings that surrounded me as well as the busy roads leading in and out of the airport was nothing short of breathtaking for anyone who was coming here for the first time.

Or in my case, coming back after five years.

It was both breathtaking and numbing.

All of this beauty, masking the corrupt system of its leaders and letting bastards like Sebastian and his ilk stand at the forefront as their leaders.

It was repulsive.

From a luxurious Rolls Royce parked in front of me, a lady walked out dressed in a generic blue collar outfit. Penciled skirt that hugged her curves, a white shirt worn under a black fitted suit, and paired with black heels. She stood with her back straight and her raven black hair was held in a ponytail that cascaded down to her waist.

One look at her as she adjusted her glasses and anyone could tell she had an administrative job.

"Welcome to Dradesvow, ma'am," she said with a slight bow.

"Thanks, Bella," I smiled as I stopped over to her. "It's good to be back."

Bella, my secretary and the one in charge of the Dradesvow branch of my multi million jewellery company, gave me a small smile as she held the door to the Rolls Royce open.

"It's been a long time coming. I thought you'd never come back."

I smiled at that.

"I thought I never would."

She got in after me and closed the car door behind me.

"So, how has business been here?" I asked as the driver drove away from the airport.

"Pretty great," she shrugged. "A lot of people have been quite curious about you though."

I cocked an eyebrow at that.

"And why is that?"

She shrugged in response.

"You have the most successful jewellery company in Dradesvow. Since you make the designs yourself, your designs are unique in ways that no one else can emulate. Everyone wants to either have their piece custom made by you or partner with the company in more ways than just business."

I laughed at that.

"Are you saying -"

"Yes," she sighed exhaustedly. "People have been asking for your hand in marriage and asking me for dating advice and things related to you. I had become almost like your mother while some believe I am being your gatekeeper. I have gotten quite a few threats as well."

I laughed even harder at that.

"You must have had it pretty hard, Bella."

She scoffed at that.

"Oh, please. They are nothing to deal with, ma'am. I am used to obnoxious, entitled brats trying to throw their weight around. They weren't even tasking."

"I'm impressed," I smiled. "You did great."

After leaving Sebastian, I scraped together what little savings I had and travelled out of the country, eager for a fresh start.

I started designing jewellery just to make ends meet, selling my designs for scraps. Eventually, my designs started getting attention and I started selling to bigger companies that paid me handsomely but I saved up most of my money and opened a jewellery business of my own.

It was hard to say the least.

Knowing how great and creative my designs were, a lot of the companies I sold designs to did their best to shut me down. Once again, nepotism and entitlement reared their ugly heads in my life but I wasn't going to let them defeat me this time.

I fought against their machinations and manipulations until I was able to legally operate as a business and quickly grew through the ranks as my designs became almost staple among the ruling class regardless of exorbitant price tags to my designs.

It was a long road here but I am proud of what I made out of it.

"We will be going to the meeting I mentioned from here," Bella said after a few minutes of comfortable silence. "The reason why I insisted that you come back is simply because this deal was beyond my capacity. It is something you would have to handle personally."

She handed me the file as we spoke and I opened it to familiarise myself with the details before the meeting.

The name at the front of the document caused me to freeze, my whole body going rigid.

Sienna.

That bitch.

She is having a mating ceremony with Sebastian and she needed me to customise a jewelry for her ceremony.

I contemplated refusing this job.

I really didn't want anything to do with Sebastian and his family. Especially not the first thing I do upon returning after five years.

"We already received upfront payment," Bella said. "We can't disappoint them now."

It was almost as if she read my mind.

It took me a second to compose myself as I made my decision.

I was running a business. There's should be no room for emotions in this.

If anything, they would be the ones unsettled by my presence.

I defied the odds.

I came back better.

As we reached the restaurant for the meeting, I donned my most charming smile as I stepped out of the car and was escorted into the restaurant.

"Ah, miss Sienna," I said as she stood up, her smiling fading once she saw my face. "How are you? I am your designer. CEO of Valerian Jewelries."

Her face hardened at those words. Her eyes immediately found Bella's who kept her expression professional.

"What is this?" She asked.

Bella looked puzzled for a second.

"Ma'am, you asked for my boss' personal attention on this project. Here she is."

Sienna opened her mouth to talk when a presence settled on us.

A familiar presence.

We all turned our attention to the door as Sebastian walked in, his Beta, Nathan in tow.

I was frozen at the sight of him.

He looks just as breathtaking as ever. Almost like he never aged a single day in these five years.

And still just as dangerous.

I recognised him for what he was.

A threat, a danger and a blight.

Sebastian's eyes lingered on me longer than necessary, ignoring everyone else in the restaurant.

"You've changed."

I smiled coldly at those words.

"No, Sebastian. I'm still the same. You just couldn't handle me."