The Hidden Heiress

"Alright, just hit me up when you're ready," Alexander said, adjusting his position in the chair inside the study room.

"How's the preparation for the board meeting tomorrow? You know this is a major deal for your company," Trent's voice crackled through the phone speaker.

Alexander chuckled, his voice deep and husky. "Haha... That's funny, Trent. You know I always win the heart of every stakeholder at a board meeting. This won't be any different. They're going to buy the idea."

"You didn't have to sound so cocky, you braggart. Good luck!" Trent laughed and ended the call.

Alexander dropped his phone on the desk, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. His brow furrowed slightly in thought.

Whenever he had a major board meeting, especially one involving a new idea, he avoided staying at his personal residence. It was a ritual, a way to disconnect, to think without distraction.

He rose from his chair and walked over to the family bookshelf library, scanning the shelves. His fingers ran along the spines of the books, flipping through a few.

"I can't seem to find anything inspiring in here," he muttered, clenching his fists.

"Well, I've read everything anyway," he scoffed.

Just as he reached the final book on the shelf, something caught his eye, a dusty, concealed box case tucked behind it.

His eyes widened. "What is this? I've never seen this before..."

He reached for the box, brushing off layers of dust. It was old, rusty, and sealed with a tiny, corroded lock.

With no key in sight, he carried it back to his study. Determined, he pried it open, breaking the fragile lock.

Inside were old documents, yellowed and brittle with age. He flipped through them halfheartedly until a drab folder caught his attention.

"What is this?" he whispered, eyes narrowing.

The bold header on the cover read: "B&D COMPANY."

"B&D?" he murmured, his fingers flipping the pages faster now, his heart quickening.

His breath caught as he absorbed the contents. The documents detailed a long-hidden partnership between his parents, the Drakes and another family, the Beaumonts.

The Beaumonts, once struggling financially, had entered a business agreement with his parents. In exchange for saving their company, the Drakes received 21% equity, while the Beaumonts retained 56%. The remaining shares were held by Dr. Kiyosaki and Mr. Reynolds, names Alexander recognized as senior shareholders at the Drake Family Conglomerate.

The company, originally named "BB Company," had been rebranded as "B&D Enterprise" in honor of the new alliance.

Digging further into the box, he pulled out a faded photograph-dusty, coarse to the touch, and almost blurred from age.

He squinted.

On the left stood his parents. On the right, unmistakably, were Dr. Kiyosaki and Mr. Reynolds.

But in the middle... stood a man and a woman he didn't recognize.

"I guess that's the Beaumonts," he whispered.

His mind raced.

What happened to them?

Why had he never heard of this deal?

Why was this hidden in the first place?

His fingers ran through his hair as he exhaled sharply. A mix of confusion and suspicion clouded his thoughts. The deeper he dug, the more questions surfaced.

Gazing into space, Alexander's expression darkened, sharp, calculating. Something didn't add up, and he could smell it like blood in the water.

But then,

A sudden knock on the door snapped him back to reality. It creaked open slowly.

It was Mr. Reginald Drake, his father.

Mr. Reginald Drake stepped into Alexander's study without knocking.

Alexander jolted, hastily shuffling papers across his desk to cover the confidential documents he'd been reading. He stood, meeting his father halfway across the room.

"I see you've turned your desk into a paper battlefield," Mr. Reginald said in his deep, commanding tone, his sharp eyes scanning the desk.

"And what's this I hear about a shareholders' meeting?" he added, brows raised.

Alexander straightened. As Acting CEO of the Drake Family Conglomerate, parent company to every Drake-owned business including his own, Drake Tech Company, he had the meeting without consulting his father.

"I thought you were asleep?" Alexander countered with a wry smile, using his body to shield the documents.

"Then again, nothing ever gets past you, Dad."

Mr. Reginald arched his brow. "Go on."

Alexander sighed, loosening his shoulders. "It's a new initiative. I want to build a game reserve park in Tees Province, a remote area in Manhattan.

"A game reserve?" Reginald's tone shifted to curiosity.

"The land is lush, untouched. A park would give underprivileged kids something magical, and bring tourism, economic growth, and long-term profit for the company. It would be the first of its kind in that region."

Reginald stared at his son, then nodded "Hmm... I see! Why didn't you tell me earlier? It's a brilliant idea. And I like the prospect too."

"What do you need from me? I mean to make this a success? Reginald asked.

Alexander smiled. "Thanks. But I've got it under control. I don't need help."

Reginald chuckled. "I figured you'd say that. But consider this a done deal, the shareholders will back you. Full support."

He turned to leave. "I'll let you get back to your... research," he added, his tone laced with confidence.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Alexander exhaled sharply.

"That was too close," he muttered, hurriedly tucking away the documents. "Now, back to preparing for tomorrow's board meeting.

The phone rang.

"Elena? Can you hear me?"

A finger snapped in front of her face. Elena blinked, snapping back to reality.

"There's a call from the CEO's office. Says it's urgent," her secretary said, giving her a curious look.

Elena, a golden-brown-skinned woman with piercing blue eyes and a curvy frame, rose from her plush chair. Her office was a vision of modern elegance, white walls adorned with art, embedded lighting casting a soft glow.

She walked over and picked up the call.

"Where have you been? I've called three times! It's a goddamn phone!" Michael's voice roared through the speaker.

Unbothered, Elena mimicked his ranting, making her secretary giggle until the line went dead.

"Sigh. I guess I have to go see the CEO." She grabbed her purse. "Keep me posted on the art piece I sent you."

She stepped into the hallway. Her heels echoed against the marble floor as every head turned in admiration. Elena didn't just walk, she owned the space. Tech guys paused mid-code. Women stepped aside. One shy computer geek, who always looked like he was writing poetry with his eyes, nearly dropped his coffee.

Elena smirked.

She entered the elevator and pressed the button for the 14th floor, the penthouse. Just before the doors closed, an elderly cleaner stepped in and hit the 8th-floor button.

The silence was brief.

Suddenly, the woman turned to Elena with a haunting stare like she was possessed.

"You have a bright future," she said slowly, her voice raspy. "But there is a veil you must pass through."

Elena's heart skipped.

The woman leaned closer. "If you don't overcome it... it will destroy you."

Sweat gathered on Elena's forehead. Her chest tightened. Her heart beat like the humdrum of a drummer mercilessly beating the drum. She felt her hair stand.

The elevator dinged. The woman stepped out as if nothing had happened.

Elena stood frozen. "What... the hell?" she whispered, adjusting her dress and trying to collect herself.

The elevator closed and continued until the 14th floor. At the Penthouse, CEO's Office

The view of the ocean stretched wide behind glass walls. A black ceramic nameplate read Chief Executive Director, Michael.

This was Alvero City "the city of art" most prominent company, "ZeeZee Art Gallery".

Michael stood up, his jaw tight. "Where the hell were you?" he snapped.

Elena said nothing. She knew better than to poke the bear. Let him finish.

After a long rant, Michael's anger cooled. "I called you because... never mind."

Elena gave a polite, teary-eyed nod. "I'm sorry. I didn't hear the phone ring."

Michael sighed. "I shouldn't have yelled. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. It's only proper for you to yell at me, Elena added, with a teary eye.

Micheal stood up from his seat, and walked up towards where she was standing. He handed her a wipe.

Hooked again. Elena thought. He falls for it every time. Was he that stupid or what?

She gently pulled away from his hug, smiling faintly.

"Well, I'm fine now. Why did you call me?"

Michael hesitated. "Forget it."

"Elena's eyes widened in disbelief.

"He just did it again. He calls me for no reason, yells for nothing, I guess he doesn't have the guts to scold me." Elena whispered, her voice barely a yard out.

"Well, I have something I want to tell you" she said, pulling out a white paper. "I came to give you this."

Michael opened it.

His eyes widened. "What? Resignation?!"

The office room fell into a heavy silence.

Elena stared blankly at the floor as Michael sat frozen, trying to compose himself.

The resignation letter in his hand felt heavier than it should.

He readjusted himself in his chair, clearly unsettled.

"Why are you giving me your resignation letter?" he finally asked, his voice low and disbelieving.

Elena paused for a bit. The truth was, she didn't entirely know. All she could say was that something was calling her back home.

A voice, a presence, a feeling she couldn't explain. The voices in her dreams had become nightmares she could no longer ignore.

Michael leaned forward, "Is this because I asked you out? Are you feeling uncomfortable? If that's it, I swear I didn't mean to make things awkward."

She nodded her head slightly.

"No... it's not that," she said softly.

"Then what is it?" His brows drew together in concern.

"Did someone say something? Is it the office? The space? Your workload? Tell me, I can fix it."

Elena looked up at him, her expression calm yet conflicted.

"Michael... you're a good boss. You've been nothing but kind. This isn't about you. It's just... something I have to do."

Michael scoffed, frustration seeping into his voice.

"And you think that vague excuse makes this easier to accept?"

She lowered her gaze again.

"Come on Elena, what's this personal reason? Why are you leaving the perfect career you told me you've always wanted? Michael exhaled deeply.

"If I tried to explain, it wouldn't make sense."

Michael scoffed but didn't push further. Silence settled between them like fog.

What could she say? That she'd been haunted every night for a week, her mother's face staring at her.

That every dream felt more real than the world she woke up to?

Something was calling her home.

And she had to answer.

Michael sighed, sensing he'd hit a wall.

"When do you plan to leave?"

"In three days," she replied quietly.

His lips parted in surprise. "You've planned this," he muttered.

"This wasn't sudden. You were just waiting for the right moment."

Elena didn't deny it.

He ran a hand through his hair and slumped back into his chair.

"If there's anything you need, let me know. You can take the day off if you'd like.

She nodded. "Thank you."

She left the office quietly.

Outside, the city greeted her with its usual vibe, but everything felt different now.

She took a walk around the block in her heels, trying to ground herself.

The crisp air, the murmurs of passerby, the scent of street coffee, it all felt like a quiet goodbye.

By the third day, Elena was packed. Her apartment now stood empty.

She dropped her key with the landlord and stepped into the Uber with her luggage, her heart beating a strange rhythm.

The ride to the airport was quiet. Forty-five minutes to let it all settle.

She watched the city blur past the window, every street, every café, every street lights, every memory she was leaving behind.

At the airport, she checked her bags, went through security, and joined the queue for passport control.

And then...

Her phone beeped.

A notification flashed on her screen.

You've been credited: $500,000.00 USD

She froze. Her breath was audible.

What?!

She screamed out loud, loud enough for people around her to turn.

Even the officer scanning passports looked up.