I knew Haden's assistant, if it wasn't a very urgent matter, he wouldn't dare call Haden even if he had the courage. He knows Haden’s rule when it comes to calling him when he’s already at home. And that rule must always be followed.
I looked at Haden, the call must be very urgent so I nodded at him to tell him it’s okay to leave. Haden gave me a kiss on the forehead and drove off in a hurry. Haden's car just drove away. I just decided to go through the books in his room while waiting for him to return. I almost went sleepy reading one of the books when his phone rang, I saw that the name who sent the message is marked as an important customer. I just looked at it while it’s ringing. Haden drove away so hurriedly that he even forgot the phone, I thought.
The calls came one after another, it seemed that it must be a very important customer and the matter was very urgent. I don’t want to answer it so I thought of delivering it to Haden personally so as not to delay his business.
I asked my driver to send me to his office. I change my clothes, fix some stuff then go. Just as I arrived at the entrance of the office, I saw a familiar slim figure at the elevator. I tried to recall where and when did we meet.
Soon I realized, it was the girl whom we saw in the hospital when I had to visit for a checkup. What is she doing here? The girl was on the phone, and it seems the call did not go through. She hangs off angrily. Then the call that kept ringing in my hand also stopped. My mind blasted.
The security guard next to me said, "Isn't that the President's girlfriend, Mira? I haven't seen her in a while, but she came to the company today to meet with the president. Maybe they have some important matters to discuss, it seems very urgent." It turned out that Haden's important client was indeed Mira, and my heart ached like being stabbed by a knife. She’s the President’s girlfriend? Is that why her face was filled with questions and disbelief when Haden introduced me to her as his wife? What is there between her and Haden? I wish I knew the answers to my questions. Even though I do not have all the rights to feel this way, still something inside me is hurting but I have to just ignore it. As I am being drowned with the noise inside my head, the elevator door opened, and the surrounding area was suddenly silent.
Haden came down from the elevator, and the eyes of the crowd fell on Haden's face, which usually was icily cold. I realized he had not notice me, so I wiped my tears and decided to walk up to him, pressed the phone into his hand, choked on a sob, and said, "Brother, You left your phone at home. Someone’s been calling and it MUST be very important." I emphasized each word. Then I turned and ran to the door, hurried to the car, "Drive off and go home." I convinced myself. Suddenly, clouds were all over me and there I broke down and let out the pain inside me that I’ve been ignoring, run through my eyes.
Haden’s Pov
There was a resolution at the shareholders meeting today and I had just finished the meeting and was about to go downstairs when the receptionist said Mira was here and I told the assistant to tell her I was out.
When the meeting was over, I was anxious to get home to see Elena, and when I opened the elevator, I found Mira still at the elevator door, waiting for me, obviously.
What surprised me even more was that the moment I saw Elena, my whole body was stunned, how could she be here? What is she doing here? Suddenly I saw her approaching me. I was about to smile at her, but she thrust the phone into my hand, turned and walked away. I was about to go after her when Mira stepped in front of me, blocking my sight of Elena.
"What are you doing here? Excuse me but I need to go. "I asked her in a warning tone.
Mira tried to calm down and she took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Haden, don't get me wrong, I'm just here to get my things back." she stuttered.
"Your things? I did not know you had something in my possession. As far as I’m concerned, there was none. "I huffed at her. I’m trying to get pass her so I could go after Elena.
Mira ducked her head and her voice was even weaker, "The photo of you and me on the beach that I later put in a diamond photo frame, do you still remember? Do you still have it?" Suddenly I remembered, the photo of me and Mira together a few years ago, the diamond photo frame we bought at auction for ten million dollars and put the photo it in, that photo is still in the corner of the shelf in my room. Oh my god, what if Elena found out about it? What will she think of me? I need to put it away before she finds out.
"It's been too long, I forgot. You can get it if you want." I'm running out of patience to deal with Mira. "Anyways, I still have things to do. I can call the assistant, he will give it to you." I gestured towards the guard. "Get this person out of here." I commanded them.
Several security guards approached, extremely ungracious, and dragged Mira straight to the door. Mira suddenly snapped to attention and yelled at me, "Haden, don't go too far, I have proof of all the things you've done. I can destroy everything you’ve worked hard for in just a snap!" I stopped suddenly, hesitated for a while. Then turn around to face her.
"Let her go." I told the guard to let go of Mira. I grabbed her elbows and lead her far from the people. “What are you talking about? What do you want from me?” My voice was almost whispering because I didn’t want us to make a scene.
“Oh Haden, of course you know it.” Mira answered in a sarcastic tone. “Did money and power made you forget everything? Well, I think yes! That’s why I am here to remind you.” I turned my back on her even before she could say a word again. I sped up and got in the car. My mind was haunting me. Something flashed back on me. Is this guilt? Suddenly, I felt fear of what might happen in case Mira used it against me. Everything came back to me, crystal clear. As if it happened just yesterday. My mind traveled back to the day that I have been hiding for so many years ago.
A few years ago, I was just an unappreciated adopted son of the William family. My adoptive family was very kind to me even though I am not their son by blood. They accepted and treat me as their own and with that I am very thankful.
The time came when my father William Sr. went seriously ill and and he made a will, two-thirds of the shares went to Lee, the other third to Sara and Elezabeth, a total of one-third for them. and me, being just an adopted sone, none of the property was assigned to me. I felt a pinch of disappointment that time but because father was ill, I set aside my feelings and just stay beside him.
At this time Mira was already my friend and she was also a private lawyer of William family. We’ve known each other for a long time.
My father died while we were in the hospital. It’s only Mira and me who were there at father’s last moment, while other family members are still on the way. While struggling for breath, my father had Mira write his last will. And I winked at Mira, she immediately knew my intentions.
My father swallowed his last breath in front of my eyes, and when the others came, he already passed away. Mira had the just written will in her hand, saying I, Haden William, inherited 2/3 of the family’s fortune, and the other 1/3, will be separated for the remaining family members. Serina didn't want me to inherit anything at first. Why would an adopted son be held responsible for a wide array of properties? Who in the world would do that at the very last moment of his life? I knew what she had in mind. She can’t believe that father leave almost all inheritance to me, instead of leaving it to his legitimate children. I felt how she had changed her treatment on me. The mother figure I always had turned into someone who doesn’t even look at me the way she dearly looked at me back then. I felt something went wrong but I ignored it, focusing on my dreams and dealing with the inheritance father “left” me. I had no time figuring things out.