บท 29: He Meets Her

Once Mithias and their attorney had left. Zyair turned to his grief-stricken adopted mother.

"Mom, I can't accept all this. Mithias was right in a sense he is Dad's brother."

Meena wiped away the last of her tears. She had to be strong now, her husband was gone and the piranhas of the business world would come in swarms for her son now.

"Zyair, don't you think your father knew that fact? Mithias and the rest of your father's family never accepted me because I couldn't give him an heir. But your father refused to let them dictate his life. All they cared about was usurping money from him. Caring about his well-being or not having an heir was just a ruse."

She got up and walked over to where Zyair was sitting, looking all crestfallen. His shoulders were slumped today. She placed a tender hand on his head and he lifted his saddened eyes to stare at the woman who had given him so much love in the last eight years.

"You are a godsend to us Zyair. There is not a sliver of doubt in my heart or was in your father's heart when it came to you. There is no greed in your heart son, that's why you are the best man to lead the company. We will always remember the helping hand you provided all those years ago. And I will always be by your side, supporting you."

A small smile broke on her kind face. Her soft brown eyes reflected the love she held for this broken boy who had turned into a man right in front of her.

"Thank you! I never thought I would ever taste parental love. You people have been too kind to me," tears containing his jumbled emotions finally slid out of his cerulean eyes. Meena was quick to wipe them away and gently said.

"No, thank you for choosing to be our son."

They held onto each other and cried, tears of sorrow and yet contentment. They still had one another.

"I will not let any harm come to you or our company. I promise to always protect you like dad did," he pledged to his adopted mother who had far surpassed his real mother. He knew if ever the need arose he would protect her with his life too.

***

Angel City media and news buzzed with the news of Zyair's succession as the new CEO of Kincaid International. The mystery man whose face has never been seen or captured by any media outlets or photographers turned into the most trending man in the city.

All prominent newspapers, magazines and news channels covered his story of success.

While most of the statements were positive and praised him for achieving these heights. Some even believed that he got his father killed in order to seize the company.

Zyair couldn't care less about their opinion though. He didn't own many social media accounts. Although Lawrence had set up his Instagram account, he hardly ever used it. It was Lawrence who handled all his online activity.

He was even more focused on his work now, with his goals clearly set he knew what he needed to do. With B-Couture and a few other companies merging with them, his empire was rapidly expanding.

A few weeks after he called up a meeting with all his senior management and they discussed every aspect of these new mergers and how they should be handling the affairs.

"We should arrange for a formal dinner so everyone can sit together in a relaxed state and get to know each other. It will create a sense of camaraderie between our new partners," his assistant director and one of the most senior employees, Mr Gairo suggested.

Zyair loved the idea so he insisted.

"That's an excellent idea, send out the invitations. Make sure it's extended to their families as well."

"It will be done, sir."

A date was set and invitations were dispatched. It would be a family gathering where social classes would mingle and converse.

A very separate invitation was sent to Doran as well. Zyair had set up a dinner with him and his wife alone, making him feel important.

Doran knew it was mandatory to take Skyla along. He wanted to make a good impression on Zyair. Although he detested the man, he was also shrewd enough to know that having Zyair on his positive side would be in his best interests.

He informed Skyla so she would be ready on time.

"Tomorrow, we have an official dinner with the CEO of Kincaid International. We are doing a merger with them so behave in front of Zyair Kincaid. We need to make a good impression. He is a weirdo though and might not even shake hands so keep your distance. He has some kind of germophobia," he instructed her in his superior tone.

Skyla only nodded at him. After the whipping incident, he hardly came home to her and when he did they never really talked. She only offered him one-word answers or grunted.

On the day of the dinner, Skyla chose a very decent white gown decorated with pearls and ribbons. Styling her hair she let her curls hang loosely and applied minimum make-up.

Doran was also adorning an off-white suit jacket with slacks, looking dapper as always.

They arrived at the restaurant where dinner was being held. Doran had offered her his hand and she half-heartedly held it. This was all about appearances and she was becoming a master at keeping the false ones.

They entered and that's when Zyair saw her and his world stopped spinning for a second. Rooted to his spot he watched her gracefully amble towards him, holding her husband's hand. She had changed so much in these years and yet she was just the same.

Delicate and yet with a hint of rebelliousness, she was nothing short of a wildflower. There was this softness which had descended in his eyes and facial features.

Eight years of meticulous planning had come down to this one night and now he needed to play his cards right.