Chapter 5

Hayley's POV FIVE YEARS LATER! NEW ORLEANS, UNITED STATES… It's been five years since I left the crescent pack. I was now living fine in New Orleans with my new family including my two adorable twins – Carl and Camille– Ken's illegitimate kids– ones he had no idea of. Ken's features were mostly taken by Carl. He had that spiky blond hair, creamy white complexion, and a set of brilliant amber eyes while Camille had gorgeous blue eyes, creamy white complexion, and thick, curling brown hair like me. Ever since Caroline and I returned to the United States, I've been managing the Stewart's famous companies– one of the best in the whole of New Orleans and North America. Her dad, Mr Stewart, was late and she was in an unfit condition to rule the company as she was still lame and down with kidney issues. Due to the arrow that was shot at her leg back then, she had been unable to walk since then except for the aid of crutches. She was relieved to hear from the doctor that she will soon be able to use her legs. "Mom! Mom! Good morning! How was your night?" Camille asked sweetly with a mild smile, adorable dimples showing at the sides of her cheek. "My night was fine, thanks for asking. How was yours?" I asked as I sat up on the bed, turning to face her. Even though it was only six in the morning, I wasn't surprised to find her awake. She was an early sleeper and also the alarm that wakes everyone every blessed morning. "My night was awesome! I dreamt – I dreamt that we're finally complete! I dreamt that Carl and I now have a dad. Isn't that sweet, mom?" She divulged as she scampered towards me, beaming broadly, her eyes gleaming like there were hidden stars in it. I swallowed the lump in my throat as my thoughts were filled with all that had happened during the previous five years. Although I have made a concerted effort to move on from Ken, I am forced to recall him because of Camile's persistent inquiries about her father. Ken. That name sounds like thrash in my ear. Since he never showed any concern for his children in the first place, I wasn't willing to tell him about them and I wasn't ready to make amends or forgive him for what he had done. "Camille, I have told you times without a number that your dad isn't here anymore," I muttered softly to her as I crouched beside her to dishevel her hair cutely. She placed her arms around me, her cute blue eyes boring into mine. "I believe he'll come back to us. I know he will," She said assuringly like she could see the future or decide how fate would go. I let out a deep sigh and gripped her hand cutely, thinking of a word to say to change the subject. "You know what, why don't we get you ready for school?" She squealed after hearing me; She was always excited to go to school every morning. She scampered towards her sleepy brother and pulled him cutely off the bed. "Be careful! Don't let him fall," "Wake up sleepyhead! It's time for school!" Camille yelled cutely as she pinched her brother on the nose, something she often does whenever she is trying to wake him. Carl mumbled in his sleep and she proceeded with pulling his ear. "Woah! Stop that, honey. Don't be aggressive," I exclaimed as I walked towards them before proceeding to wake Carl up. When their school bus arrived on time to fetch them up after breakfast, I felt a great sense of relief. They have been around during the extended holiday, and raising them by myself wasn't quite easy. While Camille was so excited to resume school, Carl on the other hand had a dull expression on his face as he dragged his feet and trailed behind his sister. **** That early morning as I sat in my office, drinking my hot coffee, the shrill ringing of my telephone interrupted my reverie and I picked it up immediately, knowing it was an important call. "Ma'am," my secretary, Jade, responded over the line, her voice as smooth as velvety. "I want to remind you that we're having a meeting with the other regional divisions of our company. All the heads of the sub companies are gathered at Stewart's Hall and are anticipating your arrival." Jade disclosed and I smiled sweetly as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, crossing my leg and enjoying the cool morning breeze as it came in contact with my flawless skin. To be honest, I think my appearance has changed significantly and improved since I moved to the United States. Several smaller businesses from around the globe are requesting to collaborate with us, as I currently lead one of the largest empires and corporations. Not just companies from the human world but also companies from the werewolves world. Our company manufactures the greatest technologies, automobiles and equipment - one that was cherished by most companies especially the werewolves as their world is still underdeveloped compared to humans. We receive a lot of demand for investments from smaller companies because our company is among the top shareholding companies. "Ma'am," Jade called again, snatching me out of my reverie. "Go on," I said with a slight nod. "There is a new company that wants to work with us; it is owned by a certain werewolf pack. They are in dire need of our assistance that they want their firm registered under us,” Jade disclosed and I wasn't so shocked as I get those kinds of information every single day. “Did they previously belong to a division of any company? And what is the name of their pack?" I asked and took a sip from my coffee. "They don't fall under any division of any company, ma'am. The name of their pack is Crescent pack and I have done some research about them. They're lacking behind in terms of medical facilities and technologies.” I recently changed my name. It will be our first time seeing each other in a long time and I wasn't the naive Hayley he once knew. I knew it was the crescent pack and Ken had been the one ruling the company. They had reached out to me before for a collaboration but I had rejected their offer. I didn't expect that they'd make the request again. "Agreed. Tell them they can join us for the meeting. We'd love to see them physically," I replied, a thin sly smile tugging my lips.. He will live to regret the sufferings that he made me go through. *** My bodyguards followed me as I approached my elegant limousine. My driver was already inside, anxious to drop me off at work. I was in an elegant white pantsuit. My brown ponytail draped and shook as I walked elegantly into the company. A file was in my hand and I wore my glass, trying not to reveal my face yet. I saw different heads from different companies seated at various angles In the conference room, their eyes fixed on me. There were humans in our midst as well as werewolves and as I looked at Ken and his group, they were anxious as they examined the building's magnificent details. Ken was essentially the same. The only difference between then and now was the amount of beards he had grown. His blue eyes bore into mine, curious to know the face behind the glass. He wouldn't dare look at me if he realized how much I hate him right now. I smirked as I faced all of them and they all gave a bow, acknowledging my presence. I pulled out my iPhone and sat on a large chair not like a queen but akin to a king. "Shall we," I said, and the big wall projector instantly came up, displaying pictures of machines. While I discussed my next project and how we can have a successful business collaboration, I could see Ken's eyes trailing all over me, gulping the lump in his throat at every interval. I glanced at him and a smirk appeared at the side of my lips. Just then, I asked, "Since we have new members, I doubt I would be willing to collaborate with them unless I receive some kind of satisfaction from them.” Ken's brows cringed as he looked up to face me, wondering why I had made such a comment. “I am aware that the Crescent company from Crescent Pack is interested in working with us but my acceptance to your offer at this time is still pending because your company has a lot of flaws which might affect my reputation once we begin to collaborate" Ken scratched his head, unable to utter a word. A little smirk smile tugged my lips as he assessed me again, probably wondering who I was. Well, I am no longer Hayley Marshall for now. According to the business sector, I am now known as Fiona Stewart. My middle name, Fiona, was combined with the Stewart family name to create a new identity. I wasn't the gullible Hayley who would cower at his feet and plead for a worthless jerk while putting up with his insults.. I'm not only a queen but a king of my life and universe. Everyone got up to greet one another following the meeting. The happiest people were those who had been fortunate enough to join me on board. Typically all were the happiest except for the crescent company as they were the only werewolf company that were on probation or pending for a business deal with me. "Mrs. Fiona, thank you for accepting our invitation this time. I'll make sure our company comes up to your expectations so we can stand a chance to collaborate with you," Ken admitted and I nodded slightly before removing my glasses. He gulped down the lump in his throat when he had a proper look at me. His brows furrowed as he studied my face. "I hope there's no problem?" I muttered and my bodyguards came behind me, giving him a stern gaze. "Urh.. urm.. it's nothing, forgive me ma'am, I'm just glad to see you for the first time." "Good to finally see you too, Mr Ken," I replied back to him with a handshake Slowly, I slipped my hands off him and returned to wearing my glasses. "I have another meeting to attend with our boards at Las Vegas. I need you both to drop me off," I said to my huge guards and they nodded. They followed me to the parked Lim ousine which was outside and I knew Ken's eyes were still on me. A sly smile pulled up at the side of my lips. This is just the beginning…