Chapter 4

"I should shut up, what?" I asked, as our eyes met. She has the cocky, and disdainful look that has always been on her face whenever our eyes meet. "Didina, I don't like to repeat myself," I walked over to the plushy sofa and sat on it as I crossed my legs, placing my arms beneath my boobs. "Close your company, and leave this country for good," "And what if I don't want to do that?" I fired back at her almost immediately, gazing at her. Seeing her makes me want to crush her; the pains she has caused me are still fresh at the back of my mind, yet to heal. I thought becoming rich would make them believe I'm not that little girl they can look down on, but seeing this, I realize that a leopard can never change its spot. I have suffered. "Didina, I'm sure you wouldn't want to face my wrath. Shut your brand while I'm asking nicely," "You weren't asking nicely. Instead, it feels like a command to me, and Hera, I want you to know something. I, Didina, I'm no longer that little girl. You can ride like a car, control like a robot, use like clothes, and discard like garbage," I uttered, and she scoffed, glancing around my office. "Let's see if you won't come back crawling on your knees, and beg me to save you. Didina, you're still a little girl, and I'll show you what I'm capable of doing" "Hera, there's nothing you can do to me. I won't come back and beg you, Never!" I said, and she scoffed before leaving the office. I watched her leave then stood up as I headed to my desk. I rested on it, twitching my lips as I thought over Hera's threat. "What if she fulfills her threat?" An inner voice spoke, and I shook my head, exhaling deeply. ~ A WEEK LATER. I was looking through the new designs sent to me by the designer when Rhonda rushed in, after knocking once. "Ma," I looked up to see a terrified look on her face. She was holding a visible basket filled with letters. "What's going on? What happened?" I questioned, and Rhonda came closer and brought out one of the letters then placed it on my desk. I opened the letter, and the word boldly written on it shook my nervous system. "RESIGNATION LETTER" "This is a resignation letter," I said, glancing at the basket she was holding. "All the employees have quit. They don't want to work for you anymore, What!" I yelped, standing up immediately. I started opening all the letters in the basket, and all the letters in the basket were a resignation letter. What's wrong? Why would they suddenly quit? Did something happen? My mind drifted to Hera and I didn't know when I sat on the chair back, scoffing. Hera! She's fulfilling her threats. Ever since she left my office a week ago, a lot of things have been happening. All the clothes sold were returned, and customers were asking for refunds to the extent that it led to a protest. That wasn't all; the designs sent to me first were leaked out to Hera, and I was accused of stealing Hera's ideas. And now this! This is it! Why me? Why can't I have a peaceful life? They tried to kill me; they murdered my unborn baby and that wasn't enough for them. Hera saw my baby as a threat, and it was terminated. Now she sees my brand as a threat and wants to ruin it. "M-M-Ma," Rhonda called, and I gazed at her. "I-I-I think you need to check the news," She stuttered and hastily turned on the TV. My pictures were displayed. Hera publicly wants to acquire my company. The company I worked hard for. My phone started ringing, and I picked it up. "Good day, I'm Didina and who's on the line?" "Am I speaking to Didina Bowman?" "Yes, I'm Didina Bowman," I responded, glancing at Ronda, wondering what was going on. My heart began to beat fast. It felt as if this call was going to be a bad one. "I'm Doctor George, your grandmother was rushed to Crescent Hospital," "Is she fine? What happened?" I asked, standing up immediately as I took my bag and coat rushing out of the office. "Your presence is needed at the hospital." "I'm on my way, Doctor," I ended the call. I hastily opened my bag and brought out my car key. "I'll drive, ma," I heard Rhonda's voice. I didn't know she followed me. "Rhonda," I called. "Something is wrong so I need to stay by your side. I'm your assistant," I handed the car key to her and entered the back seat. I wore my seatbelt and she began driving out of the company premises. "Crescent Hospital," I said, and she nodded, inserting the address in the car GPS. Grandma, please be strong for me. What could be wrong? I bite my lips, trying to ease the tension growing as different thoughts run through my head. 'Did Hera do this to her, or it's just old age sickness?' I wondered silently. The ride to the hospital was pretty silent and as soon as the car pulled up in front of the hospital. I rushed out, running inside the hospital like one being chased by a ghost. I approached a nurse nearby, stopping her. "Where's Doctor George? Where's my grandmother?" I questioned, gazing at her. "You mean the Granny that was rushed in an hour ago? Are you, her granddaughter?" She asked, and I nodded, my lip trembling as my heart never stopped beating fast, tension swallowing my soul, and my mind refusing to accept reality. "Follow me," The nurse said, and I followed her. We went to an office, and I saw a young man. "Doctor, the Granny relative is here," she said, and I approached the doctor. "I'm Doctor George," "Didina Bowman, what happened to my grandmother?" I asked, and he gestured at me to sit which I find it hard to do so, my body still trembling. I could sit when my heart was on cloud 9, not knowing what had happened to my grandma. "I'm fine, I don't want to sit," I said, and he nodded. "Your Grandmother was rushed in an hour ago, an emergency surgery was done on her and she's yet to wake up. Tests a probability that she might become brain dead" My heart shattered at his words. Brain dead? That means she will die, and her organs will be donated like it's always happening in movies. "I don't want to lose my grandmother, please. Not her!" I begged, as my eyes grew misty, and I let those tears I had been holding out. "She will be fine," I heard Rhonda's voice and glanced at her; I began to whimper more. My phone started ringing, and I picked up the call without checking my phone screen. I cleared my throat. "Didina Bowman on the line," "Hey, my darling sister," "Hera," I called and heard laughter at the other end of the call. "How's your Grandma Leslie," I clenched my fist immediately. "Hera!" I yelled and heard laughter coming from her again. "Stop barking. You aren't a dog, okay? Not yet," "You will pay for this," I muttered and disconnected the call. I need to save my grandma, and there's only one person I can turn to. "Thank you, Doctor," I turned around and walked out of the office. I switched on my phone, searched for his profile, and found it. "Stay here with my Granny. My car key,” She gave me the key and I hurried out of the hospital. * * * I arrived at Sterling Group of companies, and the CEO let me in. I watched him take a seat in front of me. "I'm Didina Bowman," I said, nervously seeing his cold and distant face. "And why are you here?" "I appreciate you for saving me," I started with that, and he chuckled softly before returning those cold expressions on his face. "And you stole from me," My eyes widened. He knew I stole from him? Immediately, I went to my knees, and my eyes suddenly grew misty, knowing what brought me back to him. I planned to pay back what I stole from him before Hera resurfaced and ruined my plans. "I'm sorry, I plan to pay you back. I swear," I swore and he just nodded, gazing at me. /–Bryan–/ My eyes widened in disbelief when Andrew told me that Didina was waiting for me in my office. I never expected her to come back to me ever since she stole from me, and why was she here? I entered my office and saw her seated on the sofa, her eyes scanning everywhere. Her eyes met mine, and she looked away. I sat down in front of her. "I'm Didina Bowman," I smirked within myself as I maintained a cold and distant expression on my face. "And why are you here?" I asked, gazing at her. "I appreciate you for saving me," I chuckled before returning that cold expression to my face. She needs something from me. "And you stole from me," I said, and her eyes widened. She stole from me, and to my surprise, she used what she stole from me wisely. I have been watching her closely, and to my greatest surprise, she's doing a great job until this week, when everything starts going sour. To my greatest shock, she went to her knees, tears at the brink of falling from her eyes. "I'm sorry, I plan to pay you back. I swear," She swore and I just nodded, gazing at her in amusement. "What do you want me to do for you? As you know, I'm a busy man, and I value my time," I said, and she bit her lower lips before speaking. "Help me. I know it's absurd, but please lend me some of your power or, better still, marry me," She begged, and I could see that desperation in her. "What will I get in return?" I question, finding her intriguing and interesting. "Anything, I will give you anything you want," "I don't find that time worthy, and convincing enough so Didina Bowman, my answer is – NO"