Chapter Five | Revelation

Any other night couldn't be this cold.

The wind was blowing outside the weak window, and inside, I shivered. Tightening the worn blanket around my shivering body, I sighed and my teeth chattered, involuntarily.

"You okay?"

I nodded towards Leo in the dark. His black eyes mixed with the black of the room.

"I – I just want us to ea – earn even a little m – mon – money." I shivered, my eyes glistening.

Due to the power cut in this shabby area, the darkness felt it hadn't only settled in the room, but also in my life. It was dread and helplessness, only that I felt now.

"We'll, Amy." Leo hugged me in the dark, "Thanks to your YouTube channel and followers, I'm sure somebody will reach us."

I furiously rubbed my glistening eyes and nearly shouted in the dark, in frustration.

"When?!" Tears spilled, in rage, "They are all locals. A fashion designer doesn't even follows me. I can't Leo but need to blame others. What about Diana? She's living a fake naïve life with a punk, and doesn't even think that I exist.

Your mother, Alicia, I loved her so much and yet she left me. How could she after giving me hopes to live? Your father is a bastard who doesn't even cares!"

"We'll do everything within our reach with the money we saved in our colleges." He whispered, his voice cracking in the end.

Ella came and kissed the top of my head, "We are here, my daughter. I and Leo."

I closed my eyes furiously as tears threatened to spill from my eyes and sighed loudly.

"Wake up, Amara."

My eyelids fluttered as I opened my eyes only to see the bright sunlight. I rubbed my eyes and focused on Leo as he opened the other blinds of my room. Sitting up, I stared at the wall.

"Dress up, Amy." Leo sat beside me and gave me a glass of water, "We need to tell our financial problems to the partners of this project. You know, Vincent Thompson and Nyla White."

"I'm dreading this." I sighed, tying up my hair with the hairband from the bedside table.

"Why?"

"We're still strangers," I began, "and why do you think they'll give us any solution? We probably have to cancel this project until our financial status is secure. We need to take our shares back and I need to stay as the CEO.

I also need to find who is behind this because I'm sure that bastard has been given money for this. There's someone who's brave enough to mess with the Founder and CEO himself. And it's not an old enemy I'm telling you."

"You thought about all this the whole night, didn't you?" He chuckled lightly.

I gave him a tight expression but smiled softly, "You know why, Leo. You and I build the company with our hard work and determination. It's us who build the company to this level. Then, how can I watch my home taken away from me?"

"Calm down, Amy." Leo soothed my hair and hugged me, "Let's first tell the truth to our partners."

I nodded.

I got up from the bed and then only realized that I had slept while thinking about my problems.

I went to the bathroom and smiled at my drained self in the mirror that looked back at me. It felt like the mirror was giving me a sarcastic smile of his own. The bags under my eyes indicated that I only slept for a couple of hours or so.

The rate I was going, I could easily have insomnia. And it wouldn't be that surprising compared to the sudden problematic life I had now.

Changing into a white full sleeve shirt, I put on my dark grey suit and braided my hair, tightly. I covered the bags under my eyes, with concealer and put on my diamond earrings. Putting the white colored Louboutins, I took my Gucci bag and put the files regarding the shares, the reappointment of the CEO of my company and the designs in them.

Then I stood up straight and was a little glad to put up a fake picture of confidence.

After all, I didn't want neither my enemies nor my friends, to see me as a figure who lacked confidence. It was a clean picture, nonetheless.

My heels clicked on the staircase as I descended down. Before reaching the final step to the ground floor, I took a deep breath and pulled up my sleeve of my left wrist.

On my left wrist there rested a single word, 'Chiara', covered by Amaryllis in deep dark ink. It was my first ever tattoo and since then, it has given me immense confidence even at darkest of times. It was a tattoo that I had imprinted on my 18th birthday, in the memory of my mother.

My mother, Chiara Ronaldi.

"What's up?" Leo asked me from behind.

"Looking at my confidence." I climbed down the last step and looked over to him.

He smiled and patted my head, smiling. His smile was of sadness but he too, like me was trying to boost his confidence. Leo was wearing a dark brown suit with a black shirt underneath, because dark colors gave him confidence. His words, not mine.

Ella greeted us with a two cups of Starbucks latte and a nervous smile on her face.

"We'll be okay, Mom." I hugged her.

I knew I was getting emotional at this matter but I couldn't help myself. After all, my company that I and Leo built enduring so much, was at risk that too, from possibly an anonymous person who was planning something.

And it was all too sudden and perfect.

I sipped on my latte, sat at the sofa facing the window and stared outside it. The sunlight poured through the closed windows lighting half of the living room.

Today was the day, in many days, when Leo and I didn't get time to ourselves in the morning. We were worried, nervous and even there was no appetite in my case. If Ella had forced me, I would've vomited for sure.

The car ride was silent as I drove through the busy London streets and thought desperately.

The fact that I could just hide my problems and continue this project was big risk. But denying my problems, was something I wasn't going to agree myself. I could tell them my financial status, go back to Italy and use my strategies for the reappointment of CEO. But that was going to be difficult too, because neither I nor Leo had anyone to help us, there.

We only had each other, forever.

Leo marked the pages of the files that stated the clauses and demands of my company, to find any legal flaws, but in vain.

I parked my car in the parking lot of the Thompson Media and took the elevator for the conference room that today's meeting was going to be held. I barely acknowledged Ms. Clarke who greeted me.

Taking in a deep breath, adjusting my outfit and putting on my confident smile, I entered the room.

And there sat another surprise.

A woman with long strawberry blond hair, sat there, beside Nyla and talked with them. With one look, I could say that she was somehow related to Vincent and Nyla. This woman was beautiful, sophisticated and was born rich because everything she adorned herself with was branded.

I straightened my composure and walked to the same seat, I had sat before just a couple of days ago.

"Hello there, Amara." Nyla smiled brightly, noticing me.

"Good morning, Ms. White." I greeted her politely.

"Don't need to be so formal." Nyla waved her hand, dismissing my politeness.

"This is business." I smiled formally and continued, "That's why, I want to discuss something."

They waited, as I took a deep breath and smiled, unknowledgeable to the future consequences.

"I, the CEO of Chiara Designs," I began, smiling, "is currently in a situation that may sabotage this upcoming project. That's why, I would like to cut my partnership and will find you a new designer at the end of this week."

The three others looked at each other with grave expressions and then turned towards me.

"I apologize that I didn't introduce myself." The anonymous lady stood up and gave me her hand to shake.

I took her hand, smiled at her and then only, looked at her closely. It seemed that she also handled some business, maybe a family one. She was like Nyla, all bright and happy.

"I'm April Lewis, the Head Director of the Lewis Hotels. Can I hear about your situation?"

Lewis Hotels? She managed the most expensive hotels in London and I was correct, that it was a family business.

"It's nice to meet you." I smiled at her.

Briefly looking over to Vincent, I saw that he had a very cool composure for today. But he was looking at Nyla with a different expression but she was staring at me with concern. It was a bit uncanny and unusual for just Vincent Thompson.

I turned towards Ms. Lewis who was sitting beside Nyla, tangled my fingers and began.

"I'm currently facing financial problems where half of the shares of my company has been bought by a competitor. There's also a petition going around for the reappointment of the CEO position which means, my position is at stake.

That's why, I've decided to tell about my present status and meanwhile, return to Italy to look into the matter. That's why, instead of putting this project on hold, I would like to quit and provide you with another partner."

Grave silence settled over the whole conference room.

I looked over to Leo, in nervousness and he smiled, encouraging me. On the other hand, Vincent, April and Nyla looked over at each other and nodded in grave expression. The expression looked a bit familiar with Vincent but it didn't suit the other two, even a bit.

"We also have a situation." Nyla said, her expression grave.

Before April or Nyla could speak and explain their situation, Vincent stood up and said.

"I would like to speak about this to Ms. Ronaldi alone." He looked over to Nyla, April and Leo, "Alone means only me and her."

I frowned and looked over to Leo. His frown was of confusion, so, he stood up and said to Vincent.

"Ms. Ronaldi and I always discuss everything together, so, I intend to stay with her."

"No. She needs to decide this."

"Why?"

You'll understand."

I looked over to Vincent and Leo as if a tennis match was going on. I touched Leo's wrist and nodded that I'll be fine. Which also meant that I'll tell him later.

"Okay then." Leo agreed, nodding back at me.

Slowly and silently, the other three left Vincent Thompson and I, alone. Then only I noticed that today, neither Vincent's PA not Nyla's PA were present in the room. It seemed as if anyhow the meeting was going to be cancelled because of their situation.

"Good morning, Amara Ronaldi."

I stared at him in wonder. Today he was wearing a dark green suit with his usual messy hair and looked just as handsome as the first time. Yet, I answered, hoarsely.

"Good morning, Mr. Thompson." And formally too.

"Skip the honorifics, Querido." He said, smirking.

"As if. It's impossible." I rolled my eyes, "Don't beat around the bush and waste everyone's time."

"April's and my parents have decided on our engagement."

I took a deep breath. Much longer than the breath I had taken when I heard about my company.

Right. He was being engaged. He was taken and I was just attracted to him. I vowed to never mess myself in a relationship then this was for the best, right?

"That's great." I looked at him, blankly, "But then I don't see any problem."

"The engagement is the problem."

I stared at him, hard, "Are you serious? You bo – Oh!"

"Your parents probably decided this engagement without your consent and you both are unwilling to get married?"

He nodded and I continued, "But you could just say this to your parents. I'm sure they will understand."

"I guess, you don't really know how rich family works. We don't have any consent here, so, April and I decided to make another relationship to break this one."

"Wait, what? I chuckled darkly, "You are going to make a fake relationship?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

He nodded, "And I want you."

I looked at him to notice that his pupils have dilated considerably of a darker grey. His composure was cool as if he hadn't just announced a fake relationship with me.

"Why me?"

"I think it will be a deal if you help me with this fake relationship and in turn, I'll help you with your financial problems, including the reappointment."

It was a good deal, indeed.