Marrying my high school bully

Melissa

Being at Hills Jewelry once again filled me with a sickening surge of resentment. Any time I remembered that Leonardo was still presiding as CEO, a strange kind of anger burned within me.

After taking some deep breaths and calming myself, I walked straight into his office. Erica told me beforehand that he was free, but even before she told me, I already knew he would be.

He was just a mistake of a CEO and soon, I’d have to speak with the directors that voted him in.

He rose to his feet as soon as I walked in, a wry smile plastered on his annoying face. “You’re welcome, Miss Rogers. It’s such a pleasure to have you here once again.”

I did an invisible eye roll and shook his outstretched hand, my attention slightly fixed on his seat. Soon, I’d take over his position.

Soon.

“I decided to stop by because I have a business proposal for you. Trust me, it will bring more benefits for both of us.” I informed him a bit enthusiastically.

At the mention of business, his face lit up with a grin. I knew that with my proposal, all the attention I needed from him would be given. I just had to convince him carefully.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“I like the sound of that, Miss Rogers, but you said it’s going to be between us, does it mean that you don’t want the other board members to know about it?”

I nodded with eagerness blazing on my face. “Yes. You know,” I pushed my chair closer, increasing his curiosity as he moved away from his executive chair and came to sit opposite me. “I’m very interested in the jewelry business and I have an idea that would really interest you.”

He clapped in excitement. “Please, spill the tea. I’m tired of sitting behind this boring desk all day without doing anything meaningful.” He said with a bored tone.

I almost scoffed, but I held it back and stylishly brought out my phone. Knowing how loose-mouthed my stepfather was, I knew that it wouldn’t be hard for him to leak all his secrets when he had a listener.

“How do you mean?” I asked, wearing a serious expression, leaning closer to him.

“I’ll be honest with you, Melissa,” The way he pronounced my middle name, made my skin crawl.

My full name was Lorraine Melissa Hills, but I didn’t go by my first name and surname anymore because of the accident and my new identity, so I decided to use my middle name which Leonardo had no knowledge of.

“Being a CEO is boring. There’s nothing to do aside from coming here, taking some cash from the accountant then having some fun later in the day. The company is running low on funds, but I don’t know what to do.” He confessed with a chuckle, his tone tethering on a lackadaisical note.

I lowered my head, my face twisting in anger. My heart churned with bitterness at the mess he made of my mother’s legacy and I began to wonder why my mother never told me about her company.

The only thing I saw her do before she died was to go to work everyday. How would I have known that she had a freaking jewelry business?

“Are you listening to me?” He asked tersely when he noticed that I’d gotten silent.

I quickly jutted my face up to keep up my cover. “Yes I am.” I swallowed, closing my eyes briefly. “Well, that’s why I’m here to help you. There are lots of innovations that can be done to take this company to greater heights.”

He huffed, rolling his eyes. “I don’t care about that.” I quickly clicked on the record button. “All I want is for the work to be done and then we share the money between ourselves.” He shot me his signature greedy smirk that got me clenching my fists.

I had to keep up my fake excitement so I smiled at him as well. “Don’t worry about that, Leonardo. I’m a hard worker.” I assured him.

He beamed at me, apparently giddy with excitement as he stretched his arms for a hug. I squinted my eyes and remained glued to my chair.

I raised my hand to stop him. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

He dropped his hands and gave off a nervous chuckle. “Oh, I’m sorry if I overstepped my boundaries.”

I got to my feet and scrutinised the office once more. “We’ll speak more on this matter over the phone.” I walked out immediately and went to one of the empty rooms where Erica had prepared for me to meet one of the oldest staff of the company.

Being away from that ruthless man helped me to get a grip on my emotions, and my tranquility returned slowly.

Few minutes into relaxing and waiting for the woman, a knock resonated on the door. I sat up and switched to my work mode gait.

The door creaked open slightly, and a grey haired woman traipsed in with wrinkles on her tired face. She bore no pleasure in taking a break from her work and coming to meet with a visitor. The frown on her face told me so.

“Good day, ma’am.” She greeted politely, folding her hands behind her.

I quickly gave her a once over and honestly, she didn’t look the parts. Her grey pants were worn out and her chiffon blouse looked like it was bought from a low grade thrift store.

“Good day, ma’am.” I replied and sprang to my feet to welcome her. Then I set the chair properly for her to make herself comfortable. “Please sit, and I promise not to take much of your time.”

Her eyes darted from me to the chair then gradually, she lowered herself onto the chair.

“The secretary said you had something important to discuss with me.” She had that wary expression that showed that she didn’t trust me.

I dragged in a deep breath, then shifted my chair closer to hers. “I just want to ask some questions about the company. I also want to know how you’re faring and if the company is treating you well.”

She arched her brows in disapproval then jumped to her feet almost immediately. “What right do you have to ask me that?” She hollered.

I knew that it would come to this and that’s why I prepared myself for whatever would be the outcome of this meeting.

“I am late Mrs Hills’ daughter and I’m here to take back my rightful place as the legal owner of this company.” I announced and her lips fell open with surprise, her eyes widening in shock.

Her palms stretched to her mouth as she stared at me intensely. “A-Are you really… Are you really her daughter?”

I nodded vehemently, hoping that she believed me, but the next thing that happened was what I didn’t envisage.

She slumped on her seat which made a creaking sound then held onto her chest. “I can’t believe it.” She broke into a quiet sob which I was thankful for, then I moved closer to her and began to console her even though I didn’t really understand why she was crying.

“I’m sorry for making you cry,” I said softly and she shook her head, caressing my hair.

“It’s not your fault, dear, I’m just so happy to meet you after so many years.” She wiped her tears and motioned for me to sit down, then she trained a serious gaze on me and said. “We have a lot of things to talk about.”

I nodded in agreement. “That’s why I’m here, ma’am.” I replied with relief.

“Did your late mother tell you who your father is?” She blurted and I froze immediately, unable to utter a word as no one told me that my meeting with Mrs Rose Gonzales would metamorphose into knowing who my real father was.