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TIME TO FACE YOUR DEMONS

“Hey, Zade… how are you? You called me?” I asked my boss cum a good friend Zade Moore. He is in his fifties and was very cheerful. “Hey, Violet… I am fine… thanks for asking… please have a seat here… I want to ask you a favour”, he said with a smile on his face while gesturing me to take a chair in front of him across the table. I nodded and took my seat.

“So, what is the situation now?” I asked him in a calculative tone. I am working with Zade for the past four years and he knew everything about me and my life. I am also close to his wife and his daughter. Zade helped me stand on my feet by offering me a job as an account assistant in his company and now I was the CFO of this company in a short span of only four years.

“You know my elder brother, Xander Moore who also has a company on his own, Moore Inc., right?” he said while giving me a look and I nodded in agreement. Xander Moore was three years elder than him but unfortunately, he didn’t have any children. His wife died ten years ago due to cancer and then he never married again. “He is going to sell his company but wants you to take over the position of CFO there in his company”, Zade spoke in a calm but calculative manner. I stiffened on my place immediately.

All the past memories of that city flooded my mind immediately. Manhattan, one of the most busiest cities in America was the place that held my worst nightmare. That was the place where I lost everything five years ago. “I know what’s going on your mind right now, Violet. But”, Zade paused and stood up from his chair. He buttoned his suit. His eyes were still low and then he came near to me. He sat down on the other chair near me.

“Moore Inc. operated by my brother is going to be taken over by Whitemore & Whitemore in a week”, I snapped my head towards him in shock. I held my breath while processing the news he had given me a few seconds ago. “Yes… you heard me right, Violet. Dominic Whitemore has bought Moore Inc. there and he would take over after a week. The position of CFO is vacant there and Xander wants you to take over that position because he wants someone to take care of that company in his absence as if it’s her own and we both know that you are the only one close to us who can take care of the company better than anyone else”, Zade was telling me everything but my mind was numb right now.

Dominic Whitemore, the worst nightmare of mine, was taking over the company and Zade wanted me to go there and face him every day. “I can’t do this, Zade. I am sorry”, I stood up and was about to move when Zade next words stopped me in my track. “This is also a chance for you to show him what he lost, Violet. You can show him that you are not Sara. You are the woman of your own. You are successful today because of your efforts. As per his words, you also need a ladder to climb high. Now, it’s time to show him, Violet that you don’t need a ladder. In fact, you are yourself a ladder of success now. This is the time to face your demons and win over them, Violet. You are not a fugitive, Violet. You are a fighter. You fought your fight on your own and build your reputation. This is time to show Dominic and Sara their places, Violet”.

There was a thick silence in the room that could be cut by a knife. I balled and unballed my fists so many times but didn’t move towards him. “You are an idol for Natasha, Violet. Show the true strength of her idol to her. Let her grow into a woman who has her mother’s fighting spirit. Stop hiding and now it’s time to face the harsh reality of the world, Violet”, he again spoke and I knew that he was stating a bitter truth.

“I need time, Zade”, I said in a low tone this time. I felt his hand on my shoulders and he massaged them lightly. “You need to go there before Monday to get the things in your hands, Violet. Today is Wednesday. If Xander thought about you then he must have something in his mind and you know him well”, he said in a brotherly way and I sighed aloud. Xander was also like a big brother to me. If he wanted me to stand in front of Dominic then he must have something in his mind. I trusted him but….

“I will let you know by Friday”, I whispered this time and he wrapped his hands around my shoulders from behind. I trembled in his embrace and he shushed me immediately. The tears were flowing down from my eyes like a fall now. “It’s you, Violet, who helped Vera overcome her depression. She is now a fireball who has the intention to get everything that she wants. If you can help Vera, you can help yourself too. You can come back any time you want. I will be here for you forever. But…. You also need to overcome your fear so that you can move on. Go there show him that you already have moved on him”, he cooed his encouraging words in my ear and smiled while crying.

“Thanks for your encouragement, Zade”, I removed his hands and moved towards him. “Give me some time to think, Zade”, I smiled weakly and he wiped my tears first and then kissed my forehead. “I am always here for you, Violet… remember that always”, he said and I nodded. “Xander has sent you a mail containing a brief summary of the finances of Moore Inc. there”, he informed me and I nodded. “I will go through the mail”, I informed him and then he released me from his embrace.

I came out of the room and stormed towards my room. My mind was still in a haze. Five years…. Five freaking years….. I fought every day for everything. I had nothing but Natasha with me. I did everything to keep both of us alive and safe. I did small jobs to set my feet here in Phoenix. This was not a big city like Manhattan still a warm city. The people around me helped me in every way and I couldn’t forget the warmth of their love and care for me. I built a life here for me and Natasha. But, Zade was right. I wanted to live a peaceful life then I needed to fight my demons too.

“Ma’am”, my body jerked and I stumbled on my feet. “What are you thinking so hard?” Victoria glared at me and I looked at her in confusion. I looked around and pouted while looking back at her. “Thanks…. For saving me?” I passed my best smile and she huffed. I didn’t see and I was about to crash in a trolley filled with stationary when she yanked me away from that trolley. “Come with me”, I said and then grabbed her hand. Before she could say anything, I dragged her behind me and entered my room.

“What’s wrong with you today? Do we have a ghost in this building?” she looked around as if she could see a ghost any moment here. Victoria Madden was my secretary cum best friend. She was my biggest help in every way and I knew that she could do anything for me. “Victoria… If I say to you to move with me to Manhattan… will you come with me?” I asked her in a calm but pleading tone. She was taken aback by my words. She opened her mouth then closed it again without uttering a word. Victoria was famous for her big mouth as she never thought before speaking.

Victoria was an orphan and had lived all her life here in Phoenix. Like me, she was also attached to this place and it would not be easy to go away from your comfort zone just like that. “Yes… I can go with you to even hell”, she suddenly spoke and I scowled this time. “Really, Victoria? Hell?” I shrank my nose and she beamed sheepishly. “Yes… I mean to say… that… I can go anywhere with you if I have to stay with you and Natasha”, she said and I couldn’t tell what I felt. I felt the warmth of her love and affection for Natasha. She loved her so much or should I say more than me. Yes… I can say that for her.

“But… are you sure about moving there?” she asked me cautiously while taking a seat in front of me. I sighed aloud and then told her everything that happened in Zade’s office. She listened to me carefully without interrupting me. This is also one of her traits. She was a great listener. “If you are asking for my opinion, then Zade is right, Violet. It’s your time to face your demon”, she said in a calm tone and I took a deep breath.

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