CHAPTER 4

CARLOTTA

"Who were those couples, Ma'am? They seemed so violent and close to you?"

I laughed at Sara's harmless question as I popped a chocolate bar into my mouth. We were in my limousine, riding back home after the event had been rounded up. It was almost midnight so I was outrightly exhausted but she was curious about my little exchange with Floria and Kia.

"My ex-husband and stepsister," I revealed, nonchalantly.

"What!" She exclaimed.

I shrugged like it was nothing.

"Yeah, we used to be married five years back but it's nothing now," I said, dismissively.

I knew she had a thousand questions to ask but knowing my low tolerance for little and useless talks, she decided against it and instead filled me in on information concerning the company. We arrived at the mansion and I ascended the stairs, going straight to my room after I'd checked on Klara and saw that she was okay.

"He's Klara's father isn't he?" Sara suddenly asked me.

Our rooms were beside each other so she was at her door and I was at mine.

"Who?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

"That man today, Kia Miller."

"What do you think?"

"Klara looks exactly like him, he's her father, isn't it? Does he know? That he has a daughter?" She asked, curiously, I clicked my tongue to show my irritation and she felt remorseful immediately.

"I'm sorry for prying ma'am, I didn't mean to." She apologized.

"No, he doesn't deserve to be a father. He didn't want me or her in his life likewise she won't have him in his life or mine either. By the way, we're home now Sara, please call me Carlotta for the umpteenth time, goodnight." I responded and went into my room without waiting for a response.

As I shut my door behind me I heaved a shaky breath and threw myself on the huge king-size bed. I recalled the events of the night and mentally praised myself for being strong. All through my heart was thumping against the walls of my chest, especially after my encounter with Kia, I'd trained for years how I'd react when I see him and though it's been five years, he still had an effect on me.

I pushed out the thoughts from my mind and took a warm bath, got into comfy clothes, and drifted to dreamland, I had to resume work the next day, to start the next phase of my plan.

"Please Kia, don't do this to me, don't do it to us." I cried bitterly.

I winced in pain as I gutted the floor and looked up to see Kia as the force behind the change in momentum, he was scowling terribly at me and bearing this disdain and hateful look I couldn't bear to see. I was scared, frightened, and clueless.

"You're fired!" He spat out.

Tears rolled down my eyes and he sneered at me instead.

"How dare you!" He bellowed angrily.

My vision was clouded with tears but I wiped them off, I saw a familiar figure stand behind him, menacingly smirking at me in disdain and pure mockery.

"Don't do this," I begged, softly.

A pile of papers was thrown at my face and I grabbed one to see the word 'divorce' written in block letters.

"Kia..." I called out.

"Sign them and leave! I'm divorcing you, and don't ever show your face to me ever again!" He ordered.

I chuckled sadistically and got on my knees, letting go of my pride, I rubbed my hands together and begged him profusely.

"Don't do this to me please, I love you," I begged, confessing my feelings.

"Well, I don't love you and I never did!" He revealed.

I didn't care, all sense of reasoning was lost, and all I could see was the man whom I loved leaving me, the thought of it scared me and left me shattered beyond repair but I was met by a pair of emotionless eyes, glaring at me in obvious disgust.

"Please, please don't, I'll do everything, please don't." I pleaded.

I got hold of his legs and used it as a pillar to rise to my feet, I held his hands and cried to it, he pushed me aside and I scrambled to my feet, held the woman behind him, and tried to persuade her.

"Please, speak to him, I swear I'll do all he wants and-"

"Ouch!" She yelped in pain before I could finish my sentence and Kia rushed towards her, tears began to roll down her cheeks and I frantically waved my hand to show my innocence but it was too late as a slap sent me flying a few feet away and landed on my face.

I looked up to see the man I loved and dedicated my whole life to tend to the other woman, my stepsister, I grabbed his foot once more, afraid of losing him but he kicked me away.

"Please don't leave!" I cried bitterly as I watched him lead her inside the huge building with 'Kia Empire' scribbled in block letters as its identity. Lightning flashed across the sky and a thunder resonated through the sky.

"Please!" I yelled.

Perspiring hard and panting for breath, I switched on the side lamp and instantly poured myself a glass of water. I managed to stabilize my breathing and check the time, it was six in the morning and I was yet awoken by the same nightmare that haunted me for years, an event in my life that morphed into a dread scene that managed to replay itself almost every night. I had a cold shower and began to get ready for the day's work since I'd be officially having my first board meeting as the CEO.

By seven, I was done making bread and scrambled eggs for breakfast and Sara was shocked to see me up and active that early especially when I was supposed to have my quiet time. I served us three breakfasts as Klara came running from her room as well and we ate as one big happy family.

I proceeded to work and put things in place as early as I could, some of the board members were skeptical since I am a woman while some shareholders wanted to know if I was worthy of the position, in response; I bought back their shares and had them escorted out of the building since they were too full of themselves. This taught the others to fear me and I instilled respect in them, in a nutshell; the first day was perfect!

When I got off in the evening, I went straight home since I was scheduled to go toy shopping with Klara as I prioritize spending quality time with her the most.

"Look, Mom, it's Doraemon!" She exclaimed as I wheeled the shopping cart to the toy session, I laughed softly while Sara tried to restrict her from burning herself under a pile of all the toys she was standing on her toes to get.

My phone rang and it was an important business call.

"Watch over Klara for a minute, I'll be right back. Do not let her out of your sight by any means, do you understand?" I charged Sara, she nodded in response and I found my way to a more quiet corner.

Three minutes later, I was done with my phone call and I sauntered back to the toy aisle to get my daughter only to be met by a horrific scene. My heart skipped a beat as I saw a familiar figure holding her.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" I exclaimed.

"Mommy!" Klara uttered and ran towards me.

Slowly, the future turned to face me and I gasped, softly.

"Hello, Carlotta."

"Kia." I hissed.