Rejected as a Commoner, Wanted as an Heir

The unexpected happens....

 ~ Lauren ~

I predicted what was coming next when he slammed my profile on the table, skidded his chair away and walked out. He was unpleased with my presence in his office or newly acquired company...

'Ma'am, I'll accompany you out' the man who had called me in said to me, his hands pointing to the exit area. I said nothing more and obliged.

I bowed my head in shame as I walked out of his office, a failure. Thinking hard, I wonder what could have changed with Dylan. He was such a naive, innocent. How did he change into this so fast??

I had thought he loved me too much that he wouldn't be able to say no to me. I had assumed he'd welcome me back into his life with open arms despite my insecurity of what I've done to him. All this now is all the confirmation I need to know he hates me.

How do I explain this to Gabe? That I could not convince Dylan to have me as his new personal assistant? I let out a small, bitter laughter. How would he react if he finds out I was specifically ordered out by Dylan.

I offered to do so myself as my pride would be beyond hurt if I had let the guard do that to me. 

There was a waiting car outside and I just entered without as much as checking the driver's face. 

I tried Gabe my boss but he wasn't picking up, what could he be doing at the moment?

'Son of a bitch!' I cussed, suddenly annoyed at him knowing he was the cause of all these. He fvcking lured me, made me cheat on Dylan.

My hands rubbed my temple tiredly. Only if I had known. At that moment, something clicked. I remembered that I didn't inform the driver where I am headed, yet he was driving. 

'Son of a bitch? Who's making you cuss so hard?' he asked me, looking at me through the mirror. He was hefty, the sides of his lips quirked up to the side into a grin. Whoever this man was, I dreaded him already.

"Who are you? Where are you taking me?' I cried out, fumbling with the door lock.

"You would be glad you met me" he said nonchalantly.

I winced on the inside, my mind considering the contingency of the situation I'm in. He might be a psycho, a rapist or a killer. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat, trying my best to push my fears down.

'Let me out this instant! I won't ask you again!'

He laughed, like he was catching fun. 'So what? You're gonna call the cops on me? Or struggle to unlock the door? Neither can work, honey. Only I, can open that door and the cops got nothing on me'

"Let me out now! You won't get away with this" 

I warned, shivering inwardly.

"Oh, I can and I will. You can scream for hours and no one would hear a thing and you cannot open the door. Either way, you are not getting out of here until I let you" He added, swerving his car to the right.

'What the hell do you want from me??? Money??? Credit card? I'll give it to you. Just name it!' I shrieked 

"The question is, what can I do for you?, Darling. You're asking it the wrong way" He said leaving me confused 

"I do not understand' I plan on distracting him with my conversation as I seek escape means.

'Allow me introduce myself, I am Audrey Hepburn, a brother to Christain Forbes and a step son to the Chairman'

It was all I needed to hear to go numb. I let my hands fall onto both sides. 'What do you want from me, sir'

.

~ Christain Forbes ~

I glanced around the compound the moment I stepped out of the Tesla that drove me in. It was the same thing just as I recalled it to be. The small water fountain, the attentive guards, overzealous gardeners... When they saw me, they acknowledged me, bowing their heads slightly as a sign of respect. 

'Your father is in the study' the stout maid informed me the instant I stepped in, like she knew what I was here for.

With one polite nod, I thread the hall way that led to his study. It was the only one he has in the mansion and where he spends most of his time. I naturally came to an abrupt halt when I opened the door and met a second party in the room. As usual, he had the grin on, one that made me cringe inwardly... I took one deep breath, my expression stoic as I met his stare. Audrey!!! What in the world was he doing here? As if to make me more infuriated, he relaxed onto the sofa more comfortably, wearing a wider grin while his foot tapped the floor slowly. My heart rate increased and I shuddered inwardly, briefly recalling the abduction scene. It'll always happen, his presence will always trigger the memory. 

'Christain, come on in' My father urged me, prolly wondering why I'm sticking by the entrance for too long. 

I reluctantly tore my gaze off Audrey, made a mental count of one to twenty and walked in on my father's words. I stopped behind his desk, portrayed my pleasantries. I would have proceeded with why I was here. What I wanted to ask but since the discussion is going to be about the man sitting behind me with a cocky grin, I held back.

'It's a great thing you stopped by to see me. I was going to ask you to come over. There's something I need to discuss with you' Father mentioned.

'I'm all ears, sir'

He motioned to the sofa where Audrey sat with his legs crossed against each other. In order not to cause a scene, I succumbed, making sure to maintain my distance, not caring if it made me look down to earth petty.

'I'll relay my apologies first for not letting you know about this in the first place. I was scared your reaction might come out negative' 

I shifted uncomfortably on the sofa, my mind going blank for a moment. 'What is it father?'

'All those years when I searched for you and your mother and all my effort was to no avail. I remarried. You know... it was so hard for me and she was the one by my side all those times. So, have a mother and brother, Christain..' he paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in.. 'She's a very good woman and I promise you're going to love her. Today, I'll like to introduce you to them'.

I released a breath. I was already prepared for this news but what reaction would I deprive from him if I tell him about the abduction? How his step son, my supposed brother Wants me dead because he sees me a threat?!.

A gentle squeeze on my shoulder made me jerk from my thought. I looked to the side and saw Audrey stretching his palm out to me, a smile on his face. Taken aback for a moment, I searched his eyes as they bore into mine. It didn't take me too long to notice. He was doing all these to assure my father. I reciprocated his energy, wearing a fake smile and took his hands in mine.

'Audrey Hepburn'

'Christain Forbes' I responded, my smile growing wider. 

His phalanges tightened around mine, unnecessarily pressing hard on it.

'It's nice to meet you, brother. I hope we get along well' he added through gritted teeth.

'Well, I'm sure we will' 

I withdrew my palm from his, turned back to face my father, only for me to see him nodding approvingly. 'Thanks for accepting each other easily'

As if on cue, a slender, tall woman with a pretty face and very innocent smile walked in. If I wasn't informed quickly, I wouldn't have thought she was the new mother father told me about. Her appearance was endearing, youthful and elegant. She looked quite young to have a grown up like Audrey.

'Honey.. you called me down here. Is something wrong?' her small voice queried before planting a kiss on his cheeks.

'Remember when I told you I found my son? Well, he's here and I want you to meet him' 

I sucked in a breath when she stared at me, scrutinizing me for a whole minute as total decorum lingered. She wasn't excited to have me, either. Like her son, she was disappointed. The difference is I wasn't surewho or what she was disappointed in...