L

Years

s rang through every corner and every wall. My purse swung with every stride,

e time before work beckoned, and I knew more than half of that time would go into listen

ehind, halting my steps. My head darted in her direction, and I stood, hal

commented, my hands resting on my h

fia looked up at me with so much guilt etched in those orbs. She was my secretary and personal assistan

ver make it earlier than you do, Boss. It's like you never sleep." She immediate

e sitting on my face. Sofia was right. This company

it up from scratch. It was all I could do to redeem the mistakes I've made all my lif

companies in the country. Velma LTD- the only suitable name for it because without Velma, I ne

t out of my unfortunate re

erie. "There's a shareholders meeting with our pha

hat's by noo

, her blue pen tapping rhythmi

er will be back with a briefing tomorrow. We're also exporting more than three-q

ealth. Nothing else could be as pleasing. I'd left everything behin

y to ask for an increase. I was briefed. Thank you, Sofia

pushed the doors open and was met with the sight of Velma sitting next to Rodn

door and watched them. Rodney doted on her like she was his daughter. He

d up at me. In an instant, she got off her seat and ran towards me, throwing her little han

at the side of my chin. Warmth fluttered in my chest, and I did the same. I slowly tucked the fall that

the opposite for Velma. She had all of Carl's features, including porcelain skin and raven-blac

have that much effect on

after school is fun!" she responded in a mischievous

Velma's head at him. "You took her

he was asking for permission before giving me a response. These two were so cheeky and mischi

upported his claim. I stood to my fe

ing my legs as I eyed both of them. "You two will end up getting t

op us, we're not going to

d a brief 'secret' deliberation on whether or not they get ice cr

inally said. "It's your fault she wouldn'

curtsied. "Velma

all

noticeable and tangled braid at the back of his head."She

he hair. "I pray you don't hav

esponded, glancing at Velma where she was seated. He looked at

of a very huge puzzle. I remember vividly, running into hi

year

reason. It had been engraved in my subconscious mind to protect her with my life. She w

er how or where I'd met him as his face was so familiar, etched deep

my daughter. I pulled Velma closer, feeling awkward for not recall

hair, and I apologized. "I'm sorry, I don't

to...play the guitar, and you were the smar

memories of mine had been suppressed. Finally, it occurred to me, and I gasped.

't exactly say that. What happened? I can't believe I'd run into you here

ponse, she jumped in, in a small, barely audible tone. "Da

her head and patted it. "No, darling. It's not Dada." Your d

and I'd rather walk away than face it un

Pr

e'd do anything. "I have way too much to thank you for, Rodney," I said in reminiscence

closed in on my personal space. "You could pay me ba

n, either. I had a tight schedule, not to mention, I didn't want to give a chance to any familiari

around. That was the s

hat a

o.

, I

a no. I have a meeting in a few hours, so how

p by earlier to do the cooking

I rolled my eyes

ery and Velma's compliments to Rodney ringing in my e

at it. Table manners depicted no phones on the dinner table, an

a restricted number. I was puzzled by the unfamiliarity of th

mildly breezed through the sp

his, and how m

law, I represent your grandfa

e phone. I wanted to have nothing to do with that family. Rodney

randfather had a specific plan in place for you regarding the organiza

to comprehend his words. "What do you mean

ing 26," he explained, his words sending a shiver down my spine. Programme

y need you to take over," Mr. Page urged, his words punctua

eles? T

e call, my phone slid down my ears, and I stared blank