Sophia’s POV: A Sudden Change.
The black dress felt a little odd on my body and what was worse was the fact that I’d been standing in heels for a long time. I felt uneasy and wanted nothing more than to sit and have a glass of water. I felt hot and sweaty and it was a windy day, my stomach churned and twisted uncomfortably. Everything just felt so uncomfortably wrong.
A big hand came around my stiff shoulders. “Hey,” Harry whispered, pulling me closer to his side. “You doing okay?” He asked for the one-hundredth time since the fateful day Dad was pronounced dead.
“It’s okay, I’m good, I promise,” I replied with a forced smile plastered on my face and I turned to watch as my father’s coffin was being slowly lowered into the grave.
I could feel Harry’s gaze on my face but I refused to look at him. I didn’t want anyone’s pity. I was fine and no matter how much I said so, it didn’t stop the pitiful looks everyone gave me.
Harry held my chin and turned my face to meet his. “You know, you don’t have to hide your pain,” He began softly. “I know what it’s like to lose a parent. I lost my mum when I was fifteen, it was hard for me. But I want to assure you that you’ll never be alone. I will always be here for you, whenever you need me, Sophia. I promise.”
I said nothing as I looked at his pale blue eyes. Again with the pity stare. I wasn’t grieving, I really wasn’t, I felt anger, resentment, frustration, and a mix of emotions but not grief. Maybe that makes me a terrible daughter, maybe I didn’t deserve his love after all. But it is what it is.
Of course, I felt pain, he was my father, my only family and his death was sudden and I’ve wanted his love and validation for years. We weren’t close, always at odds with each other and I didn’t know him too well. Maybe that was why I wasn’t grieving, I couldn’t miss anything about him when I didn’t even know him too well. I searched my memory for any time in the past where he’s been good to me or a happy memory that we shared and I came up empty.
“Hi, babes,” Daisy’s voice pulled me out of my head. I didn’t notice she and Nick had walked up to me.
“Hi.” I smiled warmly as they both took me in their arms for a hug. They exchanged greetings with Harry. After the burial was over. We all went to my father’s mansion, where guests had arrived, and friends and business partners of my father were present.
I didn’t want to deal with more people, but it was inevitable. My dad was important and knew a lot of people, to add to it all, Harry’s people were here, from family to friends and business partners. It was all too much, but I kept a smile on my face throughout as I welcomed everyone. With Dad’s sudden death, I was the new owner of his businesses and if I couldn’t handle this crowd, how could I handle his business empire?
Easier said than done, I couldn’t stand it anymore, I excused myself and sat down at a corner while guests drank and made small talk. I was sick of everything, including being on the receiving end of pitying and concerned looks as if I’d been diagnosed with cancer. No one actually believed me when I said I was fine, no matter how wide I smiled.
I did understand why they would think I was suffering, to the best of their knowledge, I’d been through hell and back in the last few months: first I was kidnapped, then my dad’s death, and the media had cooked a tear-jerking story to make matters worse. It was a lot, really, but I was fine and coping. I was alright.
Their actions made me obsessively think about something I’d rather not think about. Something I didn’t want to admit to myself. Of all the emotions I felt, guilt was one of them, a voice at the back of my mind kept telling me it was probably my fault my dad died.
God, I didn’t want to think about it.
“Don’t think about it, just don’t,” I muttered to myself but I couldn’t help it. The media and authorities had said his death was purely an accident but why did I think he was murdered?
“Oh, there you are,” Harry called, I lifted my head to meet his gaze. “Come on, I don’t want you moping on the corner. He held an arm out and I stood, smiling as I took his arm in mine.
THE NEXT DAY.
“Miss Smith,” an old employee greeted as soon as I walked into dad’s company.
“Uh… ?” I didn’t know most of their names which was an uncomfortable situation.
“Ben Thomas,” he supplied.
“Oh, hi, Ben,” I flashed him a warm smile.
“Hi,” he replied before leaving for his office.
I was here now, not as the boss’s daughter but as the boss, still, it didn’t feel like I was in charge, I couldn’t even think that way. I had just gotten started and I had to deal with things, almost everything required my attention and I hadn’t ignored the condescending and mocking looks on the older employees’ faces.
Once settled in dad’s seat-my seat-I started inspecting documents, checking over leftover paperwork he had to work on before his demise.
A knock on my door draws my attention.
“Come in.”
Rosie comes in, “Miss Smith, you’re needed at the board room,” she said.
“Board room? Why?”
“There’s a board meeting going on,” she replied.
What the fuck? “A board meeting? Without my permission?”
“I-I really don’t know what is going on,” she looked sympathetic and uncomfortable.
I decided to relieve her of the stress. “It’s fine, I’m coming,” I said.
“Thank you.” She hurried out.
Five minutes later, I was seated in the boardroom. Most faces were unfamiliar. “Thanks, dad,” I muttered. Nothing is as uncomfortable as trying to be the boss and you don’t know how to address anyone. That doesn’t earn you respect.
I greeted everyone and was met with grunts and quiet replies. After a beat no one said anything. I know I was supposed to speak up, and probably address the room, but what could I say? I wasn’t stupid but in my defense, they decided to hold this meeting, not me.
“What are we here for?” I asked.
“We are waiting for someone,” a white-bearded old man with slightly tan skin, replied politely.
Waiting for someone? “Who? What is this meeting for anyway?” I asked as I felt irritation building up in me.
“We are not quite sure, something about the new largest shareholder who is in control now,” the middle-aged lady with short hair replied.
Largest shareholder? Someone else who’s in charge and not me? What is this nonsense about? My mind raced as I tried to comprehend what I’d just heard. Maybe it was just a silly rumor? It had to be, I saw dad’s lawyer during the funeral and afterward, he only mentioned the reading of his will to me.
“How sure are-”
The door opened, cutting me off.
Ivan, a lady, and two other men walked in, leaving me stunned. I was sure my jaw hung open but I couldn’t care less about that at the moment. “Sorry, I’m late,” he said. “Had a meeting.”
It isn’t what I’m thinking, right? “W-what… why are you here?”
The shorter man by Ivan’s side moved forward instead, I think I saw him with Ivan the day I saw Ivan at dad’s office. “My client is here to address you all as the largest shareholder of this company,” he said firmly.
“You?” I whisper-shout and Ivan’s icy gaze met mine.
There were murmurs from every corner of the room but they were tuned out as I tried to understand how everything suddenly changed.
What is this about? Was that why he was at dad’s office fateful day?
Fuck, does this confirm my suspicion? Did…d-did Ivan really kill dad?
“No, I am just paranoid,” I whispered to myself.
Okay, but how do I explain this? Dad couldn’t have possibly handed out a larger percentage of his shares to anyone and h
“Let’s begin,” Ivan said politely.
I glared at him but he looked as unbothered as ever. That only made me angrier but I couldn’t start an argument in front of everyone. After this meeting, he had some explaining to do.