SARAYA’S POV
The cold metal of the chair beneath me was the only thing grounding me as officer Leo’s sharp gaze bore into mine.
He sat across the table, a laptop and a folder filled with documents was in front of him. His voice was calm but pointed, he didn’t beat around the bush but was hitting the hammer on the nail.
“Ms. Newman, three million dollars doesn’t just vanish into thin air. Someone took it. Was it you?” He asked. “Are you keeping slush funds to avoid paying tax?”
My heart beat at the mention of slush funds. “Is this my grandmother of retailing or is this Ian’s doings?” I asked myself. “These were the only people I know would do anything far and beyond to see fall, kinship means nothing to them.” I sighed.
“Keeping quiet won’t help your case if you know what is good for you, you should start talking.”
I kept my lips pressed shut, my eyes fixed on the corner of the table. “Don’t say a word,” I reminded myself. “Anything I say could be twisted.” So, I invoked my right to remain silent and waited. The tension in the room was suffocating but that was the least of my worries.
Just then, the door swung open, and a team of lawyers strode in like cavalry riding to my rescue. Relief washed over me, though I didn’t show that to Officer Leo.
“And you are?” Officer Leo asked, standing in his feet.
“My name is attorney Collins Felicia, Ms. Newman’s attorney.”
“I’m officer Leo, I’m in charge of this case.”
The lead attorney, Ms. Collins, took the reins immediately. “Are you alright, Ms Newman’s?” She asked.
I nodded, “yes, I am.”
Attorney Collins turned to the officer. “This questioning ends now. You will not continue without proper representation, officer Leo,” she declared, sliding a stack of papers across the table. “Here’s the motion for Ms. Newman’s bail.”
Officer Leo looked through the documents and I could tell he was irritated but didn’t argue. Within minutes, every document needed to facilitate my bail was secured. Soon, I was let go, but with one condition.
“She’s not to leave town under any circumstances,” officer leo said, his voice intimidating and low, staring directly at me. “Until this investigation is over.”
“Understood,” Ms. Collins replied, her tone curt as she ushered me out of the detention room.
The hallway felt brighter, almost disorienting after the tense confines of the interrogation. My lawyers surrounded me, speaking in hushed tones about next steps, but I wasn’t listening.
My eyes fell on my dad who was pacing to and fro at the reception. I could tell he was really worried.
“Dad,” I murmured as he strode toward me. Without hesitation, he pulled me into a tight embrace.
“You don’t have to worry about a thing, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice was shaky but reassuring. “I’ll take care of everything.”
I could only nod as I stayed in his embrace. Right now, I need this hug more than anything.
Just then, I saw another familiar figure when my gaze shifted past Dad’s shoulder. There he was… Arlan. I was so surprised to see him, I thought my eyes would pop out of their sockets.
Of all people, he had to be here. Embarrassment flooded my chest, heating my cheeks as I caught his worried gaze. My heart thudded. I couldn’t let him see me like this.
“Leave,” I mouthed, my eyes pleading.
Arlan’s expression didn’t change, but he didn’t move either. I turned my face into Dad’s shoulder, hiding from Arlan’s stare. This isn’t a moment I wanted anyone… least of all him… to witness.
*
“Its must have been a long and hard day for you, let’s head home.” My father suggested as he started the ignition of his car.
I shook my head. “No dad, you should drive me back to work.” My voice was almost in a whisper.
“After everything you’ve gone through today, you should take time to rest.”
“The reason I’m heading back to work is because of everything I’ve gone through today.” I replied while insisting. “How can I go home when our shares is plummeting? How can I go home knowing grandma and Ian are waiting to taunt me?”
“Speaking of your grandmother and Ian, I’m looking into the whistle blower but nothing has come up yet, it’s too early to point fingers at them.”
“Then, do you have other people in mind?” I asked him. “Their hatred me for me is obvious and I can’t think of anyone apart from them.”
“Saraya…”
“This company is my responsibility, Dad. If I go home right now, they’ll say I’m weak or went into hiding. That I don’t deserve to lead.” My voice trembled, betraying the exhaustion and tears I’ve tried so hard to hide. “I can’t afford to give them something to throw at me.”
“I know how much you want to prove yourself but you should catch your breath first and return to work energized,” my father said after a pause. “You should see your face right now.”
“You think they’ll give me that chance to catch my breath? Grandma’s already whispering about how Ian could take over if I fail.”
He didn’t respond immediately, but I felt the car slow down slightly and when he stopped. He said, “Ian isn’t you and can never be you. And your grandmother? She’s too stuck in the past to see the future you’re building, I’m sure she will come around.”
I swallowed hard and rolled down the glass of the car, I placed my hands on the window and felt the cool breeze touch my face. “Take me to the office, dad, no debate.”
“Okay, if you insist,” he said. “But remember you don’t need to overwork yourself trying to prove them wrong.”
“Dad, I have a question.”
“Shoot, my dear.”
“Do you think, if I had your face instead of mom’s. Do you think grandma would’ve been nicer to me?”
He flinched at the mention of Mom, his jaw tightening. For a moment, neither of us said anything.
“Your mom was a very beautiful woman but when I saw you, I saw the most stunning woman ever. It’s my good fortunate to have birthed you.” he said finally, his voice subtle. “I’m happy you look like your mom.”
“You haven’t answered my question, do you think grandma…”
My father interrupted me. “You don’t have to worry about what she thinks because you are my daughter and nothing can ever change that.”
“I know…”
He interrupted me again. “We are here.”
Only then did I realize, we were in front of the company’s building. Turning to face me fully, he said, “If this is what you need to do, I won’t stop you. But promise me one thing, Saraya.”
“What?” I asked, my voice cautious.
“Promise me you’ll listen to your limits. Even the strongest people need to rest. Otherwise, they break.”
I stared at him, then I nodded. “I’ll try.”
As I stepped out of the car, I turned to my dad. “Thank you so much for today.”