Lena's POV
I woke up feeling utterly exhausted, yet strangely satisfied. Memories of the previous night came rushing back, and a soft smile curved my lips.
Surprisingly, there was no soreness down there.
Considering the number of times Raymond had taken me apart last night, I'd expected to struggle just walking this morning.
I reached for my phone and dialed Sylvia. I wanted an update on the company, but more than that, I needed to get out of the house, to breathe. Since I'd woken up late, I decided lunch would be better than breakfast.
"Hello, Sylvia. Can you join me for lunch today? I'm bored at home and really need to blow off some steam."
"U-uhm… I…" Sylvia stammered.
"It's okay if you can't make it," I said gently. "No pressure. Just focus on managing the company and reporting to me until I resume."
"No, ma—that's not it at all," she hurried to say. "Of course I'd love to have lunch with you. I was just… surprised. You've never asked me to hang out with you before. And it's something I've always wanted."
Her words caught me off guard.
Had I really never asked her out before? Was I that conceited, or had I been so consumed with Ashley and Evans that I completely overlooked my
own employees?
"All right, Sylvia. Let's meet at Blink Coffee Shop. See you in thirty minutes."
"Yes, ma."
"And please," I added, smiling, "call me Lena from now on."
"O-okay… Lena. I'm sorry, it'll take some time to get used to."
"That's fine. Take your time."
After hanging up, I headed to the bathroom. My body was littered with marks Raymond had left behind. I vaguely remembered him cleaning me up last night, but I'd been far too tired to stay awake.
After bathing, I slipped into a short pink dress and
wedge heels. I curled my hair and let it fall freely down my shoulders, applied light makeup, and accessorized with a diamond necklace and matching earrings. A clutch purse completed the look.
"Miss Smith, are you going somewhere?" Bertha, the housekeeper, asked as I descended the stairs.
"Yes. And please, call me Lena. Thank you for all the delicious meals you've been making since I arrived."
"You're welcome, Miss, Lena," she said with a warm smile. "Will you be back before lunch?"
"No, I'll be eating out with my secretary, Sylvia."
"Alright then. I'll prepare dinner instead."
"Where's Raymond?" I asked. "I didn't see him in his office."
"Mr. Black stepped out not long ago. He asked me to tell you he'll be back for dinner." She paused, then reached into her purse and placed a customized black card into my hand. "He also said to give you this, and that you shouldn't hold back while using it."
I stared at the card, dumbfounded. I didn't need this. I had my own money. But Bertha was only the messenger, so I decided I'd return it to Raymond later.
As I walked toward the gate, a young man in a black suit stopped me.
"Hello, Miss Smith. Mr. Black instructed me to take you wherever you wish to go. My name is Sullivan."
"All right," I said, suppressing a sigh. Raymond had clearly planned everything ahead of time. And knowing him, refusing would only get the driver punished.
The car pulled up, and Sullivan rushed to open the door.
"I can open my own door," I snapped, irritation creeping in. This princess treatment was becoming overwhelming.
"I'm sorry, ma. I'm only doing my job."
"And please don't call me ma. Call me Lena."
"I wouldn't dare not call you ma, ma."
This was insane, but I decided to keep the peace and gave him the address of the coffee shop.
"Ma, we're here," Sullivan announced.
He opened the door again, and I stepped out.
"Thank you, Sullivan."
"You're welcome, ma."
I walked into the café and spotted Sylvia waving at me. I hurried over and sat beside her.
"Hi, Sylvia. How are you?"
"I'm good. And Lena, you look beautiful. This is how you should always look."
"Don't I always look like this?" I asked.
She cleared her throat and looked away.
"Was it really that bad?" I asked, shock evident on my face.
"Well… let's just say you were too busy with certain people and situations to take care of yourself."
So it was that obvious.
"I'm glad what happened to you happened," she said carefully. "Don't get me wrong, it brought out the best in you. It opened your eyes and helped you see people for who they truly are. Most importantly, you now know who truly cares about you."
"I'm sorry if I treated you badly before," I said softly. "It was never intentional."
"You never treated anyone badly," Sylvia replied.
"You just let your ex-fiancé and Ashley walk all over you, and the company. But I'm glad you finally see them for who they are."
We ordered coffee and muffins and began talking business. Sylvia explained the board structure and how many directors were still backing Evans.
"Firing him won't be easy," she said. "But we can at least make him irrelevant. We all know you handle all his projects while he takes credit for them."
My eyes widened. "You knew?"
"Of course. I studied engineering and construction just like you. I came in as your assistant to learn from you. I know all about your prestigious academy background."
She smiled softly. "I admired you. Your work ethic. I was there when you designed the blueprint for the Love Triangle in Vegas City, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. Nobody knows this because you left immediately after submitting it. Later, I heard you lost your mother.
When I found out you were running her construction company, I came to York City to work under you."
Her voice softened. "But when I arrived, you weren't the woman I admired. Still, I stayed, hoping one day you'd find yourself again. And I'm glad I waited."
Tears filled my eyes.
"I can't believe you admired me enough to follow me here," I whispered. "I was ready to step aside and let Evans shine with my work."
"Don't cry, Lena," she said, squeezing my hand. "You're free from those leeches now. Let's build the company together, with you taking your rightful place as CEO."
I nodded, leaning back to keep the tears from falling.
Soon, we were laughing again, talking about random things, the weight on my heart finally feeling lighter.