Subtle Endearment

33. Face the Fact

Kira

It's been five months since I started working at the cafe and started over. After getting counseling and working on myself I've worked up to this moment today. "Are we just going to stare at each other or are you going to tell me why you called me here?" the woman in front of me asks. "How are you still here?" I ask my hands shaking under the table. "I faked my death, isn't it obvious? Your father unfortunately did die in the crash. There were too many people after me. I did it to protect you and Malik," she says holding out a hand for me to take. "Liar," I cry unable to hold back. "Were you thinking about me when you let those men touch me?" I ask. 

"Kira, how do you remember that," my mother asks her voice shaking. "How could I forget?" I chuckle madly. "You left me," I remind her. "The doctors said you were traumatized. You couldn't recall the events of that day," she says worriedly. "Is that your excuse? You thought I couldn't remember? So you thought it would be okay to act like it never happened?" I scream ignoring the looks of people passing by. "I went years trying to figure out why you left me. Was it me? Did you not love me? Was I too much of a burden on your career? I asked myself these questions everyday and everyday I couldn't find an answer."

"It's not like that. I didn't know," she assures me. "But you never tried to improve our situation. You had me paying for you and dad's hospital bills. "Where the hell was that money even actually going? I'm sure you have plenty of money running Stubborn Elites," I say brokenly. "I was setting up an account for when I pass away. The money you paid as well as money from me would all be there as your last gift from me. It was also the only way I could get updates on you," she says proudly. 

"I don't want a damn thing from you. I don't care what it is that you have or when you're passing away. My mom is already dead; she died in a car accident with my dad." I exclaim. "You don't mean that, Kira," she says. "You're right, I don't. I hope you have a good life Madam Melanie, just don't let me be a part of it," I say standing abruptly. 

"I just wanted to see you one last time and apologize. I didn't mean for you to see me at the airport," my mom says. 

"You didn't know a lot of things it seems," I chuckle to myself. "Have a great rest of the evening; this will be the last time we see each other, Madam Melanie," I say turning my back to her. 

The confidence that I had in the restaurant seems to suddenly fall to zero as I sit in the drivers seat of my car. I grab my trembling hand and begin to take deep breaths. 

I did it. I faced her. I let out a deep sigh of relief as I see her walk out of the restaurant and leave in her car. Several months ago I wouldn't have ever been able to face her and today I had done just that.

I'm proud of myself.

***

Ian

"I have an important announcement to make. As you all know, Madam Melanie elected me as the next leader of Stubborn Elites," I begin. I'm at Stubborn Elites headquarters making an announcement to the members of Stubborn Elites.

"There are a few changes that are soon to come to Stubborn Elites. For starters, Fixed Tech will no longer be associated with Stubborn Elites. After talking with our shareholders we've decided that it's in the best interest to rebrand the company as well. While we intend on keeping the same staff we also hope to expand to other locations." I say.

The members gathered around me mutter, likely confused as to how this affects them. This is understandable seeing how most of them have never stepped foot inside Fixed Tech. "I guess you're all wondering what this means for you. I'm stepping down as head of Stubborn Elites. I don't have the time or skill to run an agency as large as this. It's in the best interest of the organization that a new leader is assigned which is why Trevor will be taking this position." I announce.

Cheers fill the building at I announce Trevor's new position. I figured that most members would agree with the change in roles. Many of them don't see me as someone fit to be their boss and Trevor has the most experience and skill as a leader among us all. He's someone trustworthy that was Madam Melanie's right hand man. If Madam Melanie wasn't so obsessed with making me the leader of Stubborn Elites I'm sure she would've picked Trevor instead too.

All of this was only possible after months of pleading to Madam Melanie. On the fifth month she finally gave in. I worked hard with shareholders outside of the company to bring more recognition to my name so that Madam Melanie had no choice but to keep me there. By the end of the fifth month Madam Melanie had lost the usual tinge to her voice that demanded respect. I could tell that she was dying from this point so when she reaffirmed the fact that she had less than a month to live I wasn't surprised.

She no longer argued with me about my position in Stubborn Elites. Instead, she invoked one last message to me. "Tell my daughter I'm sorry. Show her the love that I never gave her because she deserves to be loved. Let her know that I love her," she had said. Just three days after she said that she passed away.

Stubborn Elites held a small funeral bit unlike her first funeral her body was present. I invited Kira as well. Her face was stoic throughout the service but as people began to leave the venue I heard her say "I'm sorry," to her mother's lifeless corpse. I wrote a note stating what Madam Melanie had said and left it on the reserved seat for Kira. I watched from a distance as she opened the letter and tears streamed from her eyes. I wanted to help her but who am I to appear in front of Kira after all I've put her through?

I'll wait.