ANTAGONIST

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

     I hold Kyan's hand as the plane rises and starts to fly. This vacation has been amazing, and a lot of things.

But mostly, memorable.

My phone buzzes and I find a message from Minnie.

MeanieBoo: Can you gabe itches stop holding hands? I'm about to vomit here, and not because of the height.

Me: Sorry. Hehe.

MeanieBoo: I will be honest though, I'm happy for you.

Me: awwww.

MeanieBoo: NOW GET THAT BAG GIRLLLL.

Me: Minnie I swear.

I laugh at my screen and Kyan peeks. I close it immediately and scowl at him. "Someone's nosy."

"I wasn't looking at your phone. I just wanted to lean on your shoulder." And he nuzzles into my neck.

Ლ

It's been days since the vacation. I am typing into my computer my report for the latest issue before Kyan bursts into the office, sweating and face full of worry.

"What's wrong?" I immediately say.

He holds his breath. "They're requesting a family meeting."

Ლ

Kyan insisted I come with him. Even if his family won't welcome me in the meeting room, at least I should just wait for him, according to him. His face is anxious. I pat his shoulder as drives to his father's building: DY CORP.

"Kyan. Relax." I assure him. But he doesn't respond.

Ლ

When we enter the building, Nina is there. And when she sees Kyan, her expression is full of pride. Then her eyes dart to me and her face turns delighted.

"Oh! Theoden, you're here!" She says surprised.

"Kyan needed some company," I tell her. She nods happily.

"Glad someone can judge the situation without bias," Nina states.

"W-what?" I say.

Then I realize: She plans to humiliate Kyan more by having me in the room during their discussion and wants me to decide whos wrong or right. A part of me is scared, but also prepared to tell his family the truth.

Kyan side-eyes me worriedly, his face signaling that I should get out of here instead and that coming here was a bad idea. But I don't budge.

Ლ

The meeting room is large. Kyan's siblings sit formally at the table with Jeremy Dy in the center, with Kyan on the opposite of him. Sweat forms on my neck as I sit in the corner of the room.

"Kyan. Me and your older siblings have been talking about you, and we've been reported that you've been slacking off."

Nina, beside her father, nods thoughtfully, with her eyes mocking and her lips pouting. I want to throw a shoe at her.

One of the siblings, Kisha, says: "We know that you weren't given the chance to be assigned to any of father's companies, but that doesn't mean you can be lazy, Kyan." She shakes her head in disapproval.

Poor Kyan is fidgeting with the pencil in front of him, looking down and not making eye contact with any of them.

Nina adds. "He's been pocketing money from the company too."

All of them, including me, gasp. Nina's framing him up. I want to stand up and confront all of them. Kyan looks up at her with indignation.

"She's lying father." He defends himself. But his father's obvious favoritism doesn't budge.

Nina snickers. "No wonder your biological mother left you. She knew her son would be a lazy stupe."

Kyan exhales sharply, deeply hurt.

That does it.

I stand up. "Excuse me!"

All of them turn to me and my legs wobble. I didn't think this through, but all I can think of right now is Kyan.

If he can't stand up for himself, I'll stand for him.

"With all due respect, to all of you. Especially you, Sir Jeremy." I give them a keen smile and bow slightly respectfully. "But Nina is lying."

All of their faces turn confused. Nina gives me a severely dirty, angry look. "And why do you say that?" Her voice is now far from the fake, jolly one she usually has.

"You're the own withdrawing large amounts of money from the company's funds. Minnie has been keeping track."

Nina scoffs. "Did Kyan pay you to lie for him? What proof do you have?"

I want to tell them to check the company's fund history, but Nina has the power to delete all of it.

My world crumbles.

That was supposed to be my proof. I didn't think this through.

Then a thought comes.

I peek at Nina's hand and see the ring. The ring Josh sent it to me and asked which one I preferred. That's my proof.

I hold my chin up high. "Nina. Does your husband know that you've been having an affair behind his back?"

All of the Dy children's jaws drop. Jeremy Dy remains silent, scrutinizing my words. The brothers and sisters begin to whisper to eachother. Kyan looks at me.

Nina stands up and slams the table. "How dare you make such lies! You are fired!" She shouts angrily, her wrinkles showing, aging her numerous years. Everyone turns older when they're mad.

I keep my cool. "Now don't be all defensive now, Nina."

"Do you have proof of your claim?" She sneers.

"In fact," I pull out my phone and click on the picture of the ring Josh sent me. A ring from Jones' Jewelry. "I do." And I point to her ring and everyone stares at her, waiting for an explanation. Even Jeremy Dy himself.

Nina starts to stutter but recovers. "How is that proof? I bought this myself."

Kyan joins in. "No, you didn't. You wouldn't dare to shop at Jones', because you're such a spoiled, little brat." Kyan spits and his siblings gasp and bite back their laughs. They're obviously enjoying this. Nina gasps. Jeremy Dy slams the table. "Kyan! How dare you speak to your ate that way!"

Nina smiles when her father defends her.

"You have been having an affair with Josh Dela Cerna behind your family's back. I know that since you paid his expenses for his family business didn't you? Even if that would mean withdrawing large amounts? Not to mention you withdraw millions just for your personal expenses. I'm sure your father doesn't know that, doesn't he, Nina?"

Jeremy stares at her. She looks at him, but then shakes her head in panic. The siblings then start to attack her.

"What the hell, Nina!"

"How could you do that?"

"Does your husband even know?"

Kyan quickly stands up and runs to me. "Let's get out of here." He whispers, and we sneakily step out of the meeting room and drive off, leaving the chaos behind.