The chains of the past that bond us

Chapter 1: We meet again

"Alessandria, it's time for the board meeting to begin." My secretary, Adele, says as she hands me the paperwork for today's meeting.

"Alright, let's do this." I take a deep breath and step into the room, where ten people stare at me expectantly. God, if this isn't pressure, I don't know what is.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Alessandria Collins, and I am the owner of Dating Unlimited. My company caters to men and women who are single and need a partner for upcoming events, with partners specifically tailored to their tastes. I'm sure that you've all been in a situation where you have an important event, and you want to show up with someone to make you look good or support you. That's what I want to achieve. It's guaranteed to make everyone happy. I need all of your support for the company to succeed." Then one of the older gentlemen cleared their throat and stood up, piercing me with their gaze.

"What is the point of this company? If I wanted someone to come with me somewhere, especially a woman, I'd grab a whore of the street and dress her up real nice. They'll do anything for money." He chuckled.

"Mr. Robertson, correct?" I asked as I took a seat at the head of the table.

"Yes, so what?"

"If that's how you want to represent yourself then be my guest." I said as I let out a deep sigh and pulled out a yellow file with his name on it.

"Excuse me? I am a renowned-" He began to yell but I quickly cut him off.

"I am well aware of what you're renowned for Mr. Roberston. You see if I didn't look into you, I would've thought that it was strange that you were so keen to keep a whore as your company, but in your case, it's not shocking at all. It seems that you're not only well known for your massive funds from your own technological empire, but you're also known for having a certain whore occupying your bed while your wife is away. Is that the specific whore you're referring to? That you'd rather bring her to these important prestigious events." I said as I handed him the file that had all the information and proof of his fraternization with his whore.

"W-What is the meaning of this?! Are you just going to blackmail all of here? Is that it?" He shouted as his hands trembled, and his face became red as a strawberry.

"No not at all. I'm using you as a means to prove a point. Gentlemen, instead of involving your personal matters with business why not invest into me and my company instead. All of my associates are catered to your tastes. They use their own capabilities and talents to tend to your business needs. Not only will they make you look good, but it will also help increase eyes to your own businesses as well. So, what do you say? Do you want to keep on involving your personal matters into business and continue to be the faces in the media to be laughed at? Or will you do the right thing and invest in me and my company?"

After a few moments of silence, everyone starts clapping, and as the meeting continues, my phone suddenly buzzes with a text. It's my new best friend, Chloe. She and I became friends about a year after everything happened between Cole and me. Honestly, I never talked much about it because I didn't want to relive my past.

It took me a long time to get over Cole and what he did to me, but Chloe was one of the few people who stood by my side through it all. I didn't want to bother her, so I just never told her about him or that part of my life. I mean what would've been the point anyway? I haven't seen or heard from him for years and it's not like I'll ever see him again. He's probably found a wife and had at least one child by now.

Chloe: Hey girl, are you still willing to come to my house for my birthday tonight?

She asks. Oh crap, I almost forgot about that. I can't tell her I nearly forgot her birthday.