Romanticismo Per Caso ❤

The Company (Elias POV)

I walked towards my Dad's company building, SwiftNord, with a mixture of hesitation and determination.  I tried to push my worries aside, telling myself to be confident.   Lorena was with me, her unwavering support was a comfort to me.  She was my dagdrömmare, my daydreamer.  

She admired the building as we reached the entrance, her eyes wide with awe at its towering height.  I knew she was probably wondering how my dad could afford such a splendor.

Oh right, he stole from small businesses and hacked into their bank accounts.  

That realization reignited my anger, strengthening my determination to uncover the truth.  Today was the day I would expose him for his deceitful actions.

As we walked inside, I told one of the security guards my name, and he looked at both of our IDs.  He talked to me in Swedish, asking why Lorena was here.  I lied and said that we were getting married.  I figured they would let the fiancés of the family in.  They did not. 

When they made us leave the building, I guided Lorena and me to a private corner in the city.  I tried to come up with a plan to sneak both of us in.  While I was pondering, Lorena distracted me from my scheming. 

"Elias, maybe you should record it.  I know you want me there, but you can do this alone.  I have total faith in you."  She tested her hands on my shoulders, making me stop any more movements.  I felt my muscles ease at her touch.  The things that she could do to calm me down.  

"You really think I can?" I asked, feeling a bit of the tension leave me.  

"I know you can," she replied with a reassuring smile. 

Taking a deep inhale, I nodded and decided to go in alone.  As I made my way back to the building, I slipped in behind a group of employees, blending in as best as I could.  I overheard one of them mentioning that my father was in a meeting, which gave me the perfect opportunity to access the records.  

Once inside, I hurried to the break room, where I knew there would be a computer.  Thankfully, no one was around.  I accessed the company's financial records and took screenshots of the illicit transactions.  I forwarded them to everyone in the building.  I couldn't help but chuckle sarcastically.  "They have tight security, but not when it comes to covering their tracks,"  I muttered to myself as I saved the evidence on my phone.  

I had a sudden realization.  Perhaps it would be best to let this business decline.

With the evidence secured, I made my way to the top floor, where the meeting was being held.  My heart pounded in my chest as I approached the conference room.  I could see through the glass walls that my dad was mid-presentation, addressing a group of concentrated-looking faces. 

I burst through the door, causing everyone to look up in surprise.  My dad's face turned pale when he saw me.  He should've expected my confrontation.

"Elias, what are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice bitter. 

"I know what you've done, Dad.  And they need to know too.  I know how you've been stealing from small businesses to rise to success, including Offredi's restaurant."  I held up my phone, showing the screenshots.  

The room was dead silent in shock as everyone processed my words.  My father's eyes narrowed, a dangerous look in them.

"You don't know what you're talking about.  You're an idiot if you think you can just waltz in here and accuse me."  There was hesitation in his voice.  

But I wasn't backing down.  "I have the proof," I said, my voice steady.  "I have the history of your transactions.  I made you confess."  

His face turned a shade of red I had never seen before.  It was darker than it was when he was caught cheating.  "You little--"

Before he could finish, I played an earlier recording.  His own voice filled the room, admitting to everything.  His face fell as he realized the gravity of my actions. 

"You think this will hold up?" he retorted.  "You think you can bring me down?" 

"I don't think it," I replied.  "I know it."  

He lunged at me, but I was quicker.  I slipped out of his grasp and bolted for the door.  The elevator ride down felt like an eternity, but finally, the doors opened, and I burst out into the lobby.

Lorena was waiting for me outside, her eyes widening when she saw me.  "Did you get it? she asked, worried in her expression.

I nodded, my heart was still racing.  "I got it."  

As we walked away from the building, my mind whirled with conflicting emotions.   I had done what I set out to do, but at what cost?  I had just exposed my own father, potentially ruining his life and our family's reputation.  A part of me felt grim satisfaction, but another part was filled with doubt and regret.  

Had I done the right thing?  Could I live with the consequences of my actions?

As we reached a quiet park, I sat down on a bench, burying my face in my hands.  Lorena could read my worries.  She sat beside me, a hand running down my tense back. 

"You did the right thing," she said softly.  "It was brave." 

I looked up at her, searching for the certainty I no longer felt.  "I hope so,  our family's reputation will be damaged.  I can't run this business anymore."  The weight of my decision was pressing me down. 

"He deserved this, Elias. He also broke your family apart,"  I reminded myself, subconsciously.

Only time would tell if I could come to terms with what I had done.  For now, all I could do was take it one day at a time, hoping that in the end, justice would prevail and my actions were worth it. 

My Dad would get me back in time, I know it.  He would have to explain his actions to the employees, though.  Undoubtedly, he would go to jail for a long time.  

He reaped what he sowed.