𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄

𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿

ASTORIA

I tightened my hand around the strap of the black leather bag and took a deep breath.

Theo and I were back home after spending few days in the cabin. We took some time for each other. To enjoy our company without any distractions.

I also wanted to be away from everyone and be with Theo alone. I missed him after being away from him for couple of days that felt like months.

I was glad that I was able to take some of his worries away. Worries about his hearing and his progress with the physiotherapy.

There was in so much pain and anxiety about the future in him that it tore my heart apart. The words he said about our future children, were still imprinted in my mind.

I wanted to have kids with him. I wanted to have our own small family but I knew the thought of not being able to 'normally' experience that, was causing him a lot of concerns.

"Are you okay?" I asked him and placed my hand over his.

He turned his head to me and shifted his hand so we were able to intertwine our fingers together.

"Mhmm." He just hummed and leaned his head back on the car seat.

Today we were going to his dad's company. Theo wanted me there that's why I was going with him in his office for the first time.

He decided to talk with his dad and explain what Kalin did. He didn't have any evidence to back up his claims with but at least he was going to tell him what happened. I'm sure his dad will believe him. There was no reasons why he would lie about something like that.

The car drove for ten more minutes and we arrived in front of the building.

It was tall and surrounded with tainted glass. People were going in and out of the front doors and I grabbed the bag and got out.

After Theo was out of the car as well, we made our way inside the building.

I ran my hand down my brown dress pants and walked beside Theo. My black heels clacked on the marble floor and I smiled at the woman who was sitting at the front desk as she greeted us.

All of the people greeted Theo with respect and my chest beamed with happiness as I saw how much they all enjoyed to see him in the building.

Theo also seemed very pleased to be here. It was evident that he loved his job.

We went to the elevator and we got in. The doors closed as soon as Theo pressed one of the buttons.

I grabbed hand again and looked down at our joined hands. Because it was easier for Theo, he was in his wheelchair. He was still not able to walk with his crutches for too long at a time.

He did have a progress but I'm sure things will get better.

I watched the red numbers change until it stopped on the number twenty-one. The door opened wide and we got out.

On this floor was also Theo's office as he told me earlier.

"Does your dad know that we are here?"

"Yes, I called him yesterday to tell him that I'll be here." The last time I saw his dad was at the dinner. I wasn't particularly pleased with how he was acting with Theo. I just hoped that this time he was going to listen to him.

My anxiety was building up in my chest when we got closer to the door of the board room where he was waiting for us.

When we step into the room, I ran my eyes over every corner. His father was seated on the head of the table, glasses over his nose and his eyes lift to us from the paper in his hands.

The boardroom looks like it was preoccupied with a meeting before we got here. There were some files and papers on the gigantic table.

"Welcome son." His dad spoke and stood up from the chair. He then nodded at me as well.

I walked behind Theo and when he settled his wheelchair next to his dad, I lowered myself on one of the black chairs next to him.

I didn't want to interfere in their business or their problems but Theo wanted me here with him.

They began to talk and I dug my nails into the leather of my bag.

Theo seemed tense the whole time and I fought the urge to take a hold of his hand and reassure him that I was here.

"I want to take over the company dad." I refocused my hearing on their conversation.

His dad massaged his temples and leaned back on the chair.

"I know son but you know that we agreed to..."

"Yes, I know that but I won't let Kalin take over. He doesn't deserve to sit on that chair and be on your place." Theo fisted his hand and I felt the trembling in his voice.

"Do you know that Kalin is the reason I'm in this wheelchair? Do you know that he is the reason I'm slowly losing my hearing? Maybe I'll be completely deaf because of him."

"What are you talking about?" My eyes were darting from Theo to his father.

"It was Kalin who was with me, wasn't he? When the accident happened. If he called for help I wouldn't have been stuck with damaged legs. You never even cared to listen even if there were times when I wanted to talk to you." His father tightened the hold on the pen he was now holding, shame clearly layering the look his eyes.

"Also Kalin hasn't been honest with you. Do you even know what he plans on doing with the company? He has been making deals with the Roosevolt family. He wants to throw all your hard work and the hard work of our grandfather's away. He never cared for any of this." My eyes widened at his words. Theo hasn't told me any of this but I knew that he was constantly trying to find what Kalin was planning to if he took over.

It wasn't surprising what he wanted to do. Not at all. Why would he work and care for something that he was not bound by blood when he was able to freely live his life with the money of Theo's father?

Mr. Cappell looked confused as well as shocked.

"How did you get this information?" He asked.

My eyebrows furrowed and I was taken aback with the lack of care on what Theo said about Kalin being the reason that Theo was in a wheelchair. Didn't he care about his own son?

Theo started explaining and I couldn't contain myself but I grabbed his hand and held our intertwined fingers under the table.

He began explaining further and I felt his hold on my palm tightened with each word.

"I'll be taking over the company together with Astoria. She has a degree in economy and business. She will be by my side the whole time. I won't let you ruin what we have by handling our family business to Kalin." Those were his final words before he turned to me and gave me smile. I watched his chest rise and fall in ease.

'I love you.' I gestured.

🦋