Tangled Love

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Empire

A/N:

Another update today. Happy reading!

--Kiara--

It's been three days since my Dad fell into a coma and since my Mom decided that she just wanted to lock herself up in her room. It's devastating. My tears already dried and refused to indulge me anymore.

"Kiara, are you listening?" I look up to Lorena, my father's sister in law, Liam's mother, over my cup of tea. We are at the Anderson's Mansion. I've decided to stay here the day my Dad's condition got out of critical.

"Sorry, Aunt Lorena." I mumbled as I avert my gaze from her and back to my steaming cup.

"This has been hard for you, my dear. The family knows that. But the only way we could help you is to keep you secure..." She reached for my free hand on top of the table and gave me a sympathetic smile.

I sighed and squeezed her hand. "I know. It's my job to keep the Empire settled. If only Mom is a bit stronger, she can at least help me." I smiled bitterly. Don't get me wrong. I know it's been so hard for Mom to get over the shock but a little help from her could make things better.

"The Stockholder's meeting will be today right?" Aunt Lorena inquired with a worried look.

"Yeah. I guess it can't be helped. I already got through all the documents I needed to look into. I can do this... I guess..?" My statement sounded so unsure but what else could it sound, right?

I'm just an 18 year old girl who recently graduated from high school and being served in a golden platter just a few days ago and only has her love life as her problem. Apparently, in just a blink of an eye, my Dad was shot by an unknown enemy and my Mom fell emotionally ill. The Empire is in a bit of a situation because of it and I need to stand for my family and for the company. Isn't it amazing how my life gets twisted and turned upside down? Not.

Saying that I'm furious with the one who threatened my father's life is an understatement. I'm more than furious. Whoever that person is, I will guarantee his suite in hell, that's for sure. Revenge may not suit me but I know even if I don't do anything, he will eventually pay. You know how karma is a bitch, right?

"You better be careful, Kiara. We don't know yet who threatened Dylan's life, he may be close to us than we can imagine or worse, he might have been sniffing around for a long time now under our nose, just waiting for the right time to come and steal everything your father has managed to put up." I felt my heart thumped hard on what she said. 'That's a possibility. I can't trust anyone anymore.'

I just nod at her and continue sipping on my teacup. Things are getting more complicated but my instinct is telling me that this fiasco has got something to do with Nathaniel Finiggan. I clenched my free hand as I remember him. 'That ungrateful bastard!'

"Honey, are you okay?" I snapped back to reality when I realized I am still holding Aunt Lorena's hand. I shifted my gaze from her now frightened face to my hand that is holding hers. 'Did I just gripped on to her hand, tight?!'

"I...I'm sorry Aunt Lorena! I didn't mean to hurt you!" I implored. Her face lit up and offered me a small smile. "It's okay dear... It's expected to feel rage from what's happening right now. No offense taken." She pat the back of my hand and stood up.

"I'll go check on your mom for now. You go in and prepare for the meeting..." I also got up from my seat and kissed her cheek.

"Thanks. Wish me luck." She just shrugged and patted my shoulder before enveloping me into a hug.

"Luck will be yours, Kiara." I heard her whisper in my ear. I smile and nod curtly. She released me from the hug and spun around to go inside the house. I heaved a sigh when Aunt Lorena is out of sight before looking up in the clear blue sky. 'This is really happening, isn't it?'