Broken Mirrors

Chapter Two

Clair woke to the sound of voices and footsteps outside her room. Fumbling in the dark, she reached around the bed, trying to find her phone, but it was nowhere to be found. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and glanced at the wall where a large, shiny clock stared back at her—3:30 a.m.

Huffing in frustration, she got up, only to trip over her suitcases and crash to the floor.

"Shit!" she muttered, glaring at the suitcases as she remembered being too stubborn and tired to unpack them earlier. Scowling, she stood up, turned on the light, and squinted as her eyes adjusted to the brightness. She made her way to the door, and as she walked down the hall, she took in the exquisite artwork and ancient vases lining the walls. A sliver of light spilt from underneath a door ahead.

Pressing her ear to the door, she could hear only one familiar voice—her father, speaking harshly over the phone. Calmly, she opened the door. Her father spun around in his chair, giving her a blank look.

"I'll call you back," he said into the phone before hanging up. He motioned for Clair to sit.

Clair sat down in the leather chair, nervously chewing on her lip.

"Are you okay?" her father asked.

She tilted her head. "Yes, I'm fine."

"I'm glad you disturbed me," he said, standing up from his chair. "I wanted to discuss something important with you."

Clair raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"The company," he said, walking around the desk and sitting on its edge.

"Company?" Clair repeated, confused.

Her father chuckled. "Yes, I'm going to give it to you when Lupo Industries merges with Hart Enterprises."

Clair blinked in disbelief. "Me? Why? What about Dinah?"

Her father sat back in his chair, taking a deep breath. "Years ago, your mother and I invested a lot into this business. Even though she let me run it, we always intended for you to have it." He smiled softly. "I'm getting old, Clair. I need your help to keep it going."

Clair threw her hands up in frustration. "And no one thought to tell me this sooner?"

Her father sighed. "I assumed your mother had told you, but don't worry—I'll teach you everything you need to know."

Clair bit her bottom lip, still unsettled. "Why not Dinah? You haven't seen me in years."

Waving his hand dismissively, her father scowled. "Dinah will be fine."

"Does Iris know?" Clair asked.

"Of course she knows," he replied. "I'll be announcing it at dinner tomorrow."

Clair's eyes widened. "Dinner? There's a dinner now?"

Her father glanced at the papers on his desk before looking back at her. "Yes, dinner. Formal attire—the Lupos will be there."

Clair shifted uncomfortably in her chair, adjusting her skirt. "Will Dinah be there?"

He sighed again. "Yes, Clair. Dinah will be there, along with a few other important people."

Clair stood up abruptly. "Fine then," she said, turning toward the door.

"You'll be fine," her father said, glancing at his laptop before looking up at her. "I promise."

Clair sighed in frustration as she left his office, slamming the door behind her. Back in her bedroom, she slammed the door again and threw herself onto the bed. Folding her arms, she stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing.