Sweet Fire

11.

It was the most horrible weekend ever. Samira locked herself up in her room and didn't leave. If one knocked on her door, she didn't open up. Everyone was worried about her, especially their mother, Barbara. She wanted to know what happened to them, but her stubborn children refused to talk.

Tamera only told her the bridge collapsed that was why they delayed. When she asked what happened to Samira, she told her she missed work. But Barbara wasn't stupid. She knew it was something more serious than missing work.

That night when her children arrived, they looked terrible with tears in their eyes and sadness on their faces. She regretted letting them go on that journey. It should have been the secretary's job, but not the CEO's.

"Samira please let me in. Let's talk about this." It was Monday and Tamera was outside her sister's room door, knocking.

There was silence, as usual.

"Samira, please don't lock yourself up in there."

Footsteps moved in the room and she heard the door opening. A smile spread on her face. Finally, after two days, she was ready to talk about it. The door opened and Samira walked out dressed and ready for work, with her briefcase.

"Good morning, Tamera. What a lovely day it is today." Tamera was shocked by the smile on Samira's face. "Why aren't you dressed for work? It is Monday and we have a meeting. I want the publicist in my office at ten." With those words, she walked passed her.

"Samira!" Tamera called and ran up to her, taking her arm. "Samira you can't go to work."

"Why can't I? It is Monday." She said.

"You are hurt. You need time to recover from this."

"I don't see any scars on my body." Samira looked at her arms. "Do you?" She started walking again and left Tamera behind in the hallway.

Barbara and her husband, Nate, were in the dining room having breakfast when Samira entered. She quickly got on her feet.

"Samira!" She went to hold her child in her arms. "What happened to you? Why did you lock yourself up? We were all so worried about you." She asked and moved back to look into her daughter's face.

"I am fine mother. Sorry for making you worry." Samira said and then glanced at her father who didn't even spare her a glance. "Good morning, dad." She said and he finally looked her way, frowning.

"What's so good about the morning?" He asked. "Is it the fact that you wasted a whole week in some blasted town and even wasted two extra days locked up in your room that makes this morning good? Is wasting time in some damn town and not giving a fuck about your work in the company, good to you? There is nothing darn good about it, so don't even mention it." He snapped and then lifted a cup of coffee to his lips and sipped.

"Come on, Nate, give her a break." Barbara said while returning to her seat. "I am sure Samira didn't want to be in that town more that you did." She said.

Samira kept a straight face. "I am off to work." She said and headed outside. Her white Porsche was already waiting for her by the entrance. She got inside, started the engine and drove out of the compound.

After thirty minutes on the road, she reached the company and the valet came for her car. Her PA, Drew was waiting to take her briefcase at the entrance of the building with the receptionist.

"Welcome back, Madam." He said, but she ignored him.

As she moved, Drew informed her of her schedule for the day. She had a breakfast meeting with a very important, following by a series of other meetings scattered throughout the day. Today would be a hectic day. She thought.