The Coincidence

Chapter 14 - I am sorry

I had been sitting in this room for an hour and 11 minutes. I knew that because I have been counting the seconds for this lecture to end. I really envy father for how long he could go on and on talking without losing the point or like you know when you stop in the middle and lose track of what you were saying? Yeah, that was not my father. He has been talking about this whole "scandalous situation" according to his words, for almost 2 hours now. I mean I was tired of listening to the same thing over and over again, how could he not be tired of telling it?

My mum was just sitting there sipping her tea without opening her mouth for a word, and I didn't except more than that from her. Anyhow, I was leaving when it hits 12 on the clock for a directors meeting. I mean I was not going to mess my work and personal life. One thing at a time, right? It was just my ears couldn't bare it anymore.

"Dad, aren't you tired?" I looked up at him.
"Excuse me?" He was getting more angry.
"I mean you have been going on and on and on about something that yet, I didn't figure it out myself. How do you except me to give you any of the answers you want now? If you will excuse me, let me go find you the answers and then come back. Yeah?" I stood up and picked my phone, and handbag and started to march to the door.
"Mandy George Dylan. Don't you dare walk out this room." Those were the first words to escape mum's mouth since I came here.
"Wow! Mum, you are here actually. Welcome back. However, I have to go now. So maybe later?" I mocked and turned around when dad's voice stopped me this time.

"Why are you like that?" He was standing by the fireplace as if he was a statue. I laughed in disbelief.
"I beg your pardon? I don't think I quite understand you?" Okay, they should have let me go earlier. I was angry and I knew that this might not end well.
"Why are not even putting the least effort to be a lady? Huh? Always scandals, a profession that brings nothing but troubles! Why? Look at The Collin's kids. The daughter is now a professor at Harvard and the-" I cut him off.
"Oh god, dad. My name is Mandy Dylan. True, we might be stuck with each other due to blood and name but that doesn't mean I have to be a replica of this family too! I might not be a professor, or some kind of a doctor but I am still a successful business woman in my own eyes and other people's eyes. Even if those eyes are not yours." I laughed again as I remembered them chatting and showing support yesterday at the launch and now I just couldn't stop laughing as the scene plays again in front of my eyes.
"If you guys are really that ashamed, then why did you show up yesterday? Why would you still say that I am your daughter. Just forget me! Forget me just like you forgot Edward!" I yelled
"MANDY!" Mum yelled back. I stood there for a moment, I kind of saw a hint of sorrow in their eyes and I was regretting that I stayed when I had to leave. I knew that would happen. I had a last glance at them and hurried to the front door. 

"Sweetheart?" Nanny Bella was in the corridor but I couldn't even look at her now. I opened the door and couldn't wait to be in my car and leave. I think that since Edward was gone we couldn't be a family again and I was not sure we would be one. My hopes for it becomes weaker every time we talk. 

"Miss. Dylan, do you have any comment on what happened yesterday?"
"Miss. Dylan, are you-" the reports voices faded as I entered the company's building. That was when it hit me. I couldn't hide for long, it was going to happen sooner or later. I turned around and walked to the reporters and stood their. I gave the biggest smile ever to the cameras.

"If you are asking about yesterday, I would comment that I am really blessed of the success of yesterday's launch and looking forward to give more to fashion all around the world. Thank you guys so much for your support." I flashed the last smile back at the camera and walked back in there.
"M, are you crazy?" Danny was waiting for me by the door and started walking with me to the meeting room.
"If no one closed their mouths, they might as well sleep in front of the company. Emily?" I called for Emily on my left and she looked at me. "Find a way to clear those reports from our daily schedule, our plate is full already."
"On it!" She nod.

When I opened the door to the meeting room, I could see everyone was gossiping and chatting around. It was the gossip of the year to them. I gather all my power and got it. Then threw my coat on the back of my chair and my bag on the table, then rest both my hands on the back of the chair. The room fell silent. 

"Now, we are here to talk business, if you are interested in anything else, please get out now and never come back. It's not a gossiping magazine here." They all looked at me silently. "No one?" I asked again and they all started shifting uncomfortably in their chairs and look at each other or the documents in front of them. "Good! Now let's get started!" I sat down on my chair and Danny looked at me proudly and started talking about the response from yesterday's.

When the meeting was over I hangout for a little while on the meeting room. Although, what happened yesterday affected us a little, it wasn't as bad as I expected. It was within the limit of tolerance. Other than that the feedback were really great and the sales for even our old collections went up. No wonder Tom would do what he did and use my name. Wait! Tom! I totally forgot about him. I got my phone from my bag and texted him. "Need to talk." Waited for a couple of moments before he could reply me.
"When and where?" He texted back.
"Tonight, will text you the place. BTW, come in comfortable cloths." I texted back and smiled at the screen. If Danny was here he would say that this was my evil smile. I laughed at the thought and got back to my office.

"Interesting place to talk." Tom said as he was wearing his boxing gloves and getting into the ring.
" I thought words might not be your style so" I shrugged as I started walking around in the ring. He started walking around too.
"What do you want, Mandy?" He asked and we both stopped in our steps.
"Why did you do it, Tom? I thought you were different. Somehow, I thought of you as a friend." I tried my best to prove my point, but he didn't believe. He laughed.
"A friend? Are you dumb? Can't you see it? Huh? I can't be friends! I am that creep, they were ashamed of for years, until I suddenly got their approval." He was getting angrier. "I have to always do extra, I can't rest. I can't be like others in my age. I had to always work, be better than myself. Better than anyone." He was looking at the ground, then he lifted his head and looked at me. "It was all going very well. But you." He was coming nearer now. "You had to RUIN IT ALL!" He started yelling.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO KEPT TELLING STORIES IN MY NAME TO GET MORE!" I yelled back. We both went silent for a moment. "You are a one greedy man, Tom." I said quietly. He stepped one step back as if to get a better look at me.
"You are right!" He flew his hands in the air. Then suddenly he let out a punch in my direction. I covered my face. For some reason, I didn't attack back, I just stayed there letting myself be some kind of a sandbag for him and kept listening to him. "You are right! I am greedy! I have to be greedy, or else I will have no family! I always look for their approval! Why? Because I don't know another way! They didn't teach me any other way but this way!" Somehow I felt petty for him but I was fed up with his weakness. I attacked back and in one move he was flat on the ground. He didn't move, I think he was tired enough to move. I leaned over and had my punch an inch from his face. He was beaming at me. He wanted to be hit. I got up and left the ring. 

He got up and called back." What? You just gonna leave like that." I stopped in my steps and looked back at him.
"You are not a match for me. You are weak. Fragile. I can't take you as my opponent. Maybe one day when you are brave enough to have your own life, We can have a fair fight." I crooked a smile and waved goodbye and left.

 I couldn't help but think that maybe if I didn't follow my own heart back then, I might have been as miserable as Tom. Then once again, I am thankful yet scared. How many are there like Tom? How many out there around us everyday who are just as greedy as him? When did the world become so cruel? More importantly, what was I going to do now? Will I just follow this world's rule and leave the possibility of happiness with Adam and end up like Tom, or will I fight for it? Will we be able to do it?