BENEATH ALL THE LIES

Deena's P.O.V

I stood in front of the first room I saw when reaching the top of the stairs. The wooden door had always been closed since 23 years ago. I never plucked up enough courage to open it and go inside again since the day I lost my daughter. This was supposed to be her room. I remembered all those nights I spent in this room, rocking my baby to sleep. I remembered all the stuffed toys Kayne and I bought for her, so she could play with them once she was bigger. Without having to go inside the room, I knew well how the inside looked like. A wooden crib on the right side of the room with 'Finding Nemo' characters hanging above it that used to make my baby smiled upon staring at them, tons of plush toys arranged tidily along the ledge under the window, a shelve full of story books that Kayne used to read to our daughter while sitting on the rocking chair beside the window, trying to put her to sleep and the painting of a mermaid sitting on a rock, looking across the sea at a passing ship, on the wall across her crib that used to stop her from crying when she looked at it.

"Mrs. Deevan, your guest is here. She's waiting for you in the living room." My maid came and announced the arrival of my guest, took me out of my daydream state. Without having to ask who my guest would be, I could already guess.

I climbed downstairs after throwing the last glance at the closed door. As soon as I reached the bottom of the stairs, I went towards the living room and as I came near it, I could see the woman who once upon a time was so close to my family, of course that was before my husband and baby went missing. Naya Hanson. My husband once partner, also owner of half of his company's share.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today?" I said upon entering the living room.

"Deena. You look great, as usual. I saw the news the other day, it said that you finally opened up a branch of your company in Japan. I think congratulation is in order." She said with a fake smile plastered on her face.

"I believe you came all the way here for more than just congratulating me. How about you cut to the chase, Naya. What is it that you're here for?" That wiped off the fake smile on her face.

"Fine. Let's do it your way then. I would like to make you an offer. For the company. It's been 23 years, and I've been waiting patiently all this while. But let's face it. Your husband and daughter won't miraculously come upon that door soon. Police still have no lead, and no one has come forward with any information. I would like to make an agreement with you to let me have full authority over the company. That's why I'm here. I will buy your husband's share." Finally, the truth.

" I've told you before. I can't do that. That share is my husband's and my daughter is to inherit it. And for now, I'm responsible for that share and I wanna keep it that way. "

" You're never there, you don't know how to run this company. And when executive decision has to be made, I'm the one who does it. I'm the reason why that company is still up and running and I wanna keep it that way for a long run. And I can do better if I hold the full authority over the company and able to make immediate decisions without having to consult you prior . I want you to think about this carefully. All I want is to do the best I can for the company that Kayne and I started." She tried to convince me with her reason. We both knew she didn't want me to have any share of the company, she didn't believe that I would build this company further, out of resentment towards Kayne.

"You're right. I don't know anything about running a PR firm. Nor do I ever go to the company and show my face. But I already pointed someone I trust to take over my husband's place temporarily. He reports to me regularly so I know what's happening. And so far, I don't see any issue on the horizon. And if there is, I know you can always take care of it. Like you said Kayne and you built that company, you won't let it crumble." I told her as a matter of fact.