They say that life is all about second chances. Josephine Quinn-the only child to one of the biggest businessmen in the country-moves to Portland and turns a new leaf in life after going through a traumatic year at New York, her old home.
On the oth...
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JOSEPHINE
"Hello, Mary!" I greet the house-maid as I enter my house. I take in the surrounding and take a breath of satisfaction. I have missed this place. Mary comes to me and envelops me in a tight but welcoming hug.
"How have you been?!"
"Great, as usual. How is George?" I ask about her son, her only family who also lives. When dad found out that he lived alone all the time because Mary was meant to report here, he made arrangements for George to move his everything here – starting from his address to his school. He made the best arrangements for his education and George now is a big-shot in New York, a lawyer. It is one of the things I love about dad. No matter how famous and acknowledged he becomes, he always walks with people. He uplifts the ones around him along with him.
"Is that my precious peanut I hear?" dad says as he comes out of his office and I rush to hug him.
"Hi dad."
"Hi baby."
"I missed you." I say as he kisses my cheek and holds me at arm's length, studying my face.
"I missed you, too. Now come on, dinner is almost ready. Mary, do gather everyone please."
"Right away, sir."
"Call me Damien, please. You are older than I am." He smiles and heads to the dining room while I walk back to my old room to get changed out of my clothes. I walk down to the dining room to find dad and George already waiting at the table. I greet George and sit down next to him as Mary brings all the food out. It has always been our ritual. After mum and Jaques passed on, we have been alone with only Mary and George in the house. And seeing that Mary is our oldest house-help and George is like a brother to me, we always dine together. It isn't perfect, but it's a family.
"So, Josie, what is this I hear about you associating with rivals?"
"What rivals?" I ask innocently even though I know he is talking about Tim.
"Russell's son."
"You mean Timothy?"
"Yes."
"He isn't Russell's son anymore. He let go of all the inheritance and legacy when he found out what it was built on the basis of. He even changed his surname from Russell-Lockhart to just Lockhart, which happens to be Russell's original last name."
"I know all about his original last names and first names. I do not care for that devil anymore. I am worried about the boy hurting you."
"Why would he hurt me?"
"Would he not hold vengeance for the killer of his father and hence make you his sole target?"
"No. He did at a certain point of time, not anymore. Not after he heard the truth."
