Welcome back readers.
First of all, I really want to apologize for posting a wrong (non edited) file, which I have edited and resubmitted already. It will be changed soon.
This is the final chapter and I am not planning on a sequel right now.
For first time readers, I request you to read the entire series, from the beginning because all the parts are interconnected.
This part is all about the story, so anyone looking for a quick sex will be highly disappointed.
Happy reading.
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CHAPTER 67
It's been more than three months since the afternoon I walked out of Tina's life. It was hard for the first few days, not only for me but also for mom and Meg, but we managed, somehow. I told mom we broke up, not sure if 'broke up' was the correct term or not.
"Are you sure about it?" Mom asked.
"Yes. It's better for all of us," I answered.
She didn't ask me any questions after that and I didn't tell her the true reason for our break-up. Meg wasn't too happy to lose Tina but, with time, she also realized Tina wasn't coming back anymore. Since that day, Tina hasn't called and neither have I.
Angie left her job and she's trying to secure her place in the fashion world. At first, I thought about telling her about Tina but decided against it. It's a lifetime opportunity for her and I don't want her to lose it because of me. I'm not sure if she's still on speaking terms with Tina or, if she is, what Tina might have told her.
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Mom went to sleep early tonight and I'm sitting on the couch, watching late night news, trying to kill some time. I don't know when I fell asleep but, waking up, I realize it must be really late. I'm about to shut down the TV and go to bed when I hear a very familiar name and, suddenly, I'm wide awake!
I continue surfing from channel to channel, trying my best to get as many details as possible. I'm not sure why I'm panicking but I feel an urge to make sure she's okay. Obviously, her name still has an effect on me.
I want to call her but decide against it. It isn't a good idea to call her and ask if she's okay when I already know she isn't and there's nothing I can do about it.
Every channel is live, telecasting the factory in flames. According to the reporters, the fire started around midnight, after a party celebrating the success of fulfilling the biggest consignment of fashion history which was organized by the owner of Femina, Ms. Martina Chambers. The source of the fire is still unknown but the media claims there's a possibility of arson or an electrical short-circuit.
According to a news source, the consignment was still inside of the factory when the fire started and probably completely destroyed. That'll be a heavy loss for the company, along with the loss of the factory.
The analysts claim it will be hard for the company to overcome the loss and may be the end of the Femina legacy.
Peter arrives on the scene but he won't answer any of the reporters' questions and there's no news of the person whom I'm searching for. She's unreachable, the reporter claims.
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It's been almost two weeks since the night of the fire. I'm constantly keeping my eyes on the news and it seems the analysts were right about their claim. Femina has taken huge amounts of money from the market, using their properties as collateral, to fulfill the consignment and, though they're going to get the insurance money, the amount of the loan is too much to fulfill.
The court orders the owners to sell their properties under the name of the company and the owners are to repay the money they have taken from the market. I see pictures of Tina and Peter coming out of court. Peter looks livid with the situation, he even pounces on a reporter when he's been asked about the decision. After what he did to us, it's like poetic justice. Though I didn't pray for him to lose everything, I don't feel bad for him, either, when he does.
Tina looks calmer. She says she doesn't suspect any chance of arson and claims it must be a technical fault that caused the fire. When the reporters ask her about her future plans, she pauses for a moment before saying she must search for a house to stay in. At that moment, she looks so vulnerable that I wish I could be there, take her in my arms and tell her everything will be okay.
CHAPTER 68
It's Monday and exactly two weeks since the last time I saw Tina on television. There's been some small updates of properties being sold but I've had no news about Tina. I don't know where she is or what she's doing. Her house in L.A. was sold and also the regional offices, including the office here in San Jose. I don't think she'll ever be coming back to this city, again, and I don't know why I feel a sharp pain in my heart.
Peter's property has gone under the hammer as well. That means our old house and our old company is being sold to someone but I'm not keen to know the name of the current buyer. It was taken from us, years ago, and it really doesn't matter much, to me, who has it now.
Coming back home with Meg, I'm on my way to my room, to change, when mom calls me.
"Olivia, you have a courier delivered envelope waiting on the table."
Wow! First time in the last nine years. It's kind of surprising, for me, as I didn't think there's anyone who's willing to courier me anything. I open it anyway and there are papers, in fact, a lot of them! I continue looking at page, after page, after page until I get to the end where there's a small note,
"Please accept this as a small gift," signed Alexander Graham.
I'm drawn to the papers for some time, so drawn that I don't notice mom coming and standing beside me until she speaks.
"What is it?"
"The papers of our house and company!" I reply.
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I know Alexander. He's the only son of Mr. Christopher Graham, the elder son of Mrs. Elizabeth Graham. Alexander's almost ten years older than me and, more or less, the same age as Peter.
Alexander used to be one of the best basketball players the state has ever produced but that's all and I'm not sure why, after so many years, he became so kind to us to give our house and company back as a gift. I think his grandmother has a lot to do with this unexpected event.
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I don't bother to change my clothes before picking up my bag and the envelope, I'm more than ready to set off. I call a cab, not usual for me, because these documents are highly valuable and I can't risk losing them during a jam packed bus ride.
Almost an hour later, I'm standing outside of the main gate of the Graham's, waiting for someone to open the door after ringing the bell. Garcia opens the door. She must be in her late forties or early fifties and has been working here for ages.
"Can I see Mrs. Graham, please? It's kind of important, actually," I say.
She continues looking at me. I think she finds me familiar and she's trying, hard, to remember me. It's not her fault she doesn't remember me as it's been years since she's seen me last and I have changed a lot during that time. I help her without being too obvious about the fact I recognize her but she doesn't recognize me.
"Now, Garcia, stop staring and go tell her Olivia's looking for her," I add.
"Olivia! I can't believe it's you. You've grown so much. How are you? And how's Rose? Did you come alone? Where have you been for so many years?"
I have to stop her between her long list of questions. She's obviously quite excited to see me after so many years.
"Relax, Garcia. Why don't you go tell Mrs. Graham I'm waiting for her, first, and then I'll answer all of your questions when you come back," I reply with a smile.
She almost runs to inform Mrs. Graham, she can't wait for my answers and her eagerness brings a big smile to my face. I'm not sure how to start the conversation with Mrs. Graham. It was okay with me when she announced free drinks but the house and the company? That's a huge amount of money and there's no way I can accept that as a gift.
Garcia comes back in no time and I try to inform her about mom and me and she looks amazed when I show her the small picture of Meg that I always carry in my purse. She's happy and I think she can go on for hours but Mrs. Graham arrives.
"Garcia, have you forgotten your manners to ask people to sit, at least?" she snaps at Garcia, when she saw us standing in the middle of the drawing room.
It's not entirely Garcia's fault, in fact, we're both so engrossed in conversation that neither of us cared to have a seat and I also know I can't defend Garcia. Mrs. Graham is too stubborn and before I can say anything Garcia replies.
"I'm sorry. I became very excited about seeing her after so many years."
And that brings a smile to Mrs. Graham's face, as well.
"That's okay. I don't blame you, actually. Now come and have a seat," she says, indicating the sofa next to her.
"I've been expecting you. So, what do you have on your mind?"
She's to the point without wasting any time.
"I'm thankful you decided to buy our house and company back for us but we left it behind, years ago. Now, we're more accustom to the simple life and this gift is too costly for a simple family. We're not denying it because we're angry with you but can I please say no to the proposal?" I reply.
I don't want to deny it, directly, and hurt her feelings but I can't accept it, either.
