Prologue
AVERNA LONSDALE
Everything happened in a blur, I sat still and watched as my grandfather's efforts went down the drain as we sold 80% of our family's legacy to the Lennox.
I was pathetically stiff in my seat and watched as mother smiled showcasing her pearly white teeth as she shook hands with them.
My heart ached badly at the sight of my signature and that of my family on a piece of document that determined the next owner of the company, our company.
I could have done better, I could've tried harder, my conscience scolded. It seemed as though only me cared, only I knew what this company meant to the Lonsdale family.
It was a symbol of struggle mixed with tears, pains and backed up with endless hard work and it was taken from under our noses without us realizing.
It started as a nightmare, our stocks dropping drastically with each passing day, the administration fell, shareholders pulled out their own cuts and the last resort was selling 80% percent of our shares to the Lennox.
My heart clenched in my chest as my grandfather put on a fake smile as though it was okay to hand over his years if hard work to someone else on a platter of gold.
But still this heart wrenching moment dragged on slowly.
The rest of the meeting went in a blur and before I knew it the conference room had cleared out. I was one of the last person's to leave together with mother who had a different insight on today's event.
I couldn't fathom how happy she lost when we've literally signed our legacy over to the Lennox. The Lennox.
It wasn't just paranoia, I knew for a fact that they weren't good people as they make themselves to be and it was seen in the way they addressed us.
At first I was lost in thought and didn't notice them until my shoulder collided with one and I almost dropped my iPad. I looked up to frown at the culprit but an amused expression was already etched on his face.
"Lydia", I recognized the woman mother greeted as the wife of Hugh Lennox, she seemed to be in her mid fifties and had this cold smile on her face as she addressed us.
"We have to meet up at some place to talk about the rest of the agreement on the contract". I frowned.
"What contract?, I thought we've gone through with it and signed the last deal", I didn't realize I voiced out my thoughts until all eyes fell on me.
Lydia in particular had an unimpressed look on her face. Meanwhile mom looked like she wanted to slam my head on the nearest wall.
"Avena darling why don't you wait in the car I'll be there in a minute".
In other words, it was her way of telling me to get the fuck out nicely.
I continued to walk forward and rounded the corners until I heard something that made me still and turn around.
"When should we start the wedding preparations", Lydia's voice boomed from where they were. My ears perked up and I immediately began to process this.
What wedding? And how come mother knew and I wasn't even the least aware of this wedding?.
I peeked from the corner of the wall to watch them.
"Very soon but she is yet to be informed"
"Don't slack around Carlista, Lydia's voice was impolite as she spoke.
"I'm trying my best", mom responded nicely but the look on her face said otherwise.
"Well it's clearly not enough, tell her and get it over with, we can't wait longer than we already have, unlike most people, we Lennox value our time, Lydia sneered.
The man from before turned back and arched an eyebrow when he saw me watching, my eyes widened and I took a step back out of instincts but ended up bumping into something hard.
Turning around I gasped as my iPad fell from my hands.
He stood still watching me with an expressionless face. I blinked once then twice at him before opening my mouth to apologize but no words came out.
A younger man stood besides him who I immediately recognized as his Personal Assistant.
It was when I took a second glance that I recognized the man himself.
Rikkard Lennox...... He was all over the news, magazines and evening business shows.
He wasn't a man you would miss be it on tabloids or face-to-face, staring at him was like staring into the eyes of a soulless person.
And right now he was looking at me like he could see right through me, his eyes were magnetic grey almost silver like.
But then he spoke. "Are you blind?, his voice was discourteous and something in it told me the question wasn't to be answered.
"Am sorry", I apologized. He took a step forward and I took one backwards hitting the wall. Lowering his face towards mine he sneered
"You should be, don't wanna do something we'll regret now do you?, he said coldly.
I bit my lip to prevent a sarcastic reply from slipping out.
The man straightened before brushing past me. His P.A gave me a sympathetic look before following his boss.
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves before picking up my iPad. Luckily it was only a broken screen and wasn't totally impaired.
"Eavesdropping on people's conversation isn't cute red, I jumped startled, glaring at the owner of the voice. It was blondie again.
"Who said I was", I asked acting astonished. Might as well save the last part of my ego, I've already lost the other to Rikkard Lennox.
He snorted. "Of course you weren't but I would save you the tussle since you've already dealt with one", he cocked his head towards Rikkard's direction who was by the way talking to my mom.
A frown etched on my face as I realized, the god damn son-of-a-biscuit had the balls to threaten me.
"I'm Landor", blondie introduced.
"Averna Lonsdale", I replied.
"Yeah I know, couldn't stop staring at you at the meeting, you looked like you wanted to be anywhere but in that conference room".
Was I that obvious, I wondered if I had given out any negative reaction that put a bad label on the Lonsdales'.
As much as I hated the idea of selling out our company to such people as the Lennox, it was the only option. That or going bankrupt.
"Anyways we would be seeing each other quite a lot Averna, he smirked at me before walking away.
I rolled my eyes. As if.
