HIS MEMORY

Chapter 7

"Here is your suit Lydia, all clean and ironed," Sofia said as she rushed into my room carrying a beautiful peach pantsuit and deliberately placing it on my bed very carefully. It was nothing very fabulous really but very classy. A gorgeous pantsuit that would come till my ankle. Inside I was going to wear a white shirt and on top of a peach blazer. All I could say at this was it was too lovely and elegant at the same time.

It was all possible because of Vladamir Kai. The man that helped me change my entire wardrobe in every way possible. It was also because all I had was casual wear only because I never went to any professional places or even to any meetings. All that was a long time ago and it was all just stuffing in my closet for long, so I gave it all away. But now things were going to be different for me and I just had to re-do everything. And Vladamir was an amazing stylist, can't question that.

"Get ready fast Lydia," Sofia said as she could see I was taking my sweet time straightening my long hair, while I was still very much in my towel.

I had just taken a long shower and was just doing my hair as fast as I could, all because I didn't want to be late on the first day. It would be really bad if I did so.

What I wanted to do today was go all straight and push all of my hair behind my shoulder, nothing in front at all.

I liked it like this actually. This look made me look really professional and I loved being professional when I am in an official place. People always take me very seriously when I look the best. Even though I was not really very professional all the time.

Sofia proceeded to talk to herself or maybe she was talking to me this entire time, I don't really know. I instantly push the last part of my hair which was perfectly straightened behind my shoulders and immediately getting off of my chair, take my outfit and walked up to my closet completely disappearing inside.

"No pressure today Lydia, do your best today and then come home and tell me everything." She said proceeding to clean my room, while I happened to put on my bra.

"Also don't daydream when you're at work, you do that a lot, Lydia." She continued and all I could really do at that point was to roll my eyes at her comment, even though it was a valid point.

She kept on blabbering on and on about what I should do and not do. This was something she always did really. This was the type of speech she gave me when it was my very first day of high school. She did the same thing on my first day of college and also on my first day to my dad's office while I was still an intern at that time. Needless to say, all of that really did encourage me because even if dad was really loving and was always there for me. But truth be told it wasn't easy for him to be around me on important days of my life.

He had his work, he had to take care of me, provide an amazing life for his daughter. I really wish he was there all the time or even when I really needed him, but at all those times I had Sofia with me. She was literally the one who raised me and also kept me alive. I say that because I was a very horrifying kid and did so many terrifying things just because I could. And also because I wanted to see what would happen if I did what I was told not to do. I just honestly wanted the thrills of life, that was it.

So Sofia was a mom figure I had and I truly love that she was still here with me, still tells me all of this even though now I am all grown up and now an adult but at the same time I felt grateful to have a person always worry about me.

I immediately walk out all dressed up and make my way towards the room.

"Don't break these heels too, they are pretty." She said as Sofia handed me my beautiful Louboutin shoes and they were gorgeous.

"I will not, I promise Sofia," I said back to her. She always brings back old memories and unnecessary stuff. I broke one heel and one time, one f*****g time, that was it. And now she always has to bring it up and give me a lecture about it all the damn time.

"Your father is not going to be around like before, so things are going to be very different than before." She said and I continued on nodding my head understanding. I knew that too, I knew things were going to be diverse and I was okay with that. New things are of course a little terrifying, it is also adaptable at the same time. That is just life.

I then immediately walk up to my bed, sit on it and put on my shoes.

"Get up, get up, get up child," Sofia said hitting my shoulder so f****** hard, I was really in shock, I didn't even see it coming either.

"Sofia, stop." I literally scream immediately getting off of the bed, more life hurrying away from this woman. I slowly turn back around to see her re-doing the place I was sitting on. She is such a freak.

"Go sit on that sofa over there and put your shoes on." She said pointing at the sofa which was on the other side of the room right next to a large window. I huff at her and immediately pick up my shoes with a grumpy look on my face. I squinted my eyes, giving her the side-eye and walk towards the sofa and fall on it all because I was pissed that she hit me. Without wasting a second I immediately put my shoes on again.

"Your father said that the man you will be working with is not someone to be....." She said and stopped for a second thinking of the next word, she was clearly had trouble with this so I decided to help her.

"To be messed with," I said and she immediately nodded her head.

"Yes, yes that." she said.

"Well then I will make sure you not mess with him." I said relaxing on the sofa, enjoying the cool breeze coming from the window right next to me. I really liked it.

I knew I couldn't sit here all day so I instantly get off of the sofa and make my way to the mirror, checking myself out one more time before I had to leave this room.

I looked at my entire outfit one time and the fact that I actually put in the effort to dress up was already a lot for me and never the less I was looking really really cute, professional, classy and elegant. All the things I wanted to look at today, so mission accomplished.

Sofia was done super cleaning my entire room, even though I myself had done it before she even got here. But she just has to re-do it all the time. According to her, no one does it better than for her. Sure.

"Come down and have breakfast," Sofia said rushing out of my room so that she could join the staff in the kitchen.

"I am coming," I said walking towards a side table to pick up my bag and I too made my way towards out of my room and towards the dining room.

I was a little anxious to go down today and the main reason for that was everyone was going to be there. We all were ultimately going to have a family breakfast. It has been so long since we all sat down together, and had food or even talked to each other really. I do have a powerful feeling that everything was going to go very smoothly and it wouldn't be awkward, hopefully.

The minute I walked down the stairs I could glimpse the stuff in the kitchen and they were all over the place. I guess they were in shock too because normally everyone made dinner, lunch, and breakfast separately for everyone, so I kinda get what the fuss was all about. So I don't overthink about the situation and just wanted to get over with it and immediately make my way to the dining room.

As I walked into the room I see Rosabella and dad sitting together right next to each other. Dad sitting on the middle chair and Rosa on his left, Freya, on the other hand, was sitting on his right side so I decided to sit right next to Rosa, she was always a great company, so much better then dad and Freya, both of them are extremely cranky and piss me off. That was not how I wanted to start the day, so I solely agreed to sit right next to a positive person.

The clicking of my heels made all of them turn towards my direction and then at me. A moment Rosa's eyes landed on me her face instantly lit up into a cute yet large smile. I too smile right back at her. She looked at me up and down. Actually, everyone on the table was looking to me up and down making me a little conscious really. But never the less I smiled at everyone here.

But I could see Rosa was truly very happy to see me dressed up as a woman. Freya. on the other hand, I was glancing at me in a weird way. I was really not sure what to make of her expression. Normally it was easy for me but this time I wasn't really that sure. I am actually hoping that was it jealousy because it would be fun to just make her jealous. Just for a pure fun reason.

Then my eyes landed on my dad, he too had a weird look on his face. I know I have seen that before too but I wasn't sure if it was truly that. He actually looked at me like he was proud of me.

Wow, this was......... new. I mean it has been so long since I had done something that actually made him look at me all proud. This actually does feel great.

"Good morning," I said to everyone as I take a seat right next to Rosa.

"Good morning." Everyone said back to me.

"You look beautiful in your suit." Rosa said slowly pushed my hair behind my shoulder, with a huge smile on her face for me. And I was actually blushing. Compliments are a big booster.

"Yes Lydia, now you finally look like a girl." Freya said smirking at me. While all I did was give her a small, smallllllll smile. Tiny one.

"It was about time you dressed like a woman." She continued smirking at me. While I just stare at her giving her a blank look. Clearly not impressed with what she just said.

"Freya," Rosa said trying to shut her up but I had a better thing in mind.

"I am so glad I finally look like a girl too Fre but when are you going to look like one?." I asked her this time smirking back at her while giving her a cute smile. I could clearly see how really pissed off she truly was. I mean she looked angry. I am going, to be frank, here, that comeback wasn't even that amazing but it did what I wanted it to do to her. And that was more than enough for me now. She was about to say something to me but immediately Sofia walked Into the room with the entire staff right behind her as they all were bringing our food. God, I was really hungry.

"Here is everyone's breakfast." She said in her chirpy voice which was actually quite cute and completely changed the atmosphere of this entire place. I think that was why dad never really fired Sofia when he fired most of the staff in this house. She was the oldest member here.

Immediately everyone started placing food on the table and right in front of us, while Sofia placed a plate right in front of my dad.

"Thank you, Sofia, it looks wonderful." He said to her with a small smile on his face and I couldn't help but smile too. as they all smile back to him and leave all of us alone to eat.

I was actually delighted we all were eating food together and not alone, I mean it has been so long since we did all this and I really did miss all of this "family thing" that I have missed out for so long in my life. So I was kinda grateful. We all ate ii silence and just spoke a few words here and there but it was kinda nice. Awkward but nice.

We left the moment we finished eating breakfast. Dad didn't want me to be late on the first day and have people talk about me for the rest of my life about the rich kid that was never on time. I don't ever want to have all of that happen to me so I hurry up with eating too.

Right now all of us were in one car making our way to the Sullivan house or driving to the new company I was going to work in. Dad was sitting on the passenger seat while I and Fre sat in the back seat. Far away from each other. Far, far away from each other. Both dad and Freya were so f*****g calm and it was needless to say right about now I was panicking, just a little bit really.

Okay, That was such a huge lie. I was nervous and I was sure it was very easily visible to everyone if they would only look at me, just one time. My hands were so sweaty at this point and it was all over high school feels back here.

The first day of everything was really a huge thing for me, even though eventually everything so smoothly from there, the first day was still very scary to me. Damn. I thought to myself as I wipe my sweaty hands on the seat and look out the window to calm myself down a little bit.

We all just simply sat back in peace and quiet, in complete silence and thankfully it wasn't very awkward in here too.

"Freya?." Dad called out for her which immediately caught my attention too and I suddenly shift my head to look at my dad who was making eye contact with my sister.

"Yes, dad?." She said back leaning a little forward on her seat. I, on the other hand, give her the side-eye for no apparent reason what so ever.

"How is Mr. Chamberlain treating you?." He asked her a question and while I immediately look away from her.

"He is a great dad, an amazing mentor." She said back to him and I could clearly hear her actually meaning it and not just saying it because she has to. From the corner of my eyes, I could see dad nodding his head in agreement with her comment.

"Yes, he is a good man. He will guide you well. I trust him with you and I know you pick up things very fast. I trust you." He said smiling at her through the rearview mirror.

I let them have their conversation but my eyes immediately turn to look at her and what I saw really kinda freaked me out. I could actually see how happy she was with this. Her smile was so big it almost touched her ears. Wow, she was actually pretty when she smiled. I didn't even know that was possible.

She was over the moon with this compliment she just got. And the smile she had was huge, honest, genuine which I really don't get to see a lot. I immediately look away from both of them and let them have their moment. I don't have to always be a b***h and destroy her, which I really enjoy doing more than ever but right now things were kinda chill and she was having a nice time. So I am just going to back away and relax.

Within one hour or so all three of us reached the Sullivan Building,

It was quite a tall building, very very tall actually. I looked at the building through my window but still couldn't find the highest part of this building. My eyes immediately land on everything and everyone outside as they all were rushing into the building. There were so many people who were so new to me, so many old people I already knew. So no fuss really.

I immediately take off my seat belt and look toward my dad to say bye to him, but the moment I made eye contact with him I knew he had something to say to me.

I am not going to lie the first thought that came to my mind was "what the hell did I do now" That was the very first thing and now I had a different reason to be nervous. Great. And the worst part of it all was I don't even recall what could I have really done for my dad to want to talk to me.

"Freya, go ahead. I want to talk to your sister." He said to her briefly which immediately made me look at Fre. God, she was not okay with this and on the other hand, she was a little sad too. It was very clearly seen on her sad little face.

"Sure dad, bye." She said as her voice came out like a small whisper. Without wasting a single second Freya immediately walked out of the car, shutting the door as loud as possible. Fre doesn't leave me alone with him. I at this time literally prayed for that watching her walk away from the car.

Again because of nervousness my hands got sweaty again, great, this is just great. Since now I had no say in this what so ever. I slowly sit back down comfortably in the car as the driver immediately gets out of it and stands out, giving us a little bit more privacy.

"Damn it," I said out loud but not loud enough to be heard.

Dad looked at me through the mirror and I gave him a small nervous smile.

"Are you okay?." He asked me almost taking me by surprise. I didn't really think he was about to say that and all I could really do was give him a very confused look.

"What?." I asked him with my eyes popped out and my mouth slightly open.

"Are you nervous?." He asked me one more time, looking directly at me and nowhere else. I, on the other hand, thought about this question for a while really. At the same time, I look at all the different directions, away from him and then slowly nod my head as my hands got even more sweaty than they were already before.

"I am a little nervous, just a little bit," I said to him but suddenly my voice cracked a little bit at the end and frankly I didn't even know why that happened. My dad, on the other hand, glanced at me for a while and immediately looked away from me. Making me really confused. What did this old man want?. I thought to myself not feeling entirely sure what was happening. Dad at this point pulled something out from his jacket, turned around to face me and immediately reached from my hand and held it tight. Needless to say, I was really confused as to what he was up to but I didn't question my dad.

Suddenly dad pulled my hands closer towards him and immediately started to wipe my sweaty hands. I right there and then went numb. I just went numb. I look at my dad but this time it was because I was confused or nervous or anything. Because right in front of me I saw a father who has always been there for me and will always be. I just saw that and nothing else. I didn't take my eyes off of him really and at his point, I even had a small smile on my face, while my heartfelt warm, really warm.

This was what he did when I was supposed to sing in a singing competition, the same thing but at that time dad used my hand napkin to do this. I think some things just never change.

I swallowed in and let out a small breath as dad backed away from me but didn't let go of my hand. I always felt so face with him.

"You got this Lydia." He said just looking at my tiny hands as he held them tight.

"If you mess something up or you were not able to do something right. Don't immediately panic." This time he said directly looking right at me.

"Drink a little water." He told me not taking his eyes off of me.

"Take a deep breath in and let it out. Do that for some time until you calm yourself down and then start doing it again." He continued on while I just stared at him.

"Got it?." He asked me this time and I immediately nod my head, letting him know I completely understood what he just told me.

"I got it," I said as a small whisper came out of my mouth. But even though it was a small whisper I was more confident this time than I was before. I guess I really did need this talk, even though I didn't think I wanted it. Meeting new people, doing new things was always okay for me. I had no problem doing all of that one I am out in public. But the truth was I do get scared. I do get terrified of new things and people but at the same time, I am very good at hiding all of this inside of me. Only people who really know me knew all of this and more. And the fact that dad knows all of this really did make me feel bright all of a sudden. I was so happy he was here with me today and right now.

Slowly he let go of my hand and turn back around. Right on queue the driver too got back inside the car putting on his seat belt. And I immediately knew it was my queue to get out of here, now.

Never the less I was really very very delighted today. The smile on my face just kept on getting bigger and bigger by the second. So, I immediately open the door, take my phone and my bag and get out of the car closing the door right behind me.

Feeling more than amazing I make my way towards the building taking every step slowly but suddenly right there and then I immediately stop on my track and slowly turn back around to look at the car one more time. I could see my dad looking right in my direction. I was so surprised to see something. He actually had a small smile on his face. That was something I hadn't seen for a while now but was honestly more than happy to see it right now.

I gave him a small wave and he immediately waved back at me and pointed towards the door. I smiled at all of this and turned around to get my new life started.

And right about now, I was no longer as nervous, no longer on the edge or even in the state of panic. No. I knew I got this. I have most f*****g definitely got this.