Chapter 1
Kyra POV
BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP!
I groaned as I turned over in my bed, the darn alarm blaring angrily at me, disturbing my dreams.
BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP!
I didn't want to get up. Maybe if I ignored it, it would stop on its own...
BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP!
"KYRA! IF YOU DON'T SHUT THAT OFF, I'LL COME IN THERE AND THROW SOMETHING AT YOU!" My sister's sweet tones raged from down the hall.
I sighed, sat up, and turned off the alarm. I really didn't want to go to work today. Not only was the board meeting happening, which meant I had to deal with Damien, but my sister, Becca, was probably going to fight me on going to school this morning.
I got up and headed to the bathroom, checking my reflection in the mirror, I scrunched my nose in irritation. My wavy black hair was a tangled rat's nest on top of my head, my face looked a bit pale under the fluorescent lights but that was normal, my blue eyes were dull with sleep and I had some dark circles under them due to not getting to bed until midnight last night.
I yawned and began to brush my teeth, then headed to my closet to pick out my suit for the day. I always wore business attire at the company. Becca always moaned at my outfit choice for the day, always saying that I should "Glam Up" my choices since I always looked stuffy. I didn't care to glam up as most of the people in the office looked down on me anyway.
Our parents passed away in a car accident two years ago, I was still in high school at the time, but due to the sudden accident and the fate of the company and estate in the balance, I was allowed to graduate early and start learning to become CEO. My parents will stipulated that I, as the oldest, had to graduate high school before becoming head of the company, my sister Becca, still had a couple of years left. Much to her annoyance.
I grabbed my slate gray jacket and skirt with a white blouse and walked out of the closet to find my younger sister perched on my bed with an innocent smile on her face. I rolled my eyes as I placed my clothes down and began to get dressed. "What do you want, Becca?"
Becca looked at me, trying to give me her most winning smile, the one that used to work on Mom and Dad constantly when she wanted something. "Since today's the board meeting, I was wondering if I could come along, you know, learn the ropes of the company." she stated
"Uh-huh, and what about school?"
She made a sound and waved her hand trying to dismiss the thought from the room, "School will still be there on Monday, and I won't be missing anything important--" she was cut off as our housekeeper, Mrs. Davis walked in, pushing a cart loaded with breakfast items.
Mrs. Davis had been our housekeeper since before we were born, a motherly woman, with gray curly hair tied in a messy bun and kind brown eyes, most of the time, and no nonsense when she had to be. She insisted on taking care of us after our parents passed away even though it was almost time for her to retire. She straightened up after setting two plates of eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns on the nearby table, complete with orange juice and milk. Then, she turned and looked at my sister sternly.
"Rebecca Addison! I told you not to bother your sister about going to the company today. You have that big geography test today, and I know you were on your phone texting instead of studying last night. Now let Kyra finish getting ready, and you get ready for school. You are going to be late!" she lectured. Becca's green eyes flashed angrily before trying to turn her sweet smile on me again, but I held up my hand as I headed to the bathroom.
"No, Becca, you know the rules. You have to graduate first before doing anything with the company." I said, heading off her comments before she could argue.
"But Kyra, I wanted to hear about the ball so I could get a new dress -"
"You have tons of dresses in your closet and don't need a new one, and what ball are you talking about?" I asked as I put on my mascara and eyeliner.
I could hear her scoff, "You know, the annual ball celebrating the success of the Windmere company and those dresses are from last year and month, I need a new one to look like the Addison heir that I am. I need to look good." she practically whined at me as Mrs. Davis left the room with the cart. I rolled my eyes, Becca always thought the company would go to her instead of me no matter how many times our parents and myself told her otherwise.
"And you can look good in one of the dresses you already have. The boys would notice you in a potato sack. That doesn't mean you can skip school. And isn't geography one of the classes you are currently failing?" I asked. She hunched her shoulders, hiding her face behind her straight black hair, but I knew she was pouting. She hated that I wouldn't give in to her.
"Fine!" she raised her voice and stomped her foot like a three year old before slamming my bedroom door and stomping down the hall to her room. I sighed, knowing she was going to pout the entire way to school.
I put my black pumps on and sat down and began to eat, checking my phone for any updates about the meeting or the planning of the ball. I couldn't believe I forgot about it. My parents threw the ball every year to celebrate the accomplishment of our various businesses and hotels and to thank the staff profusely for helping the company to be successful. As CEO, I was my job to make sure it went off without a hitch, and I completely forgot about it!
As I scrolled through my phone looking for messages, Becca slammed her way back into my room since it was just the two of us we ate our meals in here instead of the dining room. Becca didn't want crumbs in her room, and I didn't mind sharing my space. She flopped down in her seat, nearly spilling the plate on her lap, and began to pick at her food. I looked up at her frowning. She was ready, wearing her black school jacket over her cream colored blouse and plaid skirt, her black Mary Jane's on her feet. Her hair was crimped, her makeup flawless though she wore more than I did, and her backpack was at her feet.
I sighed and placed my phone down, "Becca, you know you can't skip school. I promise to tell you all about the meeting when I get home, but for now, you need to focus on your grades and graduation. Leave the company business to me until you are ready to help." I said quietly. Becca's head shot up, and she glared at me, anger blazing in her emerald eyes, "Help?!?! Did you just say help, Kyra?! I will NOT be helping you run the company. I will be IN CHARGE of it when I graduate. You are just my placeholder until I'm able to take my rightful place. Do not forget that. I don't need your charity." she spat at me.
A growl rumbled from my chest, but I didn't pay it any mind. My blood was boiling. Here was my younger sister, the girl I have been providing for, helping with homework, taking care of since our parents died, lashing out at me because I wouldn't let her have the latest scoop on the upcoming ball.
Becca shrunk back a bit at my growl but continued to glare, "Listen here, Becca, I don't care what you want. I will not be disrespected by my sister just because she wants to act like a five year old. I have already stated that I will give you the news about the ball when I get home. Now, grab your things and head to the car. Mrs. Davis will be here to help with your homework, and she will call if you need anything. But let's get one thing straight, you are not the heir apparent. I am the one in charge of the company for now, and I will gladly share the responsibility with you when you are ready. But that day is not today. Have a good day at school." I said through clenched teeth.
I stood up swiftly and grabbed my purse by the door, Mrs. Davis stood just outside, shaking her head solemnly, "I always wondered when that girl would snap. Seems she's finally shown her true colors." she said softly as I closed the door behind me. I sighed, knowing I should defend Becca, but I had seen her facade slipping for a while now. She always played the perfect angel in public and in front of our parents but showed her spoiled, selfish side whenever we were alone.
"You'll make sure she gets to school?" I asked.
"And that she stays the whole day. Don't worry, just go to your meeting and about your day. I'll handle Ms. Addison." Mrs. Davis said sternly, and I knew Becca was in for a hard day.
I smiled and let some of the tension go in my shoulders as I put my lip gloss on. I walked towards the front door and climbed in the awaiting car, hoping my day was going to be better than my sister's.
How I wished I knew how wrong I was...