Carter's Beloved

I Don't Wish You Were Dead Anymore

"You still remember him?" Daniels asks, shocked. Daniel has been in my life since the beginning, both of us remained wonderful friends throughout the years and when the time came of starting my company, he was the first employee I hired.

"Am I not supposed to remember the joyful moments from my past too?" I reply and continue opening the boxes which contain my clothes. The house I'll be staying in for 3 months is more like a mansion, with beige walls and silver chandeliers.

"I'll ignore that. I don't know, I lost touch with him a long time ago." He answers while putting books on shelves. I nod my head and go back to arranging my clothes.

-Some time later-

"I didn't expect it to be this big!" Daniel whisper-screams in awe. We arrived at the Winmor Headquarters a few moments ago and for the most of it, he was gushing over how massive it was.

"I can't believe you never let me come here!" He exclaims in distrust. I laugh and step inside the elevator. The multi-story building in the center of the city attracts a lot of attention from passersby and tourists.

"Your office will be on the 19th floor." I inform him and step out on the designs floor. Desks line the room with papers stacked on this season's newest designs. People rush in and out of the offices and whiteboards with mind maps occupy various parts of the room.

"Cool Jeremy Woods will meet you in ten." Daniel briefs me as the elevator door closes behind me.

I step into the office and already find Jeremy awaiting me. I smile at him and sit across from him. A bouquet of red roses are kept on my black polished table.

"How have you been? I haven't seen you in ages!" Jeremy shrieks and I laugh. His presence always comforts me. A slight breeze blows through the open windows.

"I've been well, however, why did you need to see me so urgently?" I ask curiously and reach for strawberries placed next to the bouquet. My office is lightly decorated with a bookshelf in the room's corner and my desk in the middle.

The glass wall separates me and the rest of the office. I look at Jeremy, who has a worried expression on his face. Something that wasn't there before. He's looking neat and crisp as always.

"I wanted to congratulate you on your company's success. But I also heard about what your father said. Are you going to work to inherit the family business or not?"

"Depends. Do I wish to see my Father's beloved company fall into smithereens, yes. Will any of my self-absorbed step siblings do that? No. So yes, I will work to inherit the company."

"Your mind amazes me, and how you think of those plans is beyond me. But you're my favorite niece, so I will support you." He smiles at me and for once, it makes me feel loved.

"Someone in this family who supports me!" I sarcastically and Jeremy laughs. In the back of my mind, his image appears, blurry at first but getting clearer by the second. I remember his familiar scent and behaviour, and before I can stop, a question tumbles out of my mouth.

"What happened to Arnamor Industries?" I ask suddenly, catching Jeremy off guard. He looks at me for a moment, processing the question in his mind and making sure he didn't hear it wrong.

"The company owned by Blaine Smith? The one which went bankrupt a long time ago?" He asks incredulously and I nod. Hearing his name out loud after a long time feels unusual and I tremble slightly.

"I never thought you'd ask me. It's been a long time since I recalled that name. 6 years ago, his company was charged for illegal funds and was found guilty. He had to sell all of his assets to arrange the bail money and went broke. This all happened after you left."

I nod and thank him for telling me. I follow him out and after he has left, make my way towards Daniel. He said he to speak to me urgently, better be worth it.

"What?" I ask coldly, walking inside his office without knocking. He's halfway through lunch and I wonder if he called me for food.

"Sit down, this is important." He orders and I roll my eyes. I'm the one in control, why am I getting ordered around?

"As you know, I've been employed in Winmor since the past 3 years, basically the start of this company and endured your rude temperament." I scoff because of his false allegations and impatiently tap my foot against the white marble floor.

"This is exactly what I'm talking about. I'm so sick and tired of you! I need a break." He says finally and I blink multiple times, showing my bewilderment. I never thought this day would come, I knew he hated my attitude, but he didn't have to go that far. I shake my head, pulling my thoughts together and face him.

"When? You must get yourself a replacement for the time you're away." I remind him. He points towards a stack of papers on the edge of his desk.

"These are all the people I have interviewed and found suitable for you. You must interview them for the ending round. Yes, I narrowed down 52 people." He rolls his eyes and continues to eat.

"I couldn't choose 2 because of your rough temperament. You can hire several backups just in case. Your first interviews in an hour." He makes a motion for me to go away, I walk out feeling pissed.

I don't have the time to interview 52 people. Why couldn't he just stay? I curse him in my head as I walk back to my enclosed office. The door is open and I notice someone sits across from my desk waiting patiently.

I strut inside and instantly feel his eyes on me. I sit in my chair and look up, our eyes meeting for the first time.

I instantly recognize his face and I feel my anxiety going above and beyond. After not seeing him for years, Carter sits in front of me waiting for me to interview him.