Cressida was only three years older than Kevin. Her dad had brought him home and introduced him to her as her brother.

She had asked her mother if the little boy was her son, but she had shaken her head. Her mum was already sick then.

Every night, after lulling her to sleep, she would weep silently thinking she was actually asleep.

She was little, but she knew it had something to do with the boy who had just entered the family.

From then on, she didn't like him. In fact, she hated him.

Then two years later, her mother died. Her dad brought in another woman, Diana, calling her Cressida's new mum.

She remembered locking herself up in the room to cry. No one came to check if she was okay.

When she became a few years older, it finally made sense.

Her dad had cheated, producing Kevin, hence the reason for her mother's silent sobs every night and as if he was waiting for his wife to die, he brought in another woman only a few days to her death.

Her father was very awful to her mum when she was still alive. He treated her badly.

He could go days without speaking to her. Sometimes, he won't come home very late and Cressida and her mother will still be up waiting for him and when he arrives, he would not acknowledge them and would head directly into his bedroom then she would turn her face around to cry.

This only solidified Cressida's hate, adding her father to the list. If it hadn't been for Kevin, Gavin for sure would have succeeded. He had helped her on two occasions now

She jolted up, a little upset. She could not get any sleep. Only thought of Kevin saving her and knowing what Gavin did to her clouded her mind.

She opened her laptop and began to look for a workspace. She had to start showcasing and selling her painting. She had saved enough from her part-time job in California to get herself a place and workspace.

She wasn't going to ask her father for money. Hell no!

She eventually found an apartment she loved and immediately moved in. She breathe in the air of her new house. She was finally on her own.

Her doorbell rang. Amy rushed in with a bottle of wine, raising it like a trophy.

"You didn't have to"

"No worries" she went to the kitchen and returned with two glass cups. "Your dream has finally come true" she raised her glass. "Cheers to that" they clinked their glasses.

"I found a place for my gallery. I'll have it remodeled then have the opening, but before that, I need investors.

Amy nodded.

"Do you have anyone in mind?"

"I do. Sinclair group"

"What?"

"You think I can't achieve it?"

"I do trust in you and your capabilities, but don't you think Sinclair group is a bit far-fetched. I applied there a long time ago even though I know the possibility of me getting the job was close to impossible, and I was right. Their CEO barely appears in public, and the possibility of meeting him is very low. About 5%"

"Then there's still hope. I really want to give this a try. If I succeed and people find out the almighty Sinclair group is funding me, many other investors will come to me begging to pick them"

"You are right. Have you made any plans?"

She became visibly down. "I've sent several emails to the company but not a single reply"

"What don't you ask your dad for help?"

"You know I can't. Besides, Sinclair group is way out of his reach. They are leagues apart"

*********

At Sinclair group, Cedric had just left the meeting room with his secretary by his side.

"Sir, I've been getting these emails. I thought I should show you" he stretched the tablet to him, but he didn't accept it.

"Is it someone I know?"

"Then don't bring it to me" He probably thought about it again. "What is it about?"

"She's asking to be funded. She has a gallery"

"A she?"

"Yes sir. The name here says Cressida Jones" he stopped and took the tablet from him. It was her name, truly and the thing about her gallery assured him it was her.

"Tell her to come tomorrow morning by 9:00 for her presentation"

"Yes sir"

*********

Cressida screamed when she received the message.

"They want me to come tomorrow for a presentation. Oh my God! I cannot believe this. I need to get to work immediately"

Amy stayed as Cressida practiced her speech, pointing out her mistakes. None of the realize it had gotten dark until Cressida glanced at her phone screen.

"9pm! I've kept you for too long. You should get going now"

Cressida escorted her to the main entrance, making sure she got a cab.

"Thank you for today, Amy"

"Good luck on your presentation. You can do this!" She cheered her on.

They did a fist bump and the car drove away.

She woke up at exactly seven in the morning. Did her morning routine and wore the cloth she had prepared the night before.

The cab dropped her in front of her destination.

Sinclair group headquarters was located in the heart of the city. A massive, exemplary skyscraper that displayed power and wealth. She had no idea how many floors it had. Probably a hundred or a hundred and fifty, or even more than that.

She went to the receptionist.

"Hello. Welcome to Sinclair group! How may I help you?"

"I would like to meet the CEO"

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Yes. I was asked to come today"

She showed her the email she had received.

The receptionist called the secretary's office to confirm before granting her approval to go to the top floor.

By the time she got to the 57th floor, she was a nervous wreck. She still had to get to the 200th floor.

When the elevator opened at the top floor, a young man was waiting for her.

"Miss Jones?"

"Yes? That's me"

"Welcome. Please follow me"

After walking for about two minutes, they finally arrived at the CEO's office"

"You can go in"

She sighed deeply. She had waited for this moment, and she could not let nervousness destroy it.

She knocked thrice and entered. The first thing that caught her eyes was the huge glass desk that could comfortably fit six people.

The CEO was seated at his desk was, his back facing her. He head was thrown back. She wondered if he was asleep or not.

"Hello sir. My name is Cressida Jones. I—"

He rolled his chair till he was facing her. She found herself unable to look away from him. He looked very familiar.

"Am I so charming that even Miss Jones can't take her eyes off me?"

That voice.........

"You? You are the CEO?" She asked, her eyes wide.

Given her surprise, she must have forgotten she had met a few days before.

He stood up. "I'm Cedric Sinclair, CEO of Sinclair group" he stretched out his hands to her. She shook hands with him, still unable to believe it.

"Are you ready for your presentation?".

"Yes"

"Follow me"

She followed him to the mini conference room, which was not so mini. If it was this big, then how big was the main conference room. She could only imagine it in her head.

She started her speech which went on for thirty minutes and presented a brief video of her present artworks. He asked a few questions, which she answered pretty well.

He stood up.

"That will be all. My secretary will get back to you"

She didn't know if that was good or bad. Whatever the results were, at least she knew she gave it her best.

She packed up her stuff and left the room, but there was another problem. She didn't know the way to the elevator. Cedric's secretary found her while she was working in circles and escorted her to the elevator.

She got to the entrance and a car block her. She peered into the window and saw Cedric.

"Get in"

"What for?"

"Just get in"

She hopped into the car. "I'm sorry if I sounded rude and unprofessional earlier in your office"

"You have nothing to worry about"

"Are you going to give me a ride?"

"Yes. I also wanted us to catch up on lost times"

"We only met once"

"But I left quite an impression, didn't I?"

"I forgot about you after you left abruptly that night"

"That night, I lost my dad. He was shot by a sniper. I had to rush to the hospital, but he died even before I got there"

"I'm sorry. I didn't know. Did you find the killer?"

No. It was as if he disappeared into thin air"

"I did not know you were his son. You lied to me. You said you work for him. I thought you were one of his secretary or something like that"

He frowned. "Technically I worked for him"

"You could have just told me the truth"

"I commend your ability to jump into conclusions"

The car stopped, and she realized he had stopped in front of her father's house.

"How did you know this was my house?" She questioned, a puzzled look on her face.