Chapter two

Iyo's car screeched to a halt at the hospital parking lot, and her heart was filled with the worst thoughts.

As the car pulled up at the hospital parking lot, Johnson, her driver, came out and reached for the car handle, but Iyo was already moving, opening the door and rushing out before he could react.

“I'll be fine, Johnson; just wait for me outside.”

She said, not looking back as she rushed into the hospital.

She pushed through the automatic doors. Her feet pounded the very polished floor, echoing off the walls as she sprinted towards the reception desk.

Each step felt heavier.

The hospital antiseptic smell enveloped her like a shroud, but she barely noticed as she walked with so much rigor.

As she arrived at the reception desk, Iyo's palms grew sweaty.

“Iyo…” her mother's voice broke out, calling her before she could utter a word to the receptionist.

Her eyes landed on Matilda, her mother, who was hurrying towards her, and from the distance, she saw the panic all over her.

Her eyes were red-rimmed from crying; Iyo's anxiety spiked as she quickened her pace, meeting Matilda halfway.

“Mom…”

Iyo exclaimed as her hands went forth, reaching out for a grasp from her mom. Matilda's hands wrapped tightly around her, offering a fleeting sense of comfort.

“Oh, baby,” Matilda whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. They froze for a bit, soaking in all the emotions.

“Mom, please tell me what is really going on. Is it true?” Iyo pleaded as her emotions were beginning to well up.

Matilda's face contorted, and she tried to speak, but her voice cracked under the weight of her emotions. She shook her head, her mascara already washed up, and her body began to shake as she broke down in tears again, her sobs racking the frame and echoing through the hall.

Iyo's eyes widened in terror again, and she pulled Matilda into a tight hug again, trying to offer a fleeting comfort.

As she released her, Iyo looked straight into her eyes, already breaking down in fear.

“Mom, please stop crying; you are scaring me, and I have already been through a lot today.” Her voice was mixed with fear and helplessness.

But Matilda's sobs intensified, and she buried her face in Iyo's shoulders, her body shivering with anguish.

Iyo's eyes welled up in tears, as the realization felt like a punch to her guts.

“So it's true? Mom, please tell me it's not true.” Her voice came out in a calm tone. Matilda's sob slowed, and she nodded, but her body was still shaking with grief.

It hit her like a ton of bricks, her breath catching in her throat.

“Dad…?”

She whispered, her voice trembling, and her palms became more sweaty.

Matilda's nod was almost unseen, but Iyo saw the devastation in her eyes.

“He's...He's gone, baby.” Matilda whispered, her voice so cracked from crying, "Your father is dead."

The words hung in the air, and Iyo felt the world crumbling around her; she felt numb, disbelieving, and utterly lost.

…………….

Iyo sat alone in a dimly lit hospital room after crying upon her dead father's chest.

Her eyes, red and puffy from crying, stared blankly at the floor. Her makeup, once perfectly applied, was now smeared and washed away, revealing the raw emotions etched on her face.

Tears had streaked her cheek, and her eyeliner had smudged, giving her pain an expression.

Her curly black hair was loose and rough, but she didn't bother tying it back, letting it fall around her face like a curtain of grief.

Her mind was still reeling with memories of her father and how much she loved him. She couldn't process the fact that he was really gone.

As she sat there, she felt a numbness spreading through her body, like she was disconnecting from reality.

Her eyes drifted to her hands, which lay limp on her lap. They felt cold and empty without her father's warm touch.

Then Maya stepped into the room; she is Iyo's best friend, who came to the hospital as soon as she heard the news.

Her eyes locked onto Iyo's distraught figure; she felt a pang of pain seeing her best friend in such condition.

Iyo, usually so strong and resilient, was now broken. After hearing of her father's death, she knew just words wouldn't be enough to ease her friend's pain.

Maya paused, her mind racing with what to say and what to do. She didn't want to intrude on Iyo's pain, but she couldn't stand there doing nothing.

She took a deep breath, her eyes never losing Iyo's face, and slowly walked closer, her footsteps quiet on the floor.

As she approached Iyo, Maya's expression softened, her eyes filled with empathy. She gently sat down beside Iyo, her presence a comforting silence.

“Maya, you don't have to say anything to try and comfort me. I'll be fine.” Iyo said in a calm tone.

But Maya could see the pain written all over Iyo's face.

Maya gently wrapped her arms around Iyo, pulling her into a warm hug. Iyo didn't resist; instead, she leaned into the embrace.

"I am sorry this happened, but I am here for you if it makes you feel better," Maya said as she held her tighter.

As they hugged and emotions increased, Iyo's voice muffled against Maya's shoulder, she asked.

“How did you hear about… about my father's death?”

Maya's voice was so soft and gentle.

“It was all over the news. They were talking about Asher Richmond, the billionaire and business icon, dying in a car accident. I couldn't believe it when I heard. I had to come and see you, make sure you're okay.”

Iyo's body tensed slightly at the mention of her father's public persona, and Maya could feel her pain and grief radiating through her body.

But then, Iyo's tears and somber moments suddenly gave way to fierce determination in her eyes. Her voice, still shaking with emotions, became resolute and sharp as she spoke.

“My father did not die in an accident,” Iyo said, her words barely above a whisper.

“They set him up. Someone killed him.”

Maya's expression changed from one of comfort to one of doubt and surprise. Her eyebrows furrowed as she asked.

“Iyo, what are you talking about? The news said it was a car accident. Are you sure…?”

Iyo's gaze locked onto Maya's, her eyes like a pool of conviction burning with grit.

Maya's words trailed off as she saw the intensity in Iyo's eyes.

“Maya, my father had a lot of enemies.” Iyo said, her voice low and even.

“They want his empire, his power, and his influence. And they killed him to get it; I don't know who… But it’s only a matter of time,” Iyo's words dripped with venom.

“They won't succeed; I won't let them.” Iyo continued with no doubt in her quiver.

“I am going to take over my father's empire, because that's just the power I need.”

Iyo's lips curled into a wicked smile, and Maya saw a look in her eyes she had never seen before.

It was like the fun-loving Iyo, whom she knew, had seemed to turn into a revenge-seeking, power-driven person.

“Iyo, what about your mom? Matilda is the rightful heir next to your dad. She must have a say in all this.”

Iyo's expression changed, a hint of complexity etched. “My mom… she's not in the right position to take over right now.”

The mood shifted as Maya's expression transformed into concern and fear. She took a step closer to Iyo, enveloping her in a tight hug.

“Iyo, be careful, okay?” Maya whispered, her voice trembling with concern.

With a cold nod, Iyo walked away, leaving Maya in the room.