Queen of Cuisine (2)

Four days later.

The rhythmic clapping of papers and the scratching of a pen settled across the high-end room. Locked in by the four corners of the walls, a deafening silence threatened to be subdued as the only breathing noise came from the activity being done on the study table.

Occupying the chair behind the desk, Sirena beheld the caliber of a few piles of files disseminated around her usual tidily arrayed table. As expected, a look of irritation promptly settled on her features. She had been on the verge of taking a much-needed break from the weight of her company's trivial matters, which had burdened her for over a week when her secretary barged into the room, disruptively.

Lady Chloe was dressed in professional business attire and wore a handkerchief tied as a headscarf around her neck. She hadn't sauntered in empty-handed as her hands were occupied with a weathered newspaper that seemed to be of great importance. With just a look, a third person could read the fretful expression etched on her face. She took long, measured strides, quietly breathing in and out, contemplating how her boss would react to the breaking news.

"Must be hard to follow directives!" Sirena spat at the woman while shooting her a glare. During her designated study time, she detested being interrupted by strangers and strictly forbade anyone from disturbing her, regardless of the nature of the problem. It made her sick, especially coming from a germaphobe. 

Sirena turned her head to look at Lady Chloe and noticed the worried expression etched on her face. The sudden tension caused her chest to tighten, and when she caught a glimpse of the newspaper with its bold Times New Roman font, her previously relaxed expression instantly became serious. Sirena scanned through the first page of the newspaper, her eyes scrutinizing the headlines for any concerning news.

'Queen of Cuisine, allegedly murdered her unborn baby for fame?'

"Haters are always going to hate, there's no avoiding it," Sirena snapped, clearly in no mood to entertain the insignificant words on the piece of paper. "They must have a pretty mundane life to waste their time publishing this useless fantasy of theirs!! It's all in the past now. Can't you just throw it away and move on?" Sirena abruptly pushed the unattended files on the desk aside, her irritation evident, and the pain in her head, neck, and shoulders intensifying. She had run out of her medication and was starting to feel both miserable and restless.

Cheap news as that was insignificant in her line of career. It had become a second nature to her. Nothing short of that.

Chloe tightly gripped the edges of the newspaper. She was frankly aware of the words that could eventually trigger the mind of the woman before her. Scared of those thoughts, she attempted to swallow her next words from a severe disaster, yet her mouth couldn't hold them back and she announced evenly. 

"The matriarch has issued a command that you must consent to the proposal. If you do not comply, she will take a significant share of the company's profits and assets through dividends. She may even give kickbacks to other influential shareholders who will be instrumental in the company's future launch."

'Kreative Kitchen' was Sirena's pride and joy - her home. The matriarch had always been hostile towards the company and had sabotaged it by spreading negative news due to Sirena's rebellious nature of wanting to take after her mother's unconventional traits. Recently, the company experienced a significant drop in profits because of poor sales, but Sirena's sharp negotiating skills helped her secure a third of shareholders who believed in her future. Yet her mother was still bent on ruining it.

That was disheartening.

Reopening a once-healed wound was a callous act, and yet the matriarch seemed unfazed by the impact her actions had on her daughter's life. Her indifference was not just limited to her immediate family but extended to distant relatives as well. Her cut-throat nature was well-known to those around her.

Unlike Sirena, Chloe was not from a neglectful household. However, having been Sirena's cousin and employee for two decades, she had witnessed her highs and lows and understood the pain that Sirena felt. Despite being a Calantha herself originally, her family had been disowned and separated from the rest due to the issues and tensions that arose between the matriarch and her mother. It was one thing to not exhibit emotions, but it was another thing to yearn for the ability to feel and empathize with others, just like any other human.

"The matriarch's decision has been made, and I will have to follow through with it. Please hand-deliver my letter of acceptance, and make sure to submerge it in the lavender musk that she adores. However, please ensure that you do check for any allergies beforehand, as we wouldn't want to harm the Lordship in any way, do we now?" Sirena spoke with a mix of sarcasm and confidence, leaning back in her chair, with her legs casually crossed over each other.

Chloe felt a sudden wave of panic wash over her as she remembered the rumors circulating, about the loss of Sirena's unborn child, causing a commotion in the country. She knew that if she didn't handle the situation carefully, things could spiral out of control quickly. She couldn't bear the thought of Sirena going through what she had to endure in the past. Chloe didn't dare to recollect the old days and the consistent torture and agony that came hand-in-hand with it. That suffocating lifestyle.

Maybe, following the invitation, Sirena could interact with a few humans aside from herself. It would be a daunting challenge, but it might be worth a try. After being isolated for so long, it could be beneficial to her mental well-being to interact with others and broaden her social circle.

"Am I missing anything else?" Sirena arched her eyebrows skeptically, trying to recall any other details she may have missed. However, Chloe's sudden cough interrupted her train of thought, bringing her back to reality. 

"I'm glad you've accepted the proposal after seven years. I feel like a proud mother satisfied with her child." Chloe formed a line on her lips as if showing Sirena, the proper way to craft a smile. However, Sirena took it to heart and squeezed the creases on her forehead even more in bitterness and out of spite, ran her gloved hands toward one of her files, and took no time to send it flying to Chloe's way.

"You are ugly!" was Sirena's straightforward remark. 

"If that's what you think, then I apologize," Chloe said with a slightly nervous laugh. As Sirena gave her a frustrated look, Chloe quickly made her way out of the room, closing the door behind her to give Sirena some space to continue her work. Immediately as she walked away, her smile faltered, and a heavy pressure built up in her chest, making it difficult for her to catch her breath.

---

The thick and oppressive heat of a Sunday evening in the middle of summer hung heavily in the air as a ceremonious event took place on a large yacht situated in the heart of the ocean, a considerable distance away from the marina.

All of the prominent elites with a royal heritage had already arrived and were settling into the main hall, ready for the celebratory gathering hosted by the Calantha family. The Calanthas had kept a tradition alive for generations, with a seal known as the 'veil of heirloom' being passed down through each family member. The yacht they were on at that moment was one of the veils, and it was an honor to be invited to an event involving such a treasured and historical object.

The Calantha's yacht was one of their biggest inventions and sparked envy and jealousy among their peers. Unfortunately, the designs and sketches for this particular heirloom were stolen, which dealt a massive blow to the family's reputation. It was in this situation that Matriarch Daria stepped up and worked tirelessly to restore the family's good name. With sleepless nights and undeterred hard work, she was able to redeem the Calantha family after years of watching their name go down the drain.

The night grew deeper, as the breeze rustled by. 

Standing on the large swim platform of the yacht was a slender silhouette, weighing approximately forty-six kilograms and standing at around 178cm in height. The figure was holding a glass of water, engaged in a staring match with the ocean before her. Her eyes seemed somewhat lifeless, but her beauty said another.

The figure's hair was messily tied up in a bun, with random strands cascading down her neck. Her pale, porcelain skin glimmered in the moonlight, reflecting elegantly on the surface of the ocean beneath her feet. The ocean seemed to be mirroring the beauty of her exposed shoulders, creating a breathtaking visual display.

For her, the night was as calm as the gentle fluttering of a dove's wings. It offered solace for her troubled mind.

Sirena's gaze remained fixed on the ocean, as though there was some sort of deep connection between the two. She was supposed to be with her family, celebrating the triumph of the matriarch's achievements, but her heart was cold and numb. Finding solace in the stillness of the night, she had managed to slip away from the hall to clear her mind.

It wasn't often that Sirena felt this way, but the stresses and expectations of the high society she belonged to weighed heavily on her. Being born into a family of prestige was a blessing, but it often came with a price. The pressure to be perfect and meet certain standards always seemed to loom over her head. As she stood on the yacht, gazing out at the ocean, it was a rare moment of peace she didn't want to let go of.

"Ah! You must have patiently awaited my return. Good girl. Come, let me engulf you with my warmth."

"I apologize for the delay, my love." an unconventional masculine voice purred from behind.

In a split second, Sirena felt a sharp tug as a thick hand yanked her by the waist, and before she knew it, she was thrown away, submerging into the ocean with the person.