I Died For You

Richard sat in his office, analyzing various dashboards displaying stock market data and city maps.

As he focused on the metrics, his secretary interrupted, "Sir, the Madam is here."

Startled, Richard turned to see Rachel entering his office. He expected tension after their recent disagreements.

"I thought you wouldn't want to see me," Richard admitted, surprised by her presence.

"Why would I do that?" Rachel replied calmly, approaching him and embracing him unexpectedly.

Richard hesitated for a moment but then reciprocated the hug, unsure of her intentions.

Rachel pulled back slightly, holding a file in her hand.

'oh, so that's why she's here. She needs something,' Richard thought, feeling sad at that.

"I went to see my parents last night. Mom taught me how to make this," she said, offering him a homemade snack. "You should try it."

Richard, touched by her gesture, took a bite, noticing it was a bit salty but appreciated the effort.

"Is it good?" Rachel asked eagerly.

Richard continued eating, not wanting to disappoint her. "It's great," he said with a smile, taking another bite.

Rachel noticed his reaction. "I know it's a bit salty. I didn't have much time this morning. This was the best I could manage," she admitted, looking a bit embarrassed.

"No, it's really good and tasty," he lied yet again, eating the food like he didn't just wish she never brought it.

"Then let me have a bite," Rachel said, trying to go close but Richard moved back.

"I'd have it alone."

Rachel sighed. This was the Richard she always knew. Always making sacrifices to make her happy even when she wasn't his. "I'm sorry it's not too good."

Richard nodded understandingly. "Thank you for making the effort," he said sincerely.

Rachel then changed the subject, showing him the file containing her parents' signatures, altered to fake Derek's threat.

"How can we use this against Derek?" she asked, shifting her focus.

Richard felt conflicted. He was glad she trusted him with this, yet concerned about using it against his nephew. "Why are you doing this, Rachel?" he asked gently.

Rachel hesitated, avoiding a direct answer, and glanced around at the statistics boards and maps on the walls.

"What are you working on?" she asked, trying to change the topic.

Richard sighed inwardly, realizing she was avoiding the question. "Just analyzing some data," he replied vaguely, feeling the weight of their complex relationship and the challenges ahead.

Richard looked at Rachel, his expression conflicted, perhaps hiding his own reluctance to open up completely.

Rachel sensed his hesitation and decided to be honest.

"The reason I'm doing this, Richard, is because I want revenge," Rachel confessed, her voice tinged with determination.

Richard paused, processing her words.

He couldn't fathom why she would seek revenge on someone she had admired and had a crush on for over a year. Yet, he didn't press further, sensing her reluctance to elaborate.

Rachel, on her part, struggled with whether to reveal the truth—that she was seeking justice for her past, that she had been wronged and now sought retribution.

Would Richard understand? Would he accept her darker motives, or would he recoil, thinking her vengeful or unstable talking about rebirth?

Silence hung between them, thick with unspoken words and unshared truths. Before Rachel could respond, Richard broke the silence.

"Do you remember that you asked me how much I love you?" Richard said softly. "Well, I love you enough to the extent I died for you."

Rachel was taken aback by his heartfelt confession, speechless at his words. Wait, what?!

Before she could process it all, Richard's secretary interrupted, announcing it was time for Richard's scheduled movement.

"It's time," the secretary said, breaking the moment.

Richard adjusted his suit, gently kissed Rachel's hair, and left the room without looking back.

Rachel stood there, stunned by his declaration, contemplating the weight of his words and the depth of his feelings.

He loved me to the extent he died? Not he would die but rather he died for me?

####

As Richard walked briskly through the hallway, his secretary, Mr. Thompson, followed closely behind, clutching a thick folder and speaking rapidly.

"Sir, we have the details for today's meeting with Mr. Leo Johnstone. He's waiting for you at the airport lounge in New York. He's known for his punctuality, so we need to ensure we're on time,"

Mr. Thompson began, flipping through pages of notes and glancing at his watch.

Richard nodded, his mind partially focused on Rachel's confession moments ago about revenge. It sounded so… familiar.

Despite his distraction, he maintained a professional demeanor. "Got it."

"He prefers direct communication and appreciates concise updates," Mr. Thompson continued, adjusting his glasses as he scanned through the briefing papers.

"He's particularly interested in our recent acquisitions in the tech sector and expects a detailed report on our upcoming ventures."

Richard nodded again, his thoughts drifting momentarily. "Understood."

"And don't forget, sir, he's also a connoisseur of fine art," Mr. Thompson added, rifling through a separate file labeled 'Personal Preferences'.

"He's expressed interest in discussing potential investments in contemporary art."

"Alright," Richard replied, his tone slightly absent as he mentally prepared for the upcoming meeting.

"He's scheduled to arrive at the private terminal at JFK in approximately two hours. We'll need to ensure everything is set for his arrival," Mr. Thompson continued, his voice quickening with the urgency of the preparations.

Richard glanced at his watch, calculating the time. "Okay."

"If there are any last-minute changes or updates, I'll inform you immediately," Mr. Thompson assured him, finally closing the folder and tucking it under his arm.

"Thank you, Mr. Thompson," Richard said, finally stopping at his office door.

"You go back and make sure to oversee the affairs of the house. Check on Grandpa, look after Brother Floyd, take care of Madam, and keep me informed of any developments. If that kid, Derek is causing trouble, handle it."

Mr. Thompson nodded briskly. "Yes, sir. I'll ensure everything runs smoothly here. And please take care of yourself Sir, come back before midnight, please."