Chapter 2. A Special Gift

2. A special gift

 "Papa!!! Where is my gift?" I huffed, feeling a mix of excitement and annoyance as my parents teased me about not having bought any gifts for my birthday.

"Suits you!!! You thought your Papa wouldn't bring any gift for you. So be it. I am not going to show you what I got." Dad feigned hurt, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Jade, stop troubling my baby and show her already what we have for her." Mom supported me, her voice filled with amusement.

"What's the fun in that, Lyn?" Dad winked at Mom, keeping up the suspense.

And just like that, I was blindfolded and led into our backyard. Without removing the blindfold, Dad handed me something that I could feel was the key to something special.

When the blindfold was finally taken off, I couldn't believe my eyes. Standing in front of me was a beautiful black Audi R8, my all-time favorite car. I had always been skeptical about asking for it, as I wanted to buy it with my hard-earned money.

But my parents had heard my unspoken wishes, and there it was, gleaming before me, with 'Iris' written in bold on the number plate, the endearing nickname my parents had always called me.

"Did you like it, Iris?" Dad asked, his eyes filled with anticipation.

I couldn't contain my happiness. I lunged forward and engulfed Dad in a tight hug, feeling overwhelming joy bubbling inside me.

"I loved it, Papa! Thank you, thank you. You're the best! I love you," I chimed, my voice filled with gratitude and excitement as I planted a kiss on his cheek.

"I love you too, my princess," he replied, his voice filled with affection as he kissed my forehead tenderly.

"Look who they are forgetting. Hey, I was the one who suggested the idea to get this as a birthday gift," Mom pouted playfully, pretending to feel left out.

"Come on, honey, nobody is forgetting you," Dad reassured her, a smile playing on his lips.

"But listen, you two. I would have rather bought this with my own money. You guys have spoiled me way too much," I expressed, feeling a twinge of guilt amidst my joy.

"Oh, come on. Who would we spoil if not for our only daughter?" They said it in unison, their voices filled with warmth and love.

 _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

 Every time I see their belongings, it stirs up a mix of emotions within me—feelings I wish I could avoid. Yet, paradoxically, these are also the moments I cherish the most. My parents left behind everything they owned, from my dad's chain of restaurants scattered across the city to my mom's renowned art gallery.

They bequeathed me fortunes that I can access once I turn 21, which is rapidly approaching. But what they didn't leave me with was their presence, the one thing I long for the most. They did everything for me and taught me everything, except how to live without them. And as for Mom, she didn't even bid me goodbye. How cruel life can be at times.

 If even one of them were alive, I could gather the strength to pick myself up and process everything slowly. However, they both departed simultaneously, leaving me entirely on my own. I didn't realize how long I stood there, weeping for the loss that engulfed my life. But I have to gather myself and leave for work.

After wiping away my tears and fixing my tear-streaked, makeup-smudged face, I step into my car and begin my journey to work. After all, this is what they always wanted—for me to succeed and be happy.

 That's my purpose now—to make them proud. And nothing can deter me from achieving that. There's no way I will stop. What else could possibly go wrong? I have nothing to lose.

 _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

As I stepped out of the car, I spotted Stacey standing at the entrance of the office, looking towards me.

"I wish I could get my hands on the beast behind you one day," she commented, casting a longing gaze at the car that I rarely had the chance to drive as a journalist. Despite the attention it would attract, I felt the urge to take it out today after keeping it idle for so long.

"You know, you can give it a try anytime. I wouldn't mind," I responded, offering her the opportunity.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I can't handle a bicycle to save my life," she chuckled, acknowledging her lack of driving skills.

"By the way, Mr. Finn is expecting you. He mentioned having something important to discuss," Stacey informed me, her tone conveying a sense of urgency. With that, I made my way inside the office, curious about what this grumpy old man had on his mind. His use of that particular tone usually indicated a matter of great significance.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

 "By the way, Mr. Finn is expecting you. He said he has something important to discuss," Stacey informed me, and I headed inside.

I entered the building and took the elevator to the twelfth floor. Mr. Finn's office was situated in the farthest corner of the floor, just before my cabin. It was the last office in the vast space.

Standing in front of his door, I gently knocked twice and heard a soft "come" from inside. I entered to find Mr. Finn seated at his desk, engrossed in some files. He had a grumpy, old demeanor that gave the impression of a strict boss, but I knew him differently.

Despite his outward demeanor, Mr. Finn treated me like a daughter. However, I had a feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. Nonetheless, it wasn't my place to pry into his personal affairs.

"Ahem. You asked for my presence, Mr. Finn," I said.

"Sabrina, yes. Please, take a seat," he gestured towards the empty chair in front of him.

After settling down, I turned to face him once again.

"So, how is the work going, Sabrina?" he inquired.

"All good, Mr. Finn. I've gathered some pictures related to the new task you assigned me," I replied.

"Good, good," he mumbled, lost in deep thought. It seemed like he was trying to come up with a new assignment for me.

"Mr. Finn, today I was supposed to report to the street rally, but you asked me to come here. Is everything alright?" I questioned, a hint of concern in my voice.

"Sabrina, you know I care for you like my own daughter, right?" he asked.

I nodded.

"And I truly appreciate all the hard work you've put into my firm. But this time, I can't be greedy and put your life at risk," he explained, his voice filled with a mixture of care and worry.

"I don't understand, Mr. Finn. Could you please be a little more clear?" I requested.

"Actually, Sabrina, your boldness and fearlessness have caused a lot of issues for you as well as this company," he admitted with an exasperated look.

"How so?" I questioned, trying to comprehend the implications.

"All the powerful individuals you've exposed as a reporter are taking a toll on my firm. It has reached a point where dissolution is likely," he said, his words heavy with concern.

"So, you're asking me to quit, aren't you?" I asked, a sense of disappointment creeping in.

"No, that's not what I'm asking for. Despite the casualties you've reported, which have put a target on your back, all I'm requesting is for you to take a break and resume after some time," he defended himself.

"Wouldn't that be a breach of the contract I signed? It clearly states that I can't quit until two years have passed, and it's only been one year and three months, give or take. I don't see a solution out of this," I paused, voicing my concerns.

"That matter has been taken care of. You can continue working this month, and by the end of it, you'll be on paid leave. In the meantime, we'll search for a place that will provide you with similar benefits and compensation," Mr. Finnexplained, trying to assure me of a way forward.

"I can work with that, but I'll be staying here, right? I can't leave Chicago," I said, my expression filled with disappointment.

"Well, that's the thing. You can continue your work, but not here," he replied."As you know, we have our firm in Manhattan, and we can place you there."

I muttered under my breath, "I guess I don't have much of a choice here."

Lost in my thoughts, I was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Finn's assistant. She informed him that there was someone on the phone who wanted to speak to him.

"Excuse me for a moment, Sabrina. Let's see if we can find a way out of this," he said. I nodded, feeling disheartened, and left his office.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Third Person's POV

As Sabrina left the office, Mr. Finn answered his phone call, his voice filled with excitement.

"Is the job done?" the person on the other end of the line asked.

"Yes, everything went according to plan. She'll be leaving very soon, and your path is clear," Mr. Finn replied.

"Your payment will be delivered shortly."

"You won't harm my firm now, right?"

"As long as she stays away, your firm is safe."

"Thank you. I'll make sure to arrange a new place for her," Mr. Finn assured.

Unbeknownst to Sabrina, Mr. Finn had orchestrated her downfall for his own greed. She left the place, completely unaware of his true intentions, and began contemplating how she would spend her free time. With this month coming to an end, she had plenty of time on her hands.

Little did she know, Sabrina never imagined that the person she once regarded as a father figure would be involved in her downfall.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _