CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

*HENNA'S POV*

I was pained that Sophia had already resumed work at her company while I was still trying to figure out a way out for myself.

Just then, my Dad called me on the phone.

"Henna, you did not call to let me know how you settled in over at the Garners' residence."

"I am sorry, Dad, I got caught up in other things."

"I hope you are not in any way uncomfortable over there. If it is something you can not bear or handle, you can always come back home."

It felt like he wanted me to return home, but I was not going to give in to that.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that, Dad, there is a reason why I am here, remember?"

I pulled my things closer to myself and hoped to arrange them, but the call proved to be a distraction.

"Yes, yes, I remember dear...how is your sister by the way?"

"You did not hear about the latest news?"

"What is that?"

She was appointed back to her company, I am sure she is at work right now," I said with discontent.

"Reappointed? But that was not the whole purpose of all of this."

"Exactly, Dad, the whole point was to get back the family company first, but I guess she was never going to do that."

"Oh, Sophia, that had better not be the case."

"Dad... I still don't know why you find it hard to see that Sophia doesn't give two shits about us or the company…..it has always been about her own selfish interest and right now, she's not hiding it anymore"

"But…but"

There are no buts here, Dad, it is clear and obvious that she was never intending to get back our company's ownership rights from Bran, but not to worry, Dad, I will be sure to get the company rights and make you proud."

"Thank you so much, Henna. I am sorry that you have to do all of this when it was all my fault that I lost the company rights in the first place."

"You don't have to thank me, Dad, you and Sophia are my only family left, even though she doesn't seem to think the same."

"I will have to put a call through to her."

"Please don't tell her you heard anything from me, I would not like to make things worse between us."

"You have always been the one trying to mend the strain between you two."

"As the eldest, it is what I have to do for the good of the family."

"You have done well, Henna."

"Thank you Dad…..that aside, I have been thinking Dad"

"What is that?"

"Since I will be staying here to get the rights back, I would not want to burden you or them either, so I was thinking I could open my luxury bags store again."

"Your luxury bags store? You know how it turned out the last time you handled that business, Henna."

"I know, but this time it will be different and better, I have learned one or two things from my past mistakes."

"I am still worried."

"Dad, I am quite a known personality and influencer, and starting up a luxury bags store again should not be so hard for me. I am not a little child anymore, Dad, I can take care of it."

"Plus, Sophia is back at her company, so why can't I do the same?" I added.

"Well that is true…..if you say you can handle it, then that is fine"

"Thank you, Dad…. I am sorry, but I have got to run, I have a couple of things to sort out."

"Alright, dear."

My Dad hung up the call, and I quickly let out a deep sigh.

Having to come up with excuses and lies to my Dad each time we talk was beginning to get frustrating.

I knew I had to find a way to get things cleaned up and set up at the store, so I had to call Jenny, the one person I can call to help me take care of things, only when I need it.

She has always regarded herself as my close friend, but I don't feel the same way.

So I picked up my phone and dialled her number, thank goodness I still do.

"Jenny, Hi"

"Henna! I didn't think you would ever call me again, I assumed I had offended you, hence no calls from you all these while"

"Nice to hear from you too, Jenny, so I need you to do something for me, can you do that?"

"Oh, uhhm, yeah, what is it?"

"Okay, so I will be opening up my store again, and I need you to find a way to get things cleaned up over there and restock the store."

"You are opening your store again?"

"I believe I did not just speak Spanish, Jenny!"

I was getting all frustrated now with her slow understanding.

"I am sorry, I am just surprised you would want to open again after what happened the last time."

"That should not be any of your concern, Jenny….your concern should be about what I just told you to do!"

"Yes, yes, of course…..clean up the space and restock, right?"

"Urgggh, yes Jenny!"

"I am sorry…..what brands of bags would you like me to restock the store with?"

"Hmmm, for now, just mix up the different kinds of popular brands, start placing the orders."

"Okay, I will work on that….Do you have any suppliers in mind?"

"No, you're for a new supplier. Just call me when you have everything set so I can meet with them."

"Okay, sure."

I hung up, and finally, I can open up my things and arrange them where I want them.

*BRAN'S POV*

Pierre finally returned and brought me to the office after dropping Sophia at her company.

"How is she settling down?" I asked as we walked towards the elevator, and some staff greeted us.

"Good morning, Mr Bran."

I nodded and waved at some point until we got into the elevator.

"She seems to be doing okay with that, sir."

"Good, don't make it obvious, but try to keep your eyes on her."

"Yes, sir."

The elevator opened, and we walked into my office.

"What about the pharmaceutical guy? Any news?"

"Yes, sir, he sent over some contracts for us to sign for the buyout. I placed them on your desk."

I took my seat and went through the documents.

"He is supposed to send us a sample of the drugs he has been making for testing, right?" I asked, still going through the documents.

"Yes, sir, he is supposed to send them over today."

"When will the testing be held?

"I assumed you would choose a befitting day for that."

"Oh well, you do that and get back to me."

"Okay, sir, also, about Mr Brown's death."

"Did you find something off?"

"Kind of, I found out that your uncle, Tom, held a secret meeting with some of the board members."

"I suppose he was not expecting them to change their minds after being bribed by him."

"Very true, his secretary said he was really pissed and Mr Brown was the first to opt out of his scheme…..do you think he ended him because he chose to opt out sir?"

"Hm hm, it can't just be because he opted out, there must be something Mr Brown knows or has against my uncle that he was ready to silence him for it…..that, is what we have to figure out"

"I will work on that, sir."

Just then, my secretary knocked and came into the office.

"Sir, you have a call through the office line from a Miss Sophia," she said.

"Okay, thank you," I said and picked up the landline on my desk while the secretary exited my office.

"Why didn't you call my personal phone?" I asked.

"This is work-related, of course, I would have to call the office line."

"Sophia…"

"That is not why I called. How am I supposed to get the documents for the new design? Hems and Halo was supposed to launch to you?"

"Right, you called for work."

"Why else would I call?"

"I don't know, maybe to ask how I am?"

"How are you getting the documents for approval, Bran?"

"I'll send Pie... you know what? Why don't you bring them over?"

"Bring them over? To where?" she asked over the phone.

"Bring them over to my office, Sophia, that is the only place new designs launch and get approved," I said, trying to be in control.

I could sense that she was already getting frustrated, but I did not let that stop me from having her come all the way to my office.

"Fine, I will bring the documents over to your office."

"Would you want me to send Pierre over?"

"There won't be a need for that, I am sure I can find my way."

She said this and hung up the call.