Chapter 18 - Chapter 17

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((( ZHIO )))

A knock rapped on my door.

"Come in."

It was Sya holding a tray of food. I did forget to eat last night.

"Leave it there on the table," I said as I went for the toilet.  

My reflection stared back at me like a ghost. My face has lost its healthy color and was pallid from exertion. The chilly water helped a bit but the foresight of the conference and my father's corpse coming in later made my fate heat up. I'm so done with everything.

"Are they here?" I asked from inside.

"Not yet."

I nodded in reply, dressed up and went to the car without even touching the food Sya made for me. Eriez was in casual clothing when I met him in the company lobby. I guess he was off from work. I'm not in the mood to listen for what he's about to say but there's nothing I could really do about it.  I can't escape the truth anymore. The meeting was still an hour ahead so I spared some time for him.

"A wake will be held for your father before the cremation," he said passively.

"Is that what he wanted?"

Eriez nodded.

"It was stated in his will that his ashes be placed beside your mother's urn."

I agreed.

They should be inseparable, even in death.

"And by the way, please tell Wenziel I request him for the conference at eight this morning."

I gave him a quick nod before heading to my office. Deo was idling around as he waited for me, white folders jutting from the side of his arm. Those were the papers I need to sign and on the bottom of it all was a compilation of photos. Women.

"They're the women that passed by the chapel via the description you made," he said.

My eyes scanned them quickly and was beyond disappointed when I couldn't find her image there.

"Throw these out. She's not there."

Deo agreed and handed me another file,

"Here's your schedule for the entire day. In fifteen minutes, the conference with the Board will start. In about three hours, a meeting will follow with the Cryzastic group of trustees…"

Cryzastic? I almost forgot.

"So, both companies were alarmed huh," I smirked.  

I dismissed him to savor my remaining time alone. I'm ready for every question both companies has for me. At the corner of my eyes, I caught some newspapers piled up at the side of the settee.

Deo gathers them diligently for me every day. On the top of it, the big bold headline reads, 'Business Tycoon, CEO James of Zel Cantheliz, Dies at 58. His Heir Should Follow Suit'.

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