The cold wind bites at my cheeks as I walk quickly to Jessica’s apartment, feeling the hurt and mistrust towards Alexander weighing heavily on my heart. My mind races, trying to decipher his intentions and our future together. With each step, I try to shake off the uncertainty that shrouds me, but it clings to me like a stubborn fog.
I reach Jessica’s door and give a soft knock, feeling my hands tremble slightly. The door swings open, revealing my little sister’s bright eyes and her warm smile, which contrasts sharply with the chilling air outside.
The door to Jessica’s apartment swings open, revealing her wide-eyed expression and a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips. ‘Clara! What are you doing here? Come in, come in.’
‘Thanks, Jess,’ I mumble as I step inside, my heart heavy with the burden of what I’ve discovered.
‘Is everything okay? You look really upset.’
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself before I speak. ‘I found out something…about Dad and Alexander’s father. It’s not good, Jess.’
‘Sit down and tell me,’ she suggests, gesturing to the cozy blue couch in her living room. We sit beside each other, and I can feel her tense up as she braces herself for whatever news I have to share.
‘Remember how Dad lost his company?’ I ask, swallowing hard against the knot forming in my throat.
‘Of course. It broke him, Clara,’ Jessica murmurs, her eyes filled with sadness.
‘Turns out it wasn’t just bad luck or poor management,’ I say, my voice trembling. ‘Alexander’s father orchestrated the whole thing. He sabotaged Dad’s company, took it from him, and left him with nothing.’
‘What?!’ Jessica gasps, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. ‘How did you find this out?’
‘I found proof,’ I explain, my hands gripping the fabric of my skirt tightly. ‘That’s why Dad turned to alcohol. He was drowning in shame and despair, all because of what that man did to him.’
‘Clara, I’m so sorry. This must be so hard for you,’ Jessica says, reaching over to squeeze my hand reassuringly.
‘Jess, I’m furious!’ I exclaim, my emotions bubbling over like a pot left on the stove too long. ‘That man destroyed our father and ruined his life. And now I’m working for his son, who’s just as much of an arrogant billionaire as his dad!’
‘Clara, you need to calm down,’ Jessica says softly, her dark eyes filled with empathy. ‘I know this is devastating news, but getting angry won’t change anything.’
‘Easy for you to say,’ I snap, immediately regretting my harsh tone. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.’
‘Hey, it’s okay,’ she reassures me, rubbing my back gently. ‘But you have to remember that Alexander isn’t his father. He might not even be aware of what happened between them.’
‘Maybe,’ I concede, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions. ‘But how can I continue working for him, knowing what his family did to ours?’
‘Take it one step at a time,’ Jessica advises, her voice steady and calming. ‘Talk to Alexander about it. See what he has to say.’
‘Talking…’ I echo, chewing on my lower lip. ‘We’re not really talking right now, no matter how hard he tries to push it.” My voice is laced with anger as I stare at the ground.
‘Wait, back up a second,’ Jessica interrupts my racing thoughts, her brow furrowed. ‘You and Alexander… Do you have feelings for each other?’
I let out a long exhale, feeling the weight of my secret pressing down on me. ‘Yeah. I didn’t want to admit it, but we’ve grown closer over the past few weeks. I don’t know what to do about it now, though.’
‘Clara, that changes things,’ she says, her expression softening with understanding. ‘You need to talk to him about your feelings, too. Give him a chance to explain his side of the story before making any decisions.’
‘No, it’s not that simple,’ I protest, my heart thudding in my chest. ‘How can I just forget the pain his family caused ours? How can I trust him?’
‘Trust is built over time,’ Jessica reminds me gently, her fingers laced together on her lap. ‘You can’t let the mistakes of our father and his father dictate your entire future, especially not your personal relationships.’
‘Even if it means potentially forgiving someone who might not deserve it?’ I ask, my voice cracking with vulnerability.
‘Especially then,’ she replies, her dark eyes meeting mine, filled with unwavering support. ‘From what you’ve told me, Alexander doesn’t seem like the type of person who would knowingly hurt others. Give him the benefit of the doubt, Clara. People can change, and maybe he’s different from his father.’
‘Maybe,’ I murmur, taking in her words as I try to picture how this conversation with Alexander could unfold. My stomach churns with anxiety, but deep down, there’s a flicker of hope that refuses to be extinguished. “But how? How can I just move on from this? Alexander might be the reason why our father’s life fell apart.’
‘Clara, listen.’ Jessica shifts in her seat, her brow furrowed with concern. ‘What happened with Dad was terrible, and I’m not saying you should forget about it. But you can’t let his past destroy your present – or your future.’
She reaches for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. ‘Think about all the time and effort you’ve put into your career. You’re so close to achieving your dreams, and you shouldn’t throw it away because of something that happened long before you met Alexander.’
I pull my hand away, feeling the weight of her words settle heavily on my chest. My mind drifts back to the countless late nights spent poring over textbooks and drafting business proposals, all in pursuit of a brighter future. A future that now feels overshadowed by the sins of our fathers.
‘Besides,’ Jessica continues, her tone firm but understanding, ‘you told me how much you care about Alexander. If there’s even a chance he’s different from his father, don’t you owe it to yourself to find out?’
I stare at the floor, my thoughts tangled and chaotic. Images of Alexander flash through my mind – the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles, the warmth of his touch when we danced together at the company party. As much as I want to believe he’s innocent, I can’t ignore the nagging doubt gnawing away at my heart.
‘Jess, I just… I don’t know if I can do it,’ I admit, my voice thick with emotion. ‘I don’t know if I can trust him. And what if Dad’s right? What if people like Alexander never change?’
‘Clara, you’ll never know unless you try,’ Jessica insists, her eyes shining with determination. ‘You can’t let fear hold you back from finding out the truth – and maybe even finding happiness.’
‘Maybe you’re right,’ I concede, taking a deep breath to steady my racing thoughts. ‘I won’t let our father’s past ruin my career or my chances at happiness. But it won’t be easy, Jess.’
‘Nothing worth having ever is,’ she smiles gently, pulling me in for a comforting hug. As I cling to her, my sister’s unwavering support gives me the strength I need to face the uncertainties that lie ahead.
Hesitating, I look into Jessica’s empathetic eyes and force the words out. ‘It’s just… Alexander and I have this connection, but I can’t help feeling like our whole relationship is built on lies.’
Jessica squeezes my hand, urging me to continue.
‘Every time we’re together, it feels special, you know? But then I remember what happened with Dad and wonder if Alexander is hiding something from me. It’s tearing me apart, Jess,’ I confess, my heart aching with the weight of my uncertainty.
‘Clara,’ she begins softly, her voice filled with sincerity, ‘relationships are messy, and trust takes time to build. You can’t expect everything to be perfect right away. And as for Alexander, he’s not his father. Maybe he doesn’t even know about what happened between their dads.’
Her words soothe me, but the unease still lingers. ‘I understand that, but it’s hard to shake off the feeling that I’m betraying Dad, especially when I’m starting to care for Alexander more than I ever thought possible.’
‘Hey,’ Jessica says firmly, capturing my attention. ‘Dad wouldn’t want his past battles to hold you back. Remember, you’re your own person. You deserve happiness and a chance at love, even if it comes in the most unexpected places.’
A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I let her words sink in. ‘I guess I never thought I’d find myself in a situation like this – falling for my billionaire boss who happens to be connected to our family’s painful past.’
‘Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, huh?’ Jessica chuckles, but her eyes remain serious. ‘Just remember, Clara, you can handle whatever comes your way. We’ve always been survivors, you and me.’
‘Thanks, Jess,’ I say, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. ‘Your support means everything to me.’
‘Come here,’ Jessica says, opening her arms wide. I step into her embrace, feeling the warmth of our sisterly bond surround me like a protective force. Our hug is tight and full of love, and I wish this moment could last forever.
‘Thank you, Jess,’ I whisper, my voice cracking with emotion. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you.’
‘Hey, that’s what big sisters are for, right?’ she replies, giving me one last squeeze before letting go. The look in her eyes is both affectionate and fierce; she would fight to the ends of the earth for me, just as I would for her.
‘Right,’ I agree, wiping away a stray tear. ‘I’ll let you know how everything goes.’
‘Please do,’ she insists. ‘And remember, Clara – you’re stronger than you think.’ Her words resonate deep within me, giving me the courage to face the uncertainty ahead.
‘Goodbye, Jess,’ I say, stepping out of her apartment and into the hallway. My heart feels heavy in my chest, but at the same time, it’s filled with gratitude for my sister’s unyielding support.
‘Bye, Clara,’ she calls after me, her voice tinged with sadness. ‘Take care of yourself.’
As I walk away from her apartment, the weight of my conflicting emotions bears down on me. While part of me wants to run back to Jessica’s comforting presence, another part of me knows I need to forge ahead and confront Alexander about our tangled pasts. The possibility of losing him terrifies me, but I can’t allow fear to dictate my actions any longer.
