"How long have you known about it??"
"Well, not long after you got the call to come home. I'm so sorry Lexi, look I only knew about your father's illness and the not returning part, but I swear that's all I knew. I didn't know you were meant to take over the company" Fel explained apologetically.
Lexi exhaled sharply, she couldn't blame poor Felicity, she wasn't even mad at her, it's just that there were too many information at a time, the whole thing was taking a toll on her.
"It's okay Fel, it's not your fault at all. I'm just too mad and I can't even take it out on anyone, I can't even blame my poor father, he's in the hospital fighting for his life right now, gosh I need to go and see him" Lexi said drained; she was, physically and mentally.
"Hey, take it easy, you'll pull through in one piece, and your father will be fine too. It's all temporary Lexi, as soon as he's well on his feet again, you will be back to military service. Although, with the way things are playing out right now, you might miss the graduation, but don't fret, it will soon be over, trust me" Fel encouraged her.
"You don't know that Fel, we all don't, we don't have control over these things. I don't have a choice than to dance to the rhythm of the music, I just feel like the sacrificial lamb."
"You're not! Come on, you're doing this for family, nobody asked for this, no one planned for it, but whatever life throws at you, you face it and make the most of it, don't let this break you Lexi, you're stronger than this" Fel said.
Lexi wish she could accept this thing that life has thrown at her and act like she's got it together, but she couldn't, but at least she could pretend.
"Alright, I'll try, I.. I won't let it break me."
"That's more like it! That's the spirit!" Fel said elatedly.
"Yeah, uhm... Someone's at my door, I need to go check and see who. Talk to you later" she lied, "alright, cheer up and take care, bye."
"Bye" Lexi replied and hung up.
How in the world is she supposed to run Grey Bridge for even a day?? Now this was her biggest challenge. Having a major in business administration and a minor in economics still doesn't cut it, you need more than just theory to run the country's top construction company.
She was lost in thoughts when a sudden realization hit her.
For the very first time, she realized that this might have been planned since day one, think about it, when she wanted to go to military school, everyone opposed it, mum wanted her to go into the world of fashion and modeling just like her, while father wanted her to study business in Harvard so she can co-run the company with Kevin when he's no more, but she declined all offers and stood her ground, father only gave in at last but under the condition that she studied the course of his choice.
At first she was skeptical, but after much consideration she decided that it didn't matter what she studied, as far as she was in the military, so she accepted.
All these facts might just prove that her becoming acting CEO of Greyman Bridge, isn't by chance, but then, is her father's illness also part of the plan?? She didn't think it was a possibility, maybe it's all just fate afterall.
She slumped into her bed, her head was beginning to bang from too many thoughts and worrying, just then Kyle walked in with a cup of tea.
"Hey sis, you're still in your uniform" he pointed out, she looked at herself as though only realizing it.
"Yeah, my head feels like it's gonna explode. Is that for me?" she asked, gesturing to the cup of tea in his hands.
"Yeah yeah. Here" he said handing it over to her, she took a sip relishing and savouring the satisfying taste of it.
"Just what I needed, thanks" she said as she put it down on her table.
"Mrs Blake says it's good for the nerves, it soothes it or something" Kyle said and Lexi chuckled lightly.
"How are you taking it in?" Kyle asked, Lexi knew he was referring to the 'big news'.
"Still taking it in. I've handled a lot of things in my life, but I don't know how I'm gonna pull this one off" she admitted honestly.
"You will, trust me, it isn't exactly rocket science... maybe a little, but still I think you can pull it off."
"You think I could?"
"I think you can. Take it one day at a time, that's what you studied in school, right? and Gabriel's there to put you through, you have all you need to make this work Lexi" Kyle encouraged.
"When did you grow into this wise young man??" Lexi teased and they both laughed it off.
"I meant that though, you speak with so much wisdom" Lexi said in a more serious tone.
"Thanks. Do you want to go see dad now?" he asked suddenly.
"Yes, sure. Just give me a moment and I will change into something more comfy then join you downstairs" she said.
"Alright, I'll be waiting for you then" he said and then left.
....
Far away in the metropolis of Quintin city, in a room with dull lightening, a man who appeared to be in his mid 60s sat gloomily by a fireplace, with a glass of whiskey in one hand.
He seemed to be fascinated by the flickering of fire, but he was actually lost in thoughts.
In his other hand, he had a photo of a woman so beautiful. He stared at the picture with an expression quite difficult to read; it was a cross between anguish and anger.
He gulped down the content of his glass in one go, settled the photo on a table and returned his attention to the fire. The door to the room where he was, suddenly opened and a younger man entered.
"I'm sorry to intrude sir, but you need to see sometimes" the man said urgently.
"What, Fisher?" came a throaty question from the older man, "here sir" Fisher said as he came and stood in front of the old man, while holding out a newspaper to him.
The man took it and read the headlines of the page already opened to him, then slowly a wicked smile appeared on his face.
He gave the paper back to Fisher and returned his attention to the fire again, then said,
"call him, it's time."