BLACK CARD, SOFT HEART.

LEILA

They expected me to hide, but I was done hiding, this time, I was ready to bloom on my own, Just me, and for me now.

By noon, frost enterprises boardroom was filled up with lawyers, advisor's, people who spoke in phrase instead of words. They thought today would be damage control, but my elegantly self says different.

I walked in alone.

No Aiden by my side.

Just me ready to sail.

That alone unsettle them more than my presence ever could.

"I'll be brief", I said while placing a tablet on the table." Panic they say thrives on confusion and I don't intend given it a room".

Murmurs erupt.

Mara voss stiffened.

I tapped on the screen with a determined spirit.

Then I added.

" My mother's agreement has been misinterpreted". I continued calm and focused.

"Not by frost enterprises but by parties who stood to gain from my instability".

A pause in the room, silent follows, then murmuring.

Everyone seems to be dissatisfied with my presence, but mara seems to showed a sign of satisfaction.

I didn't care whatever they think or have to say.All I wanted was to be heard.

Then I slid the real weapon across the table .

"Here are the amendments she filed two weeks before her health".

Their faces leaned forward ready to see what was inside , I didn't wait to get asked, I shot directly.

"She revoked guardianship". I said "conditionally".

A lawyer frownd " condition on what?"

I smiled then whispers to myself.

Whosever this unknown person is, must really want to see me thrive in success.well am glad he/she always gives me a way out.

"On proof that Aiden frost would never make decisions for me without my consent" I replied.

The room went silent

"And since I never get consented" I continued,

" Any authority assumed beyond financial protection is legally void, and even in finances aspect its only when needed".

Mara's pen dropped.

The boardroom seems to be under my control, I choose to control it because, I never intended being owned or managed by some organization.

"I'm not here to accuse anyone" I said softly.

" Rather am here to clarify everything".

I looked directly at the camera at the edge of the room. This time even steadier.

"And also to inform the board that I am not controlled, that I am competent".

I stood, ready to walk away, I victoriously concluded it amazingly with a request.

"Any further questions can be directed to my counsel_ my counsel I said not Aiden's". I added while walking out elegantly.

***

AIDEN

This was not how it supposed to happen.

I watched from the private office, just as the screen muted, my heart pound like it was trying to escape my ribs.

Leila didn't flinch or looked at me for once.

Not for approval.

Not for reassurance.

Not even for a rescue.

She didn't need me.

And that_ that alone terrified me.

I had built my life on control because chaos once destroyed everything I ever loved.

"I told myself I was protecting her, but watching her now, I realized something brutal, and I persive the determination in her".

" Protecting had become possession".

"And possession had nearly cost me her".

When the board meeting ended, I didn't move.

The office felt too large, and too quite.

I kept replaying her voice in my head.

It was steady, measured, determined and unafraid.

She had rewritten the narration without me, how I wish she knew that there's so much to it than it seems.

I pressed my hands to the desk breathing shallowly.

For the first in years, I feel my chest in so much pain, panics and in unmanaged state.

I had once sworn never to feel this again, not after learning love could be leverage and yet _ here it was.

The woman I built walls around had learned how to Walk through them without me.

"You were suppose to need me" I whispered to the empty room.

That wasn't love, that was fear disguised as devotion.

My phone rang, I thought she finally came around and wants to talk things out, well my last hope was shattered again. It was mara voss.

" She outplayed us all" she said, "you've taught her so well" she added.

"No" I replied gently. " I underestimated her, her intelligent and her power" I added shakenly.

Well i deserve everything that happens.

***

I left the building without looking back.

The city felt different when it wasn't pressing down on me.

My phone buzzed.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Lydia won't stay put on this, watched your back.

I smiled faintly, then a type on my phone.

_am counting on it _

Because now, I know she would move recklessly.

And reckless people revealed everything.

This time I want to see what you've got Lydia.

......