Advice from Unexpected Quarters
The morning sunlight streamed in through the glass window panes of Bethany’s room, but her heart remains as heavy as the storm clouds she had seen the day before on her way back home. The revelation Mandall had made haunted her thoughts. He is the CEO of their rival company, the only child born of that family that had always gained glory in the downfall of the Worths. A man she had started to trust, someone who had without effort, began to thaw the icy walls she’d built around herself, is now the very symbol of everything she will be fighting against as soon as she actually settles down to be CEO.
Bethany paces back and forth across the living room, her hands clutching a steaming mug of coffee she has no intention of drinking. She glances at the clock on the wall that is exactly marking eight in the morning.
“Time to move. Let's focus on today." She mutters to herself, setting the mug down and grabbing her coat. She has already sent instructions to her company’s secretary earlier that morning to prepare for a live press conference at noon. For now, her priority was her parents.
The world had heard about what had happened to them when they were thought to have been dead and missing, now is the time to inform the world of their return once again, and maybe tell the world that she might not need to get married after all since her parents are back. Moreover, Anastasia might even disapprove of Mandall and that, hopefully, will cut her some slack in the marriage pool.
As her driver pulled up to the hospital some thirty to thirty five minutes later, Bethany stares out the window, her mind replaying every moment she’d spent in this sterile building over the past days. It had been a whirlwind.
First, her own accident and admission till the news of her father’s supposed death in the assassination, then the shocking discovery that he is alive. They had even done his funeral. Then there’s Anastasia too, thankfully, she is better. Last night’s surgery for Paul had been his best shot at survival, and while they assured her it was successful, he had stayed unconscious till she returned home the night before, after sending Mandall home.
Her heart clenched as she thought about her mother, Anastasia, who had endured so much. Though her injuries were minor compared to Paul’s, the stress of almost losing her husband had taken its toll.
Then there’s Mandall who had carried her in his hands to the car, worrying about her own health in the same parking lot she is walking through. She shakes her head rid of these thoughts as she reaches the hospital’s entrance.
Bethany adjusts her coat as she steps into the hospital lobby. She walks briskly down the halls, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. Nurses nod politely as she passes, recognizing her face from her frequent visits while the few who knew her to be their boss bows even deeper. When she arrived at her parents’ room, she pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts before pushing the door open.
They had made them shift Paul to Anastasia’s room after the surgery had been deemed successful.
Inside, the atmosphere is quiet except for the steady beeping of medical monitors hanging on Paul’s side. Anastasia, lay propped up against a stack of pillows, her soft features relaxed by fatigue but still radiant now that she has gotten her color back.
“Good morning darling.” Anastasia greets her voice cracking a little bit and a small smile adorning her lips.
“Good morning, Mom,” Bethany responds, compelling a smile in return. She walks over to the bed, taking off her coat and hanging it on the lower edge and kisses her mother’s cheek. “How are you feeling today? I hope you slept well?”
“I’m fine, darling. Just a little bit tired. My body is programmed to wake up at five am and I can’t seem to go back to sleep today.” Anastasia’s gaze drifts to the bed on the other side of the room, where Paul lay motionless, his face pale and peaceful. “Your father, though…”
Bethany follows her mother’s gaze. “The doctors had said the surgery went well. He just needs time now. I am sure he’ll wake up in no time.”
Anastasia nods, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her blanket. “It’s still so hard to believe. One moment, you were telling me he was gone, and now…” Her voice cracks again, and she quickly wipes away a tear. “But I have faith. Your father is strong. At least, he is not dead.”
Bethany reaches out and squeezes her mother’s hand. “He’ll pull through. I know he will. Do you now have any recollection of what happened? That detective is a real pest but she cares.”
“No, noting yet. Its all so hazy and each time I try to think hard, I get this sharp pain my head and I don’t like it so it makes me stop, I’ll keep trying though.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard. Whatever will be revealed will be. Well know when Dad wakes up. He has to remember something.”
They sit in silence for a while, the unspoken thoughts hanging heavy in the air between them. Eventually, Bethany breaks the silence.
“Mom,” she starts tentatively, “there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
Anastasia raises an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. Bethany had never asked her for advice, not once before. “Oh? What is it?”
Bethany hesitates, unsure of how to phrase her thoughts into words. “It’s about Mandall,” she finally says.
Anastasia’s expression turned thoughtful and wondering. “Mandall… that’s the man you’ve been seeing, isn’t it? The one you introduced to me the other day?”
“Yes.” Bethany admits, her cheeks flushing slightly. “But there’s more to him than I realized before. Yesterday, he told me something… something that probably changes a lot if not everything in fact.”
Anastasia leans forward slightly, her interest clearly growing. “What did he say?”
Bethany takes a deep breath. “He’s the CEO of our rival company.”
Anastasia’s eyes widen in surprise. It was everything but that that she had expected to hear. Sure, he had the aura of a rich man around him but... “The CEO? Halls?”
Bethany nods, her voice trembling slightly. “I don’t know what to think, Mom. I trusted him, but now… it feels like everything was a lie. How can I be with someone who represents everything I will be fighting against? When our stocks go down, theirs go up, and when ours go up, theirs go down. I can’t possibly have a peaceful relationship with a business opponent. And yet…” She trails off, her voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t stop thinking about him. I mean; to think I only just met him too.”
Anastasia is silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, to Bethany’s surprise, she smiles. A genuinely bright smile.
“Beth,” she starts gently, “sometimes life isn’t as black and white as we’d like it to be. People are complicated, and so are relationships. The question you need to ask yourself is this, do you care for him? Before you answer that, do you think I and your Dad did not have our own battles to fight? I know we are far from the happiest…” Anastasia sighs, glancing at him. “…But he is still my husband and I fought to have him. I think one thing I have learned this past days is just how much we have grown apart. We must correct what has happened in our marriage. All in all, every marriage has its moments but its your responsibility to make it work. So, do you care for him? Do you think he is the one?”
Bethany stares at her mother, unsure of how to respond. Did she care for Mandall? The answer is obvious if she is being honest, but admitting it feels like a betrayal to her family.
“I… I don’t know,” she admits finally. “Maybe. Yes. But how can I trust him, Mom? What if this is all just some elaborate game to gain the upper hand?”
Anastasia shook her head. “You’ll never know unless you give him a chance. Trust is built over time, Bethany, not given blindly. If your heart tells you he’s worth it, then you owe it to yourself to find out. I am sorry that I turned you into this. To put everything else before heart.”
Bethany blinks, surprised by her mother’s response. Anastasia has always been hardheaded, almost mocking when it comes to matters of the heart. This sudden openness is unexpected, but it gives her hope.
“Do you really think I should give him a chance?” she asks hesitantly.
“I think,” Anastasia starts with a small smile, “that if anyone can handle a man like Mandall, it’s you. You’re strong, Bethany. Don’t let fear hold you back. Don’t let what I or your father thinks hold you back.”
Bethany feels a surge of emotion, a mix of gratitude and relief. “Thank you, Mom. That means a lot.” Anastasia had not been in the plan for people who would give her such eye opening advice but it’s a welcome change.
Anastasia reaches out and patted her daughter’s head, ruffling her hair almost playfully, and that simple motion convicts Bethany of one thing. Normally, Anastasia was always about being elegant and not one rough hair out of place, but here is she, she is the one scattering the hair out of its place. Bethany stifles a relieving smile. “Just promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Follow your heart, but don’t lose sight of who you are. You’ve worked so hard to make yourself fit into this and to protect this family. Make sure he’s willing to meet you halfway.”
Bethany nods, her resolve strengthening. “I will.”
As she leaves the hospital later that morning, Bethany can’t help but feel a sense of precision. The decision isn’t easy, but her mother’s words has given her the courage to face it head-on.
Now, she just has to figure out how to balance her feelings for Mandall with the responsibilities that await her at the press conference and further into the Worth Conglomerate.
As her car speeds toward the office, Bethany pulls out her phone and stares at Mandall’s number.
Her finger hover over the call button.
Not yet, she thought. But soon.
She smiles as she lets the wind rifle through her hair, messing it up further.