Chapter 27

Five years later Andrew rushed into the meeting room, he was five minutes late, delayed by traffic. He sighs as he arrives and is greeted by all the members of his board seated, waiting patiently for him.

"I'm so sorry for the wait," Andrew spoke, making his way to his seat. "Please get started." He looked toward his secretary. He listened intently, paying close attention to every detail. The meeting ended and they all came to the conclusion that they'll be developing their newly established company in Australia.

Andrew reached his villa a little past eleven that night. It'd been four years since he moved here, leaving his family behind.

The past few years have been the worst of his life. He struggled to get back on his feet and when he did, his mother's attitude vexed him into leaving their house.

She would bring up issues he didn't want to hear and the talk of his marriage with prominent ladies in the country never sat well with him. It got to a point he had enough, and he let it all out.

"Stop sulking over a useless girl, Andrew! You need to get back on your feet and marry Vanessa," his mother spat. She'd been ranting about marriage ever since Christiana left. She looked for one way or the other to make Christiana look like a gold digger.

"Enough of all of this mother!" He spat out, pointing his index finger at her. "I will not tolerate you badmouthing her!"

She gasped, "Did you just raise your voice on me Andrew? I am disappointed!" She clicked her tongue.

"You should be disappointed in yourself for not knowing the things that make me happy. Stop bringing up women I'm not interested in, and stop being a matchmaker! None of them is Christiana and they will never be!"

"Guess what? As long as I am your mother and you are my son, you will do as I please! As long as you reside under the roof, you will do as I please because I wish the very best for you."

"Then I will leave this house this instance! Your presence sickens me!" He spat out, walking towards his wardrobe to get his belongings.

"Andrew come back here! I'm still talking!" She shouted behind him, but he wasn't fazed by her action.

The past four years Andrew drowned himself in work and didn't give him much free time. Everyone tried cheering him up, but none succeeded. His older sister and younger sister tried but it was short lived. Adrian tried taking him out but failed miserably.

Vanessa cheered him up a certain time and when she did, unlike the others who tried to encourage him, she didn't. She told him to drink with her and reminisce those days with Christiana. They both drank till Andrew was no longer in control of himself and mistook her for Christiana and then he slept with her.

When he woke up the next day and saw her by his side, he almost went nuts, but she told him not to think about it and blame it on the alcohol even though within her she had ulterior motives.

When he came back from Zurich City, Switzerland four years ago, he'd drown himself in alcohol almost every day, crying and breaking things in his room. He was hurt. Christiana had broken him, she left him when she knew how fragile his heart was. He wanted to blame her ... he wanted to hate her ... but he couldn't. The searches for Christiana, John, and Christiana's father were in vain. Andrew found nothing.

It took him over a year to get back on his feet with the support from his father and sisters. After going to therapy, he swore to himself that no woman would ever break him again.

Andrew gulped down the shot of tequila as he stared at an image of Christiana. He smiled. It was the one they took in Berne, the capital of Switzerland. He called his pilot, telling him to make preparations for his flight to Sydney, Australia.

Christiana's life had been going well for the past five years. She had successfully started pursuing her career as an interior designer and worked for a very successful company in that field. The past four years weren't the best as she struggled not just for herself but for her family too. But she decided to stop crying herself to sleep and channel that energy into focusing on her life instead.

She entered the office of her superior. He had requested her. "Good morning, sir," she greeted with a smile. The office wasn't too big, just an average room painted white with a large window displaying an amazing view.

Her higher-up was named Jonathan, a multiracial man who sometimes looked Asian, American, and African, too.

There were a table and two chairs opposite her boss's. She took a seat before speaking up again.

"Congratulations, Ms. Bernardo. Your transfer to the headquarters in Sydney, Australia is set, you're to leave in two days' time."

Christiana couldn't believe her ears; she'd wanted a transfer from Trinidad and Tobago to Sydney. The change in scenery and a new start was a welcomed one. She couldn't wait to tell Drew, John, and her father about this.

Paul, Christiana's father, had decided to go back to Zurich City, Switzerland instead of following her to Sydney, Australia. John stayed back as he had started a family in Trinidad and Tobago already. He'd met a beautiful lady named Marie a year after moving. Two years ago, she gave birth to his daughter though they hadn't married yet.

Christiana took Drew along with her, he was the only person that kept her going. She smiled as she settled down in the new apartment given to her by her company. She was to report there tomorrow.

Christiana's head ached and she was exhausted. She had just reported to the company's head-quester today and been given a tour. She sat on the staircase, massaging her legs after pulling off her heels.

Andrew had arrived in Sydney, Australia last night. He had meetings with some board members and had sorted out the plans for the development. After all that, he was tired, but that didn't stop him from admiring the lovely couples passing by. They reminded him of what he had with Christiana. Her smile and tantrums were what he missed the most, along with her hugs and kisses. Just thinking of her made him hard again. He couldn't believe he stayed celibate for three years now after he'd slept with Vanessa.

"Excuse me, sir, Mr. Holt is here," a feminine voice spoke, bringing him out of his reverie. Andrew casually turned to look at the man.

"Good evening Mr. Holt," he greeted, shaking his hands.

"Good evening to you too, Mr. Power."

They exchanged greetings as he invited Mr. Holt to take a seat.

"You came alone?" Andrew asked Mr. Holt.

"No, the interior designer in charge of this project went to get something from her car. She'll be here soon." Andrew nods.

Christiana hurriedly climbed the stairs once she heard the elevator cable had cut. She should have just gone with Mr. Holt instead of going back for her phone. She was regretting going back for her phone.

She panted as she reached the 36th floor. It wasn't an easy task, running upward. Her legs began to shake as she sweat profusely. Christiana finally reached the office. She took a deep breath, but as she was about to talk to the secretary, Mr. Holt walked out giving her a worried look "What happened to you?" he asked, concerned.

"I ... I took the stairs," she said as he patted her back. "So, the client ... where is he?"

"He just left; you didn't see him?" he asked. "He got an emergency call and postponed the meeting.

"Oh," was her simple reply.