' Insight into character comes from listening intently to the spoken word. The physical person, their charisma, charm and dramatic flair is more often used to persuade audiences, as they use these stealth tools of disguise and deception. '
Maximillian Degenerez

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Day 6 of the ultimatum
Time 5:00a.m.

I had just finished consuming a glass of water when my phone vibrated from the counter I momentarily abandoned it at. Connecting Alice's incoming call, I raised my phone to my ear.

"Florence, you have to come over quickly,a fire is raging from the third floor of your mom's company."

Adrenaline pumped through my body causing my heart beat to intensify. My phone slipped from my fingers and landed on the tiled floor with a crash, but I was unaffected by its broken screen. I made a beeline for my bedroom and searched for suitable clothes to wear.

I raked my fingers through my hair and hurried to my dresser to examine my appearance. While I hastily combed my hair, I thought about telling mom about the fire, but my door crashing open halted my thoughts.

"Adam just called me," Was all mom said, running a hand down her face in frustration.

"They've kept to their promise... they want us to pay... " Mom babbled and I breathed deeply, trying to calm my agitated mind so I could effectively calm hers. Swiftly, I waddled over to her and embraced her without seeking her consent.

"Hush mom, It'll be fine, let's head over and see if the situation can be salvaged." I comforted her and led her out of my room.

After yanking mom's car keys off the dining room table and grabbing my damaged phone from the kitchen floor, I rushed out of the house only to be attacked by the chilly morning breeze. I braced myself and hurried to mom's car. Mom appeared a couple of seconds later with two cardigans, I thanked her and accepted one of them. After starting the engine, I wore the fabric and waited for mom to climb into the car beside me

I observed her perturbed facial expression and slowly reached out to lightly squeeze her hand. She smiled at me and then closed her eyes. After taking another deep breath (I'll be needing a lot of those today), I drove to Florence.

A large crowd, including the press was gathered a safe distance away from the main building while the firefighters were battling the hungry flames that had totally engulfed the third floor and was approaching the fourth floor. People were exchanging muted conversations and the members of the press were taking notes and pictures of the scene. It was at times like this that I felt like shattering their vexatious cameras and wiping the stupid smiles they had on, off. But what can I do, they're only doing their job and I wouldn't like to get trapped in a law suit that'd undoubtedly end in their favour.

I glanced around me and recognized Beatrice in a serious discussion with mom and Mr. Adam. I looked up at the sky which was starting to brighten.

While I was surveying the sky, a few pressmen located me and began assailing me with nervy questions, shoving their numerous mics at my face. I controlled my soaring anger and answered every question they had until Beatrice rescued me.

My bones were too weak to move and even my eyes shut on their own as Beatrice pulled me away from the pressmen who weakly protested. I had lost every inch of control over my senses, my insides were torn apart, like a metal rod was shoved into my heart. This time around, I couldn't hide the pains I felt anymore. They had piled up to an uncontrollable height and the weight was so much that I felt my chest literally crushed.

Pretending to be strong, I had forgotten that I couldn't always be strong.

Beatrice gently pressed down my shoulders, pushing me into a seat positioned in the open space. I shakily sat properly and watched my mom address the little crowd that had gathered around her.

"Florence," Beatrice called gently and lowered herself into another seat opposite me.

I glanced at the fire truck that slowly conveyed the firemen away from the vicinity. After they left, the crowd of people began to reduce in size till the only people left were mom's workers.

"Why did this happen?" I blurted out and lowered my gaze to meet my trembling legs.

"This might just be an accident, maybe an electrical fault or something."

I knew better.

"No Tris," I rejected her effort to make me feel better. Tamara's kidnappers were responsible for the flames. For the past days, I had relaxed considerably, almost forgetting that a crucial decision lay ahead of mom and I. We had to forfeit Amanda Empire or face the consequences. That terrifying ultimatum drained out my remaining resolve to fight for my sister.

As I watched mom raise her phone repeatedly to her ear and Mr. Adam speak to the workers, I knew there was nothing inside of me that wanted to fight anymore.

              ☏☏☏

I fiddled with the buttons of the large shirt I had on as I tucked my feet underneath my body positioned in the sofa. I let go of the brown buttons and stared at my phone which was lying before my eyes.

Mom had stayed back at Florence, but asked someone to drive me home when she noticed my heightened nervousness. I had taken a long shower but it didn't help quell my worries, instead they intensified.

I turned on the television after observing its blank silver screen staring at me. The fire incident was the top story on the first channel I stopped at, I changed channels but all of them carried the same story.

Exhausted, I turned off the television and sank into the sofa. I desperately tried to turn off my thoughts as I cradled my phone between my fingers and stared at it.

This was one of those moments when I wished I had a crazy friend around to take me somewhere where I could just let my inner self loose, where I could stash my worries. The few people I had were quite busy to my detriment; Alice had a job to attend to, and Justin too, Tanya had a business to cater for and Philip...

Although our date was scheduled for this evening, he had companies to manage and I couldn't just place a phone call to tell him how emotionally damaged I was. Even if he wouldn't mind leaving his office to meet me, I wasn't selfish to make him lay aside his schedule for me.

My finger hovered over my phone's screen still uncertain about who to call. Just then, there was an incoming call and Sebastian's name came up.

Baffled, I accept his call and his deep voice greets my ears.

"Hey, Florence."

"Hey, what's up?"

Was I referring to his personal well-being or tracking my sister's kidnappers?

"Everything's good by the way, how about you?"

Everything's messy.

"Um..." I wasn't sure if I should tell him about the fire incident or just lie and tell him that I'm fine.

"Oh...I'm sorry for asking, I heard about the fire, accept my sympathy."

"Thanks."

"Can you meet me at our spot in an hour's time?"

I pulled my phone away and stared at the call timer in amazement.

"Uh... Okay?"

In an hour's time, I was supposed to be on a date with with Philip. I can't risk a promising date with my ex-boss because of his best friend. The two offers were as tempting as the apple the serpent gave to Eve in the Garden of Eden, but in this case, I was Eve and instead of a serpent, there were two; Philip and Sebastian.

"See you there." He replied and took off just like that.

What am I going to do now.

What should Florence do now?

Go with Sebastian or Philip?

Here's a little spoiler for you:

In two chapters to come, our highly esteemed(note the sarcasm) Peter would be back. Excited?

I might update ahead of time if I find out that Saturdays won't work for me.

Ainurul isabellasmith12001 Freya_Tuazon kittykat_love ariarlyn918 Gunjanyadav6 Lunara_Skye Fatridaib Im_A_Miracle julietooru Catgal60 hazzy048 and Candice_Is_Crazy, thanks for your immense support.

That's it for this week, see you next week,

Tris❤❤❤❤