Kiara's POV

The birds chirp, faint murmurs and rich aroma of roasted coffee beans mingled with the buttery sweetness of fresh pastries wafted through the air, a rare moment of solace. A relaxing morning—something rare for me now.

I take a break from my typing. I sigh, leaning into my chair I sip on my cappuccino before typing some words on my keyboard. Getting a Master's degree isn't easy, talk about a PhD. I don't remember the last time I had leisure time to just chill, well I'm not chilling since I'm actually still writing a paper but hey, atleast I can just seat without the horror of a deadline looming.

My phone vibrates next to me, I glance at the caller ID before picking up.

"Hey Axel." I greet my dad's assistant and basically my best friend.

"Hi, Kiara." He greets back.

"Why the sudden call? Normally you wouldn't remember I exist for atleast a week. Since we last talked a few days ago." I joke, then sip on my coffee.

"I called because I need to tell you something." He replies with a serious edge.

I drop my cup. If the usual laid back Axel sounds so serious, then this must be important.

"What happened?" I ask matching his tone. I tap the table with my fingers—an anxious habit I'd developed.

He sighs, "It's about your dad." Finally he drops the bombshell.

My fingers drop, so that was what all the fuss was about? "What happened to him this time?" I ask, though unconcerned.

For some reason, after my dad is mentioned I lose all interest.

"He's in debt."

"Tell me something I don't know." I quip, indifferently.

"Take this seriously. To pay off his debt he did something... And you won't be happy about it."

I'm never happy with whatever he does. "Get straight to the point. What did he f*ck up?" I want to cut short on this conversation. If it's about my dad I just want to get it over with.

"Your dad put your company up as collateral for one of his loans and couldn't pay back." He says quietly.

"What?!" I roar, slamming my palm on the table, barely able contain my anger. Other people in the Cafe give me curious glances but I couldn't care less, they don't know what I'm going through.

"It gets worse, someone bought it." He says.

I lean back in my seat.

"I'm sorry but if this is some sick prank, it's not funny." I spit.

"If it was, I would have been laughing." He says.

I massage my forehead, really? This really had to happen now? "Book me a flight back to New York. I'm leaving Minnesota today. This is more important."

"Sure, but please relax. Don't get worked up." He says soothingly.

I clench my jaw then breathe in trying to cool off. After some moments I respond, "Sure. Though I have one question."

"Shoot."

"Who's the new owner?" I ask calmer.

"Zachary Wilder." He says lowly.

The anger I just managed to subside resurfaces, stronger. "Him?! Of everyone in the world?! It just had to be him!" I let out a scream if frustration. I glance around, the lady in the table next to mine has shifted and I'm getting more than curious glances.

"I'll call you back." I murmur through the line before cutting it.

I mumble profanities under my breath, as I pack up my things before and leave before I get kicked out for disturbance.

As I stormed out, one thought burned in my mind: I'd get back what's mine.

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Thank you guys, this is a peek into Kiara's personality. You'll being seeing more of her and her dad's relationship in future chapters.

To be edited soon.

Future chapters to lengthier and this scene will be extended later.