CHAPTER 64

It's finally the fifteenth of September. In other words, the day the university opens.

I don't have anything better to do and I know I will not fall asleep due to the pain in my head so I sigh before lazily getting out of bed and going to the bathroom.

After I clean myself up, I glance at the watch on my wrist which reads 07:35. I know for a fact that Lily is currently awake downstairs. 

I walk into the kitchen to see her concentrating on her phone. I cough loudly, making my presence known. 'You're awake,' she simply says and turns her attention back to her phone. I look at her with a puzzled expression displayed on my face. I sigh as I walk towards her and sit opposite her. 

'What is your problem Lily?' I ask annoyed, putting my hands in my hair.

'I don't have one,' she simply shrugs her shoulders without even looking up at me. 

'Are you being serious? Do you really think that I'm that stupid?' I question defensively. She sighs and closes her phone before turning it over, placing it on the table. 

'Don't say that,' she says quietly as she makes eye contact with me. 

'Answer my question, what is your problem?' I repeat my question and she takes a deep breath.

'Do you know how upset Jess is?' She asks, titling her head to inspect my face as she searches for answers. 

'So this is about me and Joe?' I question even though that I know for a fact that it is. She rolls her eyes proving that I'm right. 'What does it have to do with you?' I ask defensively annoyed that she's suddenly taking an interest.

'What do you mean what does it have to do with me? When one of my friends are upset then it obviously has something to do with me,' she replies, leaning forward in her chair. 

'Exactly, Jess is your friend and I'm your best friend so are you seriously going to take her side over mine?' I ask and she takes a deep breath. When she doesn't reply, I stand up and say 'never mind. It's my fault for thinking people like you could ever change. You say we're best friends Lily but every time I need you, you're never there. And every time I need you to side with me for a change, you never do. If the roles were reversed, I'd take your side in a heartbeat.'

'Kiera-'

'Whatever Lily,' I cut her off and turn around to walk out of the kitchen, to find Lucy and Katie listening to the conversation. I roll my eyes at them, ignoring their presence as I walk up stairs to my room.

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I'm sitting here on my bed, thinking of ways to entertain myself. I'm obeying Doctor Ash's rule, resting my head and "taking it easy." I feel like a child that has ditched school because of a fake illness. 

Anna has gone to work but Will is downstairs cleaning up. He leaves back to Australia in a few day.

I can't stand the thought of looking at my bedroom walls any longer so I walk out of my room and head off downstairs. I don't bother entering the kitchen because I've already had breakfast so I walk into the living room and switch on the TV. 

Nothing seems to interest me so I silently sit, mentally listing things that I can do. 'What are you doing sitting here?' Will asks as he sits beside me.

'There's not much to do,' I reply as I continue to list things in my head.

'Nonsense, there is a lot you can do.'

'Like what?' I question raising my eyebrows.

'A lot of things Kiera.'

'I'm supposed or be resting,' I respond, rolling my eyes at his brief reply.

 'Okay then, carry on resting.' He smiles and stands up but stops when he reaches the door to turn back to look at me. 'Just out of interest, have you decided on whether you're going to take the lead of your dad's business?' I take a deep breath, knowing that I can't avoid this topic for ever. I shake my head and ask 'How am I supposed to decide?' 

'Kiera.' He sighs as he walks back to me. He puts his hand on my knee in a comforting manner and says 'you will know what you have to do Kiera because you will feel it.' I narrow my eyes at him in curiosity. 'Trust me,' he reassures and I nod.

 'Are you going back to Australia?' I ask seen as the summer is already over. He sighs before saying 'Unfortunately.'

'Why did you choose to work in Australia if it's away from Anna and Lily?' I ask raising my eyebrows at him. He sighs again.

 'I need to earn money to support them and this is the only way I can do that.'

'Do you ever get lonely?' I ask when he sits beside me a second time.

 'All the time but they are my motivation to keep going and I look forward to the summer because that's when I come back,' he says and I nod my head understandingly. 

We fall into a comfortable silence, probably waiting for the other to speak. He puts his hand on my shoulder 'Kiera, can you promise me something?' He asks and I look at him, raising my eyebrows at him as I wait for him to continue. 'When you make your decision about taking the lead or going to university, promise me that you will make the decision for yourself and yourself only.' I give him a strange look as I don't know why he's telling me this. 'You're probably thinking "what?" Well Kiera I know what it's like to make a decision based on the people around you and if you do that, you will regret your choice for ever because you're going to have to live with it without being able to make a change.'

‘Okay.'

'Good.' He smiles. 'Kiera you are like my second daughter and I love you deeply. I do not want you to get hurt by all of this,' he says placing his hand on top of mine. I smile gratefully at him and say 'Will I promise.’ He smiles proudly and stands up.

 'I'll leave you to rest Kiera.' I nod and he leaves the room. I watch him leave before I lie down on the sofa just thinking about our conversation.

After a while of different thoughts popping into my head, I grab a blanket and fall asleep on the sofa.

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I wake up an hour later, knowing what actions to take. I walk to my room and grab the paper that I folded and open it.  It says the address of Clockwork and everything I need to do.

I take a deep breath before walking into the kitchen where Will is currently washing the dishes. He turns around once he notices my presence. He washes his hands and walks closer to me. 'What's wrong?' He asks, his voice full of concern.

'Are you busy?' I ask him, waiting for his answer. 

'No I'm not, now answer my question,' he replies putting his hands firmly on my shoulders. 

'I made a decision about leading Clockwork and studying at University.' He nods his head, silently encouraging me to continue. 

'I've decided to do both. I'm going to university and lead clockwork.'

'Wow, that's great Kiera,' he replies happily with a smile on his face. I return the smile and ask 'do you want to come with me? I was thinking of going to Clockwork.'

'Of course I will come with you!' He laughs as he wraps his arms around my shoulders tightly. I smile gratefully at his reply and when we pull apart, I say 'Thank you.'

'You are welcome. Do you want to go now?' He asks and I nod my head, confirming his suspicions. 'Okay, I'm just going to get ready then,' he says and I nod, watching him exit the kitchen

He returns a few minutes later and asks 'are you ready?'

'Ready as I'll ever be,' I mutter. He chuckles and puts his hand on my shoulder, patting it lightly.

'You're going to be fine.' He tells me and we step out the house. I watch Will as he locks the door with his keys. He unlocks his car and I slide into the passenger seat. He starts the engine and puts the radio on. Dreading the moment I have to go to Clockwork, I take a deep breath and lean my head against the car window.

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'Kiera we're here.' I sit up to face Will, feeling slightly annoyed that we've arrived quicker than I would have liked.

'That was too quick,' I mumble.

'I know but the quicker you get this over and done with, the quicker we can go home,' he offers me a smile that I can't bring myself to return. Slowly, I open the passenger door and get out of the car. Will does the same and locks the car before walking around to face me. 'Come on, let's go inside.' He leads me inside and for the first time I look at the building, examining it.

It's a huge building with glass windows and it says "Clockworks" in bold white writing at the top. I still don't understand how my dad managed to hide this from me. 

'How long is this going to take?' I ask, facing Wall.

'Anna told me it shouldn’t take that long,' he replies and I nod. 

We walk inside the building and Will walks over to one of the workers. I roll my eyes but have no choice but to follow him. 'Hi, can I talk to the leader?' Will asks politely.

'The leader, Dave Hayden passed away recently. He was going to pass the business onto his daughter but I don't know what's happening with that,' the young man replies.

'This is Kiera Hayden, Dave's daughter,' Will replies as he introduces me. The man gasps and shakes my hand.

'I am Barney, it is a pleasure to meet you.' He introduces and I fake a smile. 'Daniel is expecting you.'

'And who is Daniel?' I ask, folding my arms and tap my feet against the metal floor.

'He is the deputy leader of Clockwork,' he explains and I nod. Will and I follow him as he takes us through deserted hall ways. 

'Why is this place deserted?' I ask curiously.

'Only the important workers can walk through here.'

'Fascinating,' I sarcastically reply. He smiles politely and leads us through more hallways.

'This is his office,' he says as he we stop in front of a door. It says "Daniel Matthews" on the door and Barney knocks on it twice. 

'Enter!' Daniel replies from inside the office. Barney gives me a smile before opening the door.

'This is Kiera Hayden, Dave's daughter,' he gestures to me and Daniel stands up. He looks like a man who is the same age as my dad. He holds his hand out for me to shake and says 'I'm Daniel Matthews.'

'I can read,' I reply shaking his hand before dropping it and him chuckles. He sits back down in his chair and motions for me to sit opposite him, with Will beside me. 'So are you here to lead your old man's business?' He asks as he gets a paper out that requires my signature. 

'I'm not a leader so I don't think I could do much-'

'Hey, neither was your dad at first and look how successful he made this business. With my help of course,' he replies and I smirk, rolling my eyes. 'So are you going to accept?'

'Well someone has to put you in your place,' I reply shrugging my shoulders. 

'I like the way you think.' He laughs and hands me the paper along with a black pen. I grip the pen in my right hand before signing it. 'Welcome to Clockwork Hayden,' Daniel says and I smile. 

'By the way, I will also studying at university so I'm not going to be here as much,' I inform him and he nods before saying 'We did great without you Hayden so it really won't make a difference.'

'Funny,' I sarcastically say.

'What can I say?' He retorts and I roll my eyes, not knowing how I'm going to work with someone like him. 

'How about nothing?' I suggest and he sarcastically laughs. 

'Before I forget, you are going to need an assistant and luckily your dad's assistant is still here. You are Lucky because she is the same age as you. Do you want to meet her?' He asks as he shuffles through some notes.

'Do I have a choice?' I reply and he laughs again, shaking his head at my reply. 

'I don't think you do,' he replies as he stands up with Barney and they leave the room. I notice Will's stare on me, making me feel uncomfortable and uneasy.

'What?' I question as I look at him.

'You have come so far Kiera, I'm so proud of you,' he replies with a massive smile on his face and I can't help but return it. 'I'm serious Kiera,' he says and places his hand on top of mine. 

'Thanks Will.' I reply gratefully.

'I feel like a proud father.’ He squeezes my hand and instantly he apologises.

'Its fine Will, you've been more of a dad to me than my dad has and you've been in Australia half the time.' I reply and he smiles before engulfing me in a hug. 'I'm glad you came with me Will, I don't think I could have done this without you,' I admit quietly and he tightens his grip. We pull away and he says 'I will always be here for you Kiera whether I'm here or in Australia.' I smile thankfully as words can't describe how I'm feeling. 

Daniel returns shortly with the assistant by his side. He smiles and says 'Kiera Hayden meet Vicky Morrison.'

'Hi.' She replies as she looks at me and I just smile acknowledging her presence. 

'Vicky would you like to show Kiera the building and make sure security give her a card.' She nods and I follow her out of the door.

 'So are you excited?' She asks trying to start a conversation. 

'Does my face look excited?' I rhetorically ask and she scoffs at my sarcasm. 'I'm sorry I'm just tired and I haven't even started working yet. Is that even possible?' I ask.

'I'm not even sure,' she chuckles. 'How long are you going to be working here?' She asks.

'I'm off university for three weeks so I have three weeks to learn exactly how my dad ran this business and after that, I'm not sure.' I reply.

'Don't worry about it, I'll show you everything today and then we'll focus on your dad's plans,' she replies trying to help.

'I can't wait,' I sarcastically reply again and she playfully scoffs.

She begins showing me around the building from top to bottom and I try to concentrate because I understand the importance of it.