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We were all gathered in the cemetery, surrounded by the solemn atmosphere.

"Dov'è tua sorella?" Mom asked, her voice low and concerned.

(Where is your sister?)

I scanned the area, my eyes finally landing on my sister standing at the farthest corner, detached from us and lost in the sea of unfamiliar faces. She seemed engrossed in her thoughts, a world away from our reality. I gestured for her to join us.

When she finally approached

"Perché stavi lì?" I asked

(Why were you standing there?)

"I was just trying to find who I am..." Her response was cryptic.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I pressed for clarification.

She gazed at me, her expression a mix of frustration and resignation, and sighed,

"Just blabbering... Forget about it."

I nodded understandingly, choosing not to push the issue further.

4 Days Later.....

"What did you mean by that, Mr. Lorenzo?" I asked, my irritation evident in my tone.

"I'm telling the truth, Jarek," he replied, his expression serious.

"But why now?! We're still reeling from the trauma of losing him!" I exclaimed, my emotions raw.

"I know, but what can we do? They've rebelled... they're trying to destroy you," Mr. Lorenzo explained, his voice measured.

"And they think they can do that?" I scoffed, my anger rising.

Sorella placed a calming hand on my shoulder.

"Let's give them the checkmate they wished for in their own game..."

"You're right, Sorella. Let's show them their place." I nodded, determination coursing through me.

"Thank you, Mr. Lorenzo. You can leave now," I dismissed him, my focus already shifting to the battle ahead.

"It's my pleasure, sir," he said, departing from my office with a nod.

Lorenzo, our trusted lawyer, had been working with us for a while, but his recent revelation was a bombshell.

"What's the plan?" I questioned, seeking a strategy to tackle the situation.

Sorella shot me a sarcastic look.

"Can't you think for yourself?" She teased, rolling her eyes.

"Just joking," I retorted, clenching my fists.
"I know the plan. Those bastards will soon meet their maker."

"For sure!" Sorella affirmed, already dialing Matteo's number to instruct him on the necessary arrangements.

With that, we plunged into intense preparations, readying ourselves to drop the hammer and take control of the situation.

A Week Later.....

I sat in the conference room, surrounded by the other board members, waiting for the arrival of the man I had come to despise. At the head of the table, I was flanked by Ava on my left and Mr. Lorenzo on my right, with five other seats occupied and four remaining empty.

"I apologize if I'm late, my dear colleagues," Mr. Santo finally entered, his smug tone grating on my nerves.

He took the seat directly across from me, his son sitting to his left. He was a longtime friend of my father and a significant shareholder, had been secretly plotting to overthrow me and install his son as CEO. His betrayal still stung.

"So, as you all know, I'm a straight shooter. Let's get to the point," Mr. Santo began, his tone dripping with condescension.

"Well, Mr. Santo, I disagree," Ava spoke up, her voice calm and professional. "Jarek has been successfully running this business for a long time, whereas your son is still inexperienced in this field."

"Oh, come on! You know how they botched the last deal? They managed to lose it after winning it! They're a disgrace to the York family name." Santo sneered,

My anger surged, and I clenched my fists, itching to punch him. But Ava discreetly grasped my hand under the table, restraining me.

"Mr. Santo, they've already taken steps to rectify the situation and manage the loss," Mr. Lorenzo intervened, his voice measured and objective.

"Mr. Lorenzo, you're getting old; it's time to retire and let someone with passion and energy take your seat," Santo sneered.

"I think you're the one who should step down," I retorted with a smirk.

"Oh, come on, boy! I'm still vibrant and capable of protecting my interests. No one can breach my security and steal from me," Santo boasted.

"Mr. Santo, why are you so certain we can't recover the chip?" Ava raised her brows, her voice laced with skepticism.

"Don't be naive, girl! It's impossible. SYL has the chip, and they'll launch it soon," Mr. Diego muttered, seemingly under Mr. Lorenzo's influence.

"And what if we've already taken action?" I asked, a hint of triumph in my voice.

"Are you daydreaming, boy? SYL has announced the launch; it's a done deal," Santo scoffed, unaware of the plans we had set in motion.

"Well, then, let me show you something, gentlemen," I said with a smirk.

"Matteo," I called out, and he entered with several boxes. He placed them on the table, and I gestured, "Look for yourself..."

As they opened the boxes, their eyes widened in shock and horror. "But... is this the new model?" Mr. Lucas asked, his voice trembling.

"This is the same one that got stolen from us!" I revealed, enjoying their stunned reactions.

"Impossible!" Santo exclaimed, his face pale.

"You can check it; it has all the features," I said, confident in our plan.

"But how... and how did you guys get it?" Diego quired, his curiosity piqued.

I glanced at Ava, and she firmly stated,
"You don't need to know."

"But what about the one SYL is making?" Ronan questioned.

I smiled, knowing we had the upper hand. "Let's just say... we've got a surprise waiting for them."

"That's an old version of one of our guns," Ava explained. "We exchanged it, and when they release it, we'll send them a legal notice. They'll learn the consequences of trying to mess with us."

"Well, I must say, you guys have a solution for every problem, but..." Santo scoffed

"But," he continued, "I still don't agree with you being the CEO. You let them infiltrate and steal from us."

"Let's vote, Mr. Santo. You can't impose your thoughts on us. We're a team, not your puppets." Ava countered.

"Sure, why not?" Santo smirked.

The vote began, and to my surprise, everyone sided with me, except for Santo and his son.

"Why?" Santo questions, his face red with anger.

"Board members should judge without deception, shouldn't they, Mr. Santo?" Ava smirked, Her sarcasm was palpable.

Well, she's right.

"Congratulations, Jarek!" Ava exclaimed, hugging me tightly. The others joined in, offering their congratulations.

But before we could celebrate further,  Santo spoke up, his voice dripping with malice. "Wait a minute, kids... I have something to say."

"What is it, Mr. Santo?"Ava's eyes narrowed,

"Miss Ava, I don't think you have any shares in the company. You shouldn't be here," he uttered, his smirk growing wider.

"But Mr. Santo, Ava is Mrs. Serenity's daughter and the sole heir to her shares. She inherited the majority of the company's shares, even more than Jarek."Diego intervened,.

"I remember that, Mr. Diego. However, on her 18th birthday, Ava signed a document transferring all her property to her uncle." Santo's smirk returned.

The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on us. I was stunned, unable to process this sudden revelation.

No, dad would never do that! He loved her like a daughter; he wouldn't betray her like this.
Ava's face remained calm, devoid of any emotion.

"Well, it's on paper, Mr. Jarek. You can ask Mr. Lorenzo if you don't believe me," Santo sneered, pulling out a document from his bag.

My eyes locked onto Mr. Lorenzo, and he nodded.

"She's just an employee, nothing more. She doesn't deserve to be here with us."

My protective instincts flared up. "Mr. Santo, you can't speak to my sister like that! She's still my family, regardless of her shareholder status. I won't let you disrespect her," I warned, my voice firm.

"Whatever you say, kid, but the truth is bitter. Someone needs to take the blame, and we need to ensure they leave this place for good." Santo shrugged, his words dripped with malice, and I knew he would stop at nothing to destroy us.

"What the hell do you mean by that, Mr. Santo? We've already recovered the deal, and..." I began, but he cut me off.

"We need to answer to the clients, kid. Someone needs to take responsibility," Santo uttered, his eyes gleaming with triumph. I could feel the room shifting against us, the board members nodding in agreement, eager to pin the blame on Ava.

But before I could protest, Ava stood up, her eyes locked on mine.
"I'll take the blame and resign from my position as CEO of Phoenix Corporation, the sister branch of York Corporation," she announced, her voice clear and strong.

I tried to interrupt, but she squeezed my hand, silencing me.

"I'll handle my resignation letter," Ava said, handing it to me. She had prepared for this moment, anticipating the worst. But why didn't she confide in me?

"I think you should leave too, Miss Ava. As you're not a member of this company, we can't disclose anything to you." Santo smirked,

"You're right, Mr. Santo. I should leave." Ava nodded,  She departed swiftly, her face a mask of calmness.

I yearned to follow her, but I restrained myself. If I left now, Santo would exploit it against me, undermining Ava's efforts. I had to stay and protect our legacy, no matter how difficult it was to see her go.

The room was filled with pitying glances, but I knew Ava detested sympathy. She had left to spare herself the indignity, not because she was overwhelmed. I had to respect her decision and stay strong, no matter how much I wanted to rush after her.

After the meeting, I headed straight to Ava's penthouse, my mind racing with questions. She opened the door on the third ring, and I blurted out, "You knew about this?" My voice was harsher than I intended, but Ava remained calm.

She pulled me inside and closed the door behind us, her grip on my arm firm. "Let it go, Jarek. It's in the past. You don't need to stress about it," she said, her expression serene.

I protested, my voice slightly softer, "No, it's not fine. We need to figure this out. This company belongs to you too, Ava." I couldn't understand why she was being so calm about it.

Ava's response was detached, "Move on, boy. Just because it doesn't belong to me, it's  yours."

Her words felt like a slap, as if she was relinquishing all claims to the company, and to me.

"What are you implying, Sorella? You know this isn't the truth. Whatever success this company has achieved, it's all thanks to your efforts. Grandpa may have founded it, but you're the one who took it to unprecedented heights. No one, no one, could have accomplished what you have. We're the fourth largest company in the world, with branches in over 20 countries, all because of your leadership... This company needs you, sister... I need you," my voice cracked as I spoke, my emotions overwhelming me.

Ava's expression softened, and she pulled me into a tight embrace, comforting me with gentle pats on the back.

"You know what? I couldn't have achieved any of it without your support," she declared, her voice trembling, her eyes welling up with tears as she cradled my cheeks in her hands. "We're in this together, always."

"But..." I began, only to be cut off by Ava's pleading voice.

"Please, Jarek... it's my decision... please," she said, her eyes begging me to drop the matter.

I was at a loss for words, knowing that she had made up her mind. I realized that even in his wildest dreams, Santo wouldn't have succeeded in his plans if Ava had putted any efforts.

"But why?" I asked again.

Ava bit her bottom lip, hesitating. "I'll tell you when the time is more appropriate," she said with a sigh, her eyes clouding over with a mix of sadness and distrust.

I nodded, understanding that she wasn't ready to share her reasons yet. I knew that if I were in her position, I would have done the same. Her trust had been broken by someone she thought she could rely on, and as his son, she wouldn't easily believe me either.

"Come on, I don't think you've eaten since the meeting," Ava uttered, her eyes filled with concern.

"Yeah, you're right." I pouted.

The dining table was set, and everything on it was my favorite. "Wow, sorella, you prepared everything according to my liking," I exclaimed, impressed.

"Yeah, since you got what's yours." Ava smiled.

We sat down and dug in. After a few bites, I mentioned, "I need to head to New Jersey."

"For what purpose?" Ava inquired,

"The deal," I declared.

"Oh!! yeah." She nodded,

"When do you plan to leave?" she queried.

"In two hours," I announced.

"Okay, have a safe journey," she wished, her voice filled with concern.

"Thanks," I acknowledged.

"When do you plan to return?"

"The day after tomorrow," I informed her.

"Okay, I'll wait," she assured me with a smile.

I departed after half an hour, and Matteo brought my clothes from the mansion. We headed to New Jersey, ready to finalize the deal.

__________________

Throughout the flight, my mind refused to grant me respite from the day's revelations. The weight of it all lingered, refusing to let me rest. He died without answers, leaving me with only questions.

If only I had known... My whole life, he was my hero, my idol. But now, that image I had created of him lay shattered. How could he do that to her? The thought haunted me, refusing to let go. I felt broken, betrayed by the fact that the man I idolized was not the person I thought he was. God knows what else he had done...

The flight landed, but my thoughts continued to soar, refusing to be grounded. I ran a hand through my hair, sighed deeply, and forced those thoughts into a dark corner of my mind. I needed to focus on the upcoming meeting, prepare myself for what was to come. But the pain of the day's revelations lingered, a constant reminder of the truth I never wanted to face.

We arrived at our destination, and Mr. Smith extended a warm welcome.
"Hello, Mr. York. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Same here, Mr. Smith." I reciprocated the greeting, shaking his hand.

"Let's go, Mr. York." Mr. Smith gestured for us to proceed.

"After you, Mr. Smith."I returned the courtesy.

As we entered the hotel suites, I asked, "Where is Mr. Wilson?"

"I'm deeply sorry, Mr. York. He had to leave for an urgent matter but will return tomorrow." Mr. Smith apologized,

"Very well, we'll discuss the details when he returns." I nodded understandingly.

"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. York." Mr. Smith expressed his gratitude.

"It's fine." I dismissed his apology with a wave of my hand.

After ensuring I was settled in the hotel suite, Mr. Smith took his leave.

"Sir, don't you think it's a bit insulting that Mr. Smith is the one greeting us?" Matteo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It is!" I acknowledged with a smirk. "But right now, we're in the wrong. Don't worry, this matter isn't going to end here!"

"Whatever you say!" Matteo shrugged, seemingly unconvinced.

I freshened up and headed to the terrace balcony, where I ordered a Mocha. Within five minutes, a hotel staff member arrived with my order. I took the drink, thanked him, and handed him a generous tip.

As I sat back down on the balcony, cradling my Mocha, I gazed out at the bustling city under the moonlight. It had been the most chaotic day of my life, but in this moment, I found a sense of peace. The city's energy was palpable, and I felt my thoughts begin to unwind.

As I sat on the balcony, sipping my Mocha, the events of the day's meeting replayed in my mind like a haunting melody. The question that lingered was: why did he do that? Ava's nonchalant expression only confirmed that she was aware of everything. But wait, didn't the doctor say she was being treated for hallucinations? And did he...?

I let out a frustrated sigh.

Everything was bewilderingly complex, and to top it off, there was her secret marriage, unknown to no one until now. We needed to discuss this, but the past few weeks had been a never-ending turmoil.

Just then, my gaze fell upon a billboard featuring a biker...
I called out to Matteo.

"Matteo, arrange a bike for me. I need a ride..." I uttered, my voice firm and decisive.

"Sure thing, sir," he acknowledged, his tone crisp before disconnecting.

I prepared for the night trip, dressing in a white tank top, black jeans, and a leather jacket. I slipped on my boots and left the hotel premises, where Matteo awaited me with a sleek new bike.

He handed me a helmet, and I inquired, "Coming with me?"

"No, I need some sleep." Matteo yawned, I chuckled and nodded, feeling a thrill of excitement as I started the bike and left the hotel behind.

The city streets were alive with streetlights, casting a daylight glow over the bustling metropolis. But I craved speed, and the crowded roads couldn't satisfy that urge. I headed towards the highways, the bike roaring to life as I accelerated into the night.

I arrived at the highway, my bike surging forward with tremendous speed. The wind rushed past me, and I felt a thrilling sense of escape.

"Wait! Please!" Suddenly, a girl darted into the path of my bike, crying out.

My heart racing, I swiftly swerved my bike to avoid her, barely maintaining balance before regaining control just inches from the divider.

"What the hell! Have you lost your mind?" I thundered, bringing my bike to a stop beside her.

As I turned to face her, a pair of familiar honey-brown eyes met mine.

"Vritika!" I exclaimed, surprised.

"Jarek!" she uttered, her eyes still wide with fear, but easing slightly as she recognized me.

"What's going on?" I demanded, my eyes scanning the group of six men behind her.

"Come here," I said, striding towards her and grasping her arm, pulling her behind me.

"Leave the girl alone, kid," one of them sneered. "She's ours tonight."

"And it's none of your business," another one added, taunting me.

"It is" I stated firmly, standing my ground.

One of them, emboldened by their numbers, charged towards me, brandishing a bottle. I swiftly grabbed his hand, snatched the bottle, and struck him with it, leaving him clutching his head in agony.

Another attacker emerged, wielding a baseball bat. I kicked him squarely in the chest, sending him stumbling back. The remaining four charged at me simultaneously, but I swiftly retrieved my gun from its knee holster and fired a warning shot into the air.

"He's got a gun! Run!" one of them yelled, and they all turned tail, fleeing in panic.

I turned back to Vritika, who was shivering with fear, her teeth chattering. "Thank you..."

The chill in the air was palpable, and Vritika's black tight short dress offered little protection against the cold.

"What are you doing here, trouble magnet?" I raised an eyebrow, teasing her.

"Firstly, I am not a trouble magnet, and secondly, I don't owe you an explanation!"She shot back, her eyes flashing.

"Well, a saviour deserves some respect, don't you think?"I chuckled, enjoying the banter.

"A saviour should also know their limits, and I've already thanked you."Vritika's retort was quick.

"Alright, alright. You win. Let's get out of here, shall we?" I held up my hands in surrender, grinning.

"Let's go," I said, expecting her to follow me willingly.

But Vritika crossed her arms, her eyes flashing with defiance.
"Where? I came with my friends, and I'll leave with them."

"Either you come with me, or I'll call your brother and tell him what happened."

Her expression changed, and she stiffened, clearly unwilling to risk her brother's involvement.

I smirked, knowing I had the upper hand now.

"Fine," she gritted out, her teeth clenched in frustration.

I gestured to my bike, and we both settled in, the engine roaring to life once more. We rode in silence until I stopped at a clothing store, the neon signs illuminating the dark night.

"Why are we here?" Vritika inquired, confusion etched on her face.

"I think someone needs some clothes," I declared, my irritation growing.

"Who...?" she pondered, her eyes wide with innocence.

"Me, okay?!" I exclaimed, my patience wearing thin.  "Either you're incredibly naive or you're trying to provoke me."

Vritika's eyes flashed with defiance. "But—" she began.

"Silence, or I'll call your brother." I cut her off, my voice firm.

"Fine. I won't utter a word, but cease bullying me with my brother's name."She clamped her lips shut, looking mutinous.

"Agreed."I sighed, exasperated.

We entered the boutique, and I handed her a pair of clothes. White tank top, black leather jacket, and black jeans.

"Go and change," I instructed, my eyes fixed on her.

"But—" she began, her voice hesitant.

"Do you want to be an ice statue?" I teased, my tone light.

"No," she murmured, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"So go!" I encouraged, gesturing towards the dressing room.

She finally relented, disappearing into the changing room. I took the opportunity to visit the shoe store nearby and grabbed a pair of shoes that would complement her outfit. When she emerged, she was stunning in her new clothes - a perfect fit.

"Did you do it on purpose?" she queried, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"What?" I pondered, my thoughts snapped back to reality.

"Our clothes," she observed, her gaze drifting to our matching outfits. My face flushed with embarrassment as I realized our synchronicity.

"I don't mean—" I muttered, my voice unintentionally low and conspiratorial, her face leaning in close to mine.

"You did it on purpose..." she stated, her voice hinting at a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Let's go," I declared, feeling a sudden need to escape the boutique's confines. I settled the bill, and we walked out to our bike.

"Here, wear these," I offered, handing her the sports shoes.

"Thanks," she acknowledged with a sincere smile, quickly swapping her heels for the shoes.

"Do you want to go on a long drive?" I proposed, seeking a escape from the suffocating atmosphere.

"Absolutely!" she enthused, her eyes sparkling with excitement, her face lighting up with anticipation.

We mounted the bike, and I felt a thrill of freedom as we sped away, the wind rushing past us, leaving the boutique and its awkwardness behind.

We straddled the bike and meandered through the city, witnessing the crowds dissipate and the traffic dwindle.

As we reached the bridge, the sky suddenly erupted in a kaleidoscope of colors, firecrackers illuminating the darkness.

The burst of lights was so vibrant that it felt like daytime in the midst of night. I brought the bike to a halt, and we sat there, taking in the breathtaking view.

I turned to face her, and my gaze met the girl utterly enchanted by the celestial display.

"Happy New Year," she whispered, her eyes locked onto mine. I removed my helmet, wanting her to see my face more clearly, and our eyes remained fixed on each other, the fireworks casting a magical glow on our moment.

"You too," I whispered, my lips inches from hers. And then, I claimed her lips in a gentle kiss. To my surprise, she reciprocated with equal passion, our bodies swaying together in perfect harmony. Time stood still as we lost ourselves in the embrace.

Eventually, we parted, and I led her to a nearby restaurant.

"Let's go in," I suggested, and we entered, taking a seat at a cozy table. We perused the menu, placing our orders, and settled in for a leisurely meal together.

"So, what brings you here?" I questioned, curiosity getting the better of me.

"I'm on a trip with friends," she replied, her eyes sparkling with adventure.

"And how did you end up in this mess?" I probed, my interest piqued.

"We were having a blast at the club when one of them approached me, and we got into a minor argument. I had them kicked out," she explained, her voice steady. "I stepped outside to take a call, and they came back seeking revenge. I could have taken them on, but there were too many..."

"And then you ran into me," I finished for her, a smile playing on my lips.

Our food arrived, and we dug in, savoring the flavors. Suddenly, she exclaimed,
"Shit!" her eyes wide with worry.

"What's wrong?" I asked, concern etched on my face.

"I forgot to tell them..." she trailed off, her voice laced with anxiety. "Can I borrow your phone for a sec?"

I handed it over, and she made a quick call. The color drained from her face as she listened to the person on the other end, her expression transforming from calm to alarm.

"What's wrong?" I inquired, noticing her distress.

"They got a call from bhai and spilled the beans," she declared, her eyes wide with worry.

"You're in trouble now!" I teased, chuckling.

She playfully slapped my shoulder, and then her expression turned serious as she dialed someone else - apparently her brother. They conversed in hushed tones while I continued eating, but my attention was fixated on the small mole on her neck, more intriguing than my food.

Suddenly, she handed me the phone, and I raised an eyebrow, curious.

"Bhabhi wants to talk to you," she murmured, her voice low.

I took the phone, placing it against my ear, wondering why her brother's wife wanted to speak with me. Didn't she just call her brother?   My confusion deepened as I awaited this bhabhi's words.

"Jarek!" a voice called out from the phone.

"Yeah, sorella!" I responded, momentarily confused. Wait, she called my sister "bhabhi", but her name is Ava! Then it hit me - my sister was married to her brother, which made her her sister-in-law. 'Bhabhi' was a term of affection for a sister-in-law.

"What are you two doing together?" she asked, curiosity evident in her tone.

"I was driving on the highway when I found her trying to hitch a ride," I explained.

"Ooh, okay!" she acknowledged. "Just make sure she's safe!"

"Will do!" I assured her.

The call ended, and I handed the phone back to Ava. "Thanks!"

"You've said that a lot already," I teased with a playful glint in my eyes.

"Still," she smiled, shrugging.

"Okay, finish your food, and let's go!" I urged.

We completed our meal and headed out, bound for the hotel.