Katerina pov
I panic, crossing my fingers tightly as the truck arrives at our destination. A crowd gathers, and a team of doctors surrounds the area where the crash took place. I take cautious steps, unsure of what awaits me on the other side. Expectations elude me. Cara has already dashed to the scene.
“Have you seen Christian?” Ava rushes toward me, her eyes filled with worry.
I shake my head, my heart racing.
“I hope he is okay,” she says, her voice trembling, and she starts pacing anxiously. As the doctors make way, they lift Oliver onto a stretcher. I catch sight of him, his face pale and bruised, and fear grips me. I hesitate to approach, afraid of both getting closer and the disapproving gaze of his sister. She doesn’t trust me, and in this critical moment, her doubts resurface.
I step aside as Cara gives orders to prepare the helicopter for Oliver’s airlift. When the area clears, I spot Mr. Thorne. Without a second thought, I rush toward him. Mr. Thorne, taken aback by the unexpected embrace, stumbles backward momentarily. Then he wraps his arms around me, holding me tightly. “Katerina,” he says, his voice choked with emotion.
“Thank goodness you’re okay!” I exclaim, my voice quivering with emotion. His embrace envelops me, providing a much-needed sense of comfort amidst the chaos.
He opens his mouth to speak, but his words are drowned out by the commotion surrounding us.
Reluctantly, we break apart, and the harsh reality of the situation crashes down upon me. Oliver’s life hangs in the balance, and unanswered questions linger in the air.
“What happened?” I ask, desperation coloring my voice.
A faint smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “I don’t know,” he replies, confusion evident in his eyes. In all the time I’ve known him, I have never seen him so disoriented. His concern for Oliver is genuine.
Ava joins us, her face filled with concern. “I’ve been looking for you,” she says, hugging Mr. Thorne. “How is this possible?” Ava asks, her voice laced with disbelief. Mr. Thorne shakes his head, his expression mirroring our shared confusion. Ava clings onto him not ready to let go until he pulls her away. She smiles at him embarrassed, but he is too preoccupied with what is going on.
The car Oliver was driving lies in ruins, completely destroyed.
“I need to go to the hospital. I’ll arrange a way for you to get home,” he announces, starting to walk away and joining Cara. He holds her as they walk.
Ava blocks my path when I try to follow him. “It seems like I keep running into you in places where you shouldn’t be,” she remarks, her eyes glaring at me.
“And where do you think I should be?” I retort.
“You’re just his secretary,” she says disdainfully.
“Why do you always follow him?” I shoot back.
“What we have is special,” she replies, determined.
“Or are you hoping he leaves his wife for you?”
“She doesn’t deserve him,” Ava fires back.
“And you do?” I challenge her.
“Don’t get too attached, they come and go, and you aren’t any more special than the previous one or the next one.” She states, making a theatrical turn and following Mr. Thorne.
There’s another helicopter that has already landed, and I assume that it’s here for Mr. Thorne.
“I want to see Oliver too,” I insist.
He glances over at Ava, who has already gotten inside one of his cars, and then back at me. He wants to object but seems so defeated that I just want to be there for him the way he was there for me at my grandmother’s funeral. “Fine, let’s go,” he says in defeat.
*****
I look over from my desk, it has been days since the accident. Oliver is still in hospital after his spinal surgery and the doctors assured his family that he will make a full recovery. Mr. Thorne has not been the same ever since. He arrives very early and leaves at lunch time to see Oliver and in the evenings i accompany him to the hospital again.
Suddenly, Clara interrupts my thoughts, stepping in front of my desk. Annoyance wells up within me as I sigh at her unwelcome presence.
“He is a wreck!” She comments.
Though she has been helping me navigate my role as a personal assistant, I find it difficult to tolerate her company. She has taught me about organizational tools like Trello, and I’ve made progress in managing my inbox efficiently. Yet, despite all this, I can’t still stand her.
“I heard it wasn’t an accident but a deliberate murder attempt,” Clara whispers, her eyes darting towards Mr. Thorne’s office, as if afraid he might overhear us.
So far i am in the dark about the investigation while Mr. Thornes refuses to talk about the issue.
“If you are looking for gossip you knocked on the wrong door,”
“Oh, come on! Aren’t you even a little curious? He’s your boss, and you were there,” Clara persists, flashing a smile as if that could sway me.
Just as I’m about to respond, my phone rings, breaking the tension in the air. I pick it up and hear Mr. Thorne’s commanding voice on the other end. “I don’t pay you to gossip. Come to my office immediately,” he orders.
Clara quickly scurries back to her workstation, seemingly aware that it was the boss who called. I take a deep breath, gathering my composure, and make my way to Mr. Thorne’s office. I knock and looks at me confused something i don’t do. Lately i have been efficient in my work until he has been treating me like a suspect.
“I have a private client i am expecting,” He says.
I raise an eyebrow, surprised by this unexpected information. “I didn’t see that in my diary,” I remark.
He studies me for a moment, suspicion evident in his eyes. “Were you intentionally being incompetent to spite me?” he questions, his voice laced with a hint of accusation.
I chuckle, unable to hide my amusement. “I wish,” I respond wryly.
He shakes his head dismissing me, “Like i was saying i have a client i am expecting and our meeting will not be usual. She rather remain private and i want you to be there.”
“May i ask who it is?” I am curious.
“Just know that she is here to consult us regarding a false identity. There’s a girl claiming to be her abandoned daughter, and she wants this situation contained, without any negative publicity that could tarnish her image,” Mr. Thorne explains, glancing at his watch.
“She should be here any moment now,” he adds, his voice trailing off.
Just as he finishes speaking, a knock resonates through the office. I quickly move to open the door, and the sight that greets me leaves me utterly stunned. The woman standing there raises her eyes and, upon seeing me, her expression mirrors my own shock..
“Mother?” I mutter and her intention of being here finally hits me.
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