chapter one

A Chapter by Leeann Van Dell

Pink was always the kindest of colors, it represented her beautifully. Daphne.

"Run. Run. Run." his words rang through my mind as my feet carried me faster than I had ever gone before. I heard a final gunshot and I knew it was over; another life lost. Screeching car tires indicated that they had fled from the scene, away from my direction and I was finally able to slow my pace. Pulling out my cellphone, I dialed my office number saying one word, "Down.", and my secretary already knew what had happened, another man lost to our opposing hooligans. I turned the corner of Figueroa Street, hearing sirens already, and approached my black Escalade, immediately getting in and driving away.

I decided to head over to my office and go through my ex-employee's files and get rid of our contracts. I walked in and was greeted by Rachel, the security guard. I continued to the elevator and went up to the 58th floor where my office was located and walked over to my secretary, James. "Down?" I nodded and he sighed, he turned around and pulled up all of his digital records of our workers, "Last name?" I took a moment to think it over, "Westbay, I believe." he typed in the name and sure enough, it was correct. "All. No digital records should be kept, I'll handle the other files." I turned and walked through the doors of my office. I clapped my hands so my lights and T.V would turn on, I knew I had a lot of work to do.

Digging through all of Mr. Westbay's files, I noticed he had a brother, Kent, who was working for me as well. I decided to call and let him know about tonight's events. According to facebook statuses made by Westbay, he didn't like his brother, so I assumed Kent wouldn't take it very hard. I dialed his number and almost immediately he picked up, "Yes, Mr. Styles?" I chuckled a bit, "Kent, I'm calling on behave of events that occurred about an hour ago, involving your brother. In order to protect me, just as he agreed to in his contract, he was shot while making a deal with the opposing hooligans. I'm sorry for your loss," he went silent, and I took the silence as an opportunity to continue, "I need you to come into the office right away so we can read over his contract and discuss conditions." Kent was still silent, "Kent, I need you to be here within 15 minutes, make it happen, I'm a very busy man." and with that, I hung up.

I continued digging through paperwork and shredding the files that had to disappear. My secretary's voice came through the speaker and informed me that Kent was here but there was a child with him. I was annoyed that he would bring a child to this business, especially because of the circumstances. I heard a knock at my door and went over to open it, there stood Kent with a child standing behind him. I gave a look of disappointment, "Leave them with James, this is a private matter and one of which a child shouldn't be brought into." I said quietly through gritted teeth. He nodded and I turned around, I heard him directing the child away as I sat down and waited for him. He came back and sat down, well aware of my anger. "Why did you bring a f*****g child here?", Kent didn't seem surprised. "My daughter and I were on our way back to the house, so I just made a U-turn and came straight here, sir." I nodded, "You were out with your daughter at nearly midnight? Doesn't she have school?" I asked unimpressed. "She wanted ice cream." he stated simply, I chuckled dryly and waved it off, changing the subject to get to work.

Kent was understanding of everything and was mostly silent. I finished up the paperwork and turned to him, "I know that you're hurting now, but either way I still need you working," he nodded, "I have somewhere I need to be tomorrow, but because of this whole mess I have to stay here and finish up whatever needs to be done. You'll be leaving tomorrow at 6:00 a.m, on a flight to Chicago." I stated and waited for his reply. "Sir, I can't do that. I have a daughter to take care of and I haven't had time to find her a place to stay or change appointments or anything. I can't do it." he said rather scared. I nodded, I understand why, it is sudden. But there's no option, I can't leave and risk letting my company fall to ruin over this stupidity. I shook my head, sighing, "I'll take care of the kid, I suppose." It's only a 4 day trip, but she better stay out of my way.

He looked shocked and shook his head, "I don't know about that, Mr. Styles." he stood up and so did I. "This is not negotiable, you will leave tomorrow. If she doesn't stay with me, then she stays with someone else. I will not risk losing this company just because you won't comply." I raised my voice and Kent went silent and headed for the door. He opened it and stepped out, I followed in suit wanting to know just what the hell he was doing, "Daphne." That name struck me, he named his daughter after a nymph? I was lost in thought and hadn't realized that the girl had approached. "Okay Daphne, you're going to stay with him while I go away for a few days." she had a blanket wrapped around her like E.T and her face wasn't clear enough to see until she took off the blanket. She looked like a little god; flawless. Her pale skin, pink lips, brown and pink hair, and small frame had me in momentary shock. "Why?" her angelic tone rang through my ears, he sighed and glanced at me, "I have to go on a business trip." she made an 'o' shape with her nodded, "Okay."

She was still wary of me, as if she knew I was thinking about her beauty. Kent was on edge about this whole situation, but he didn't have a choice, he knew what the consequences of him not complying would be and he definitely didn't want that. He just wouldn't want his daughter going through all kinds of pain because of him, I'm sure. "Okay, I'll email you whatever you have to know and you can drop her off at my house tomorrow morning." he nodded, hesitating to move but eventually began to walk away with that little angel. I heard her quiet voice as they stepped into the elevator, "who is that?"

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