Chapter 3. Cigar

Blake’s POV

“Blake, are you there?”

I couldn’t find the words to reply to Petula.

What the hell was going on? And the picture, how did they even get recent pictures of me? For all I knew, the last time I appeared in the media should be eleven years ago. But there was a picture of me and even more of me leaving work, buying coffee.

The reporter began giving details of the news and watched as he spilled the tea.

“We are just receiving news that the young CEO was caught in an unpredicted storm while he was boating during a vacation, and he was buried a few days ago. Quite an unfortunate incident for the Sinclair family and, I would say, the business world. Now Blake Sinclair, who happens to be the only surviving child of Robert Sinclair is said to take over the company. She also stands as the sole heir to the Sinclair empire. Let’s take a moment to dive into Blake Sinclair’s taking over the company. What do you think of this development, John? What exactly do we know about Blake?”

The camera zoomed out to show another reporter. “Not much at the moment. The young heiress has been out of sight for like nine years or more.”

“She sure kept a low-key life.”

“She did, and now she has to come into the limelight. I mean, Tarvex is…”

They shared an awkward laugh.

“It’s worth billions. One of the most respected companies in the world.”

“And now this young lady has to take over.”

“Is she even ready?”

The so-called smiled before replying.

“That I do not know. But first, let’s dive into the history of Tarvex Inc. and then the Sinclair family.”

I zoned them out.

Petula was still on the line.

“Hello, Blake.”

“Petula, I’m on the news.”

I could imagine her expression as she exclaimed, “What?”

“It has to be him, Petula. He set me up. How could he do this? They are going to tear my whole life apart.”

I knew the media. They were like hungry wolves that could never be satisfied. Hungry wolves ready to salvage and tear your life apart for headlines and clicks.

“Calm down, Blake. Are you at the airport? You need to get out of there before anyone realizes you are there.”

Her last sentence triggered a sense of realization in me as I finally snapped to observe my environment. I had gained quite a few glances from people who wondered if I was the same person on the screen. I ducked my head and turned around, walking away as fast as I could.

If people recognized me, then it would only be a matter of minutes before reporters began swarming the airport. I needed to find a place where I could hide till departure.

I sighed in frustration. “Petula, I will call you back.”

Still keeping my head ducked, I walked hastily. I changed my direction when I noticed three men with their dangling cameras and roaming eyes.

Shit. Paparazzi.

I cursed my father a thousand times. He knew exactly what he was doing and had gone to lengths to ensure I didn’t step a foot out of the country.

Every hope of hiding in the airport came crashing as the announcement blasted through the airport.

My flight had been delayed for another two hours.

Good work, Robert Sinclair. Good work.

I began making my way out of the airport, surrendering in defeat to the tactics of my father.

“Miss Blake,” the voice came from a man wearing a black suit and sunshades. In his company was another man dressed accordingly.

“Your father sent us to accompany you back to the estate.”

I watched both of them closely. Sure enough, they looked like bodyguards. But eyes still raked them over, searching for the proof to verify their claims.

The first man sensed what I was looking for and turned his hands so I could see the tiny emblem on his suit.

I followed without questions.

In this world, it wasn’t uncommon for families like mine to have their security team. And certainly not uncommon for the security teams to have their emblems.

Throughout the ride, I was glued to my phone, where all social media and news platforms had my pictures and names plastered across.

Every trending topic had to do with news of my family. Ranging from the death of my brother, and my appointment as the new CEO to my family’s history and that of the company.

I cringed as I scrolled past each one.

“Ten things to know about the new CEO of Tarvex.”

The idiot who updated that one gave a rundown of my life that I didn’t even know existed.

“The Sinclair Curse of Death.”

Another psycho who tied my mother’s and brother’s death to some kind of curse.

“Love Life of Blake Sinclair.”

As expected, there was no tangible news except that I had kept my love life a secret, just like every other part of my life.

“The Sinclair Prodigal Daughter.”

A good headline. This one gave details of how I studied overseas and how I moved to another continent. Then began spilling how I had not been in contact with my family for years with lots of added spice.

“Is Blake Sinclair Fit To Be CEO?”

I got so tired of the headlines and clips that I ended up tossing my phone aside.

As expected, the estate’s gate had been crowded by paparazzi whose cameras began flashing as soon as our tinted car drove by.

Days ago, I had been living a normal life, but today, I had been dragged back into this flashy world where all eyes were fixated on me.

The car didn’t even come to a stop when I barged out with furry.

Petula was on the steps with worry written clearly across her face.

Before she could mutter a word, I spoke up, “I’m fine. Where is he?”

Robert Sinclair sat lazily, taking a puff of a cigar while watching the beautiful outdoor view.

“Celebrating your victory, Robert.”

He took another puff. “If that’s what you call it, then yes.”

I frowned in disgust. “How can you be so disgusting with no self-respect or dignity?”

“Learn those qualities. You will need it for your new position.”

I was about to shoot another comeback when Petula spoke up, “Mr. Robert, I agree you went too far.”

“I wouldn’t have had to if she had listened to me and not tried to be stubborn.”

Petula sighed. “The media is tearing her life apart. They are digging into everything.”

Robert let out a cold laugh. “Life? Is that what you call those shambles? The daughter of one of the most respected families in the world working in an ant firm as an accountant.”

My chuckle was cold and sad.

“Yet I’m happier there than spending two seconds with you. No matter what you do, Robert, I will not take over your company or burdens.”

“A company you have a good number of shares in?”

I froze for a second. “What?”

My father mindlessly took another puff. “Petula, will you excuse us, please.”

“Of course.”

Petula shot me a reassuring look before leaving us.

Apart from Petula’s receding footsteps, there was nothing but the silent music of the autumn wind and the distant melodies of chirping birds.

“You have a choice to sit or stand.”

I sat because something lay underneath his cold voice. If I wasn’t mistaken, I could swear I had heard a string of emotions.

“The Sinclair family has always been that of wealth and power. A family whose name and values had survived centuries. From dining with world leaders and sometimes even having a hand in the choosing of such leaders to being a powerhouse in the business world. Of course, we stepped on our toes; we burnt down anything that stood in our way. Why? So each future generation could stand a chance against this wicked and cruel world. So they could fulfill their destinies of being leaders and never servants. A golden bloodline. But a generation came when all that the family stood for was under a great threat. The name Sinclair would have vanished alongside its power and glory if certain steps were not taken. That generation was my father’s.”

He began demonstrating with his hands. “Bad investments, frivolous spending, and what have you. Our ancestors must have been turning in their graves.”

I have seen disgust and anger in Robert Sinclair’s face numerous times. Especially since they were always directed toward me.

But the way he spoke and the way his face twisted in disgust and hatred that I had never seen.

For unknown reasons, I found myself paying attention to all that spilled from his mouth.

“By the time I was set to take over the company, it was swimming in debt and on the brink of collapsing. Centuries of hard work and sacrifices by noblemen were about to be flushed down the drain because of the hideous decisions of one man. There was only one way to save the company. A merger.”

I swallowed because I knew this part of the story. I knew it so well that I wondered if maybe it should never have happened.

He took a minute before he continued, “A marriage to your mother secured that, and it worked out. Not without years of consistent hard work from both of us.”

A hint of surprise flashed through my face. I don’t remember a time when my mother worked in the company. I knew she was a very smart woman but I don’t have any recollection of her working in the company. Just memories of the usual charity galas and public appearances. At least till she was bedridden.

“After we had Dan, she decided to leave the company and focus on bringing him up and then you. But she still had a good number of shares which were passed to you and Dan after her death.”

I frowned. “I didn’t receive any share.”

“I made sure of that.”

“Why am I not surprised? You’ve proven how despicable you can be numerous times.”

Silence.

“So, is this what you wanted me to hear? A pity story of our family’s history. And then hitting my soft spot by using my mother’s story of how hard she worked for the good of the company. What next? Let me guess, you are going to ask if I will let my mother’s hard work be in vain.”

A bitter smile spread across his face. “Blake… There is something you do not realize. Despite your hatred for me, we are both alike in many ways. Perhaps that’s why we never got along.”

No answer from me.

The sweet and rich smell of tobacco danced around us.

“Will you choose the remaining fragment of your mother’s legacy or your stubbornness and pride?”

Sweet-scented tobacco and the richness of earth and wood from a cigar is pleasant to some while overpowering and repelling to others.

I stand with the former.

“And before you answer, know that I may have a bastard son out there.”