2 YEARS LATER
MAHIRA
I've been building my legacy for the past 2 years now with the help of Kaashvi's help. It wasn't
easy starting from scratch but with her by my side it wasn't so bad either. I had to put aside my
feelings for Thane. There wasn't a day that passed when I didn't think about Elena, I wondered if
she ever missed me or if she had just forgotten about me.
I figured after a while that it was better to shut down whatever emotions that kept me tied to
them. I couldn't erase what I felt, but pretending and burying my feelings made things easier.
It also kept me safe and kept me on top of this wealth chain.
I wish I could say I was happy that all my dreams came true but I felt empty, unfulfilled and
incomplete. I was happy sometimes though. I mean I was the founder and CEO of AMS film
production studio. My company was ranked as one of the top studios in the cinematic industry.
Movies take time to produce but because a year ago i had 10 branches in different locations i
could shoot different films in different locations all at the same time i managed to release 5
movies.
Those 5 movies were the breakthrough of my career and company. Now I have branches in
approximately 50 countries, they were expensive, buying the land, resources and all that but the
five films earned me enough to run it and money from investors helped me grow.
My movies accommodate over 40 languages which was amazing for a debut business woman
so i was proud of myself a bit. My biggest branch was the one in London, mainly because I
worked here and I loved London. The second largest was the one in Canada.
What made my company so unique was we created most of our outfits, stories, designs and
basically most of our things were created by my team. Kind of an all in one type of thing.
I was working on my new film that would be casting Kaashvi as the main character. It's a story I
wrote in the 9th grade and I had promised Kaashvi that she would star in it.
'Mahira, now that we are finally bringing 'curse of love' to life, don't you think this deserves a
celebration.' I continued working on the document I had been working on for the past hour. Truth is, throwing
myself at my work made me forget about the reality of my life. I didn't have to think about
everything that could break my heart so yeah, I was content.
'Hello. I'm talking here and the last time I checked I am not invisible. Be a bitch later please, we
are going to celebrate the beginning of a new film, you're coming to America with me. Besides, I
heard the company there wasn't keeping well so…'
I stopped typing when she mentioned that my company wasn't keeping well. Maybe I should go.
It wouldn't hurt to go. It's not like I'd meet them. It's not like I'd see any of them, it doesn't mean I
would have to face them, pretty sure they have moved on so it's okay. We can go and celebrate
and I could do a little fixing.
'I'll go for the sake of the company.'
Kaashvi rolled her eyes.
'Work, work, work! That's all you can talk about. You have become so boring.'
'You are lucky I even talk to you. Or else I would have thrown you out of my life.'
'Sure, I'm the lucky one. Be at the airport at 3pm straight.'
Kaashvi left my office. I sighed and leaned back on the chair. It's been 2 years, i haven't heard
from them nor have i seen any news related to them so what could possibly go wrong.
Everything will be fine. I will be okay and nothing will go wrong. Besides, America is a huge
country so nothing will go wrong. Rachel got into my office, stacks of papers in hand with her
glasses as usual.
Rachel is my secretary, a good one too. Despite not completing her education she was brilliant
and she had a brilliant mind.
'Madam, you have a meeting at three with the board of members.'
'Cancel it. I'm going to America, I have to catch a flight at 3.'
'yes ma'am.'
I took my purse and went back to my pent house to pack a suitcase for the temporary trip. I
packed a couple of sarees, three suits, 4 ballgowns, 6 shoes, a couple of hair accessories and
winter fits. Whatever else I would need, I will buy it when I get there.
I took a quick shower and wore a purple anarkali suit and tied my hair up. When I was satisfied
with my looks I took my suitcase and went down the stairs, ensuring my door was locked and all
windows had been closed then i drove my defender to the airport.
'I didn't think you would come stonefish. I had already booked your jet just to irk you, it's a lovely
ride, I was planning on keeping it.' At the Carson mansion
(The famous business tycoon, multi billionaire Mahira Riley and talented kpop idol Kaashvi
Reyes have just been said to have landed in America last night)
Elena jumped on the sofa as she watched the news.
'Get down Elena. Why are you so excited anyway?'
'Brother, our wait is finally over! Fairy has landed in America. She's finally here and
coincidentally she has a company here and I think she may go there and here's where you
come in.'
'Ooh Elena, relax. For that to happen I need to be close to her. If you forgot, let me remind you,
working with AMS film production studio is difficult.'
'Stop being so negative. If she is Mahira Riley then you are Thane Carson. Your company can
collaborate with hers. Dress up quickly and go give your interview to AMS. You need to
collaborate with her company ASAP. I submitted your application for a collaboration and you
have to attend a meeting in an hour. Get ready.'
Meanwhile in Whitehaven hotel.
'Mahira are you going already? " She sulked. It's not that I didn't want to spend time with her. I
couldn't risk not being busy. I would celebrate with her as soon as I saw how things were going
here. Hopefully we wouldn't be doing something that wouldn't keep me too distracted.I heard
there was a ball going to take place in 3 weeks and there was a bikers stripper event happening
in 2 weeks time too and I booked tickets for both the events just so she wouldn't feel dejected.
'Kaashvi, I need to see how things are going in the company. I have to go!'
'It hasn't been a day yet you are already working. You are so boring Mahira.'
'Whatever. Bye.' Employees aligned in a straight line to welcome me. It felt like a scene from some novel or
movie. It made me feel powerful, I was finally somebody. Power could be addictive, I loved it,
with power I could be anyone I wanted to be and with money I could do absolutely anything. I
could be a bitch and no one would have a say in it.
As I walked in, the view of my company came into full view. There was a reception area and a
completely empty hall that had nothing but the receptionists desk and a waiting area. The
chandelier hung in its full glory reflecting a red, blue light that made it look more like a strip club.
I didn't want a standard white light and the atmosphere was sexy. I'd rather be different than fit
into the standards of the community or business critique.
The employees that were lined up to welcome me stood in a straight line, their heads bowed
respectfully. The only sound one could hear was the clicking of my heels.
A lady wearing a white rose tulle skirt with a pink corset and white heels approached me with an
annoying smile plastered on her face. She was beautiful, no doubt about that but something
about her told me she thought she had power over my company. It's the way she carried herself,
the way she walked on my path towards me with a smug smile on her face, the way she looked
at my employees like they were dirt on her shoe. I was mean sure, and maybe a little scary but
my employees were no dirt under anyone's shoe, not even mine.
'Good afternoon madam. I am the CFO of this company. Ruby Rose.'
She extended her hand for a handshake but I just stayed at her refusing to shake her hand.
'How did someone like you get this position? You're clearly not worthy of it.'
'It's called hard work ma'am. Just because you're on top doesn't mean we can't reach the top
too.'
'Your so-called hard work is making me lose a lot of money. Not only are you incompetent but
the financial success of my company could go down the drain because of you. You look like
someone who would commit fraud and money laundering and abuse her power.'
'Madam, I am below you but that doesn't mean im incompetent. Don't you think you're being
unjust. Without me, your company would be bankrupt so I'm not incompetent.'
'That's not good enough.'
'Can we talk about this later. I have interviews to conduct please madam.'
'Let me see.' Ruby rolled her eyes at me before stepping up and showing me a document that had a list of
candidates who wanted to collaborate with my company for an upcoming movie shooting.
'I'll take over. Send all the representatives one by one to my office.'
'You don't know anything about this company nor the upcoming movie.'
'You're too arrogant. It's my company so I do know all the movies coming up.I know enough to
run 50 companies and you're only managing one, that too a small role.'
Ruby wanted to protest but I took the document in her hand and brushed past her. I have to find
a new CFO now, someone worthy of the role. Hopefully i could find one before i left.
The CEO, a young man probably in his early thirties, hazel eyes and blonde dusty hair and a
smile that screamed that he was a player, took over and gave me a tour around the company
before the interview.
His name was Ares. He was fun though, I kinda liked his sense of humor and he was fun to
hang around.
'Ms mahira, if you're free tonight, do you mind hanging out.'
'I'm your boss. Its inappropriate'
'As friends, just to get to know the founder of this amazing company.'
I rolled my eyes at him and he chuckled. I asked for the documents that had the applicant's
information and went to my office. Before the meetings started I looked through them but could
only get to the fifth one before the meetings started.
The first nine company representatives I interviewed first did not qualify for the collaboration.
The first representative was selfish and sounded greedy, the second was flirty and arrogant, the
third was egotistic and full of himself, the fourth only spoke about the money and profit, the fifth
only wanted to enhance its image, the sixth was annoying, the seventh spoke of changing the
movies theme, the eighth was ignorant. The ninth was better, she was new in the business but
she had potential and I appreciated the company for sending her over here when all she had
was a 6 months internship experience.
She was sweet and had a sharp mind and I think so far the company she was representing was
worthy of the collaboration.
The last interviewee came in and took a seat opposite mine. I didn't bother looking up this time
because I was too annoyed with the previous interviewees. I looked through a contract on my
phone instead while he gave his presentation. I was listening though and his company was
worthy of the collaboration. Perfect in fact.
'I think your company qualifies for the collaboration.'
I lifted my head, tearing my attention away from the phone and my heart skipped a beat when I
saw who it was.
'Thane,' I said, my voice barely audible.
Thane looked at me, a sickening smile plastered on his face. A smile I wanted to wipe off his
face with a slap. I kept my expression neutral, refusing to show any ounce of emotion, refusing
to show him that his presence affected me.
'Your company does not qualify to work with AMS.'
That was a lie. It did qualify in fact it was 100% compatible with mine and it was worthy of this
movie collaboration. His company's investment would make a huge difference.
'Why? Because we have a past.'
'I need you to leave with all due respect Mr Carson.' 'Mahira. I knew I didn't treat you well in the past but when you left, I realized I had fallen in love
with you.'
Love? Crazy. I'd been chasing you like a crazy girl for years and you thought I was a fool. Did
your line of women run out, was it cut short? Did he not have enough women to warm his bed?
I kept a neutral and professional tone, ensuring I didn't sound flattered which I wasn't.
'Mr Carson, this is my company. May I remind you that you gave your interview and I rejected it.'
'Look me in the eye and tell me that you've got nothing to do with me. That you don't want me.
You still love me. Even behind your angry eyes I can see your love.'
Cringe much, yeah it was. E sounded pathetic. Has he never courted anyone before, or is it because the courting in my books was different. Okay maybe I read too much dark romance and I wanted him at some point to pin me against the wall and kiss me until I forgave him. I blinked my eyes twice to stop those thoughts from interfering with my cold boss exterior which I hoped was working.