Saved and Saving: The Single Daddy CEO

Chapter Nine

Blaiz

We landed in Roanoke, Virginia a short time later, and I was more than ready to get to our anticipated destination as soon as possible. There was so much to be done, and I didn’t want to waste a single second.

Unfortunately, we hit our first setback when the battery was dead in the Suburban I kept in that hangar. It was to be expected, considering how long it had been since it got parked there, but it didn’t make it any less frustrating.

Luckily, there were other workers around and willing to give us a jump, then we were able to get on the road. However, we hit our second setback when we came upon an accident that had traffic at a standstill.

We sat idling for nearly forty minutes, because we were on a one-way road with nowhere to turn around. When we were finally able to start moving again, we had to stop at the next gas station, because Dominique was wiggling in his seat, needing to pee.

While at the gas station, Antonio filled up the gas tank, then he joined the rest of us inside. It was well past lunchtime, so I had Syrana order food from the small mom-and-pop kitchen attached to the gas station while I took Dominique to the restroom.

The food ended up being surprisingly good. Dominique ate every last bite of his chicken tenders and french fries, and I filled up on a scrumptious bowl of chili.

With everybody’s bellies full, we got back on the road and started heading up the mountain. As we climbed higher and higher, I could feel the difference in my ears, so I offered everyone a piece of gum to help with the popping.

As our elevation rose, so did the amount of snow that had already begun accumulating. It sparkled under the sunlight, catching the eye of every passenger riding with me, including Dominique, who had fallen silent while he took in the beautiful scenery.

Snow has always had a mesmerizing effect on my son. It brought him a special kind of joy.

After thirty-five minutes of traveling up the snowy mountain, Antonio finally pulled up to the gate. Eager to show Dominique our new home, I pushed down on the button for my window and impatiently waited for it to go down, so I could punch in the pin.

Note to self, I seriously need to give Antonio the pin.

As the gate slowly opened, Antonio slowly moved forward until we were completely past the gates. Once we got just past the gate, they closed on their own, keeping things simple for me and my people.

It was a gate I picked out myself to ensure ease of use while maintaining the safety and security I want for me and my son. There was sure to be a storm brewing ahead.

It is just a matter of time before Abrielle realizes I’ve left with our son. When she does, she’ll finally run back to her bitchy mum, who will jump at the chance to get payback on me for taking her precious daughter and grandson so far away from her.

That’s why I chose this location. Far enough away that she won’t see me when out shopping, yet close enough that she won’t think to look here.

Plus, Abrielle has always complained about not being able to handle the higher elevations. Surely, she won’t even attempt to come up here to look for us.

Tiselle

I could feel the sting from tears forming under my eyelids, but I refused to let them see me cry. Not now. Not here. I bit down on my lower lip that was threatening to start quivering at any second and walked away in the opposite direction.

“Hey! You!” I heard a familiar voice shout from behind, but I chose to ignore it and kept walking.

I had almost reached the table at the far end when I felt fingers wrap around my upper arm, then I was suddenly spun around by said fingers, causing me to come face-to-face with none other than Seth.

I instantly grimaced at the sight of the smug smirk plastered on his face, as he rudely confronted, “What in the f**k are you doing here? Didn’t you get the memo I sent you? You have been replaced. There is no reason for you to be here.”

“Yeah, Tiselle! You’ve been replaced. There’s no reason for you to be here,” Annihya parroted, as she stood next to Seth, looking so damn proud of herself, while wearing my design.

However, her dark brown eyes held nothing but contempt when she looked at me, and I didn’t understand why. We used to be such good friends. What in the hell happened?

Feeling the need to protect myself, I yanked my arm away from Seth, then I crossed my good arm over my broken one and shifted my weight to one leg. Glaring at the two of them, I warned, “I am ‘THE’ keynote speaker, and you will do nothing to interfere with my speech. If you try anything, I will have you thrown out.”

Seth cackled at me like some damn fool, then he loudly retorted, “No, Tiselle, I will have you thrown out! You are nothing but a poor, homeless nobody who has no place here with the rich and prosperous.”

“Yeah, Tiselle! You’ve always been a nobody, and you will always be a nobody! I bet these are nothing but glass made to look like real diamonds!” Annihya bullied in her squeally, annoying, high-pitched voice that I suddenly hated, as she yanked the diamond necklace off of me.

My hand shot out so fast, there was no stopping me from slapping Annihya with so much force she fell to the ground with the diamonds that she had just thrown down like trash.

“You stupid, f*****g b***h! Do you have any idea whose necklace you just ruined? I swear! I will make sure you f*****g pay for this!” I screamed at Annihya, unable to hold back the rage I was feeling.

Just as I was reaching down to yank her up with my good arm, Seth grabbed my broken arm, causing me to yelp out in pain, as he tossed me against the nearest table. Of course, it would be my luck, it was my cracked ribs that made contact with that damn table. I crumpled to the floor, barely able to get a good breath in, due to the crippling pain shooting through my ribs.

Spots!

I was seeing spots, and everybody's voices sounded like they were getting farther away. The pain was overwhelming, and I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs.

Just as I was falling into a state of unconsciousness, I heard a far-off voice say, “Ma Cherie, what happened to you?” Somebody, call an ambulance! Now!”