Chapter 4 I'M BACK

Allis POV

♦Five years later♦

I was all smiles as my mom came to pick me up from the airport. It was finally good to be back to New York. Five years in Florida was no child's play.

“Hi, mom,” I squealed, bringing her in for a hug.

“Grandma!” Lalissa screamed. She was more than happy to see her grandmother after all those video calls.

My mom looked over at Alisa and Lucas, and she cocked her head as she gave him a hug and Alisa a smile. “I've been dying to meet you,” she said, grinning.

Lucas laughed. “I believe I've been more excited than you are, ma'am.”

I couldn't help but gush at their exchange. Lucas was the beautiful thing that happened to me in those five years. The both of us met at the park, and he has been nothing short of a father to my kids, my daughters. The both of us became official not to long ago.

“How is dad?” I asked, strapping the girls in the back seat, before getting in the front with my mom. Lucas gladly sat at the back with the twins.

“Daddy, are we going to be seeing grandpa?” Lalissa asked, looking up at Luca like he was nothing less than her hero.

He ruffled her hair. “Of course, love.”

Alisa didn't utter any words, expect the small smile she always flash me whenever I look her way.

My mom glanced at me like she was proud of whatever decision I've made by dating Lucas. He was present, he was calm, he was consistent. What more could I ask for? Olivia even told me that she was sure that he was going to pop the question anytime soon.

“Your dad is at home. More than willing to show you to the rest of the board members.”

I rolled my eyes immediately. “Will he even let me rest? He hasn't stopped talking about showing me how to handle the business for the past week.”

She chuckled. “He's just excited, Allis. You can't blame him.”

I looked out the window, as the airport road slowly changed back to the scenery that I was used to, all my life.

♦♦♦

As soon as I walked into the house, my dad was already there in the living room. His arms were outstretched, and he wrapped me in a hug.

“It's been a whole long years,” he whispered into my hair, making me smile. He would never admit that he actually missed me.

“I missed you too, dad,” I muttered, and he rolled his eyes as he moved on to Alisa, Lalissa and Lucas. I loved how both my parents were literally gushing over Lucas.

“Are you ready to head to the office?” He asked, and I groaned.

“Can we do it tomorrow?” I asked, pleasing with my eyes.

“No,” he said, smiling. “I already told everyone you're coming. We can't keep the other members of the board waiting. They're important.”

I bit my lower lip, looking over at Lucas, hoping that he was going to save me.

“You should go, Allis,” he said, making me eye him in contempt.

“Fine,” I said, leaning down to kiss Alisa forehead but she stepped back, I smile knowing fully well my little princess doesn't like attention then I turn to Lalissa kissing her forehead instead before looking at my dad again. “Let's go then.” Lucas placed a light kiss on my cheek.

My dad led me over to one of his exotic cars. “You changed your car again?” I asked, widening my eyes.

“I didn't change it,” my dad said. “I just dumped the other one in the garage.”

I shook my head. The way my father spent money on cars was something that needed to be studied.

I didn't say a word more as he led me to the company. My hands were in my lap, and I couldn't stop myself from picking at my fingers. What were the board members going to expect me to look like? Was my dress appropriate for a meeting like that?

The last thing I needed was a few strangers talking about the way I dress or stood.

The board members were always like sharks, sniffing for blood. At least that was what my dad always said.

The car finally came to a halt, and the both of us headed out of the car.

The door was pushed open immediately, and we walked through. Countless people were greeting my father, and he responded with a stuff nod of his head, while I tried to keep up with his walking steps.

He walked straight into the boardroom, pushing the door open.

“Good morning, sir,” they chorused. I felt myself smile at the fact that I was even related to someone like him.

“Good morning,” he answered, looking at every one of them. “I believe we all know why I'm here.”

They nodded, and I frowned. How did they happen to know about some kind of plan I had never heard of?

My dad pulled me closer with a huge smile on his face. “My daughter, Allis has returned from Florida after years of studying in the state. The official party hasn't been held, but I know with time, the whole world would come to know.”

I looked over at him in confusion. “Know about what, dad?” I asked.

That only managed to broaden his smile. “I finally want to hand over the position of CEO to you. You are more than capable to handle the business.”

My knees buckled as I took a step back. I blinked twice at him. “You're joking right?” I stuttered.

How could he hand the company over to me? He had other business associates that were nothing less than his sons. He couldn't just skip them and come to me.

My dad shook his head. “You've already been through so much in the past few years. I don't want to go into details, but you are more than capable, Allis.”

I looked back at the board members. “Are you guys in support of this?” I asked, and they gave me enthusiastic nods and smiles.

“Your father hasn't stopped talking about you all these years. He also told us all the projects that you had managed to join in. We can't take it for granted. Especially when such skill is shown.”

I felt my lips slowly slip into a smile. “Thank you very much. I believe that I won't be disappointing any of you at any point in time. I will prove that I am my father's daughter.”

My father's eyes were on me, and he could barely hide the pride that was written all over him.

As I looked around, I noticed that there was one chair that was vacant. Ryan Miller was written on it.

“Who is absent?” I asked out of curiosity, and I immediately noticed the way the women sat up like a person of interest was being mentioned.

“He isn't just anybody. He's one of the hottest men alive.”

I chuckled. “Well, I haven't heard of him. I don't think I'm that curious either.” That wasn't a lie. I had better things to focus on, than looking for a man that board members found sexy. I already had Lucas. And he was more than enough.

“I'm sure he'll turn up for the meeting later,” one of the men answered, obviously not curious about this person.”

My father frowned. “Ryan is important in making this decision. He has also played a huge part in building the company up from scratch. But then, I'm sure we'll hear from him later on.”

The other people in the room gave my father nods, agreeing with him. He oozed power, but it was almost like this Ryan had almost equal power with my father. Even if it wasn't his company.

I was slightly worried about this person having the upper hand in my taking over the company. But then, I was sure that it didn't matter.

Behind me, I heard the door slowly open. I waited for one of the errand people to deliver the message they were sent. But it wasn't even them.

“I don't accept her being the new CEO,” a familiar voice called out. “ Now you have my decision.”

I turned around, taking in the sight of the stranger from the other night. My twin father. The man who made sure that he left a mark on my life.

He was… Ryan?

The important person in my father company? My company?!!