Page 13 of Deadly Secrets

“That’s all, Sienna. I’ve prepared a copy of the will,” he added, handing Mr. Lehman a manila envelope. “My assistant will call you to arrange a meeting next week once you’ve had the opportunity to go through everything in more detail.”

We all stood, and Peter walked us to the elevators. I noticed that everyone in the office was looking at me as I strolled past their desks on the main floor. Were they looking at me because they felt sorry for me or because they knew I was their new boss?

The whole thing was ridiculous.

Peter noticed and said, “They don’t know anything yet. Our PR department is currently in conversation with our investors and the board to see how we should announce it internally and to the press. I’ll send you the final communication to announce your name as the major shareholder and president for your approval. I think the announcement is scheduled for the end of September, in about four weeks.”

Peter escorted us to the lobby, where we stopped in front of the elevators.

“Thanks, Peter,” I said, mustering a strained smile. “I suppose I’ll see you again soon.”

“Take care, Sienna,” Peter replied, giving me a brief but warm hug before he turned around and left.

Mr. Lehman and I entered the elevator, and he pushed the button for the ground floor. We stayed silent for about twenty floors, and then he turned his face to me and said, “You’ve done well. You’ve listened and kept yourself together. Let me summarize the contents of the will and see if I need your signature before you leave for college. When do you leave?” he asked.

“On the eighth. Classes don’t start until September sixteenth, but I want to explore campus and settle in my apartment before then.”

I couldn’t believe I would be moving across the country in less than two weeks. With everything that had happened, I wasn’t as excited as I was two months ago. I’d procrastinated packing since the funeral, but the task seemed less terrifying now that Sarah would be staying with me to help me move.

Mr. Lehman and I said our goodbyes, and I picked up the phone from my handbag. There was a text from Sarah.

Sarah

Hello, gorgeous. My flight leaves from LHR at 8:55 a.m., and I arrive at 12:15 p.m. JFK local time. I’m traveling with Virgin.

Can’t wait to see you! Hope the meeting goes well.

PS I have sent a little something to your house. It should be there by now. Love ya. xxx

During the ride home, I kept staring out the car window, wondering what it would be like to live a different life. Mine had always been easy since everything was handed to me on a silver platter. But man, I’d trade all the money in the world for just one more day with my parents. Wasn’t the saying, “You never miss the water until the well runs dry”? Facts.

When I got home, Mrs. Bishop handed me a box. Sarah had sent me a bottle of Dom Perignon Vintage 2012, my favorite, with a note.

I’m sure today was tough, but I’m proud of you. Have a bubble bath and drink the whole thing while listening to some Billie Eilish in the background. By the time you wake up tomorrow, I’ll be there. Love, Sarah.

She was indeed the best.

Chapter 7. A GHOST FROM THE PAST

(Sienna)

“I’m here, darling!” Sarah yelled from the foyer, dropping her luggage on the floor. I hurried downstairs and threw myself in her arms, all while Mrs. Bishop excused herself to give us some privacy. We stayed like that, holding each other for a few minutes. Sarah held my shoulders with her hands and took one step back to get a good look at me. Her brows furrowed slightly, and her eyes widened.

“You look like shit, Sienna.”

I’d lost some weight but didn’t think I looked that bad. Did I?

I stayed quiet, but tears stung my eyes. I hugged her back tightly, sobbing like a little girl. The pain in my chest consumed me. I knew this was bound to happen. I’d been holding my tears back for some time now, and it only took one look from Sarah to unleash everything I kept inside.

“Oh, it’s okay, Sienna. I’m here now. Everything will be alright, I promise,” Sarah murmured into my ear, her gentle touch gliding through my hair.

But I did feel alone. I only had my parents, and she lived across the world. I had a few friends at boarding school, but only a couple of them texted me when the news of the crash got to Europe. A text. They didn’t call. Ultimately, they turned out not to be the good friends I believed they were. But Sarah was here, and that was all that mattered.

When I composed myself, I showed Sarah to one of the guest rooms. She stopped in the middle of the hallway and exclaimed, “Hell no. I’m sleeping with you. I want to spend every minute of the day with you until I have to leave. Let’s go to your room,” she commanded, seizing my hand.

Sarah had always been extremely bossy. “I’m a type 8 in the enneagram, remember?” she frequently said as a way of justifying her don’t mess with me front and being a stubborn bitch.

She started unpacking her luggage in my room while telling me all about her new boyfriend, James, and her fantastic sex life. She was not leaving any tiny detail out of the conversation. I was so glad she came. She’d always been good at making me laugh. Sarah had a habit of bouncing from one guy to the next, and even though she seemed pretty into James, I could tell she was holding out for her next crush to come along.

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