Chapter one

Blair

“You are fired!”

My whole world came crashing down the moment I heard those three resounding words bouncing off the wall of the CEO’s office. His enraged face left no room for second chances, and I knew there would be no pleading with him to change his mind. His decision was final.

Beside him, my supervisor stood with her hands folded in front of her as she refused to meet my eyes. It became clear to me that I wouldn’t find support from her either, regardless of the fact that it was all her fault.

I can still clearly recall how insistent she had been two weeks ago, despite my hesitance, to make the very same decision that just cost the company a major deal and ruined any chances of us ever getting those clients back.

The company I work for has been delicately handling business with two rival companies for a while now, hoping to land contracts from them. But our CEO had made it clear that the rival companies shouldn’t be aware that we are working for either of them.

Unfortunately, my supervisor had gone ahead to book the same appointment for the two companies, causing their representatives to arrive at the same time and in the same venue. The whole situation led to a major disagreement between them and us, causing both companies to retract their contracts.

Everything went awry for me when my supervisor blamed the entire mishap on me, and since I was the one in charge of booking appointments, there was no evidence to prove my innocence.

There was also the fact that Ms. Banks, my supervisor, has the CEO wrapped around her finger, so he would believe anything she says over me. If anything, the circumstances surrounding my being fired only confirmed the rumors about Ms. Banks and the CEO having an affair.

In the end, I had no choice but to walk out of the company’s building with my desk cleared out and my head bowed in shame as my colleagues whispered about my incompetence among themselves.

It didn’t matter that I’d worked in that company for four years, or that I never once made a mistake in those four years, or that my dedication and hard work had contributed a lot to the company. Just like that, four years of my life was gone.

Since that unfortunate incident, I’ve dusted up my resume and tried to find another job, but the answer has always been the same.

“Thank you for your interest, Ms. Osbourne. We’ll let you know when something opens up.”

After the first five establishments I applied to for a job repeated the same thing, it became clear to me that I had been blacklisted by my former CEO across the niche of companies relating to my field.

I quiet the yell of frustration bubbling at the back of my throat as I exit yet another company that just rejected me with a bland smile on their face. This had been my last option, and the pay hadn’t even been generous. But I need something, anything that could hold me long enough that I don’t get thrown out of my apartment for not meeting rent.

As I approach the red Toyota in the parking lot, a wave of sadness hits me as I realize that I may end up having to sell it just to make ends meet. I pull open the door and duck in, and as soon as I close it, I drop my head against the steering and let out a loud scream that rattles the car.

Everything is falling apart, and I don’t know what to do. I could get a loan, but with no job or legit means of sustenance, I doubt my request would be considered. Worse of all, I had used up my savings just last month to finally clear up my student loans.

At least that debt is out of here.

When my throat starts to become hoarse from screaming, I heave a deep sigh and start my car. Deciding to use my last resort, I drive to my family house in the suburbs even as every bone in my body protests.

Once upon a time, the Osbourne name had meant something in the city of New York. My family had been well-known for our line of exquisite wine, and establishments far and near came to our large, bustling winery to purchase our products in bulk.

However, when the vines alongside the winery were destroyed in a terrible wildfire that gripped the city, we lost everything. It’s why I had to take out loans in my second year of college, just so my father won’t have to worry about that as well.

Although he has tried rebuilding the winery over the years, it is nothing like it used to be. And with other wineries emerging after the disaster that ruined ours to take up the market, the family business is still struggling.

So, when my father told me that he could make some calls and ask his old business partners for help in getting me a new job after I got fired, I refused adamantly. I had seen how most of them mocked and deserted him after the family business crumbled, and I didn’t want him to have to endure more ridicule, and embarrassment because of me. I had also wanted to get the job on my own, without owing a favor to anybody.

But now that I have made no headway since then, I guess I’ll have to swallow my pride just like my father is willing to do for my sake. And if it means begging just so I don’t have to get rid of the car that my father gifted to me on my first day of college, then I will.

I just hope that his old business partners aren’t as phased by my being blacklisted in the industry as the other companies I’ve been to. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself otherwise.

The warm glow of the sun pouring over the city as I speed into the driveway of the house I grew up in gives me a weird sense of hope that maybe things are about to get better. I got out of the car and took in the mansion that has surely seen better days.

If this were eight years ago, servants would have been rushing out from every corner of the house to attend to me and welcome my arrival. But now, the house that once boasted lush green gardens and a magnificent, luxurious appearance sits completely washed out.

Sighing, I walk up to the porch and knock on the large oak door that seems to be chipping away on the hinges already. Christ! Why won’t my father just leave this house already and get a place in the city that doesn’t require much maintenance?

Although I know that if I bring up that particular question, the answer is going to be the same as always. Under no circumstance is he abandoning his home. I don’t bother telling him anymore that the mansion hasn’t been home in a long time, not since the accident that took Mom and my twin brother away from us or the wildfire that razed the vines and winery that once sat in the backyard to the ground.