Cyrena's pov
Warm sunlight spilled into the room, illuminating my face. I stirred, wincing slightly as the birds' cheerful chirping filled the air. As I slowly sat up, the cold tiles beneath me sent a shiver down my spine.
Memories of the previous night's emotional turmoil flooded back – I'd fallen asleep on the floor, exhausted. My body ached, and my mind felt heavy.
I reached out for my phone, which lay a few feet away. The screen lit up, displaying a flurry of notifications.
"Shit," I muttered, rubbing my temples.
I stormed out of my room after a cold bath, the soft carpet muffling my footsteps. My hair was still a tangled mess, but I didn't bother to fix it.
As I stepped out, my gaze landed on Easton's closed door. The familiar scent of his cologne lingered in the air, a bittersweet reminder of our strained relationship. We'd grown apart, our interactions limited to brief moments in the evenings.
The crisp morning air hit me as I walked to "Benson's Heritage Weave". The company's logo, embossed on the glass door, gleamed in the sunlight. Inside, the scent of fabric and wood polish transported me back to memories of my father. Pain and struggle flashed through my mind, but I pushed the emotions aside. I wouldn't let it crumble.
I stepped out of the elevator and into the bustling office, the familiar hum of machines and chatter of employees greeted me, but today, the atmosphere felt different.
As I walked towards the conference room, I could sense the weight of eyes on me. My employees, people I'd worked with for years, were staring at me with a mix of curiosity and pity.
I felt a knot form in my stomach as I navigated through the sea of gazes. Everyone had read the news about my divorce, and it seemed like the entire office was buzzing with it. I tried to keep my head held high, but it was hard to ignore the whispers and sidelong glances.
As I entered the conference room, a middle-aged man and a petite woman sat patiently. The man's tailored suit and warm smile contrasted with the tension brewing within me.
"Mrs. Cyrena Benson Black," he greeted, his voice smooth as silk. Attorney Lewiston Maine, the name tag on his lapel read.
My gaze drifted to the woman behind him – someone I never thought I'd see again. Miranda Wills Benson. A smirk danced on her lips, and her eyes sparkled with malice. I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"What do I owe this visit to, Mrs Wills?" I asked, my voice even.
I sat directly opposite her, my eyes locking onto hers. The air thickened with unspoken animosity.
"You've been ripping off the Bensons," she said, her voice dripping with venom.
"It's time I take what's rightfully mine."
The attorney cleared his throat, producing a document from his briefcase.
"Cut to the chase, Miranda," I said, my tone unwavering.
"We found the legal will of Mr. Thomas Benson, and supposedly, he didn't will this company to your name," the attorney spat.
A grin spread across Miranda's face as I was handed the document. I let out a low, mocking chuckle, flipping it open. The words blurred together on the page, but one thing was clear – this was a challenge to my ownership.
"This doesn't belong to you, Cyrena," Miranda sneered.
"You're just the street child Thomas picked up." Her words cut deep, but I refused to show weakness.
"You want me to believe this bull crap, Miranda?" I scoffed.
"You're the reason Dad isn't here anymore."
My voice rose, and the attorney's eyes darted between us, uneasy.
"This isn't about that –" Miranda began.
But I cut her off.
"Oh, yes, it is! Dad disinherited you from his will after he found out you had an affair with another man". The room fell silent, the tension palpable.
Miranda's face twisted in anger.
"Thomas is my husband, and we're still married. You don't belong in our family, Cyrena."
Her words dripped with venom.
"That goes to you and your bastard children."
My anger flared up, and I felt my face burn.
"Mrs. Black, this is the real copy of the will, and you have to comply within three days," the attorney said, his voice firm but detached.
Miranda's smirk grew wider. "You got yourself a billionaire, Easton Black. And it's all over the internet that you're getting a divorce. No one really wants you, Cyrena." Her words were a knife to my heart, but I refused to bleed.
"I won't give you the satisfaction you crave, Miranda – you'll hear from my lawyer." I stormed out of the conference room, the cool air of my office a welcome respite. But it was short-lived. I collapsed into my chair, my body shaking with sobs.
"What's going on?" I screamed silently, my mind reeling with the weight of my problems. I wouldn't process what to do next, but I knew I wouldn't let Miranda win.
My mind was thorned so was my life, I have run the firm for 4years after being willed to me by my late adopted father. The firm was the only thing left of him since I sold the house to pay off some debt, losing it off to Miranda, my supposed mother was the last thing enlisted on my mind.
Miranda had always detest me, abused me and made me feel less of myself and I knew her coming with a fake document to take over the firm was all about revenge.
But then my eyes landed on my wedding picture which I thought was the most happiest day of my life but I guess it wasn't after all but something clicked, today is our anniversary!.
I've never celebrated any special moment nor occasion with Easton "will he change his mind about getting a divorce, after this?" My heart fluttered.
My mind drifted to when I first met Easton at a grand party thrown by one of the business tycoons in New York, though I wasn't invited, but I just had to find my way in to find an investor for my firm.
Unfortunately the security guards spotted me among the guest, carefully guiding me out the ballroom, feeling embarrassed but I had to comply, as I was being dragged out, Easton Black, the billionaire CEO of Black's Royalties demanded i stay - after the party we got a little close as he began to confide in me. But little did I know I was only used to mend the wound his ex left.
I placed an order for a bouquet be delivered at home, tho it wasn't that expensive. I rushed home feeling a bit excited to what laid ahead, I requested the key to his room from our house keeper, I set out the decorations having lacked idea of what Easton really liked.
I stood in his room, surrounded by candles, flowers and the soft strain of our song. I've planned the perfect anniversary surprise for Easton - a night to remember.
As I waited for Easton to arrive, I slid into my lingerie with a red rope which barely covered my thigh, my nerves began to fray. What if he didn't like the surprise? What if he was too busy to appreciate the effort I'd put in?.
The candles flickered across the room, their light dancing across the petals of the vibrant red roses, filing the room with their sweet aroma.
The door opened, and Easton walked in, his eyes scanning the room. For a moment I thought I saw something in his eyes but it was quickly replaced by a mask of indifference.
"Cyrena, what's all this?" He asked, his voice cold
I felt a pang of disappoinment but I tried to brush it off.
"It's our anniversary, Easton - so I thought of a surprise"
He scanned the room, his gaze lingering on the candles and flowers and finally on me, I adjusted my rope as his gaze never left mine.
"Don't you like it?" I said breaking the silence, tipping towards him.
"Nice" he walked over to his bar pouring himself a drink, and stood with his back to me.
I felt a surge of hurt, but I tried to smile, I walked up to him with hesitation, with every breath i take, I finally placed my hands on his shoulders robbing his back, he paused with his drink and continued after a while.
"I was thinking we make this memorable, since we never celebrated our anniversary" I said brushing off my ropes, exposing my lingerie.
"That's the thing, why celebrate it now?" Easton turned, his eyes ran questions at me, only i was able to answer.
"You need assistance for your firm, which you are about to lose?" Easton voiced.
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut with his words, but I wouldn't let that get to me.
"No, I still want to fix this Easton, can't we?" I rubbed on his chest as I made to unbutton his shirt.
He didn't move, he just stood, gazing at me as I unbuttoned his shirt, finding my way to his pants, working my way through it.
"Cyrena." His voice was low and gravelly, betraying a hint of desire.
Easton grabbed my hand, pulling me close still our bodies pressed flush against each other. I closed my eye and reveled in his touch, the warmth of his breath on my face. I wanted to kiss him, to lose myself in the moment.
My eyes fix on him as my body craved to be touched, to ease my pain and burn those bridges between us.
Easton leaned down, his lips grazing mine in the lightest of kisses, his hands around my waist tighten like he was scared to lose me.
My body tingled with anticipation, my lips parting in response, but he didn't rather he made his way against my ears as he whispered something that made shivers run down my spine...