My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation

Chapter 4: The Tough Decision



(Arata)

I returned home to my impatiently waiting family. Even my younger brother and grandma had joined them as the news of what happened leaked. 

"Sis!" Zaylen, my younger brother, rushed towards me and had me in his strong, reassuring arms. His expression, pained. 

I tried not to break down in his embracing solace but tears leaked and soaked in his dress shirt. I softly sobbed, closing my eyes. Andy's words still echoed in my brain, stealing whatever mental peace I had left. 

Zaylen assuredly whispered. "He is going to regret hurting you. We are going to bring him to the streets." 

I knew my brother had inherited my father's traits, which were not to forgive people who dared hurt our family. The determination in his voice revealed his intentions.

We separated and I cast my heavy glance towards the rest of my family.

Baba held Mom and Grandmother Meena, their faces solemn and eyes grim. My grandmother ushered me forth with a wave of her wrinkled hand. Worries lined her usually pristine face as she sat on the sofa holding her cane.

I slumped on the sofa near her and she had me in her fragile arms. I laid my head on her shoulder while Mom placed her hand on mine. 

"Talk to us, Ara," she requested in a gentle tone. 

Collecting myself, I disclosed everything I had learnt and seen. My revelations made my brother angrily grumble and my mother sob. I couldn't see Baba as he was behind me. 

But my grandma stayed quiet throughout and just soothingly rubbed my arm. Once I finished, Grandma gently spoke up.

"My sweet angel, I understand how difficult this time is for you. Your heart is in a mess. It seems like the end of the world. But remember, never let a man break your spirit. Andy wasn't the one for you. The one who truly loves you, will never shame or leave you for another woman. Grieve but don't let his words sink in. He is nothing."

My mother squeezed my shoulder as Grandma stopped talking.

"Listen to your grandma, sweetie. We are here for you and we will handle the press."

I could only nod while holding onto Grandma Meena. 

Dad's silence was deafening, he was a silent planner and I knew he must be conjuring scenarios of how to murder Andy in his mind.

I loved my family but knew they had always over-protected me, and kept me shielded from the harsh realities of life. I could never survive as an individual especially if no one saw me as who I was apart from being my Arata Zyair. 

I needed to find my identity and my place in this society. 

To see where I stood as a girl whom no one knew….

Will I be treated differently? 

The only way to discover the truth was to take that job opportunity in another city and stand on my feet. 

To be away from Andy and my family too. 

The existential crisis that had sucker-punched me in the face, needed to be resolved. 

I had to speak to them and inform them of my decision. 

I had been working under my parents at Kincaid International, learning the trade. My brother was still studying and would join the family business after he completed his degree. 

But now I wasn't so sure, I needed to find my footing in the real world. Where I wasn't shielded and people would tell me exactly how they felt. 

Slipping from my Grandma's embrace I steadied myself and stood up. Zaylen had stepped closer to my father and stood with his hands in his pockets. 

Baba had murder written all over his face and I knew exactly well for whom. I had hardly ever seen him this angry. Mom seemed deeply concerned as she leaned on my father for support. 

"I love you guys without the words I can ever measure, and you have raised me to be a strong girl. But right now my heart won't find peace, no matter what I try. I would like to spend some time away from Angel City. There is a job opportunity in Marica City I would like to pursue." I paused gawking for their reactions. 

Mom's mouth opened in the sheer shock that my words brought.

Dad seemed repulsed by the very idea. 

Zaylen seemed unsure. 

But Grandma was the only one who gave me an encouraging smile.

Baba let go of Mom and hastened towards me. The salt in his hair had started to grow as he took me in his arms again. 

"Ara, we know this is a difficult situation, and the betrayal you've faced isn't easy to bear. But that's what family is for—to face challenges together. Please, don't run away."

I could sense the pain his voice held but I needed to do this for myself. 

I leaned closer and placed my head on his chest and arms around his back. 

He was my peace. 

"I am not running away, Baba. You are my safe place but I need to learn how to fly on my own. I need to find my identity and place in this world without being Arata Zyair. I am just asking you to trust me." 

"Then do it from here. Why do you need to leave?" He sounded agitated. 

"Every bird must leave the nest to build one of its own someday, Baba. This is my time to do the same."

Mom sniffled but stayed silent. Grandma, on the other hand, called out to my father. 

"Zyair, listen to Arata."

Baba's shoulders stooped at Grandma's words and he let out a heavy breath of frustration and anguish. His hands pressed me closer to him as he lamented.

"I know, my little bird. But a father's heart is never ready to see his child fly so far away. Just promise me, wherever you go, you'll always carry a piece of home with you."

I had always been closer to my Baby than my Mom. He had never scolded me or raised his voice while speaking. He was not only my father but my best friend and mentor as well. There were no secrets between us and I always shared every tiny detail with him.

I let a few tears drop before whimpering.

"I will, Baba. I always will."

Mom and Zaylen surrounded us in a group hug and all of us cried together, letting each other's comfort soak into our hearts. That's what the family was about, to lift others when one was down.

We will get through this, but for now, I was going to leave my family and the city I grew up in. 

There was a new destiny waiting for me in Marica. I could feel it. 


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