I woke up to an alarm that I didn't remember putting.

When I looked up at my phone, it wasn't an alarm but a phone call.

I yawned, picking it up,"Who is this?"

"Morning Nessa!", came a cheerful reply from the other end and I realised that Adrian was no longer beside me.

"Morninggg!", my voice dragged.

"Get dressed and come down quickly. You don't want to be late on your first day, do you?"

"First...oh shit! Right!", I smacked my head remembering that today was the day I had been waiting for forever.

"Looks like someone slept well, huh?", I heard him smirk and could very well imagine the cheeky grin plastered on his face.

I rolled my eyes, heat rushing up to my cheeks. Though I couldn't deny, in the past three days, this was the most peacefully that I had slept.

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes.", I said ignoring his question, which only made him smirk again but before he could say anything further, I cut the call.

I took a shower and got dressed in a pair of checked grey trousers, a plain white shirt. I put on an open, prussian blue blazer and rolled up its sleeves. I blow dryed my hair, which had grown past my shoulders by now and then brushing them in place, I picked up a pair of dark blue wedges. I finally put on some lipstick and eyeliner.

Satisfied with how I looked, I made my way downstairs to the dining hall but to my surprise there was no one there.

I looked at my watch and it was eight. I couldn't be late, right?

"Where is everyone?", I asked a maid.

"Oh sorry madam, I forgot to inform you. The weather is bright today so the breakfast is being served at the rooftop."

Well, looks like even the weather decided to be nice to me on my special day.

I nodded and went upstairs but when I opened the door, I stopped in my tracks.

"CONGRATULATIONS VANESSA!!", everyone cried.

Thank heavens I decided not to put mascara. It would be down my face by now, otherwise.

There was a huge banner saying 'congratulations' hung up on the wall and there were balloons everywhere. On the table was a cake, a delicious looking red velvet cake.

However, it wasn't the arrangements that made me gasp and my eyes well up. It was the people.

The entire Greys family was there, including Matthew who was sitting on a wheelchair but the most unexpected guest was Kate.

"Thank you so much, guys.", I said, tears brimming in my eyes.

For a change, these were happy tears.

I rushed upto Kate and hugged her,"You came!"

"You called me mom, didn't you? It was not just my duty to be here but also my right. My daughter is going to fulfill her dream today.",she wrapped her arms around me.

"So you are not mad at me? That Nate didn't get to fulfill his dream?", I widened my eyes.

"Don't be silly! It's not your fault. Who ever deserved it would get, we all knew that from the start. You deserved it more so you got it. I am proud of you."

"Thank you so much, mom."

"Oh! Don't thank me. You called me mom and I have to live up to that.",she smiled.

"You don't. You are perfect the way you are."

She stiffened and looked at me half-heartedly," Thank you for saying that."

I knew why.

"I'm not just saying it, I mean it, mom. As for what you did to my mother, I think that you have made up for it by being a mother to me. She must have forgiven you by now."

"You think so?", She looked up at me with hopeful eyes.

I held her by the shoulders,"I know so."

She hugged me once more and smiled the brightest that I had ever seen her smile. It was like a weight was lifted off her shoulders today.

I then went to the Greys, my constant support this month and the family I had grown to love.

They all congratulated me one by one and then Matthew gave me some words of advice,"I said this to Adrian on his first day and I am saying it to you now. Promise yourself that even in the face of hardship, you won't ever give up and trust yourself. Your trust in yourself has brought you this far, it will definitely take you further."

I nodded, a permanent smile plastered on my face. I was so ecstatic that even the pain in my cheeks from smiling too much couldn't bother me.

It was all so overwhelming! So surreal!

"Now, let's have breakfast, shall we? I am famished.", Charlotte groaned," And the cake looks so tempting."

I cut the cake and fed a piece of it to Kate. We all then took a slice of cake for ourselves and began having breakfast.

I quickly finished my piece of cake, trying not to lose track of time. I couldn't be late on my first day. I wiped my mouth clean and then hurriedly got up.

"Thanks a lot everyone! I will see you at all at the promotion party."

"Except for me.",Charlotte said,"I am bringing you your dress after lunch break."

"Oh God! You made me another dress?"

"It is my first piece from my new line of clothes.", she proudly stated.

"How can I ever thank you enough? I don't even know how I deserve you guys."

"Dear lord! Don't you dare cry again. Now go before you get late.", Charlotte said," And as for thanking me, you are doing it by wearing it to your party. You will be the centre of attention today so when everyone knows you're wearing my dress, it will be ah-mazing for the launch of my line."

"Wow! Impressed.",I raised my eyebrows.

I waved at everyone and then walked downstairs, wiping my face with a tissue and reapplying my lipstick.

"Pick a car.", I heard Adrian say from behind me.

I spun around and locked him in an embrace. Adrian took a step back, stabilising himself and then wrapped his arms around me.

Out of all the hugs today, this had to be my favourite one...well, second to Kate's.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.", I squealed.

"For what?", he laughed.

"Oh! Come on! I didn't tell Charlotte about my becoming the CEO so it had to be you and the pleased look on your face tells me, you called Kate too."

" It was just a way to apologise to you. I knew you'd like this."

"When did you plan all of this?"

"Last night, while we were at the hospital and I was waiting for you to wake up, I called your parents."

"Parentsss?", I frowned.

Adrian scrunched his face and swore under his breath.

He called dad too...but he didn't show up.

"We can't win them all, right?", I gave him a bittersweet smile.

"I'm sorry.",he sighed.

"I'm not! I would rather be happy about the people who showed up than cry over the one that didn't."

Adrian nodded," Now, pick a car."

"I am not driving.", I said, remembering what I had done to his car last night," And I am paying you whatever the cost for the repair will be."

"No, you aren't and as for the driving part, I'm driving. We both have to go to the same place after all."

"Imagine you saying that when we first went to my office together.", I laughed.

"Well things were way different back then. I mean I felt so guilty when you cried the night before."

"So that is why you left?"

"Why else?"

"I didn't have the best impression of you back then. I thought you left because you were satisfied that you made me cry."

"Dear God! I guess we both have grown on each other, haven't we?", he smiled.

"We certainly have.",I said, finally selecting the car I wanted to go to office in.

Adrian's eyes widened as I handed him the keys,"After yesterday, you really want to go in a Porsche?"

"Can't be afraid forever.", I confidently replied.

We went to my office and reached well on time. We were in fact the first ones to enter the board room. Adrian wished me luck and then went to sit opposite me.

Soon enough, the board members started coming in. I greeted them cheerfully and they all smiled. Dad and Nate were the last to arrive.

Nate had dark circles under his eyes. He hadn't slept last night. For the first time, I felt bad for him. Well, life had never given me the chance to do so before. His life had always been so perfect. I was always the who had to play the hand that I was dealt with.

I shook my head. I had got what I wanted. I was going to stop harbouring ill feelings for him. It would be for the best.

"Good morning, everyone.", Dad stood up," Well, this meeting has been organised to choose the next CEO of Hudson Enterprises since I am retiring today. Considering Vanessa's achievement in securing the company twelve percent of Walters Pacific's shares, I see it beneficial for the company to choose her as its next CEO. However, if anyone disagrees with the decision, please raise your hand."

Most people just smiled at me and nodded but one board member raised his hand.

Dad sat down, motioning him to get up and speak.

The man, with greying hairs, stood up and looked sharply at me," Well, as proud as I am of Vanessa's achievement, I wish to know how she managed to secure this share percentage."

I drew in a deep breath.

Should I tell them I dated a psychopath, almost got Adrian's dad killed and while trying to make Blake admit he did it, almost died myself.

That would make for a fun story but it would sound highly irresponsible of me.

It took a minute for me to think what to say and then I decided it would be best to be tell the truth but in a tactful way.

I stood up," Well, I think everyone is aware that Blake was is in prison, as of now. Walters Pacific couldn't have itself being represented by such a person. I saw it as an opportunity and brought Dorris into the picture, seeing that she had the required skillset. In exchange for setting up a meeting with the board and helping her to get the position, I struck a deal. Twelve percent of the shares of Walters Pacific."

The board member nodded thoughtfully and then sat down, saying, "I agree with your decision, Mr. Hudson."

I smiled politely, trying my best to suppress my urge to jump up and down, screaming with joy.

Dad stood up once again,"Well then, please welcome the new CEO of Hudson Enterprises. Miss Vanessa Hudson."

He intentionally left out my mother's name. I clenched my fists but decided to remain silent. He had let go off her a long time back anyway.

"Vanessa Catherine Hudson.", I heard someone correct him.

I smiled, looking at the one who had passed that statement and he discreetly winked at me.

Everytime I think I couldn't love him more than I do now, Adrian did something that made me fall for him all over again.

Dad nodded awkwardly," Yes, yes. Vanessa Catherine Hudson."

He then stepped aside from his chair, pulling it back.

I took it as my cue and went over to the head of the table and sat down on his seat.

I felt adrenaline course through my veins as I sat there. This was me, the new me. CEO of Hudson Enterprises. The view from this seat, presiding over the meeting, it was more exhilarating than I had ever imagined it to be.

I talked about what ideas I had for the future of the company and how as the CEO, I was going to help the company excel. Discussions on several other issues related to the company also took place. After that, I thanked everyone for coming and adjourned the meeting.

The board members left one by one but Dad, Nate and Adrian stayed behind with me.

Once the board members had left, I walked over to Adrian and smiled at him. I was so happy and I really wanted to hug him but I decided against it. It would be unprofessional and I so did not want to rub it in, Nate looked miserable enough.

My attention turned to Nate as he got up.

"Dad, stop!", he said, calling out to my father who was standing on the door.

He turned around and looked at Nate questioningly.

"I have something to tell you and Vanessa.", Nate said slowly.

I looked up at Adrian. When his latched onto mine, I knew we both had the same thing in mind.

Was Nate confessing his fraud?

"Uhm...Adrian, if you could excuse us.", Nate asked in a shaky voice.

Adrian hesitated at first but obliged. However, before he left, I grabbed hold of his hand.

I couldn't bear to stand alone in a room with the two people who hated my promotion the most...it frightened me.

"He stays.",I stated.

"Vanessa, this is...um...an internal issue. I...",Nate began but I cut him off.

"That's fine. I trust him and I will tell him what you tell me later anyway so you might as well talk in front of him."

"Vanessa, please I...", Nate started but I interrupted him again," I am CEO now, Nate. I do respect your wishes but I should have the right to choose who I want to stay...or go."

"As you wish.", Nate said, sitting down, anger visible in his eyes.

The rest three of us sat down too.

Nate began," Since Vanessa is CEO now, I thought she'd figure out by herself once she looked at the balance sheets...but before she misinterprets it as something else and makes matters worse...I have something to confess."

He was doing it.

He was confessing but what does he mean by misinterpretation?

My eyes were glued to Dad's face as Nate began speaking.

"Dad, I have committed a terrible mistake. I didn't tell you before because I thought you'd hate me and I have lost a father before, I couldn't lose you. I am ashamed of myself and I will beg you for forgiveness forever and wait till you forgive me."

Dad's face was marred by a frown as he waited in anticipation for the terrible news that Nate was about to give him.

"The sudden losses in the company...its performance issues. It was all my fault. I know I shouldn't have but I was desperate to fortify my position as CEO, especially when I heard that Vanessa would be flying back to New York for a project meeting. I took out cash from the company's account. A lot of cash. I pretended that it was for a major project that later collapsed but it wasn't. I took the money for my own investments, trying to get hold of shares from companies just like what Vanessa did. I always meant to return back the money once it grew, I swear I did but I made the wrong investments...and I lost all of it! I am guilty and I am sorry and I...am...I am really sorry, dad.", Nate said, choking on his words. I had never seen him cry before and I could actually feel that his guilt was genuine.

Dad sank back in his chair, looking away from Nate, a look of pure shock and disappointment on his face as Nate continued sobbing.

I felt tears building up in my own eyes. I never had a healthy relationship with Nate, especially because of our tussle to get this position but seeing him cry made me emotional. I guess I did see him as family after all.

"You intended to give it back. It wasn't fraud. It was just a mistake. People make mistakes. The fact that you apologized to dad and realised your folly is more important. It's fine, Nate.", I said, not recognizing my own voice.

Nate looked up at me and then turned to Adrian, wiping his tears and trying his best to compose himself,"Adrian, Vanessa trusts you and she let you stay here...but it is a humble request to you to not reveal to anyone."

Adrian drew in a sharp breath. He had no compassion for cheats and frauds, he was clear about it.

However, I held his hand firmly before he said anything to Nate that would make him feel worse.

"You won't say anything, will you?",I looked at Adrian hopefully.

"I won't.", he stated, trying his best to swallow his anger.

"Do you expect me to just forgive you?", dad asked weakly.

"I don't but I will keep apologising till you do."

"You stole money from my company, from OUR company? You could have just asked me for help. I would have told you how and where to invest what, you stupid child!", Dad said, his pitch slowly rising.

"I wanted to do something myself...I'm sorry.", Nate hung his head in shame.

"Haven't you made me proud! It is all my fault. Even after all these years of trying so hard, I couldn't raise you well. Guess it was because you aren't my real s..."

"DAD!", I screamed, jumping up from my chair, before he completed that horrible statement.

I was furious.

I wish I lost your custody battle to your uncle!

That sentence from him still horrified me, I wasn't going to let him do that to Nate.

All the suppressed anger after how he behaved yesterday returned and got channelled into fuelling me now.

I walked from my side of the table to his, standing between him and Nate.

"Just because you are not a good father doesn't mean that you can put the blame onto Nate's parentage!",I seethed.

"When did I deny, I was a bad father? I am a bad father! None of my three kids turned out to be fine. One hates me, the other slept with her sister's boyfriend and the third, the one that I felt I had raised well, he cheated me.", he narrowed his eyes at Nate.

I never imagined myself defending Nate but he was crying too hard to be able to reply himself and I wasn't going to leave him defenceless.

"He didn't cheat. He told you. If he wanted to hide it, he could have."

"He only told me because he didn't want you to tell me first."

Well, that was true but if I put myself in Nate's shoes, knowing dad, I wouldn't have told him either.

"He took a risk. Business is all about risks. He didn't evaluate the risk factor well and he caused the company to suffer a huge loss, I know. He didn't get the CEO position, did he? Isn't that punishment enough?", I asked.

My dad frowned at me in confusion," Why are you defending him? You hated him because I loved him more then why are you trying to protect him now?"

Loved.

"Because unlike you, I know what family is and I will stand by mine, when it needs me irrespective of whether they do the same. My mother, both my mothers raised me to think that way.", I asserted.

There was complete silence.

Dad continued to look at me, saying nothing and Nate's sobs had become quieter. Then a chair moved and Adrian got up.

He moved towards where I was standing and looked at Dad," William, I have always respected you as a CEO but sometimes you have to be more than just that."

"Now a bunch of kids in their twenties will tell me how to live my life?",Dad retorted," As if you, Adrian Greys are anything more than just a CEO. You yourself are a disappointment to your father."

Okay!

I thought I couldn't hate him more but he just made me.

"That is...",I began but I was cut off by Adrian,"Disappointment? My father just told me yesterday how proud he was of me, he even apologized to me for the entire giving-away-the-award-to your-enemy-fiasco. You want to know what disappointment is? That's what you are to your kids."

I had to try hard not to smirk after he made that comment. That was quite a comeback.

I thought this was over now and that dad would leave, storm out to be exact but before he could, Adrian began speaking again.

He was far from being done speaking!