Questions filled Ariana's head as she wondered how everything got to this point.
"Honey calm down, let's get home first" Mrs Sterling tried to calm her husband down as she walked towards him.
Ariana glanced at her father and mother before her eyes settled on her sister Ava who avoided eye contact with her. "When did you both agree that Ava should head the company?" Ariana asked with her hands folded. Trying to control her emotions.
"Ariana, you see after long consideration we decided to give Ava the position. You have worked hard and besides, you are getting married next week to a wealthy man. You wouldn't need the Sterling wealth anymore. Try to understand" her mother explained.
"Mum, are you trying to tell me I worked hard for this company for five years just for the fruits of my labour to be handed to Ava. I apologise for my words but need I remind you that Ava isn't company material. All she cares about are her fans online!" Ariana glared at them.
"I can still work though!" Ava spoke this time.
Ariana sighed and walked towards her younger sister and said "Ava darling, working in a company doesn't suit you. No offence but you know nothing about running a company. How will you balance running this company with your social media life?".
"You'd show me the ropes then" Ava smiled as her brown eyes glistened.
Ariana turned to her father. "So what position do I have in the company now?" She asked.
"You're leaving the company entirely Ariana" her father replied in a low but stern tone.
Ariana's mouth was agape but before she could utter a word, he continued "Like your mother said, you are getting married next week to a wealthy man. You'd have everything you need once you get married to him so you wouldn't need our money anymore".
"I work here because I love it. Not only because of the money." She retorted.
"If you love it so much, you can put your sister through to ensure the continuous smooth running of the company. But from today onward, you are no longer part of the Sterling Group" her father said as he began to walk towards the door to take his leave.
Her mother and sister glanced at her before trailing behind.
Left alone in the conference room, Ariana thought she was in a bad dream. She pinched herself continuously and when she realized that indeed she wasn't in a dream, she cackled in disbelief.
She couldn't believe her own family did this to her. Five years of hard work down the drain, the fruit of her labour handed to her sister.
She angrily stormed out of the conference room and went straight to her office. All eyes were on her as she walked passed them. She knew her parents could easily find another job for Ava but for some reason, they decided to hand the company she had laboured for to her younger sister.
"Why did they do this?" Ariana asked herself as she entered her office. She bit her lips as she felt her heart aching. She quickly packed her bags and exited the office.
With teary eyes, she texted her fiancé.
"Hey babe. Can we meet up? I'm having a bad morning." Her text said.
Usually it took only few minutes for her fiancé to reply, so she walked towards her car, the latest BMW edition.
Settling in the seat, she sighed and threw her head backwards. Trying not to allow the tears that clouded her vision to fall.
She stayed quiet in the car for some minutes till she heard a "ting" from her phone; indicating she had received a new message. She quickly took her phone thinking it was her husband to be who had texted her but the text was from her secretary, Yvonne.
"I'm allowed to text as a friend now right? Ariana, are you okay?".
Ariana heaved a sigh as she read the text from Yvonne, the secretary who had asked her to go to the conference room. Yvonne was her secretary and friend, a blonde blue eyed petite lady with a very cute smile and charming personality.
"What do you think?" Ariana texted back.
"I'd come see you later. Your father just walked past me. I think they're showing Ava to her office, well your office but when we see, drink's on me. Love ya!".
Ariana sadly smiled at Yvonne's text. She wouldn't have known what was going on in the conference room if Yvonne hadn't told her. Ariana had many questions on her mind but would reserve it for later.
"Love you too!". Ariana replied and closed her eyes, thinking about how unfortunately everything had turned out for her.
She seethed as she thought of it all. Everyone in the company knew she was going to be the president. In fact, she already was. All she needed was her father, the Chairman of the company to make an official declaration or statement.
Word had already spread in the company that her sister was the new President and the news was definitely going to be in the headlines.