173 Why Can't You See It?

"That was my dream when I was young but now I just want to become the best programmer out there that no one would be able to compare," Amber added.

Hayley stared at her, not knowing what she meant by what she had been saying.

"You see, not everyone retains their dreams from young age. And Alissa is one of them."

"No, she had told you as well when we just met that she wanted to become a model," Hayley argued back.

"Oh god Hayley, why can't you see it?!?" Amber didn't know whether to grab her hair or what.

"What I am seeing now is that you have changed, you never listen to me!!" Hayley replied.

"I will never listen to you if the idea didn't come from you," Amber replied resolutely.

"Why do you keep on insisting that the idea came from Mark?"

"If it didn't Alissa wouldn't be placed in such situation," in gritted teeth Amber glared at Hayley.

She rarely shows such kind of anger to those around her, most of the time it would be hidden beneath her smile or her cold demeanor.

"What are you talking about? Alissa is fine, why do you-"

*CRASH*

Hayley jumped when Amber suddenly threw everything that was on her table, including the computers.

"SHE IS FINE?!? PLEASE STOP ME FROM HITTING YOU RIGHT NOW!!"

Amber was fuming mad and Hayley could only take a step backwards.

"Have it ever occurred to you that she may not only have collapsed but also be even more sick with all the schedules you have given her? HOW NARROW MINDED HAVE YOU BECOME?!?!"

Hayley didn't reply.

"You keep thinking about your career and since Alissa was your cousin and she was among the top runway models you obligated her to always be there when you needed her that you have forgotten, she has something she also wanted to do."

"I am not!!"

"You are, have you not realized? Every time you say something it had always been you first before the others. You always refer to yourself first before you refer to others!!"

Hayley didn't reply.

"And now, you won't even accept the fact that it was you who are at fault."

Amber turned around picked up a few papers from the scattered ones and threw them at Hayley.

"These are the events you were so proud of, are those rating something to be proud of?!!?"

Hayley looked at them and saw how low they were compared to the events Jake had been signing them up.

They may be few in numbers but their ratings are very much higher than these ones.

"Don't be too full of yourself because of your little success, there are still a lot more who are much more famous than you are," Amber exploded.

"You put Alissa's health in danger, now you have the guts to blame it in her other work!! SHAME ON YOU!!"

Hayley who experienced her anger first hand couldn't say anything, she could only stare at Amber, having no idea what she will do.

She walked close to Hayley and when their faces are a few inches apart.

"Think who truly cares for you. You also have your contract, don't try and do something else outside of the company without our approval. This is my last warning to you, don't belittle me as your president and as the pianist."

She turned her back on Hayley and Hayley who was deeply affected by her sudden outburst could only leave her office feeling heavy.

Amber tried her best to calm down, her outburst was only because of the fact that Alissa was Hayley's cousin yet she didn't even think what will happen to Alissa with that guy's plan.

She followed him blindly as if what he really speaks of was for her.

*****

Alissa was happily walking towards Amber's office when she heard them fighting and once it reached the highest part, she wanted to enter and stop them.

She had noticed what was happening to Hayley and was deeply hurt that Hayley didn't think of her health when she did what she did.

Just as she was about to speak and reached her hand to the doorknob another hand covered her mouth and pulled her to the resting room on the side of Amber's office.

He closed the door and lean on it while Alissa was leaning on him with her back.

"You can't enter there now, you must not interrupt them. The only reason she waited this long was because of you. She treats both of you dearly but she knew her mistake she also knew that you would surely get hurt for she was your cousin. That's why you can't be there now."

Her tears dropped upon hearing his words, he was right. Amber actually had her stay at home for now but she got bored and came here instead.

Her being here was not part of Amber's plan, she really didn't want her to hear whatever it is they are going to talk about.

He pulled her to the couch and made her sit down at the same time giving her his handkerchief.

"You have no other choice but to stay out of this fight of theirs, currently it is her as the president reprimanding her employee. Familial ties should not get in between, you do know the reason behind all of these right? All of the companies she had created."

Alissa slowly nodded her head, it was for her revenge so she can't blindly spoil them and put the company at risk.

"What pains you Alissa? What part of their conversation pains you?" he then asked upon seeing her reaction.

Alissa slowly looked up to Timothy, she didn't know why he was there but he really was there right in front of her.

Looking in his eyes, she couldn't help but to feel like she was looking at Amber's eyes whenever she was seriously giving them some advice.

"Maybe the fact that everything started when I got another job?"

"I told you not to come, what are you doing here?" they then heard another voice from the door.

Amber shook her head and sighed, she wanted a bit of rest so she left the messy office and came to the room next door. Who would have thought that she would chance upon these two.

She called for Timothy for she was planning on releasing their comeback about Alissa's scandal and she promised that her priority was Timothy's broadcasting station, yet he came too early as well.

"Amber..."

Alissa's voice sounded like a whimper, she was definitely feeling guilty about all of these.

Amber sighed once again and pinched the space between her brows.

She slowly walked towards Alissa and stood in front of her. Timothy stepped aside giving them space.

But to his and Alissa's shock Amber actually clapped her hands on Alissa's cheeks real hard, leaving a red mark on them.

"Hey," Timothy couldn't help but to react.

Amber just gave him a look and he could only purse his lips.

"Let's grow up, shall we Alissa? You and I, let's grow up."

"Huh?" Alissa who was still stunned by her action couldn't comprehend what she was talking about.

"You and I are somewhat the same, we tend to feel like it is our duty to return all the favors that others have done for us. So let's stop."

She wanted to cry as well, out of frustration and pain.

Hayley was among those who supported her when she was very down. When everything seems bleak for her. She was the jolly person who can make her laugh with the simplest things.

'That's right, she was still innocent back then. And maybe even now, she haven't truly seen the other side of this world,' she thought as she remained looking at Alissa's eyes.

"Stop thinking what others will think or what others would feel, or how they will react. Leave them be, instead just think of yourself, what will make you happy, what will make you enjoy your life."

"But..."

"Yes, both Hayley and I just hurt each other but it was inevitable, there's nothing we can do about it. I was still too lenient with her and she thought of it as my approval. Both are at fault. But you have to understand, Hayley is being misdirected and we have to bring her back."

Timothy remembered that it was what he said back when they drank together.

"So don't choose between us either, she needed you now more than in the past. If it keeps going that it was Mark who's comforting her then surely she would keep walking the wrong path. But you only need to be beside her, silently accompany her, I know this would be a heavy task but she is your cousin."

She wiped the tears that still fall from Alissa's eyes.

"But that didn't mean that you will let her direct your life. Remember Alissa, your life is yours and yours alone. No one must direct it nor anyone must pull you into a path they deem you'd enjoy. It has to be you Alissa. You alone, decide for yourself."