274: THE CHALLENGE

THE CHALLENGE

"MOMMY! HELP!" Avyanna shrieked. Within seconds the media's attention went to the young lady.1

"Avyanna, dear, what's wrong?" the look on her mother's face was full of concern that the mischievous Avyanna secretly winked at her mother which she immediately understood what her daughter is trying to do.

"Oh my poor baby, guards secure us please, my daughter's not feeling well because of the weather." Then Ingrid glanced at the media, who were eyeing their every move, "I am so sorry if you witnessed our not so glamorous side. You see my daughter's not feeling well because of her frequent travels,"

Over the years Ingrid has already mastered the art of staging everything when facing the media. Although she doesn't want to do it, her experience taught her so, a hard lesson at that.

It was too late before the media got hold of them, and their aim to get a glimpse of the mysterious eldest son failed. Again.

~o~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

MEANWHILE, Karylle started her training. She was also enrolled in a short online class to improve her marketing skills. Little did she know that the Head of Marketing is eyeing her potential.

Fortunately, she started to love her job. But when she was alone, she would often remember the headquarters in Silver Country. She refrained from communicating with them as of the moment. She needed time away. To think. To assess things. To find the missing piece. Karylle's reverie stopped when Grapes called her attention.

"Karylle, Mr. Davis is looking for you. He has something to discuss with you," she immediately stood up and checked her appearance before she followed Grapes.

Then, Grapes knocked on the door, and she opened the door for Karylle.

"Good luck!" the woman smiled at her, and she nervously smiled back at her.

"G-good afternoon, Mr. Davis,"

"Ahh yes, please have a seat, Miss Richards," he replied without glancing at her since his focus was still caught up with the documents in front of him.

"Just a minute, I just need to sort these out,"

"Take your time, sir," and since he was not looking at her, Karylle roamed her eyes around the office.

For her, the room was just a typical office. Black, gray, and white combination, leather seats, wooden executive table. She also noticed an eight-seater table that she believed is where the marketing team is having their meeting.

"Miss Richards, your first task is to sell this property," Mr. Davis said while he was handing a photo of the property. "the condition is shabby and a lot of furnishing, err, fixing needs to be done. However, our company wanted to dispose that but no one is interested because – I don't know why,"

The lady's brows creased when she noticed the location. Is it near their house? Is it the abandoned house a few houses away from them?

"Ahh sir, the street looks familiar, where is this exactly?"

"Just within your village, the Nickel's," I gasped. I knew it!

"How come–?" she was puzzled as to why the company has that property.

"I don't know about that property, but as what I've gathered, the whole village was sold more than a decade ago and only that specific lot was never occupied longer than a month. If you would be able to sell that piece of land then, you will be promoted." My eyes bulged in surprise.

Promotion? Wow!

"Do we have budget for the renovation sir, to make this more, uh, saleable?"

"If you are referring to the furnishing, there is none, it's up to the new owner. It's the cheapest in the city actually."

"How about the water and the electric supply, will the new owner shoulder it, too?"

"If the new owner wanted to sign the deal, that's the time you will tell her or… him that we will shoulder the expenses for that. How you would do that is up to you."

Karylle sighed deeply as she contemplated what to do.

"Are you up for the challenge or you'll just be down to cower?"

"I am up for the challenge sir," she firmly said. The man in front of her nodded.

"Good! Here's the document, study it and if you're ready, start it. I'll only give you a month to accomplish that. Good luck!"

'A month?!' she wanted to protest, but the man immediately turned his face back to the documents. And when he noticed that she did not move, he looked at her,

"You may go now, Miss Richards. If you have some concern, just go directly to Miss Grapes. Thank you! Now, go your way!"

True enough, Karylle did not waste her time. She went to her cubicle and read the document so that she could come up with a plan. Ah! Her blood is rushing in excitement. She did not realize that corporate work is not bad after all as long as it offers her always on the go. Well, she's challenged, too, and see how far she can go.

HOWEVER…

"Uuuuuggggghhhh!!!" I screamed my frustration.

I am in my bedroom, and my enthusiasm from the first day I accepted the challenge is going down. I only have five days left! Five freaking days! How can I ever do that!

"I NEED A MIRACLE, LORD! Please! Save me!" I prayed desperately. I've been to the streets, giving flyers, asked some acquaintances to refer me if they knew someone who needed a house, outside the universities, even the preschools, hmm.. Where should I go today?

"Karylle, what happened? Why are you screaming at the top of your lungs?" it was her father called outside from her room.

"I'm okay, don't worry, I was just frustrated. But I'll be fine. Thanks for the concern, father," I shouted back. I don't want to go out and let my father witness how miserable I am feeling right now. I don't need anyone's pity at the moment. I needed someone to seal the deal.

'I'll kiss whoever that person is.' But when I imagined it would be some lunatic, 'on the second note, I think I'll pass the kiss part." I grinned.

"By the way, I'll be going to the mall to buy something. Lock the front door if you'll leave,"

Then an idea hit her. Gosh! Why have I never thought about that? I changed my clothes and headed to the nearest mall.

…:heart_suit:…:heart_suit:…:heart_suit:…

AT THE BRIGGS MANSION…

"Clark, where are you going?" it was Avyanna, being nosy again.

"At the mall. Why?" Then she looked at her brother from head to toe.

"Wearing that? Please! You looked like a beggar," she rolled her eyes at him.

"Avyanna, when did you start looking down at people?" Clark's voice became stern while he glanced at his sister.

"I'm sorry," her face flushed in humiliation.

"I'm warning you don't you dare say it again or else I will be definitely be disappointed in you. I'm going…"

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