It was late afternoon in Los Angeles, The sun hung low over the glass towers reflecting shadows across the glass buildings. The heat was replaced gradually by the softer warmth of early evening, the workers that were left packed their bags and headed home.
The city was still busy but celebration had already begun on the thirty second floor of the building that once belonged to Vanessa Grant.
The office still carried Vanessa's touch, her awards still on the wall, her books neatly arranged and her name plate resting on the somewhere on the floor beside her desk. Nicole stared at the nameplate
Vanessa Grant—CEO
He picked it up slowly then he laughed; a slow wicked laugh filled the room then he said 'Not anymore'.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he dropped it into the trash bin beside his desk while leaning comfortably across the massive executive desk with a glass of champagne swirling lazily in his had.
Across the room sat his mother, Mrs Lopez,a sharply dressed woman in her late 50s who wore a very proud smile like a mother whose son just made the greatest breakthrough of his life.
His younger sister Amanda was sat beside their mother comfortably on the leather sofa while scrolling through her phone.
"I can't believe that whore trusted you with everything" his sister said while laughing
"That's what happens when you mix business with love" he said to his sister then took a sip of his champagne "you become predictable" he said while gesturing around the office "she thought we were building an empire together and yes we did she just didn't realize it would belong to me".
His eyes flickered with satisfaction while his mother and sister nodded approvingly.
A sharp knock disturbed his little celebratory remarks and Nicole's assistant stepped in,
"Mr Lopez, your lawyer is here".
"Perfect timing, let him in" he said to his assistant and almost immediately his lawyer comes into the office carrying a leather briefcase and documents.
"Good afternoon Mr Lopez" he said while placing the documents on the desk to open them carefully.
"It's finalized, Vanessa Grant has officially lost control of her assets connected to the company."
Silence filled the room.
Nicole's smile widened, "The company transfer, financial accounts, the Beverly Hills property seized by the bank as scheduled has all been finalized??" He asked.
The lawyers nodded positively "it's all done Mr Lopez "
His sister clapped excitedly, his mother smiled proudly, Nicole burst into laughter "Beautiful" he said. It all belongs to me now.
He walks slowly towards the window overlooking the evening traffic in the glowing city street as people rushed home from work. He smirked while thinking of how he slowly made his plan successful.
"I wonder where she is right now" Amanda said mockingly
"I'm sure she's somewhere begging someone for help, that girl was always too emotional, let her show sympathy to her fellow beggars on the streets" Mrs Lopez said to her daughter and they both laughed while Nicole took another sip of his drink quietly.
"You should have seen her face earlier " He added. "Fussing about how much of an ingrate I am" he added.
"She trusted me with fifty million dollars"he said as his voice turned colder and his grip on the cup tightened, that alone proves she never deserves to run the company.
"This deserves a proper celebration brother" Amanda chipped in with excitement.
"Oh yes yes I raised a very successful son. This definitely calls for a celebration".
Nicole looked at his mother and sister with a not so perfect smile they loved. "You both deserve the best" he said confidently and softly like he didn't just betray someone very close to him.
An hour later, the sun had almost disappeared from Los Angeles city as Nicole's black luxury car pulled up outside Gucci Rodeo Drive Boutique. The windows displayed rows of luxury handbangs and designer clothings.
"This place suits our status perfectly" Amanda said to herself as they walked inside.
"Welcome sir, welcome ma" the sales assistant greeted as she quickly approached them. As Amanda and her mother tried on handbags and dresses he sat on a soft chair placed nicely in the boutique watching the store.
His reflex stared back at him, for 5 years he stood behind Vanessa. Now he was the one in control, Nicole's chest swelled with pride.
"This is only the beginning"he said almost loudly.
His mother overheard him.
"You're going to be greater than she ever was my son".
"This bag really suits this heels son, but I want it in different colors"
"Take everything if you want mum, I'm very rich now " he said proudly.
"This is Vanessa's money being put into better use" His sister chipped in but he didn't correct her instead he simply smiled and said, " We will go have a family dinner in a five star restaurant after this at any place of your choice" he said and just in that moment his phone buzzed. An article flashed across the screen of his phone.
Nicole Lopez: The visionary CEO taking over the Grant's Technologies.
He smirked, his eyes darkened.
" she built the foundation but I'm going to build the empire"
Night had fully fallen over Los Angeles when Nicole's car stopped outside Spago Beverley Hills; one of the most famous restaurants in the city.
The glowing light and elegant outdoor settings created a perfect atmosphere for celebration. A host greeted them immediately " Mr Lopez, your table is this way sir". They were placed on a table overlooking the bustling street.
Champagne arrived immediately. Nicole raised his glass, "To success"
His sister raised hers.
"To the fall of Vanessa Grant". Their mother raised hers. "To my brilliant son". They clinked glasses together.
"Somewhere out there Vanessa was probably crying, begging someone for financial help or accommodation". He thought to himself as he leaned back in his chair staring at the lights of the city, "she should have known better" he said to himself without remorse or care, only satisfaction.
The waiter approached the with their dinner as the city buzzed around them. He smiled darkly when his sister said, "you destroyed her".
He took a slow sip of the champagne in his hand, "No, she destroyed herself the moment she trusted me". The waiter arrived with their dinner finally and left. He looked out across the sky of Los Angeles with quiet confidence as he ate his meal.
"Vanessa was finished. Her empire she was so proud of had turned ashes in her presence by me, Nicole Lopez and from now on I'll be reach forever while she begs for death " he thought to himself.
After a very happy evening…he drove them home so he could go celebrate his victory with his friends and Vanessa's childhood best friend; Thelma who he has been cheating on her with for four years now.
"Baby we're rich now, get ready I'll come pick you up in thirty minutes,get ready". She grinned widely immediately she hangs up the call "That bitch thinks she's better than everyone, now watch everything in your life belong to me " Thelma said with anger written all over her face
Thirty minutes later he pulled up outside a worn out apartment building few miles from Beverly Hills. And they got to the club after a five minutes drive.
He smiled as he opened the car door and Vanessa's childhood friend Thelma stepped out.
" Ready for the Gravitas club?" He asked with excitement and happiness in his voice
"Of course baby, I want to party to the fullest". She laughed, tossing her hair. " I can't believe she lost it all, she knows everything except when it comes to knowing her company and money's been taken , and the best part is she doesn't even know we're here".
" oops I forgot she can't ever come to a place like this anymore, so what if she knows? She'd still beg for your love Nic baby", she said mockingly
"What a stupid bitch" she said lastly and they shared a wicked smile, holding each other while they headed inside the city's most exclusive nightlife.