As agreed, I attend the press conference for Aion reveal. Sitting among the crowd, I watched the presentation from beginning to end. It didn't surprise me that the project was well received and welcomed. All the questions were well answered. Anyone could tell Aion came prepared with a mission.

Still, I knew a big part of the success was the fact that the founders of Aion were all gorgeous men and leading the group was the charismatic Eli Frye. It's wrong to say but its human nature to be more accepting toward beautiful people. And Eli Frye is one beautiful man.

"Ms. Lind, I'm here to escort you to the private lounging room on behalf of Mr. Carter's request"

I was exiting the conference room when I was approached by a big man in a dark suit. He was obviously someone from security. I followed behind him while he guide me to the private corridor that lead to a huge double wooden door. Two more men stood guarding the doors. When they saw me, they pushed opened the door.

The first thing I saw was a beautiful petite woman with long curly raven black hair, sky blue eyes and ruby red lips. What had my heart stopped was how the beautiful woman had her hand on Eli's shoulders as she tipped-toed herself up to kiss his cheek. It was as if time stopped and that memory of the past flashed deep within my mind of the moment when I saw Eli and Rose shared a deep kiss. It had driven me into insanity and rage.

"Calla?"

Rose voice was how I remembered it – lovely and sweet like spring. Her eyes saw me and widen in surprise before she rushed to me with the unchanging kind smile. The thing was – Rose Lind had always been a beautiful person – inside and out. As a child, I resented it believing it's only a facade that my older sister put up. Now, I seeing her smiles – truly seeing her for the first time after so long, I understood the problem had lied within my own complexity.

"Oh my god, look at you" She laughed softly as she hugged me – burying her face into my shoulder. "You're all grown up... and your hair... you cut it"

It had been 4 years since we last saw each other. The last time Rose saw me, I still had long hair - very much similar to hers. After they left New Haven, I cut my hair short. I no longer have the desire to have long hair as it takes too much time and effort to maintain.

"I didn't know you were in New York" Rose stepped back but held onto my hands. "I heard you're attending Yale. What are you studying?"

When I just look at her, she stopped with embarrassment.

"Sorry, it's been a while since we last saw each other and I'm already bombarding you with questions... How have you been Calla?"

"I'm doing well..."

It is all that I could say. Feeling the awkward tension between me and my sister, I felt this uncomfortable guilt. I couldn't help it because Rose and I were never close. As a child I had been spoil and mean to her. As an adult I've only became worst – blaming her for my misery. Even when I revert back to my former 14 years old self, I couldn't close that distant between us sisters. I don't have the right to after what I've done. And I don't have the courage to.

"Rose, aren't you going to introduce us?"

That was when I realized the large group in private room. I had only recognized the 4 founders of Aion. The other 6 people were unfamiliar.

"Of course. Everyone this is my little sister Calla Lind"

As Rose was introducing me to her friends, one of them, a young French man with the same age as me, boldly took hold of my hand and brought it to his lips. What surprised him wasn't that I pulled my hand away, but when Eli Frye grabbed hold of his back collar to stop him. There was silence with everyone confused or startled by Eli Frye action.

"Relax Eli" The French man chuckled and pulled away to fix his collar. "I'll behave in front of your sister-in-law"

"She's not my sister" Eli voice was cold like ice.

The comment sounded strange even to me.

"Behave Leo" Rose soft laughter broke the tension in the room. "Calla is my sister"

Leo winked at me but I was unaffected. Yes he was a beautiful man but by far the most average looking one in the room.

"Are you staying in New York for a while Calla?"

Rose smiled at me while reaching for my hand again.

"For another few days"

"Come stay with us"

I shook my head no. It was selfish but I couldn't deal with my parents right now – especially my father who probably was still upset with me.

"You shouldn't stay in a hotel when you have family to stay with"

"I'm staying with grandpa"

"Grandfather?"

I could see how surprised she was.

"At the chateau?"

I nodded while Rose looked even more surprised by the news. Before Rose could say anything else, the door was opened and a man in a black suit entered. The man was Andrew Marks, my grandfather's secretary who took over Victor Contra position.

"Ms. Calla" Andrew – AKA Andy went over to me as soon as his eyes spotted me. "Mr. Lind is waiting outside"

I had thought grandfather had other business to attend to.

"Grandfather is here?" Rose was surprised.

"It appears so..." I answered. "It looks like I have to go"

Rose gave me an understanding smile.

"Would you like to come see grandpa?"

"That's alright... he's probably busy"

I understood. James Lind was an intimidating man – beside me, not many of his grandchildren are able to withstand his indifference. I wouldn't have interacted with the cold man if not my need for money. On the other hand, Rose had only ever known love all her life so was not use to the aloofness of our grandfather who priority is his work – not family.

"Don't leave New York without say goodbye" Rose said gently.

I nodded.

"It was nice meeting everyone" I then turned and politely address my sister's friends.

Before I turn to leave, I couldn't help but noticed Eli Frye and his unreadable expression as he looked at me. Why he was even looking at me when Rose should be the center of his attention? Recalling the scene between Rose and Eli just a moment ago, the uncomfortable feeling came back. Suddenly, Ben Carter – the root to my awkward reunion with my oldest sister, came into view. Remembering that he was the one who had sent for me, I knew he had planned it. In that moment, I wanted to smack that smile off his face.

"Mr. Carter" I gave him a calculating smile. "I promise the second favor will be twice as fun"

Ben Carter flinched in horror made me feel a little better. While the others were confused, the man knew exactly what I meant. That's all that matters. When I made my way out, I was careful not to look at Eli Frye again.

When I was out the room and in the corridor, I was able to breathe again.

"Are you alright?" Andy noticed my soft exhale.

I didn't even get a chance to respond when someone grabbed my arm. Startled, I lifted my head up and saw it was Eli Frye. What the hell?

"Why are you here?"

Hit with his sudden question and dark gaze, I realized that he hadn't expected me there at Aion press conference. To be precise, he hadn't wanted me there. Ben Carter had made me feel otherwise. Feeling hurt and foolish, I pulled my arm from his tight gripped.

"It's not like I want to" I snapped at him. "On top of my grandfather's orders, your friend asked that I come to the press conference"

I'll make sure that Ben Carter regrets messing with me.

"Ben Carter" Eli voice dropped coldly as he realized which friend I was referring to.

"If you didn't want me to attend, make sure you let that idiot friend of yours knows before he bothers me about it"

I hate that I have to explain myself to him. Why is that it bothered me so much to let him know I was not there for him? I was there because of my responsibility to Lind Corp. and Aion.

"Now excuse me Mr. Frye"

I turned to leave with the surprised Andy but was again grabbed by the arm. Seriously, what is wrong with him?

"What is your problem?"

"Look at me"

Startled by his sudden deep, warm voice, my eyes shot up to look into his.

"There is nothing between Rose and me"

It took me a long time before his words process through my head because his dark gaze had short circuit my thoughts. There was nothing between Rose and him? Why did he feel the need to tell me that? Why does it matter to me?

"That's none of my business" I tried hard to pull away but he only hold onto my arm tighter.

When he pulled me closer, I had to put my hand to his chest, pushing at him to keep some distance between us.

"Don't touch me" I panicked when his hand reaching out to touch my cheek.

Seeing my fears, he let go of me immediately. Not able to look at him, I turned and left. Andy had quickly followed after me and was smart enough not to utter a single word about what just happened.

Once I was finally in the limo, I calmed my emotions. The last thing I want is for my grandfather to see my troubles. As the limo drove off, I pulled out my phone and pretend like I was busy with my own thing. I did my best to erase the event that just happened between me and Eli Frye. Fortunately, my grandfather was busy going over his schedule with another one of his secretary to notice my conflicted state.