Cold Storm

By: Ace

**Hey guys, this chapter's been edited a little. **

Chapter 1

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Casey was adopted.

Casey's real father was a thief.

As hard as she tried, she couldn't comprehend the two simple sentences. She had been sitting at her desk for over two hours now, without as much as moving an inch. Sitting on her chair, she kept staring at her desk. It was neat, as Casey was, with papers in one pile; the documented folders on the other.

All the writing utensils were neatly placed in the holder, and nothing was out of place. The family picture was placed at the edge of the desk – everyone was smiling brightly at the camera. Her desk top was on, and the time read 3:23pm.

She took a deep breath in and tried to clam her nerves so she could think.

Casey worked at one of the most known companies, called Powell Inc., in New York as the head of the financial department. Even though she graduated at Yale with a degree in English literature, during the interview with the company's main manager, he had thought her fit for the financial department above any other. Slowly, but with hard work and determination, Casey had become the head of the financial department and dealt directly with the CEO of the company.

On the side, Casey had also written 3 novels – all of them award-winning and they were on New York's #1 bestselling list for weeks. The novels were converted into 10 different languages and were popular all around the world. She had gotten a proposal for turning one of her books into a movie – which she was still considering. She can spend all her life as a writer, but she thought she could still be a writer, while achieving something else as well.

At the age of 18, she graduated high school and was accepted to Yale. She lived on campus and graduated with major in literature at 22. She started working at Powell almost as soon as she graduated, which was two years ago. (AN: I don't know anything about Yale and how long it takes to major …so I just made up stuff; lol – enjoy)

Today was no different then the rest. She came in on time, after having to wake up at 6 pm, shower, eat breakfast, and feed Bailey (her golden retriever – about 2 years old), before getting out and walking 10 minutes to get to her work place.

As soon as she came in, Kate – the secretary, had all the documents listed out for her. So she got started as soon as she had her coffee on the table.

Everything was normal until Kate said a client wanted to meet her personally but that they didn't have an appointment. Casey agreed to see him, just because she wanted to make the regulations clear to him and because she was done with her work for today.

"I am so pleased you decided to see me, thank you. This was a successful visit after all." A men wearing Armani suit came.

"Yes, of course. Casey McDonald." Casey introduced herself as she stood up from her chair. "Do have a sit."

"Thank you. And I do apologize for not having an appointment. I'm not in New York for very long, and it is a must that I see you. And I do promise, next time, we will have an appointment." He said as he sat down and made himself comfortable.

"I'm glad you understand the regulation, and lucky for you, I just finished my documents for today. Is there anything I can get you? Something cold? Or warm if you prefer." Casey offered.

"I'll have a Corna if it's not too much trouble. And I may I ask you something personal?" He asked.

"Alright." Casey said after she paged Kate to get Mr. what's-his-name. "But, may I know who you are?"

"I apologize for introducing myself earlier. I'm Mike Giller, owner of the Giller Productions down in Illinois. You are Nora McDonald's Casey, aren't you?" He really couldn't help himself. He just had to know.

"Yes, you know my mother?" Casey was surprised, to put it gently.

"Oh yes. I was there when she adopted you. She was there with her husband. I forgot his name, but I remembered her. I couldn't forget her face. I knew she would take good care of you, that's why I gave you up, you know. I didn't want to, but then I though Charlie, and I though he would want me to. You would have a better home, grow up like a normal child. That's what Charlie would have wanted." He sighed as he said this. He had wanted to get this off his chest for such a long time. Over 22 years.

Casey couldn't breath. There was so much to take in. So much to analyze. What was this men in front of her telling her? About her life and how it's lie? About her mother who wasn't her mother?

"Who..Who's Charlie?" She asked with a shaky voice.

"Charlie was your father. I hope you forgave him for he did. He didn't mean to steal. He was just borrowing. It was partially my fault, for I introduced him to the client. I know he would have returned the money had he had the chance. But the police caught him before that. He was just so deep; he needed some way to get out. Lord, it wasn't his fault though. He got caught, went to jail, and poor soul died. He only had you. I took care of you for a around a week, before putting you in the hospital. You were just so sick, I couldn't take care of you by myself. Then Nora showed up. But it really wasn't his fault. First crime in his life, and he got caught." Mr. Giller explained to Casey. "I kept in touch with Nora over the years. She re-married I hear, to a Mr. Venturi?" He question, and went on when Casey nodded yes. "The last time I talked to her, she mentioned where you were. So I came to visit, along with other reasons, but I am so glad to see you. I really am, your father would have been so proud. So would have been your mother. Casey you are a splitting image of her." He said gently.

Casey was going through the paragraph over and over in her head. Mr. Giller had left after his business was taken care of and he promised to visit again when he comes to New York. He also gave Casey his number in case she wanted to reach him anytime. When he hugged her good-bye, Casey couldn't help but see the sincerity in his eyes. He wasn't lying.

But Casey wanted to know why her parents had lied. Lied to her – her whole life. Her whole life was a lie. How can she go on when her past, as she knew it, was just a façade.

She sighed as she looked out the window. She was on the 20th floor, the view was perfect. Mid-afternoon New York was a sight to see. She looked over at the family picture she had on her desk. That was all a lie – for her.

Why?

Why would her mom lie to her? Why wouldn't she tell her the truth? Now…when she's all grown up, and is able to understand the circumstances that might have placed her mom in that situation.

The door was knocked and Kate popped her head in.

"Are you alright, Casey? You look way too stressed, even for you." She said, with a hint of humor.

"I'm alright Kate, don't worry….Or at least, I will be alright…soon."

"Alright, I just came to see if you wanted me to send the document?"

"Yes, do that."

"Alright."

The door quietly shut behind her.

She took out the number that Mr. Giller gave her. Her hands shaked as she pressed the numbers. She took a deep breath in as the 1st ring came on.

After the 3rd ring, Mr. Giller picked up on the other side, "Giller."

"Mr. Giller it's Casey McDonald."

"Casey, hello my dear. Please, do call me Mike."

"Alright, mhm, Mike. I apologize for disturbing you but I was hoping you could give me a piece of information."

"What is it?"

"Can you tell me my family name?"

"Collins."

"Collins?"

"Yes, Charlie Collins was your father. Melissa Collins was your mother."

"Melissa?"

"Yes. If you would like, I can fax you a copy of your birth certificate. I had a copy made for myself when I gave Nora the original documents."

"I'd like that… Thank you."

"Your most welcome."

It's Ace.

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Please review….no flames (pretty please)!

Enjoy.

I'll up date soon!