A Contract With Adrian Sinclair

**Katherine** The sounds of broken glass echoed through the mansion. My parents are always arguing, neglecting the fact how heartbroken it is for us . On this day the argument was more tense than any other day I have been present when they argued .I rushed downstairs only to find my father and mother arguing, more like a fight. The glassy chandelier that was broken as a gift from my grandfather . The chandelier hanging above the staircase probably cost more than an average family house. The chandelier broke very close to my mother ,the blood bleeded out from her wrist. I remember standing there frozen not knowing what to do , too young to understand why the people who were supposed to love each other looked like enemies. My father David Blackwood is very angry. I could see rage in his eyes. He shouted “you are leaving my house today.” I couldn't believe my ears that my father was going to send my mother away and make us motherless. He held my mother on her biceps so tight that the blood bleeds out more as he dragged her out of the house , I had no chance to say anything to her . Since this day I have hated my father. Katherine!!! The voice of my brother Asher, woke me up from my deep thoughts and brought me back to the consciousness of reality. I left home the past 6 months to get my master's degree. I hope this will prove to my father that I'm good enough to handle the Family company “Blackwood Energy.” My younger brother just completed his training in a music school. He has always loved to sing and he has no ambition to take over my father's company. I wonder why my father doesn't mount pressure on him , he has never agreed with my father but on rare occasions would you see them fight. “Still wearing leather jackets this summer ?” I laughed as he pulled me into a hug. Atlanta is very hot during summer. Seeing him at the airport again after a long time huhhh... .I missed him so much. We left the airport after catching up with each other , gossiped , hugged and laughed. “You still hate Dad?” Asher asked. “What could have made me stop?” I replied. My Father sent a text saying he would like to have dinner with us since I and Asher are both done with what we are doing abroad. Hmmm…. I don't know what my father is up to this time but I'm sure it is not a family reunion. My Father Chief Security officer picked us from the airport , and we arrived at my family mansion , so cold and empty, aside from my father ,his PA and other domestic staff( security officer and domestic staff ). My Dad PA Vincent came to welcome us , he has been with my father since when he was young. He is my father's Godfather, I don't know what my father has on him that made him that loyal to him and become his PA. He is the closest person to my father. “Welcome , Your Dad has been expecting your arrival. He is in his office , follow me” Again, why is he always speaking for him? I really hate it.. Getting to his office , he has an office in the mansion. He works from there most of the time. He is on a call , we had our seat on the coach and his PA left us with him . Daughter! Son! Welcome home. It has been cold without you guys , my brother stood up to hug him dad I miss you too . I stood up to shake his hand. “We aren't friends.” Smiled and said to myself. “Let go have dinner” He said , he didn't even mention why he asked to come home, was it to have dinner? It better not , when is he going to tell me I will be the COO of the family company. The dining room is cold as usual. The dining was set with different varieties of food. The long black dining table was set with different varieties of food, enough to feed more than ten people despite the fact it was only the three of us having dinner. Are we having a party ? Just the three of us , Asher replied. We were not shocked though, by the Blackwood style.Everything looked expensive even when there was nobody around to impress. I pulled out a chair beside Asher and sat down . My eyes moved around the room slowly. Nothing has changed ,The same framepaintings and art work. The same quietness wonders how the staff enjoy working here . How luxurious this mansion looked, it never felt like home to me, since when I was young. My family was not the one built on love. Ashe leaned close to me , what wrong , you've been quiet? I smiled, “I'm fine , just observing the environment.” I replied Okay , maybe I’m feeling the opposite of what I told Asher. I'm nervous . For years, I had worked tirelessly for Blackwood Energy. Even though I had to get my master’s degree, I had closed 3 business deals for the company before leaving to get my master degree. I sacrificed sleep, peace and everything just to prove to my father that I was capable of being the COO.Tonight, has to have a purpose . My father walked into the dining room a few minutes later, commanding the atmosphere without saying a word. His presence alone was enough to make people quiet. David Blackwood never needed to beg for authority.He had naturally carried it. “Dad,” Asher greeted warmly. My father nodded once before taking his seat at the head of the table. His eyes shifted toward me briefly. “Katherine.” That was it. “We aren’t friends,” I reminded myself again. The chef began serving food, silently. The sound of cutlery against plates filled the awkward silence that settled between us. I hated how quiet dinner with my father always felt. It never felt like a family dinner. It always felt like a business meeting. How was the academy ? He asked “Amazing. The academy wants me back next summer for a performance.” Asher replied “He smiled , that's good.” That was all my father said before taking a sip from his wine glass. I am angry internally , I had to keep it in because I'm not ready to cause a scene. I glanced at Asher carefully before looking down at my food. “You’ve done well with your studies too,” my father finally said, turning his attention toward me. Finally,I said quietly. Only Asher could hear me. “I wanted to discuss your position in the company,” he continued calmly. I am trying not to look too eager. This was it, the conversation have being waiting to have with him “I believe I’m ready,” I said confidently. “I’ve spent years preparing to make out success for the company” I said My father remained silent , with no words coming out of his mouth. Finally ,he sighed softly. “No.” The word hit harder than I expected. What?? No…that want you are going to say I stood up from where I sat . “You are not ready to become COO of Blackwood Energy.” He said I stared at him in disbelief. I let out a loud laugh, tears are almost rolling down my cheeks. I'm doing my best to hold it in . The Blackwood years are rare to see. Dad, I had literally handled three international contracts before going to get my master’s degree. “You still do not think like a Blackwood, Katherine.” This same sentence , there it is again . “What does that even mean?” I asked It means you allow emotions to influence your decisions. This company was not built on emotions. “I have done everything to prove myself to you all my life ,it still is not enough.” Even Asher stopped eating. All I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat. I lost my appetite , suddenly. I turned to leave the dining room , “Other positions are available for you to take but not the COO” “I hate you, never” I screamed “If you don’t see the value of my worth”, I swallowed hard, holding in the tears that were about to roll down my cheeks. David Blackwood ,I'm going to build my own Company . It will be so successful and leave you no choice than to acknowledge me taking up the COO position.