Sunshine On My Mind

Chapter 1 “Come on Char!  Classes ended, where the hell are you?”  Charlotte closed the voicemail from Blair. It was only Monday, yet things were not going in the direction she wanted them to.  Her car broke down in the campus parking lot, and she was trying to fix it herself, but it was pretty pointless.  Her father was in a meeting, and her brothers were geeks, but not about cars.  She tried calling Blair, but it seemed as if her calls weren’t going through. Stupid phone.  She thought, throwing it on the passenger seat. She ran back to the campus office, hoping to use the office phone. “Charlotte!  What brings you here after school?”  The lady asked. “Car broke down.  Hey, can I use the phone for a sec?” The lady handed her the phone.  Charlotte immediately dialed Blair's number.  It rang a couple of times before Blair picked up. “Blair Seeley.  What’s up?” “Yeah, Blair.  Um, my car actually broke down, so you might need to pick me up.”  Charlotte explained. Blair paused, “I’m actually over at my aunt’s house right now.  I just thought you went to the company since you weren’t responding so.” “Well, I’ll call an Uber.  Maybe I’ll pick up my car early in the morning.  Damn, I’m dumb.”  Charlotte muttered. “Yeah, you kinda are.  See ya at home!”  With that, Blair hung up. Charlotte handed the woman back the phone.  “Thank you so much for the phone.” “No problem dear.  Have a great day.” Charlotte ordered an Uber on her phone and prayed that it would go through.  Thankfully, her Uber app was working and soon enough, an Uber came.  The Uber took her to her father’s company, where she was working as a part-time intern. “Char!  You’re late.  What happened?”  Her father, Mark, frowned, checking his watch. “Car broke down at the campus.  So, what’s the plan today?”  She asked. Her father went through some files,  “Ah!  You are going to attend the first meeting so I can introduce you to my business associates for when you take over as CEO.”   “Yay!”  Charlotte said sarcastically. “C’mon sweet pea.  It’s not going to be that bad.  There are a few stubborn ones, but it’s going to be okay.”  Her father said. They started making their way up to the top floor.  Charlotte and her father started talking about the business. “So, I’ve been noticing a decline in our company stocks lately,”  Charlotte said. Her father sighed, “The other companies are making more trendy things.  Our company is doing well, but it’s definitely slowing down.” Charlotte thought for some time.  “Well, we’ll see what things we can come up with to make the stocks go higher.  Right now, I need to change.”  She glanced down at her outfit and so did her father. “Deffo.  Can’t have you looking like that in a business meeting.”  He said. Charlotte went to her own private office where there was a bedroom with some of her clothes.  She had a room in her office just in case workdays were busy and it was too late to go back home.  In fact, the entire top floor was basically a penthouse that her father used as part of the huge company headquarters. After changing into something more sophisticated, Charlotte went out to meet her dad.  She wasn’t a dress kind of girl, so she had chosen a black business suit with some black Louboutin pumps.  She had put her hair in beachy waves, putting it into a low ponytail.  She added a touch of red lipstick to complete the look. Her dad smiled as he saw her approach.  “You look just like your mother.” Charlotte smiled, recalling her parent’s love story.  Her mother had been a secretary to her father, even though her mother barely knew a thing or two about business.  Eventually, they started dating and got married.  Her mother was hesitant about being with her father, as she was his secretary and she didn’t want to cause any scandal.   It’s no lie that Charlotte closely resembles her mother.  She had the same hazel eyes as her, same brown hair with natural darker highlights, her nose was like her mother's, heck, even her shoe size was the same as her mother’s. She slipped her hand in her father’s.  “Let’s do this.”  She whispered. Her father smiled, nodding his head. They got to the meeting room and were greeted by a room full of businessmen.  Charlotte did not see any other woman beside herself.   “Let’s start this meeting boys.”  Her father joked. “As you all know, I’ve been having health problems for the past year or so.  I had made the decision to take a break from being CEO, and instead, hand it over to my daughter as soon as she graduates college.  This meeting is just to introduce yourselves to my daughter so she is familiar with all of you when she takes over the position.” “What about your sons?”  An elder man asked. Her father smiled.  “Good question.  As you all know, my sons have businesses of their own.  I do not want to interfere with their business plans by asking them to take care of my business, and my daughter volunteered to do that.” “But she’s a girl,”  Another man said. Charlotte suddenly felt angry.  “So what?  What does my gender have to do with this?  You're a sexist pig if you think women can’t be CEO because of their gender.  You better be a good business partner or else I’m dropping you as soon as I become the CEO.  And for your information, I am a WOMAN not a girl.” Her father looked mortified.  “Honey, that Chase Williams, one of the richest men in this room.  I wouldn’t if I were you.” Charlotte gave Chase death glares,  “f**k his status.  If he’s going to speak like that about women, I’d rather not have any contact with him.” Chase smirked, amused by her reaction,  “I am sincerely sorry, Ms. Charlotte.  It won’t happen again.” Charlotte didn’t believe him but shrugged it off. “Now.  Let me properly introduce myself.  I’m Charlotte Turner.  22, attends NYU.  Best friend is Blair, not that it’s useful, but still.  Oh, and I will not hesitate to put you in your place, no matter how old or young you are,”  She turned to Chase.  She looked back at the other gentlemen who looked slightly shaken up.  “What?  Did I say something wrong?” “Um.  Let’s reschedule this meeting for another time gentlemen.  I need to have a word with my daughter.”  Her father rushed Charlotte out of the meeting room. “What happened?”  Charlotte asked, visibly confused. Her father rushed her to a corner,  “What was that in there?  I just told you, Mr. Williams is one of my biggest investors and yet you talk to him as if he is lower than you.  Darlin’, he’s richer than us and-” Charlotte cut him off,  “I just told you.  I don’t care about their status, rich or poor,  I will not sit around while he makes a comment about women.  Did you not hear what he said?  ‘But she’s a girl.’.  Dad, it’s really offensive to women, especially to me.  I will not hesitate to defend women or anybody if someone talks shit.” Her father sighed again.  “But you also gave him a look while introducing yourself.  I’m not talking about a smile either.  Your face was showing sarcasm and mockery.” Charlotte shrugged.  “He isn’t my favorite person right now.  I’m not good with that kind of people.”  They heard footsteps coming their way. Charlotte turned her head and saw Chase.  She sneered.  “Well, well, well.  Mr. Williams.”  She stuck her hand out for a handshake, to which Chase ignored.  Charlotte shrugged. She could see her father was panicking a little, which was not good.  “Dad.  Breathe and go to your office.  I’ll handle this.” Her father was skeptical but went. Chase smirked.  “So.  I think you know why I’m here.” Charlotte rolled her eyes.  “I hurt your ego?  Sorry.” Chase chuckled darkly.  “Yes.  Do you know how embarrassing that was?  Those men must think I’m weak because I let a woman say things to me.” Charlotte rolled her eyes again.  She peered at him with squinted eyes. “What are you doing?”  He asked. Charlotte stopped, “Oh nothing.  Just thought I saw toxic masculinity in you somewhere.  Or was I imagining it?” Chase rolled his eyes.  “Just don’t do that s**t again.” And with that, he walked away.  Charlotte scoffed. “f**k men.”  She muttered.