Tough Love - The Second Chance

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Chapter Four

Georgia’s POV

Five years later quickly went by and here I was sitting, at the last floor of ‘The Conclave’— one of biggest leading fashion industry towers in California, overlooking the busy life and traffic bustling down below.

For those number of years, I had painstakingly built the empire with my sweat and blood, making it into what it was today.

“You did it, girl.” I patted myself on the back, smiling. I heard my office door knock. “Come in.”

Hosanna, my best friend and personal assistant walked in with a mountain of files in her arms. She dropped them as lightly as she could on my desk.

My heart sank. “I thought the ones you brought earlier were all that needed signing? Where did all this come from?”

Hosanna readjusted her glasses to the bridge of her nose. “They just came in from the PR department. More companies are in desperate need of a partnership with our company.”

“Your department. Right.” I could only sigh and agree. However, my success story wasn't complete if I failed to acknowledge Hosanna’s role. Her quick wits and foreseeable intellect guided me when I was stuck at a bottle-neck at a certain time. I was going to repay her with a hefty sum for her service but she insisted on working for me, to watch my back just in case.

“ They can wait. What's next on my schedule?”

“Right. Let's see.” She consulted her work tablet and scrolled for a moment. “Your attendance at the family meeting at 8 pm today. Tag— Very, very important.”

I took a look at my wristwatch. “It's a few minutes to nine. Grandpa will be mad if I skip the meeting again. Looks like we are taking a trip to England.”

By 10:30am, the private jet was airborne and en route to London. In about 10 hours, we touched down. A car was already waiting at the airport to take us to the family's manor.

“How do I look?” Out of the blue, I asked Hosanna.

She was silent for a moment, only her eyes moving over my figure. “Perfect—”

“I mean, honestly.”

She adjusted her glasses. “Well, red like a tomato. You are wearing nervousness like makeup. Scared?”

“Right,” I looked outside the window, it was dark, save for the street lights illuminating the highway and the shadowy silhouettes of trees and buildings whizzing by. I ground my palms together nervously. “It has been years since I was last here. When and how I left didn't sit fine with Grandpa.”

Hosanna placed her hand on my thigh, rubbing assuringly. “Relax, everything will be alright. Just be yourself and apologize, besides he asked for you to return. He sure misses you if you ask me.”

A wave of relief washed over me. “Thank you, Sanna.”

“It's nothing.” And before I knew it, she switched from her ‘friend’ mode back to her usual ‘work’ mode. I could sigh helplessly— sometimes, I wondered if she was a robot but either way, I loved her that way.

Minutes later, the limo slowed and took a turn into the driveway and through the massive gold-plated gate and the majestic and familiar manor unfolded before my eyes. Its imposing façade rose high, with intricate carvings and towering spires— it still looked the same as I remembered, nothing big was changed, maybe from the outside. Again, I panicked as the weight pressed heavily on my chest, and I found it hard to breathe even in the air-conditioned car.

The car came to a full stop in front of the building. I had expected maids waiting at the entrance like it was back in my teenage days but no, there was one person; I squinted to have a closer look, it was Grandpa!

I opened the car's door and set foot on the graveled ground for the first time in eight years. My eyes and that of my grandfather's locked and we stood opposite each other in silence for heavens-know-how-long. His face was unreadable and devoid of emotions.

“After all these years—” He said, breaking the awkward silence. “You aren't going to give your old geezer a hug?”

His face then softened, revealing the emotions he had tried hard to suppress, for years. Without words, I ran right into his arms and cried. He still used his usual mint and flowery deodorant, I realized that I had missed him so much.

“I'm sorry, Grandpa. I'm sorry.”

His reassuring pats on my back made me cry even harder but relieved me somehow. Soon, I ran out of tears and sobbed softly.

“It’s alright. Let me look at you.” He peeled me off his body and held me by the shoulder, glancing over me proper.

“Not even a single trace of that little rebellious and scrawny brat I remember. You've really grown, Lily.”

“Yes— I have, Pa.” I tucked a loose hair behind my ear, looking the other way, too shy to look him in the eye.

“Sorry to keep you waiting outside in the cold, come on in. The others are waiting.” He led the way and I followed, with Hosanna trailing behind seemingly interested by the portraits on the walls.

It was going to be meeting over dinner, the table was filled with assorted courses and complimenting desserts. The faces I saw were some family members I recognized right away; Uncle Ben and his wife, Sasha, Uncle Joe, and the famous singer, Aunty Adele.

My older cousins Collins, Martha and Ax were all present— although their looks were hostile but I cared less. The others were older people I did not recognize but was surprised they knew me more than I knew myself. After the short exchange of pleasantries, the meeting started right away with Grandfather starting off with a toast which we cheered to.

“After a very long time, God has made all of us gather together at this table and as a family. We might have had losses but we will remain ever strong. Cheers to more good times like this!”

As he said that last bit, he looked at me momentarily.

“Cheers!” We all echoed at the same time, raising the sparkling red wine in the air, followed by the clinking sounds of the glasses.

He began a long speech, rumbling on about our past and our predecessors until the present time. My attention was caught when he changed the topic— the future of the family.

“As you can all see, I am not growing any younger but closer to my death. Believe it or not, folks, I will die sooner or later. So I have decided who is to take over from me as the President, effective from now.”

Unease filled the air, everyone were left to wonder who it would be.

“That person is Georgia. This is my final decision.” That same moment, I was sipping my wine when I had his verdict, I almost choked on the liquid. Hosanna quicked handed me an handkerchief and some water.

All eyes at the table were pinned on me and I felt like I was going to be torn apart. I received a nodding approval from my grandfather to continue from where he stopped. I gently rose, ignoring the combined gazes and glares shot at me.

I sucked in a deep breath and exhaled slowly before I spoke. “Thank you for the offer but I humbly reject the offer.”

My grandfather's face turned ashen, he sure did not expect that. The room erupted into chaos of grumbles and gasps. I settled back into my seat, unconcerned.

“What do you mean by that, Georgina?” Sir Anthony said in a low growl.

“I'm sorry but I've got my own thing going on and I gladly refuse. Besides, I haven't been present over the years, so it wouldn't be fair just to return and sweep up the benefits like I was part of the efforts. There are better candidates than myself present at this table right now. Please understand.”

“I have made my decision and it is final!” Grandpa roared, slamming his hand hard on the table, it was rare to see him this furious. I smiled, knowing how he really felt, he felt bad and scared. He clearly showed that he didn't trust any of them to take up the reins of the family's fortune but me. If facts were to be used, my father was his first son and the heir but he tragically died in an accident together with my older brother and my mother.

Automatically by rights, I was the one to take over but I did not want to have anything to do with the whole inheritance thingy. I wanted my own empire, something forged through my own efforts.

An idea came to my mind. I was going to turn and twist the situation to my advantage. “Fine, I respect your decision, Sir. I accept the position but under one condition.”

Grandfather's shoulder relaxed slightly. “Go ahead. Say it.”

“We’ll do it this way. I am not going to call the shots, save for the drastic ones. Putting it simply, I will just act as a supervisor while a board headed by a director makes the decisions and comes to me for advice and the final say.”

Without much thought, he agreed. “Fine. I accept your condition.”

Wow. That was fast. I was taken aback by how quickly he accepted my terms.

I continued once he accepted the deal. “So I am going to name Collins Connor as the Director-in-Charge. I believe he is suitable for the post. Do I have your approval, dear cousin?”

From the way he reacted, I could tell he was baffled by my decision, the murderous look in his eyes was gone. “Y…es. You have my approval.”

“Perfect, I think we are good to go. In that case, Let's raise a toast to a prosperous and happy big family.” I smiled triumphantly, raising my glass. Reluctantly, they all did the same and made a toast. Soon, the meeting ended and we had dinner as a family.

Hosanna leaned in and whispered softly. “Way to go, boss. I swear I never saw that coming.”

“Wasn't my initial plan but it worked quite well.” I whispered back, and we giggled like little girls. After eating, everyone went back to their various rooms to rest for the night. I decided to stargaze from the balcony close to the roof, which gave me this feeling of being so near to the sky. I closed my eyes and took in the calm and nostalgic air flowing around me.

I heard someone walk over from behind me. When I opened my eyes and turned to look, it was my Grandfather.

“How did you know I was here?”

“I know you quite well, girl. You lived under my roof through your teenage years. This was always your favorite spot. Of course, I knew you would be here.”

“Oh, right. I must have forgotten about that.” We looked over the horizon into the glowing city not far away, not talking for a while.

“I did not expect you to make that decision. Indeed a chip off the old block.” He praised me, grinning.

“Well, I sensed the tension, so I did what I could to ease it up. At least, no one is going to slit my throat for the position in future.”

“Right. You did well, and I appreciate you for solving what it took me years to correct. I knew I could believe and count on you,” Grandpa gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze and said before walking away. “Thank you, Lily.”

“My pleasure, Grandpa.”