‘THE Elite Entanglement: IN THE NAME OF LEGACY.’

KATHERINE'S POV I stood outside near the pool while the party was going on inside. I just turned twenty-five and all I could think of was how ready I was to run the company. “Now is the time,” I said to myself. I've always wanted to prove my father wrong and show him that I could be so much more than just a girl child. “What are you doing outside, Kathy? "The party is about to get lit,” Celine asked as I was lost in thoughts outside my own birthday party. “I’ll join you guys soon,” I replied. I quickly finished my champagne and walked inside. I walked up to him, he was at the table with some of his billionaire friends. “Here comes my princess,” he said as I walked towards him. “Hey, Dad,” I said, giving him a hug. “Do you mind if I talk to you for a second?” “Sure, is everything alright? "You should be having fun right now,” he replied as he followed me outside while he excused himself. “Dad, I think I’m ready,” I said with my voice low. “Ready for what, Kathy?” He asked, fixing his gaze on me. “Ready to run the company, Dad. Come on, I passed all the tests. I represented you in business meetings, I've been on tour with you multiple times, and I know everything about this brand since I started talking. I’m twenty-five, Dad; I need to do something meaningful with my life.” “We’ve talked about this, Kathy. You can't handle the Fontaine clothing and wine brand alone. It is the biggest brand in the world, you can't do it. "Not when you are just a girl,” he paused. He came close to me, placed his hands on my shoulders and continued, “I built this company brick by brick and I can't risk losing everything I've worked for overnight.” Nothing infuriates me more than him telling me I can't do it. What made him think I couldn't? Was it because I was just a girl? My father always believed women are incompetent to handle businesses and all I’ve wanted my whole life was to prove him wrong. He called women weak. “This is unfair, father. "I am a grown woman, you can't treat me like this,” I said, with a bit of frustration laced in my voice. “On second thought, you have just turned twenty-five; it's high time you brought a man home, Kathy. If you really want this, you need a man you can trust to help you keep this company afloat. This is our legacy we are talking about.” Is he really talking about marriage now? Of course, I know my father very much. He is a strict man who wants nothing but perfection. He wanted everything to go his way no matter what. He doesn't even care if he is suffocating you; he just wants things to be done perfectly. It wasn't easy being the daughter of the billionaire owner of the biggest clothing and wine brand in the world. I lived under his shadow my whole life. He always told me what to do and how to act. I had to be perfect so I didn't ruin his reputation. I had to live up to his standards to make him see me, and the part that hurt the most was no matter what, he never believed in me. “Do you hear me correctly?” he asked, bringing me back to reality as I was lost in thoughts. “Yea—Yes, father. If that is what it takes. I’ll do that.” “Good. "Ethan might be a perfect match; he likes you, by the way,” he said to me as he kissed my forehead and left. I watched him leave like he never cared about my feelings. He never cared about me or what I wanted. It was always about him. He told me I was going to get married, and he went ahead to pick a man for me. It was as if I had no say in my life. I was just there—existing. This was what I had to endure every day of my life. Everything comes with a price, and this was my price—my free will. “I hope he didn't get you mad this time,” Ethan said, interrupting my thoughts. “No. This is way more worse, Ethan. Sometimes I wish I could fight him.” “What is it?” he asked, his gray eyes shining at me. “I told him I was ready to take over the company, and he called me incompetent. He said I have to get married first, and he mentioned you being interested in me.” “No—I might have a little crush on you though,” Ethan said with a smile on his face. “You are joking, right?” “Yes, Kathy. We literally grew up in the same house together as we were best friends or siblings. I’m not crazy.” “Good for you because I’d kill you,” I replied while leaving the scene. The party was getting boring for me; I became uninterested in everything. I wanted to go back home. The party wasn't even something I wanted, there were lots of old rich people with their wives and children. Even the royal family of England were present at the party, and my friends were not. That was not what I wanted, it was what he wanted. It was as if it was his party and not mine. I picked up my things from the venue and left. At that point, I didn't care what he was going to say. I just wanted to leave the environment and have my sanity. Back in my room, everywhere was quiet, just like I always wanted. It was time for me to just be me without flashes of a camera all over my face and my father constantly giving me looks to remind me how I was supposed to act. I picked up my favorite book and poured myself a glass of wine to enjoy my birthday night alone. Memories of my mother filled my head. Everything would have been better if she had been here. She'd understand the pressure I’m going through as a woman trying to survive in a world ruled by men. She'd teach me how to play my cards well and handle these men's egos. The knock on my door woke me up, causing me to jolt from my bed. It was then that I realized it was morning and I had slept off reading and drinking. “Come on in, Sophie,” I said as I opened the door. Just as I predicted, it was Sophie, the house manager. “You look tired, Miss. "Did you get enough sleep last night?” She asked with a warm smile on her face. “Not really, Sophie, but I’m fine. You don't have to worry.” “Are you sure?” “Yes,” I nodded with a warm smile on my face. Sophie was just like a mother to me. She loved me like I was her own and made sure I was okay no matter what. “Go and get ready for breakfast, Kathy. "You know you have a long day ahead,” she said while cleaning my room. “I know, it's always the same routine. All this hard work, and yet Father won't appreciate me.” “I’m sure one day he’ll see you,” she said, tapping my shoulder before she left the room. Will he? I got ready for the day ahead and went downstairs for breakfast. Ethan and my father were already at the table waiting for me before they started eating. It was a tradition in the house to always eat together. “Look who's shining this morning like a goddess,” Ethan teased as I came forth to the dining table. “Come on man, it's too early.” “But he’s right, Katherine. You look so beautiful just like your mother.” “I know, Dad,” I said, sitting on the chair. “Can we eat, please?” “Sure,” my father said. We shared the grace and everyone dug in their meals. While everyone enjoyed the savory breakfast, my mind was racing in thoughts. I just turned twenty-five and yet my father sees me as a child. I couldn't keep mute anymore. “Father,” I called softly. “Katherine,” he responded, dropping his cutlery and focusing his attention on me. There he goes again. His demeanor was always intimidating. I have lived under his shadow all my life, and I dare not think about my feelings but his. But not this time. I want to break free. “It’s about what we talked about last night,” I said, finally forcing words out of my mouth. “What about it?” he asked. His voice was strict now, but I didn't care. If I wanted to change, I had to start now. “I’m ready to run the company. Look at me, father. I’m twenty-five and still living like I’m eighteen.” “You’ll run the company as long as you do as I said,” he replied, fixing his gaze on me. It was that gaze that Made me feel so small. “This is not fair, Father!” I yelled. “That is final, Katherine. I can't risk anything.”