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1333 Words
“Oh?” That was the first thing I could make out.
“Yes, I know this is a little sudden, but it is the only solution.”
“Does David know about this?” I kept my tone cool as I leaned back.
“He does.”
“And he didn't mind?”
“Actually, he was the one who suggested it.”
My brows raised. “That's an impressive surprise.”
“He has changed a lot over these years, Miss Red. I'm sure you'll see a different side of him when you two meet again.”
“As impressive or surprising as this all is, I'm not interested.” I stated plainly.
The evening I walked out of David's house was the last day I planned on having any thing to do with him.
I heard Henry's sigh, before he said, “The company is really incurring a large amount of loss. If it continues this way, it might have to shut down. Thousands of employees could lose their jobs. As it is, three partnering companies are also collapsing.”
“Which is sad, but also none of my business.” I wasn't a part of that family anymore, so whatever affected them had nothing to do with me.
“I had a feeling you'd say that.”
When I didn't reply, he continued, “Why don't you take some time to think about it?”
“That's not necessary. My mind is made up.”
“All I'm asking is that you give it some thoughts.”
I had a feeling he would keep on insisting if I didn't agree. “Alright then, I'll think about it. But don't get your hopes high.”
“Thank you. You can give me a call once you've considered it well.”
“Yeah.” And like that, I hung up, fingers lifting to rub my temple.
I hadn't even been in California up to a month and I was already getting a headache.
“Is everything okay?” Imogen asked, staring at me with those sweet, innocent eyes.
“Yes, of course all is well.” I just needed to talk to someone about this.
Someone who would understand my stand on this. “What do you say to heading over to aunt Rachel's place?”
She gasped. “Does this mean I get to play with Rick yesterday and today?”
“Uh… yeah.”
“Yay!” She jumped off the chair. “Let's go, mummy.”
“Alright.” I packed her hair up in a ponytail, before driving us both to Rachel's house.
She was dressed in an oversized hoodie when she opened the door, her lips in a smile.
“Lisa? What a surprise. You didn't tell me you were coming.”
“Yeah, I wasn't sure if I was either.” I moved past her into the house, Imogen hopping beside me.
“Why do I sense that something's wrong?” She closed the door, before moving over with furrowed brows. “Did something happen with Drex again?”
“It's not him this time.” I collapsed on one of her couches, shoulders drooping as I allowed myself to be buried by the softness.
“Imogen dear, go play with Rick. He's in his room.” Rachel said to my daughter, who happily heeded, so it was just the both of us. “Alright, I'm listening. What happened?”
“Henry called.”
Her expression shifted to a frown. “Why?”
“Apparently, the company is on its road to its downfall and he wants me to help bring it back to life.”
“What? That doesn't make sense.”
“I know.”
She sat on the chair's armrest. “Can you be a little specific on what you mean by downfall.”
“I don't know much either, Rachel, other than the fact it's bad enough for David to want to resign.”
“David's resigning?” She gasped. “Woah, it must be terrible. He loved being a CEO.”
I just shrugged, but who would know about his obsession for position and profits other than the daughter he sold off just so he could maintain that.
“Apparently, I'm the next of kin or something like that. Henry made it sound like without my help, the company and many other partnering ones, will crash completely.”
“Oh my,” she gasped lowly. “So what're you going to do?”
“There's nothing to do, Rachel.” It was their company, if they couldn't handle it properly, then that was none of my business.
She probably didn't see it that way because she shook her head. “You're really just going to let it fall that way?”
“Don't tell me you're suggesting I actually take this position.” My voice had an edge of sharpness to it.
“I just don't want you to think about this from the aspect of him.”
“What the hell are you saying?” I frowned, sitting straighter. “This man disowned me. He treated me like trash. And now that I have a name for myself, he suddenly has a daughter out there that'll be the next of kin.”
“No No,” she shifted so she was sitting beside me, “that is not at all what I'm saying.
“It's just… You know this company wasn't founded by David. Your grandfather founded it, and he loved us both so much before his death. I'm not telling you to do this for your dad.
“I just don't want you to let hatred rule your senses. I would love it if you can think about the company itself. Think about grandpa. Think about how much effort he put into it. We really can't let David's incompetence ruin years of sweat.”
There was a crease between my brows, but I actually stopped to think about her words.
I was so caught up in my annoyance towards David that I didn't think beyond that.
As much as I was hated by my father, Trish, and basically almost everyone. One man still stayed with me.
He loved me. Even when no one else did.
And that was my grandfather.
He used to talk to me about so many business strategies. Until I was ten and he died.
My eyes squeezed shut, because yeah, he had really loved his company.
All the effort he put to it… could I just let it end in vain?
“To be honest, I don't fancy the idea of getting back with those people either,” Rachel muttered, “but I think the company has a bright future. It just needs the right leader.”
The words struck right at me.
The right leader.
Those were my granddad's words on my ninth birthday.
‘My company has a bright success. All it needs is the right leader.’ He had said that night, fingers brushing through my hair. ‘My dear child, I want you to be that right leader.’
I bit my lower lip, once again rubbing my temple.
“What about Imogen?” I asked, voice barely above a whisper.
“It's just business, you don't have any reason to get any closer with them that they'll know anything about your life.”
I just sat there wordlessly for a while.
She was right. I didn't need to have anything to do with them.
This would be business. Strictly business.
“I hate that you're making sense.” I breathed out, and she sighed.
“Trust me, I don't either.”
“Alright then,” I reached for my phone, and dialled the number.
“Hello?” Henry's tone was laced with undisguised hope.
“Have a board meeting prepared by Thursday.”
He laughed under his breath. “I promise you won't regret this.”
Oh but I already was.
- Writer
