Katherine

Chapter 4

"It's a great and cold day here in Miami, and I must say, I am quite excited to address a certain issue of need to everyone here at Diablo's Clothing Corporation." Dad said, his hands on the podium.

I couldn't help but admire the well-articulated suit he wore, his well-polished black shoes, and his perfectly positioned monocle that he had gotten back in his 90s. He stood tall and firm, his eyes fixed on hundreds of his staff in the hall.

"As you know,, I'm old and all, and then this company must continue under the jurisdiction of the Diablos, please appreciate as I welcome a very special person today, my daughter Katherine Diablo."

The air roared with applause as I walked up to the stage, hugging him lightly and taking my stance next to him. He held up a smile, his white, glistening teeth stealing the hearts of the ladies.

My mom had always warned him to stop smiling when he wasn't with her, even though it was irrational. Guess she didn't want him sleeping with his female workers and discovering office romance.

"My daughter here is a fashion designer, home and abroad, schooled in the various texture patterns and also an entrepreneur. From today onwards, she has her hands on the company as the heiress, and I'm sure she will rule you all to victory." He motioned towards me, a smile on his face. "I want you all to overlook her shy attitude and try to create a boss-to-staff relationship with her."

They began chanting my name, their hands in the air as they waved their new uniform in the air. If I were to rule, there definitely would have to be some changes that would fit into the equation.

… "Do you really think she'll be able to run such a large company on her own? She's just a girl, menial and depressed! She wouldn't be able to win the heart of the masses, and Kitty will never be within reach anymore." Freddy, the director's voice, crept out of Dad's office as I stood by the door.

Eavesdropping wasn't the theme; I just couldn't help listening to information that concerned me, and this was discrimination.

"I believe in my daughter, even though she's not the princess material that men dream about or the Cinderella your son's been searching for in his tiny balls; she still has much more to offer than some menial designs your team would ever give." Dad responded.

The man rested back, his head arched in a way that my father's eyes met with his. They communicated through their eyes, my father's cold and icy glare making him more uncomfortable than he had been a second ago.

"I shall accept your wishes, but if anything changes negatively in this company, then you'll have yourself to blame." He stood up from the chair, walking towards me.

I staggered back as his hands made contact with the door. Upon seeing his face, I shrieked, my stomach churning below.

"Better be worth it!" His rage-filled glare lingered around me before he finally turned and headed for the control room.

I walked into the room, Dad's stressed-up look lingering in my field of vision. He tilted his head, heaving a sigh when he figured it was me.

"Thanks for standing up for me."

He chuckled. "You have to show yourself to these people if you want to have a successful tenure. Even though it's your inheritance, you still have to work for it."

He stood up, walking out the door like he never meant to see me. I sat there, thoughts of my miserable life flashing in my mind. What if I don't meet their expectations? What if the director is right and I mess up real bad? Female in Male Fields?

"You don't have to worry about your father. He's been having a hard time convincing the board, and he's now using ignorance to take care of things." Mom walked in, her silk pants waving as she strutted towards me.

"Yeah."

Being a successful career woman I could definitely learn a thing or two from her. I had to become better to take back what is mine from Derick and only power could get that back.

"Is this about that delivery guy that you made a CEO?" She asked, dropping the red cup of wine in her hand and adjusting into her seat.

"Somehow…"

"When will you learn to forget about men? I mean, just look around you; that gender thinks they are better, like they can take all they want with the snap of their fingers." Mom let out.

"But then can they, though?" My voice is soft and filled with pain.

"They can if you let them. In this world where Black and white merge, there's nothing that can't be done. You've helped him be successful, and he's ditched you; let him go. You'll now be more successful than him, that I believe."

I can't just let go. After a five-year loving relationship, my days of hard labor, no jewelry to my name, and several suffocating meetings with top men just to get to this spot, he thinks he can just ditch me when it's time to get my investment. That's not possible!

"The whole company is going to be having a dinner party down the street to celebrate your installation and inauguration into the fashion world. Trust me when I say it's going to be epic." She takes the wine and sips it once more before chasing after Dad.

This made me wonder, are there really men who care about ladies out there? I haven't met one, and I don't think I was going to meet one anytime soon. Maybe truly, love wasn't meant for a dear like me.

As I walked down the streets of Miami on my way to the dinner party, I could only think about one thing: What does a good man look like?

"Argh!" I groaned as I fell to the ground, my hands stained with dirt.

"Are you okay?" A hand reached out, diamond rings on each finger except the thumb. Who could be this wealthy to have something of this worth.

"Katherine?"