Prologue
Laura, darlin’ will you come over to my office? the worn, southern voice said coming across her speaker. “Sure, Daddy. I’ll be over in a minute.” Laura rolls her office chair back, moving to slip her office flats off to put her black heels back on to accentuate her professional office look. It’s the end of another exhausting work day at her father’s company, RL Enterprises. Laura Jameson, the youngest daughter of Luke and Rebecca Jameson, reaches to shut her computer off, ending her day before she stops by her father’s office. Her eyes burn from staring at her computer screen all day, but unfortunately, that comes with the territory when you’re head of the P.R. division overseeing all social media relations regarding the company. RL Enterprises is one of the biggest marketing companies in the country, based in the great state of Louisiana. Luke Jameson built his company from the ground up with a mission to keep it within his family for many generations to come.
Shutting the lights off and locking the door, Laura makes her way to her father’s office saying her goodbyes as she passes a few co-workers that have remained after hours, slowly gathering their belongings to leave for the day. Everyone that works for her in the P.R. division is so friendly that she sees them all as extended family. From celebrating John’s wedding last November to Maryann’s new bundle of joy that graced them back in February. She’s been a part of it all, always being there for them and vice versa. She loves her little tribe and wouldn’t trade them for the world. Arriving at her father’s door she lightly raps her knuckles on the heavy oak door. Come in darlin’ the muffled voice sounds from the other side as she turns the knob to enter.
Walking in she eyes her older brother, Cole, who is sitting opposite of their father with an exasperated look. Cole moves to loosen his tie and unfasten the top button of his shirt. Not satisfied that the relief of the torture device around his neck is enough, he goes to stand walking to the small bar in the corner of the office to pour himself a generous amount of his father’s top shelf whiskey. Laura steals a glance at her father and sees the dark circles around his eyes. What is going on here she wondered to herself. Cole goes to pour his glass and then reaches for a second one to pour giving it to his baby sister. “You’re gonna need this, Lou,” as he gestures for her to take a seat. Cole tends to call her Lou when it’s a serious matter. Growing up he called her Laura-Lou and some time later in their teenage years he shortened the nickname to Lou. The look on his face gives off warning bells, which has her undoubtedly worried about what is indeed has been going on within the walls of her father’s office.
Luke Jameson runs a hand over his tanned worn face and gives an exasperated sigh. Throwing the pen down on his stack of papers that scatter his desk, he looks to his two children with all the love shining in his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to tell them it was going to be alright, but truth be told he had kept a shameful secret from them that he now had no choice but to tell them. Cole knew some of it, but not the full extent given the fact the he was the CFO of the company. Cole knew that the company was struggling to keep their head above water and the only option was to either take on a partner or bail out with their dignity still intact. He had hoped his father would tell them he was going to retire and close the company. Their father is a hardworking, dedicated family man who deserves to enjoy retirement, not worry about insuring their future. Cole knew his family could land on their feet and that his sister could handle herself even as naïve as she can be from time to time. The senior Mr. Jameson cleared his throat in an attempt to muster all his courage to break the news to his children.
“As you know, I have strived to build this company into one that could ensure a legacy for generations to come for our family.” “Yes, sir,” Laura and Cole responded simultaneously. They both steal a worried glance at one another before settling back on their father. “Well kiddos, I’ve failed you. I made some wrong choices that have cost me greatly, and I haven’t been able to get this company back where it needs to be. So, I have no choice but to seek help from another marketing company that is looking to partner with us and make this company even better than I could have done. They are a bright new company with a fresh vision on marketing that has cornered the market on social media fronts. Sorry, no offense Laura.” Laura still sitting in shock shakes her head mumbling, “None taken, Daddy.” How is this possible? Why didn’t her father clue her in on what was going on? She could’ve worked harder, been more cutthroat in business dealings with media outlets, or even try to help him look for other investment opportunities.
The only company she knew of that had as strong a hold in marketing was none other that CMI. She knew nothing of the company other that that they were their biggest competitors in public relations. Her father was right, CMI’s public relations division keeps her on her toes always looking for new inventive ways to publicize on social media fronts. She felt like she was one step ahead of them, instead they were always on even footing. She also knew Chase Marshall was the CEO and close to her age. She always thought it funny how she knew of a Chase Marshall in her high school days. He always looked angry, but would see loneliness behind his grey eyes. He stayed to himself and never knew of anyone to be his friend. Chase Marshall is a pretty common name. There is no way he could be the very same Chase she knew back then. That Chase Marshall was way too entirely closed off and carried a massive chip on his shoulder. She brushed the thought away and snapped back to reality that was currently taking place in her father’s office.
Laura brought the highball to her lips and took a sip of the amber liquid welcoming the slow burn it would elicit. Cole was right she definitely needed it. “Daddy, please don’t tell me who I think you’re talking about…”, Cole uttered in a frustrated tone. “I have no choice, Cole. They will help turn this company around and you know it, Son.” “It’s CMI isn’t it, Daddy,” Laura whispered while staring down at the glass in her shaking hand. Her father looks between the both of them nodding his head in defeat. She’s never seen her father look so broken in all her life. He’s been nothing short of a knight in shining armor in her eyes. One that does no wrong, and only what was right no matter the consequences. “However, I was able to procure your current positions to be carried over when the partnership is finalized managing our side of the company. The only thing is that Mr. Marshall will take over managing both sides of the company, and I’m to remain a silent partner.”
Both children’s mouths drop at the same time to the floor. They can’t believe that their father is willing to take such a deal. He always has to be in control to make sure things are done to his standards. “I want to enjoy my grandbabies while I can and then hopefully my stubborn daughter will give me more beautiful grandbabies for me to spoil.” Laura’s cheeks redden at her father’s comment. She’s not stubborn she thought to herself. She’s merely waiting for the right man to come along, and out of all her suitors none has risen to the occasion. She’s in every way her father’s daughter with high standards of her own. “So, congratulate me kids! I’m sort of retiring. It’s all in your hands now so to speak.” Cole and Laura look at each other with absolute shock mirroring back at one another, both simultaneously downing the rest of the top shelf whiskey.
