MY ASSISTANT IS CEO

CHAPTER 9

ROBERT'S POV

I was exhausted as I finally left the company and headed to the parking lot. Night was beginning to fall, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink as I walked toward my car.

Midway to my car, I encountered my brother, Timothy, who was waiting next to his own vehicle. He looked at me with a curious and concerned expression. "Bobby, did you manage to resolve the situation with Emma Williams?"

I sighed, shaking my head. "Not yet, Tim. But I'm working on it. She'll be back at the company soon."

He nodded in understanding. "I'm sure you'll figure it out, Bobby."

As we got into our respective cars, I took the opportunity to ask him a favor. "Tim, when we have dinner with Mom tonight, please don't mention anything about Emma Williams or my plan to go undercover as an assistant to get to know the employees."

He furrowed his brow, looking somewhat surprised by my request. "Why not?"

I knew that our mother could be somewhat controlling and protective, and I didn't want her to meddle in my work. "You know how Abigail Parker can be."

Timothy agreed, offering a supportive smile. "My lips are sealed, Bobby. Don't worry."

***

Dinner at the Parker family mansion was always a formal affair, filled with etiquette. The setting was luxurious, with silverware, fine china, and lit candles creating a warm atmosphere. However, there was a tension in the air that wasn't uncommon during our family gatherings.

My mother, Abigail Parker, sat at the head of the long dining table. Timothy was to her right, while I occupied the seat to her left.

Dinner was underway when Timothy decided to bring up the topic we had discussed earlier. "So, Robert had an interesting idea today," he began with a mischievous smile.

I glanced at him with an expression warning him not to continue, but it was too late. Timothy continued with his account. "He thought about going undercover as an assistant at the company to get to know the employees better. What do you think about that, Mom?"

My mother, Abigail Parker, was a woman of impeccable appearance, with silver hair and an air of authority. She had a serious look directed at me as she served the meal, and her expression revealed that she was deeply uncomfortable with what Timothy had revealed about my desire to go undercover as an assistant at Parker Technology.

"Robert, what are you thinking?" she asked, her gaze capable of freezing an erupting volcano.

My mother had strong and conservative views, and the mere mention that I, the CEO of the family company, would consider going undercover as an assistant was practically heresy to her.

"I was just thinking of finding a way to get closer to the employees and better understand their needs," I tried to explain, feeling like I was walking on eggshells.

Abigail looked at me with a frosty stare. "Robert, you don't need to mingle with those sorts of people. You're a Parker, and our family has high standards."

I sighed and then decided to argue. "I believe it's the best way to improve the relationship with the employees."

However, my mother wasn't willing to give in. She had an unwavering disdain for the employees and didn't even like the idea of her son mixing with people of lower social classes. She was opposed to the idea of social class blending.

"No, Bobby, this is unacceptable," she replied firmly. "You should lead with distinction, not lower yourself to the level of workers."

"I understand your concern, mother, but I believe a leader needs to be accessible and understand their team's reality," I tried to argue.

She scoffed with disdain. "You're making a mistake, Robert. These people have nothing to offer except trouble."

Maybe she was right, but the stubbornness and determination within me prevailed. "I understand your concern, mother, but I believe it's necessary for the company's success."

Abigail seemed to be processing the information, but her disapproval was evident. "Robert, if you want to get to know your employees, there are more sensible ways to do so without lowering yourself to their level."

I knew my mother had a rather negative view of Parker Technology's employees and people from different social classes. She was an elite woman, accustomed to luxury and privilege, and she didn't like the idea of her son mingling with lower-income people, even if they were our employees.

"Mother, I think it's valid to lead my team better. I don't want to be seen as an unattainable 'god,'" I argued.

She sighed disapprovingly, her eyes fixed on me like a stern judge. "Robert, you're the CEO of the company, and you should be seen as a god to your employees. You should lead with transparency and integrity, not lower yourself to understand your employees."

My mother had a rather traditional view of social classes and strongly believed in their separation. She despised the idea of me mixing with people from different social classes, even if they were my employees.

Timothy tried to intervene again, attempting to ease the tension. "Mother, he was just thinking about getting closer to the employees, you know?"

However, my mother remained steadfast in her opinion. She looked at Timothy and then at me with a disapproving gaze. "I've always taught you both the importance of maintaining class and respecting traditions. This idea is an offense to all of that."

Then, my mother decided to resort to an argument she knew would hit me hard. "You must remember that when your father founded Parker Technology, he didn't go after any employees. Throughout his time leading the company, he never had to lower himself to their level, and the company always thrived."

The mention of my father brought forth a sense of discomfort I always experienced when his memory was invoked. Charles Parker was a remarkable businessman who built the company from scratch and turned it into an empire in Silicon Valley. He was a shadow that loomed over me as a constant reminder of the expectations everyone had for me.

Abigail knew how to use words skillfully to place me in the position of an inexperienced child, incapable of matching his father's achievements. It was a tactic she used frequently, and I resented her for it.

Timothy looked at me, waiting for my reaction. I took a deep breath, knowing I couldn't contest my mother's words at that moment. She had always revered my father as a role model, and any attempt to contradict her would be in vain.