Inheritance

Chapter 17

(Kendall's new office^)

It was Monday morning and my uncle had unexpectedly called me into the Milton Co. Enterprise building. The action was quite rare for the old man, considering he usually never reached out to me for anything company-related. In fact, it was typically the other way around. I'd assumed that if he had anything important to say, he could have done so over the long weekend we had just spent together. 

Entering the extravagant skyscraper, I made it past security and the receptionist at the front desk before taking the private elevator to the highest floor. Classical music rung lowly through the speakers, as I ascended to my uncle's office. 

Upon exiting the elevator, I was welcomed by the familiar sight of my uncle's secretary, Lisa.

"Oh, good morning Sasha! What a pleasant surprise. Are you here to visit Mr. Milton today?" She greeted from behind her desk. She was an older Asian woman, who never failed to wear bright pink lipstick, no matter the outfit or occasion. I waved back at her, stopping short of her stationed area to respond to the question.

"Yes, he called me into his office this morning. Do you happen to know what it could be about?" I watched as she raised her freshly laminated eyebrows, then quickly peaked around the vacant foyer before confirming it was empty enough to proceed.

"Apparently, some people are saying that the construction team has been working on renovations all week for the expansion of two new offices down the hall. Maybe one of them is for you?" She winked, and I offered her a simple grin in return. 

I found it hard to believe that my uncle had actually intended to offer me a senior position in the company. If I was being honest with myself, I always felt some reluctance on his part to fully integrate me into the business, mainly because he knew he couldn't quite control me. I was a wild card, one that didn't care about status, money, or power—his usual tactics of control. 

Providing Lisa with one final nod, I walked past her desk and knocked on the large black door located a few steps away from her work space.

"Come in." I heard a muffled voice call from behind the door. Turning the knob, I entered the office, immediately shutting the door behind me. 

"Hello Sasha. Why don't you sit down?" My uncle politely motioned for me to take the seat across from his steel desk.

"Hey." I greeted, just as I made myself comfortable in one of his lavish, velvet chairs. 

I scanned around the foreboding room, anxiously clasping my hands together. The black walls and sleekly-patterned decorations always gave it a rather intimidating ambiance. The last time I'd been in one of his offices, he'd given me quite dreary news.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here today. So, let's get straight to the point. As you know, it's no secret that I'm getting old and grey. I launched this company more than thirty years ago and, over the years, I've been fortunate enough to learn the true value of trust. With that being said, I want you to know that I trust you with my life." His heartfelt words took me by surprise, as I often wondered what my uncle truly thought about me and where I stood in the inheritance line of his business.

"Thank you. I really appreciate that." I responded, still trying to process his words.

"Sasha, I want to offer you a directorial position as Chief Director of Media Relations. I think you'd make a great fit, given your extensive background in media and communications training." He folded his hands over his desk, tapping his fingers lightly as he quietly observed my reaction.

"Wow, I don't even know what to say. First of all, thank you. But, before we go any further, I do have one question. If I were to accept the position, what exactly would the job entail?" I wouldn't blindly accept any offer before knowing the full extent of responsibilities accompanying such a high-standing role.