Victoria's Secret Angel

Twentysix

(Tony's POV)

I spread out the papers in front of me and scratch my chin. "Many of our top investors are skeptical of you, Tony. They have their doubts when it comes to you taking over the company. They don't believe you can handle it well," Flora informs me.

"Well I guess I'll just have to convince them, don't I," I say without a worry. I couldn't care less about what those greedy, old men think of me. If they want out, so be it. Because I know I can be more successful than my father.

Flora smiles and places a hand on my knee. "Oh, I know you will. You have unbelievable talent when it comes to making the right calls. They are just worried about your lack of experience," she rolls her eyes as if it's the most ridiculous thing in the world. "But if you continue working with me, I will make sure you gain all the experience necessary," she says in husky voice, her hand roaming up my thigh.

Steven clears his throat, clearly uncomfortable by Flora's tactics. I chuckle and push her hand off of me. Ever since I came back to work here Flora's been all over me. I know how to play it off and not lead her on and nothing has happened, but now it's a bit more risky.

Kendal is in the picture for good, and I don't want to do anything to lose her. I'll regret it too much. I feel even worse because I lied to Kendal when I said Flora was married. Truth is she's a divorcee and has been trying to get into my pants for months. But I couldn't tell Kendal that so I just said the first thing that popped into my mind instead.

Steven shoves some papers in my face. "You have an investment meeting tomorrow morning. There will be a lot of important people representing very important companies. I suggest that you get to know them a little before hand and make a good first impression," he says. The papers have names, faces, and facts. "They will probably try their best to intimidate you, with their age and experience, but really they're just nervous old men," Steven explains in a tired voice.

"Why are they so nervous?"

"Like I said, they're old. They don't do well with change."

"They'll have to adjust sometime, though. So just do your best," Flora chimes in.

I nod and they gather their things. I study the papers in front of me. Flora steps out of the room, but as Steven gets up I put a hand on his arm. He turns to me.

"How's my mother today?" I ask. Steven's known my mom since she first married my father. He's the only person I can trust with her.

His eyes sadden. "She's not doing so well. But I get a visit from you would make her day," he says.

I give him an understanding look and let go of his arm. He says a quick goodbye and walks out of the room.

My mother drowned in her worries the moment she got the call that my father wasn't doing so well. She immediately swallowed her fears and got on a plane. That's what made me so panicked on the beach with Kendal. All I do is worry about my mother and her well-being. My father - not so great for her well-being. She also is recovering from depression so she's still on a lot of meds. A panic-attack on a plane is the last thing her heart needs.

That is until my father's death. She made it to Italy, but was crushed when she found out he had passed just moments before she arrived. Needless to say, her depression has come back full force. I will never know 100 percent how she feels, but I know she is suffering.

However, Steven's right. She always seems to do better when I am around. Spending time with her loved ones always puts a smile on her face.

So, I stack up my papers and file them away in my briefcase. Getting out my phone, I text my mom telling her to meet me at the hotel restaurant tonight. Then, I head out of the office and back to my room.