BLOODSUCKER

vingt trois

Maeve sat across from Pascale. Suddenly she felt shy and embarrassed being in her presence, which was unlike Maeve. Maeve had always respected Mrs Leclerc, she looked at her like she was a role model. Mrs Leclerc  was viewed as one of the most powerful women in the industry. Her work life balance and strength was admired by many in this industry. Maeve had seen her as idol, someone she aspired to be when she matured. But now, Mrs Leclerc sits in a different light. She ruined Maeve's family. She spent years lying to her face, denying all responsibility for her actions. Mrs Leclerc was now someone who Maeve's didn't want to associated with but she had to be, for Charles sake. At then end of the day when all of this is laid to rest, she is still his mother.

Pascale noticed how Maeve had grown wary of her surroundings. There was no doubt in her mind that Maeve was pissed, and she had the right to be. When Charles had demanded a family meeting, Mrs Leclerc knew they were planning something. She even doubted there was a time where Maeve would be in her space again, let alone sat right back in her old office, Pascale was happy to know she hadn't cut all ties with her. She always liked Maeve. The void of not having a daughter was always filled of the knowledge of when Maeve turns old enough, she would be a Leclerc. Mrs Leclerc longed for a daughter, longed for a little girl to braid her hair, longed for shopping trips and makeup lessons, the female gossip session, she wanted it all but ended with 3 son. Maeve was the daughter she never had and now Maeve was slipping out of her reach. She no longer had a hold on Maeve and that somehow hurt her.

The silence was deafening Charles. They had been sat in the office for approximately 7 minutes and no one had exchanged a word. Seven minutes is normally associated with seven minutes in heaven, but this was no paradise it was a growing hell for Charles. Awkward situations where not Charles favourite at the best of time, but today, god the scenario couldn't have been any worse. On one hand, he wanted to support his wife. He totally wanted to get on board with Maeve's idea to bring LNL Limited to life. He was willing to do anything to make this marriage work. But on the other hand, he felt like he was betraying his mother. She had spent the best part of her life building up this company and making it that way that it is today. The company was like his mother's 4th child. No matter the outcome of this situation, he couldn't help but feeling like it would be a bad idea.

'So-' Mrs Leclerc started but Maeve interrupted the moment the short word left her mouth.

'I want your shares.'

'Excuse me?' Pascale questioned, taken aback by Maeve's forwardness

'We want your remaining 30% shares. We want you out.' Maeve reiterated her point. 'I don't know if you've heard but, my mother is coming home. And when the media finds out, your empire is going to crash and burn. Let's look at this as, I'm giving you an easy way out.'

'An easy way out?' Pascale questioned again.

'Mrs Larson, doesn't want revenge mother. She would t wish what she has gone through upon her worse enemy-'

'Which is you by the way.' Maeve chimed in with a smile.

'She wants to be home with her family. She wants a relationship with her son. She just wants to be free. Maeve is right, Leclerc Limited is going to dissolve. No one will want to do business with us after they discover the truth.' Charles tried to bargain with his mother.

'So you just expect me to give my shares the Larson child?' Mrs Leclerc scoffed. 'No way in hell am I leaving my business to the daughter of some ex convicts.'

'You framed my parents and you know it! We all know it so give up the innocent act, it's really not your best look.' Maeve pointed her finger accusingly at her mother in law.

'Let's just calm down.' Charles tried to calm the situation but he knew there was no calming these women. 

'No way. I won't do it.' Pascale folded her arms in a smug manner.

Maeve placed a piece of paper in front of her nose. '€3 million in exchange for your 30% and Charles and I will ensure Marcus will do everything in his power to make sure no one ever finds out what you did. You will remain anonymous and we promise that. You can trust me, because I don't make false promises.'

The offer intrigued Mrs Leclerc more than you could have imagined, but she wasn't backing down just yet. 'No deal.'

Maeve exchanged a glance to her husband. 'We think it's in everyone's best interest to dissolve Leclerc Limited. As I am the person who owns the most shares, I am making the decision to dissolve this company. We are rebranding this whole corporation as LNL Limited. 
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do. We came here out of respect of you.' Charles spoke softly.

'We just need your shares and then it's done. Leclerc Limited will cease by the end of the day.' Maeve added.

'I'm sorry it had to come down to this mother.' Charles reassured his mother that he had her best intentions at heart. 'But it's time to let this go. It's time to walk away. The game is over.'

Pascale let out a defeated sigh and picked up her pen. She scribbled her signature on the bottom of the page that Maeve had previously handed her, sliding it back to her daughter in law. 'Okay. You win. Checkmate. I hope you guys make the company work, this is all your father wanted.'

'Thank you.' Charles smiled at his mother as he reached for a hug.

'I'm just glad to see you can make this marriage work.' Pascale slightly chuckled. Maeve collected the peace of paper and made sure to place it in her bag so it was safe.

Once in the car driving back home, Maeve made sure to admire her husband. 'Thank you' she smiled even though his attention was on the road. 'You don't know how much this means to me.'

He moved his hand from the steering wheel to his wife's thigh. 'You don't need to thank me. It was the right thing to do. I'd do anything for you, whether is was good or bad.'

'I love you Charles Leclerc. I never say it much but I do, I love you and I appreciate the way you have changed to make this work.'

'I'd go to the ends of the world for you. I would do anything for your love. It's no secret that I love you, Maeve Leclerc.'