Breaking the Playbook [COMPLETED]

Chapter 21

LOLO'S POV

The office is too quiet, and the hum of the air conditioner is too loud. I sit at my desk, trying to focus on the pile of paperwork that has grown exponentially over the past few weeks. My phone buzzes on the desk, breaking the monotony of the silence. It's a text from Brooks, just checking in. I smile briefly, grateful for his support, but the moment is quickly overshadowed by the thought of my impending confrontation with my father.

"Lolo, can I talk to you for a minute?"

The voice breaks through my reverie. It's my father's voice, authoritative and unwavering. I look up, finding him standing in the doorway of my office, his face set in a stern expression. My stomach tightens. I know exactly what this is about.

"Sure, Dad. What's up?" I manage to say, trying to sound casual as I stand and walk towards him.

He steps into the office, his presence commanding and undeniably imposing. As I shut the door behind him, the small space suddenly feels even more constricted. My father's eyes, usually so full of warmth, are now shadowed by concern and disapproval.

"I don't think you realize the gravity of what's happening." He says, his tone measured but heavy with underlying tension.

I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat. "I'm doing my best to handle the situation," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... everything's been so overwhelming."

He paces the room, his footsteps echoing against the wooden floor. "Overwhelming? Lolo, this isn't just about being overwhelmed. This is about your professional integrity being questioned. The board is on edge, and the media is relentless."

I wince at his words. It's not that I don't understand the severity of the situation; it's that I'm drowning under the weight of it. "I know, Dad. Believe me, I'm aware of the stakes," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "But this is my life we're talking about, not just a job."

His eyes narrowed, and his frustration was palpable. "And what about the team? What about the impact on Brooks? This is affecting more than just you."

I feel a surge of anger, the pressure of his words cutting through the veneer of calm I've been trying to maintain. "I'm not the only one affected here! Brooks is dealing with his own issues, and he's trying to support me. We're both trying to make it work despite everything."

My father's expression hardens. "Lolo, I don't want to see you in a position where you have to choose between your personal life and your career. You know the rules, and you know why they're in place."

I can feel the tension rising, my frustration bubbling over. "Do you think I don't understand that? I'm not trying to undermine the rules or my responsibilities. I'm just trying to live my life."

He stops pacing and looks directly at me, his gaze intense. "I've always had your best interests at heart. But right now, you're jeopardizing everything you've worked for. If you think this is easy for me, you're mistaken."

I look away, the strain of our conversation taking its toll. "I don't want to fight with you, Dad. I just need you to understand that this is hard for me too."

The silence that follows is thick with unspoken words. I can see the conflict in my father's eyes—the struggle between his professional expectations and his concern for me as his daughter. I want to bridge the gap between us, to make him see that I'm not just being reckless, but it feels like no matter what I say, the distance between us only grows.

"Lolo, I need you to be honest with me," he says finally, his voice softer but still firm. "Is this relationship with Brooks worth all the trouble it's causing?"