Stephanie wrung her fingers as she paced back and forth in front of her father's office. A telltale sign that she was nervous about what she was going to say to him.
"Steph, please, you're making me dizzy." Natalie complained as she watched her little sister work herself into a stupor, "just calm down. I'm sure he'll listen."
"Easy for you to say, your job isn't at risk." Stephanie muttered, but Natalie heard her and rolled her eyes. She strutted towards one of the sofas in the hallway and sat down.
"Why do you want to prove yourself so badly? You have everything. Why don't you just settle down?" Natalie inquired.
"I don't want to be under anyone's thumb, Nat. You and Lynnie have your beauty, Tony has his brains, and I have nothing. You all have something of Mama and Papa. You girls have Mama's beauty and Tony, Papa's intelligence. This job is the only time I get to be something and have something." Stephanie clarified.
Natalie patted the space beside and gestured for her little sister to sit beside her. Heaving a big sigh, Stephanie trudged to her sister.
"You have something that Lynnie and I don't have, and that's Mama's sense of style. We used to get jealous of how you could put an outfit together and make it look good. How you can literally spend your whole day in heels, you even run in them. Darling, you have Papa's brains, and I guess that's why he was very disappointed in you when that thing happened."
Natalie pulled Stephanie in and hugged her, "I believe in you. Whatever you set your mind on, you do it. Just look at you. You've got your masters even when Mama was against you going back to school. In fact, I think I'll go in with you to speak to Papa."
"You will?" Stephanie's eyes glistened
"Yes, I will. Go knock."
Steph took in a deep breath and stood up, "I'm going to do it, I'm not backing out."
"You go, girl!" Natalie cheered from behind her.
She matched towards the wood, raised her hand, and knocked.
"Come in," the deep voice invited from within.
Stephanie opened the door, and something alerted her of movement behind her. She turned to see Natalie scurrying away.
"Well, that traitor." She muttered underneath her breath as she glared at the back of her sister.
*****
The room had an old feel to it with a touch of modernisation. The shelves were lined with thick volumes on architecture and business. Stephanie stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. She had rehearsed this conversation a dozen times, but the knot in her stomach reminded her how high the stakes were.
Her father, Samuel Denvers, sat behind a massive desk, engrossed in a blueprint spread out before him. His tailored shirt spoke of the same perfectionism he demanded from everyone, especially her.
“Papa,” she began tentatively, standing in front of his desk.
He looked up, his piercing settling on her. “Stephanie. What is it?”
She took a deep breath. “I want to be part of the team for the mall project. I know I’m not on the leadership committee, I know you've lost all trust in me and that I disappointed you, but I promise to work harder than anyone else. I won’t let you or Grandpa down.”
He leaned back in his chair, studying her for a moment before steepling his fingers. “You know how important this project is. It’s a legacy deal. One mistake could tarnish everything your grandfather has built.”
“I understand that,” Stephanie said, her voice steady. “But I’ve grown since my last project. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I’m ready to prove myself.”
Her father sighed, rubbing his temples. “Stephanie, it’s not just about your work ethic. The truth is, your grandfather and I have concerns about your focus. Architecture isn’t just about creativity; it’s about discipline, strategy, and commitment.”
“I have all those things,” she insisted, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “Just give me a chance to show you.”
He paused, his expression unreadable, before finally speaking. “There’s one condition.”
Her heart leapt with hope. “Anything. Just name it.”
Samuel’s gaze hardened. “You need to settle down. Get married.”
The words hit her like a brick wall. “Married?” she repeated, her voice incredulous. "Married?" Her voice rose, "married?!!" She was sure he hadn't just said that. “What does marriage have to do with anything?”
“Everything,” he said firmly. “Your sisters have shown they can balance their lives. Stability is crucial in this business, and frankly, it’s something you haven’t demonstrated.”
She stared at him, disbelief etched across her face. “Lynette and Natalie, balance? Papa, Lynnie, and Nat are not the perfect examples. So, I have to get married to be taken seriously? This isn’t the 1950s, Papa.”
“It’s not about the era, Stephanie,” he said calmly. “It’s about showing the family and the board that you’re grounded. That you’re ready for real responsibility.”
"What about Anthony? He isn't married, Shouldn’t that mean he isn't grounded as well."
Her father palmed his face, "We are talking about you, Steph, not your brother."
She shook her head, pacing the room. “This is ridiculous. I’ve been working my butt off for years, and you’re saying none of that matters because I’m not wearing a wedding ring?”
“Those are the terms,” he said, his voice unwavering. “You want to be on the mall project? Show us you’re ready for the role, both professionally and personally.”
Stephanie’s mind raced. She wanted to argue, yell, to tell him how absurd this was. But she knew her father. Once he made up his mind, there was no changing it.
“I can’t believe this,” she muttered, her hands clenching into fists.
Samuel stood, walking around the desk to face her. “Stephanie, you have immense talent. But talent alone doesn’t carry a legacy. You need to prove you’re ready for the responsibility that comes with it.”
She looked up at him, her jaw set. “Fine. If that’s what it takes, I’ll do it.”
He raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her quick agreement. “You will?”
“I will,” she said, her voice firm. “But don’t think for a second I’m doing this because I agree with you. I’m doing this because I know I’m capable of more, and I’ll do whatever it takes to prove it.”
Her father nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes. “Then we’ll see what you’re made of.”
Stephanie turned on her heel and walked out of the study, her heart pounding. If marriage was the price for her shot at the mall project, she would find a way to pay it.
**************************************
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Heels, Dreams & Blueprint
Storie d'amoreA fashion-obsessed architectural engineer from a wealthy family has one goal: to join her family's prestigious design committee. But there's a catch-her traditional father insists she must get married first! When she meets her best friend's brother'...
