Changing the CEO

Just

"Time is your enemy,"
I nod as my dad points his finger at me. His brown hair is slowly turning white now.
"Don't let it run you over Luke," he finishes his pep talk.
"Yes sir," I say.
He fixes my red tie and pats my hair to the side. "I know you aren't me but I do know you're the best boy out there."
"I try my-"
He cuts me off. "Don't give me the 100 percent shit. I want to know you will win."
I sigh. This is only a spelling bee contest.
"I will win sir. I know it," I try to hold my nerves but I am about to puke.
"Sir, the car is ready," one of the maids says.
Dad nods and signals me to leave.
**
"Correct," the announcer tells me once again. I am in the finals.
I sit back down and look out the audience. My dad is right there with his big grin. He is happy I am beating the other kids.
"We will have a 15 minute break," the announcer says.
Good. I need to go to the restroom! I jog out of there and head to the restroom. I do my thing and start to walk back to the gym.
"Hi,"
I stop and spot a girl with glasses.  "Hi?"
She smiles and I see she has braces too. "I am contenstat number 23, but they also call me Lacy," she smiles.
I chuckle. "I am Luke."
"Are you nervous for the finale?"
I shrug. "A little."
"I lost but you are pretty smart. I think you will win."
I begin walking. I spot my reflection on a trophy case. I am the same as my dad when he was in middle school.
"You look cute don't worry," Lacy comes next to me. I look at her through the mirror. "Thanks. You are pretty cute too."
She blushes and giggles. "I need to go. I will cheer you on Luke." I nod and look at Lacy walking away.
.....
He slaps me hard. I almost hit the wall. "You are a disappointment once again! I can't believe you lost because of a stinking fucking letter!"
I got second place. I am a total loser.
"I'm sorry dad. I swear-swear I need-"
"Shush Luke," dad says. He drinks his whiskey. "I thought you had this."
I try to hold my tears. Crying will only get him more angry.
My throat hurts.
"You're dismissed."
I run out. I hate him. I hate this. I run to mom's room. It is empty. I forget she isn't here any more.
"Luke,"
I turn around and it is Daniel.
"What are you doing here?"
"My dad needs to talk to your dad," he says. He looks confused. "Did your dad hit you?"
I touch my right cheek. It hurts. "So? What do you want?" I ask.
I am walking to my room.
"Uncle Leo said to come play with you stupid. I don't want to get in trouble."
I roll my eyes. "Fuck off Daniel."
He still gets in my room with me. "Why were you at your mom's room? She's dead."
I turn to him. "I know that. I am not a fucking idiot."
He smirks. "Well you did loose the spelling bee. Your dad was talking to my dad and saying that you are a loser again."
I look down.
"You know that uncle Leo likes me more right? He wishes I was his son and not you."
I shrug. Maybe.
"I will get his company and money. My dad says that when he dies, I don't need to worry about me being homeless. Uncle Leo will adopt me."
I can't believe he is bragging about this. Uncle Robert will die just like his sister. My mom had stomach cancer and so does he.
"Okay. I made you cry so now I will leave before you make a show. Bye dude."
I touch my cheek again. I am crying. I hate it.
.....
Monday.

I am waiting for Rosalie. I will proposed to Daniel to give her a position with him so she can spy on him. I need to get my company back.
"Luke!" Rose comes running into the lobby. She has one of the suits I bought her.
"Why were you running?" I ask.
She sighs. "I thought I was late. My phone got wacky."
I chuckle. "Wacky? Who uses that word now?"
She slaps my arm. "Shut up."
"I am sorry for yesterday. I got a visit that I couldn't say no to. I will make it up to you this weekend," I say.
She smiles. "Yeah it is fine." she bites her lower lip and blushes. I smile to myself. She is thinking of sex just like me.
"Yo!" Nathan comes by. He looks at Rose. "Wow. Nice to see you again."
She looks away.
"Okay. Well we can talk later,  I got Daniel waiting for you guys,"
"Thanks Nathan, I owe you one," I say. He pats my back. "It's okay. I know I am amazing. Now, let's go."
Daniel looks at me then at Rose.
"You really want to this Ms. Dixon?" he asks her.
She nods. "It will have to be part time though."
He nods. "That is okay with me."
"Good, so is she back in?" I ask.
Daniel nods. "Yeah. You can start tomorrow if you like."
Rose nods. "Thank you."
Daniel smiles at her. "I will look forward to working with you Ms. Dixon."
I roll my eyes.
"You okay Luke? Any comments?" he asks.
I smile. "Nope."
"Okay. Well get ready for today's appointment Luke."
"Yes sir."
Rose and I walk out of the office. I high five her. "This will go smoothly if you just follow my rules."
She nods. "If only Daniel won't get embarrassed or hurt."
I sigh. "Sure I promise."
....

Later that night.

Rose is quietly eating her dinner. I invited her over to my place and cooked her spaghetti.
"Everything okay?" I ask.
She looks up at me. "What are we?"
"Umm, what do you mean?"
"I know you said we won't be a real couple, but you can treat me like a girlfriend. I want to know if I will ever be like Jessie."
"You will never be her,"
"I don't but it will be nice to kiss you in public once in a while," she says.
I drink my wine.
"I will be quiet now," she says. Rose stands and gets her jacket. I quickly get to her and stop in front of her.
"Don't leave."
She shakes her head no. "You said you make it up to me this weekend. I will respect that and I need to sleep early. I have another job." She kisses my cheek. "Bye."
Great no action for me tonight .