Beautiful

21. Clarifying a Few Things

Clarifying a Few Things

"Ms. Rodriquez," Attorney Justis Wade began, "I realize things may have been a bit over whelming the last time we spoke. So, I wanted to be sure that you completely understand what it is Mr. Baxwell is asking of you."

Tierra sat very still in a leather, Oxblood colored, Mahogany trimmed armed chair. The chair sat in front of Mr. Wade's matching Mahogany desk. His office was on the top floor of an office building on the corner of Pleasant and Main Street in Northampton. She was nervous to say the least, and it showed as she began to twitch in her seat. Mr. Wade called her a few days earlier and asked her to come to his office and discuss the information that Mr. Baxwell had revealed to her. When she woke up Tuesday morning, she put on her favorite business ensemble; a black, high-waist, pencil skirt, with a turquoise petal sleeved scooped neck shirt. The Sterling Silver and Jade rosary beads her father gave her on her Quinceañera, hung around her neck for good luck along with a pair of silver and jade drop earrings dangling from her ears. Her ensemble was completed with a simple pair of black Ed Hardy pumps.

She uncrossed and re-crossed her legs, right over left, left over right, as she adjusted her skirt. Brushing her hand over her tightly pulled back bun, her hand found and began to twist strands of hair she left dangling, for such a nervous moment as this.

"Tierra, this would be the time for you to speak up if you think you can't handle this. Mr. Baxwell has a lot of faith in you. He had many people to choose from. But, from the day that you came to the B.E. he's felt you were the answer to his prayers. That's why he molded you in the way he has," the attorney revealed.

"Do you think, his faith in me is correct? Or do you think he's making a mistake. Maybe one of my male colleagues should handle this."

"Tierra, there is no changing Jonathan's mind once he has it set. I'll admit that when he first came to me with this some, three years ago, I was uncertain at that time. But, you were still young at the company then. I didn't see in you, what he obviously did."

"Three years ago?!"

"Did you not hear me? He had you pegged for this from the moment you arrived. He helped you to grow and evolve into a very powerful young woman you are right now. He believed that you had this phoenix, as he called it, inside of you and it just needed guidance. A CEO is definitely inside of you Tierra, but you have to believe that. Three years ago, he came to me and had me draw up the papers."

"CEO? I thought I was just going to be standing in as Acting CEO until a permeate one is found?"

Mr. Wade leaned back and picked up a white piece of paper off his desk. He scanned it for a moment, and then handed it to Tierra, pointing at a line near the bottom.

"Read this."

'I, Jonathan C. Baxwell, creator and majority shareholder of Baxwell Enterprises, to hereby enter into this contract of my own free will and in sound mind, with the advisement of legal staff. The below is offered free of will and without duress. Nothing said within can be changed or altered once signed.

Affective upon signature, I Jonathan Baxwell, do hereby transfer temporary control of 55% shares to, my MM&E director, Tierra Rodriquez. I grant her full access and control, the ability to make decisions as she deems necessary in my absence without the need the of my approval,

In the inevitable event of my death, I bequeath my full shares and permanent control of B.E. to Tierra Rodriquez. As CEO she will have full control of my 55%, in addition to her 20%. I also grant full access and transference of all and any perks, liberties, memberships etc... that I currently own.

Tierra sat quietly with the contract she signed just a few days ago, dangling between her thumb and forefinger. How did she miss this? Somehow, she heard a totally different conversation and signed a contract that effective immediately, made her acting CEO. She couldn't believe what she was reading! As she read on, her face turned pale, and was void of emotion.

"Ms. Rodriquez? Are you okay?"

"Hmm, um," she nodded barely.

"Is there anything you'd like to ask me? Or anything you're still confused about?"

She lowered her head and silently prayed.

'Father, I thank Mr. Baxwell for his faith in my abilities. For him seeing so much in me, when I didn't know it existed. For his taking a chance on this shell of a woman, when I'm sure everyone around him told him he was crazy. Please Lord, grant him health, and strength. If it be your will please allow him to recover and my stay in his shoes be brief. If not please grant me the strength and wisdom to be the CEO he envisioned me being.'

After which, she cleared her throat and lifted her head a brand-new woman.

"Actually, there is something Mr. Wade," she asked for a pen, stood up, leaned over his desk and made some notations on the contract before handing it back over to him.

"Mr. Wade, I know I signed this already a few days ago. It's probably highly against the grain to go back and make adjustments after signatures have been made. But, if these few things can be implemented...I'm sorry to say, I didn't fully comprehend the logistics of what I was signing. Now that I do, I don't think Mr. Baxwell will have a problem with this. We have spoken about it recently."

"Jonathan was right, you are a savvy businesswoman. I'm convinced now more than ever that he made the right choice. The changes you are requesting, he was sure you'd ask for. He told me when you asked for them to tell you they are fine, and won't be a problem. I think you will do a magnificent job."

Tierra blushed at his compliment and returned to her seat.

Mr. Wade smiled, and paged his secretary.

"Please retype this contract making the adjustments as noted here, here and here."

"Yes sir. Do you need this right back sir?"

"Well, what would you like to do, Ms. Rodriquez? Technically you are in charge now."

"Could you get this back to me as soon as possible."

"Yes, Ms. Rodriquez, right away."

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