The Path to Love

Chapter 60 - Sam's POV

One month. There is just one month left until I'm to term. It's gotten easier without Hunter, it doesn't hurt so much anymore to think about him. I can wake up and not be miserable over losing him. His father doesn't talk to me about him, and I don't try to ask. He has been all over the news recently though, the tabloids are talking about how much of an idealistic businessman he is going to be. The people they interviewed were: business partners his company no longer has, workers at the places he's been too and his assistant. I was looking at some of the pictures the paparazzi had taken of him, he's different. He's skinnier, he has a meaner persona surrounding him, and his eyes look sunken in. Maybe this situation has been as hard on him as it was on me. I like to think that, anyways. He's moved on and doing different things with his life, it's time for me to not focus on him so much and continue with my training.

"How's the mother of my grandchild today?" Mr. Thomas asks as I walk into his office.

"I'm tired and sore. Your granddaughter spent all night kicking my ribs. I was extremely uncomfortable." How is it, that I'm so comfortable around Mr. Thomas?

"Well, she'll be out soon. Speaking of, you'll be leaving here soon in a couple weeks as well. Correct?"

"Yes, my plane ticket was booked yesterday. I'll be heading back to Toronto to start taking over the business. The manager in my place is still there, correct?"

"Yes. The one that will be helping you learn the ropes of it, arrives next week."

"Who is it?" I asked him.

"It is not your concern right now, Samantha. He is one of the best though, he has learned from me, as well."

"Good, then I'll expect the best."

"Expect nothing less."

"What's on the agenda for today?"

You will be in charge of a business meeting for me today. These potential business partners are coming in and are wanting us to invest in their company. You're going to make the choice."

"Me?" I replied, nervously.

"Yes, you. I need to make sure you have a sense of what you're doing, and this will tell me if you know what you're at and if you know what's best for the company."

"You have that much faith in me?" I asked him, clearly shocked. I didn't even bother to hide the shock in my voice, either.

"I must have faith in you. You are the future CEO of Dawson Enterprises; I have to believe you will not run it to the ground. Your father seemed to have a lot of faith in you."

"Yeah, I suppose he did." I replied. Too bad he didn't have any faith in me, now. "Call me when it's almost time for the meeting. I have some documents to look over and possibly invest in for my future company."

"You know something interesting, Ms. Dawson?" Mr. Thomas using my last name made me turn back to look at him.

"I know a lot of things, sir. Be more specific about what I know that is interesting."

"You will be the youngest female CEO in all of Canada, once you officially take over your company." He replied.

"Hmm, interesting. I guess that is something I didn't know. No pressure or anything," I replied.

"You should be proud of yourself. You're making a life for yourself by yourself. You should be proud that you're going to be running such a successful business."

I smiled at him and walked out of his office.  I walked across the hall over to mine. Being a CEO is a lot of work, specifically a lot of paperwork. I haven't signed anything official yet, but there are so many papers that need to be signed, documents to read over, projects to fund, new projects to think about, and so many other things. I now understand why it could take parents away, it was a heaping amount of work.

Mr. Thomas paged me like an hour later to tell me the meeting was going to be in fifteen minutes. I waited five more minutes before walking down to the conference room.

I walked into the conference room and greeted the guest. "Hello, my name is Samantha Dawson. I am the future CEO of Dawson Enterprises, and I will be in charge of this meeting today."

"You won't be the CEO for very long, will you?" The gentleman asked me.

"Excuse me?" I asked him.

"Well, first thing, you're pregnant and you're due to pop like any day now. Secondly, you're a female. Females do not belong in the CEO position." He replied.

Mmhm. Interesting. I noticed Mr. Thomas sitting over in the corner, watching the exchange. He didn't give me any looks to tell me to stop or continue, so I made my own decision. "Thank you for your time, mister. Thomas Enterprises will not be investing in your product, today."

"Excuse me?" He replied, bewildered.

"I get the incredible privilege to make the choice today if Thomas Enterprises would invest in whatever you had. I, and I'm pretty sure I speak for all of Thomas Enterprises, do not want a sexist pig for a partner." I slammed my notebook closed and turned away from him. I turned back to look at him, "oh and have a good day, sir. I will send someone here to escort you out."

I walked out of the room and back to my office. Stupid sexist moron. Women can do just as much as men can, if not more. I was more determined than ever now to become the best CEO Dawson Enterprises has ever seen.

My phone rang and I picked it up. "Samantha Dawson," I spoke into the phone.

"Good job, Samantha. Way to take charge and to let the guy know who was boss."

"Oh, Mr. Thomas, I am so sorry." I apologized instantly. "I lost out on a deal for you."

He started to laugh. "I had no intentions of investing in what he had to offer, I was just testing you. You did good."

The line went dead, and I stared at the phone. He said I did good. Woah. Maybe, I could be good at this CEO thing.