The Path to Love

Chapter 77

The next couple of weeks were easier between Sam and me. It was awkward, and we didn't talk about the kiss we shared two weeks ago, but we were doing better.

"You did what?" Sam asked me.

"I partnered with Mr. Smith to open a bar downtown, for the third time now."

"I don't want to be in a bar business, Hunter! You know how I feel about drinking and shit. Why did you do that?"

"Everyone Mr. Smith is planning to hire is homeless. He is only hiring people that live on the streets. While it's not ideal, your company is only apart of the plan until he pays us back with interest. I'm not an idiot Sam, I know your likes and dislikes. The only reason I said yes was because of who he is hiring. It's part of the deal."

"That does make me feel better about the situation." She mumbled. "Okay, what about this?" She replied, pointing at the bottom of the list.

"That is Human Resources sending you a complaint. By the looks of it, someone filed a complaint about another worker in regard to being rude and calling the staff names. They want your permission to fire the person."

"Do they need my permission for every person they would like to fire?"

"You need to sign off on it, yes."

"Well, is there sufficient proof?" She asked me.

"I don't know, that's your job to figure out. This is your company now, I signed over the rights to you, I'm just helping you through the run of the day."

"So, this is why you told me to always have a notepad next to me. When I'm done going through the list, I will have everything written down about what I need to follow up with."

"Exactly, now you're learning." I grinned at her.

"Do I have an assistant here as well, that schedules my day?"

"Yes, you pick up your phone here and hit Intercom, the press the number three followed by the one and it will call her. I never bothered to deal with her because I have Angelica."

"When will she let me know what I'm supposed to be doing?"

"She'll come in after you arrive in the morning and tell you the schedule of what your day is supposed to look like. She is also responsible for planning your trips, organizing your meetings, getting you food, getting you documents and whatever else you may need."

"How will I know I'm ready to take over?" Sam asked me, looking up from her papers at me, waiting for an answer I couldn't give.

"You don't." I told her. "You just do it. It's a challenge at first, and a lot of days you'll want to quit at it. This company is literally your baby, you raise it and feed it and help it grow into something successful. You grow to love it once you get the hang of everything."

We just stared at each other, in silence. We blinked occasionally but we were just lost in each other. My phone ringing interrupted our staring contest. DAD flashed on the screen.

"I have to take this," I replied, standing up and walking out of her office.

"Hunter Thomas," I picked up the phone.

"Is that any way to greet your old man?"

"This is how I answer the phone. What do you want, dad?"

"You were supposed to leave three days ago to come back here. When do you plan on coming back?"

"There's stuff I have to do here, dad. There are things I have to take care of."

"You're staying, aren't you son?"

I turned around and looked back at Sam's office door. SAMANTHA DAWSON, CEO was written on a plaque on her door. "I think I am, dad. Sam is having my child; I felt her kick for the first time two weeks ago. It was such an indescribable feeling. I can't leave them, you were right, I need to be here."

"I knew you were going to choose right."

"You expected this to happen?" I asked him.

"Samantha Dawson is the only constant you've had in your life. Your mom and I plus Samantha's parents knew the both of you would get together eventually, the Dawson's just wanted it to happen later. I know the real reason you left because you didn't want to be a father like I was to you, but you're not going to make the same mistakes I did."

"How can you be so sure?" I asked him.

"You're better than me, you always have been. You have always protected that girl, and you always want to do what's best for her. Even when you were out here miserable, you still thought you were doing right by Samantha. You always put her first, which is why I know you won't leave them. You'll be a good father, Hunter. You know what you're doing."

I smiled. "Thanks dad."

"One more thing, the CEO of the branch of Thomas Enterprises in Toronto just got switched to the new branch that will be opening in Vancouver. I would like you to take over the branch in Toronto, effective immediately."

"Really?" I asked my father, shocked at his offer.

"You deserve it son, you've grown into a fine young man. I am proud to be your father and I know you will succeed. I will have the papers sent to the office immediately to let them know of the new role."

"Thanks dad."

He hung up the phone; he really wasn't one for sentiments, neither was I. Maybe one day we would get there, but not anytime soon.

I walked back into Sam's office. "Sorry, that was my dad." I said, going to sit back down in the chair beside hers.

"That's fine. How did the conversation go?"

"He just gave me the new CEO position." I replied, still not sinking in that it was actually happening.

"Wait, you're leaving?"

"I didn't say that, Sam."

"I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. Some part of me knew you would let me down. I just didn't want to believe it because I thought I finally had convinced you to stay. Fine, whatever, you want to leave, then leave. I'm not stopping you this time."

I walked over to her chair and spun it, so she was in front of me. I pecked her on the lips. "Sam, the CEO position is here in Toronto." I whispered.

She looked at me, clearly shocked. "Wait. Really?"

"Yes," I replied.

"You're not leaving again?"

"No," I smiled at her.

"You're staying?"

"I'm staying."

"Promise?"

"Promise," I replied.

"No, say it like you mean it. Say, Sam I promise I am not leaving again."

"Sam, I promise I am not leaving again. I'm staying."

She smiled up at me. "Really?" She whispered.

I stood up and looked down at her. "Really Sam, I'm staying here and helping you raise our daughter."

"Oh my God," she screamed. She jumped up out of her seat and jumped into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my torso. I held onto her easily. "Thank-you," she whispered.

I chuckled. "Don't thank me yet. You'll be sick of me within the week, just you wait."

"I don't think that's possible." She replied, still bear hugging me.
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Author's Note:

Woo! Finally some happiness!