The Life of Veronica Moore (A Billionaire's Secret)

Chapter 7

It was our annual Sunday lunch at the manor and I was pretty happy to be sitting down at the table with my family. My mother was there in spirit.

Although I know this isn't any normal Sunday lunch as my dad had specifically called me multiple times this week to make sure I am coming. So here I was knowing some news was going to spilt trying not to be impatient.

Good thing the food is always so good and rather distracting. I have pilled up my plate to the brim with vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, an array of roasts, and gravy. Matthew and Amelia could barely hold eye contact with me as they must know what my dad is wanting to tell me.

Matthew is not your 'typical' stereotype middle child as he shines in whatever he did. He is the captain of the school's soccer team and gets straight A's in everything. He is a threat with his charming features and charismatic personality he has inherited from my parents. Amelia, the youngest of us three is quite the opposite as she refrains from the spotlight reading books and focusing on her talent for art. She was beautiful getting glossy brown hair and brown eyes from my dad's side of the family.

Pieces of decadent chocolate cake are being placed in front of us and champagne glasses filled as my dad is now speaking.

"Veronica. I have something I need to discuss with you."

So there it is.

"I had a recent scare with my health that I didn't want to worry anyone about so I've only recently told your brother and sister. I am fine now though, but my doctor has recommended that I start taking it easy."

I am suddenly aware of my dad's wrinkles and growing grey hairline. Don't get me wrong he is still a perfectly good looking man but I could still the strain the last year of trying to cope with the business and my mom's health has had on him.

"Veronica, I know it's a lot to ask of you but the time has come. I need to think about my health and under the doctor's advisement I have decided to step down from being CEO in 3 weeks."

I am sorry what. THREE WEEKS. I am going to be the CEO in three weeks. WHATTTT.

"I know you are still busy with college and still have a year to go but you can move between Lateral and the city. I think it's important you still finish your degree."

It is important for my dad and my mom. It's what she would have wanted and my dad knew that.

"You are going to have to start moving around with security honey. At Lateral and in the city. We've been getting more threats and we aren't too sure where they are coming from. I have already assigned some for your brother and sister for pick up and drop-offs at school. Since no one really knows you are going to Lateral, you can have the option."

My mind quickly flashed back to the media storm after my mother's death and the threats we had received, both online and physically sent to the house.

"Although, after the press release in 3 weeks, you will have no other choice."

I am sitting there silently taking all this information in.

"Veronica, you haven't said anything? I know it's a lot to..."

I cut my dad off not wanting him to be worried about me. He had enough to worry about.

"Sorry Dad, It is just a lot to take in. I knew this day was coming but three weeks is way sooner than I thought. I can't believe you didn't tell me you weren't feeling well. I don't want you to stress. I will be ready."

My dad was now smiling happily at my confidence in taking our family empire.

"Cheers to Moore Industry's new CEO, our very own Veronica."

I lifted my glass with the rest of my family. The glass seemed heavy as the entire Moore Inc. fell heavily on my shoulders.

...

It is so good being home. I smile at Matt and Amelia as we are playing a game of cards, Matt teaching us Poker.

I haven't spent any time with them lately. Thinking I don't have any papers due this coming week, I should maybe take tomorrow off so I can take Amelia on a day out to find a dress for her year dance and then we could go out for dinner.

"Amelia, I'm going to take the day off University tomorrow and we can spend it together. I will call your principle and come up with an excuse to get you out. We can go to the mall and I'll book us to get our nails done. Sound good?"

I can see by Amelia's face that she is excited by the idea but she tries to play it cool. She's never been one for shopping.

"Sounds good."

"Matt after baseball practice we can pick you up and we can finish the day by going out for dinner? Just the three of us?" I say this knowing my dad will only be finishing work long after we get back from finishing dinner.

"Cool, thanks Ron. Sounds good," he says.

I smile at the memory of my mom sneaking me out of school and taking me to the Spa and mall to shop for my school dance, so I am happy to let the memory go on with Amelia and I.

After a few more games, we are proceeding to the cinema room to watch a movie.

"Go ahead guys and pick something for us, I am going to go and see if dad wants to join."

Walking up to his office I knock on the door.

I open it to see him hunched behind his laptop with papers all over his large wooden desk. His office was your typical "man cave office" if I can say that. It's interior consisted mainly of dark wood and bookcases streaming both sides. Sitting on a glass table next to the faux-leather sofa was a few bottles of the finest aged whiskey from around the world and Aviation Gin that Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively had personally sent. It was a thank you for a charity project we had donated clothes and other sanitary items for thousands of women in need. Something my mom felt extremely passionate about.

"Hey dad, you want to join us in the cinema room to watch a movie?"

He is looking around at his stack of papers and his watch. I can see him sigh and he looks up at me.

"Yes, actually I will Honey. I needed someone to come and break me away from this."

I can only just wonder if this will be me soon, overwhelmed by the amount of work ahead.

I brush off the thought as my dad and I are walking side-by-side to grab popcorn and then to join the movie.

.....

Happy Monday!

Thank you for your support by reading this book :)

I am very happy to be writing and keeping busy in quarantine.

Stay safe

Missy xx