Sensual Light

Memories Part 2

I stood heading for the drinks laid out of the table at the far end of the room. I poured myself a vodka I needed desperately and walked to the parlor doors and opening them, walking into the balcony. It was the first time in years my father has had the final word in no matter the discussion or argument we had, ever. It was a sense of defeat and I was in a corner with a sense of no option. I felt like I had been here, I have been here before. The last decision I made, made me leave everything behind and start all over.

I looked at the skies, it was a bright night but a gloomy one for me. There weren't a lot of options. Work for my father, no not father, for Drew or lose everything. The last decision I made, resulted in the creation of an empire. If I make the same decision again, will I receive the same results. Jacky Loulind Designs was just a shop in a town near here where my mother would go and sell her own jewelry, she herself designed. After she passed, the manager of the business kept the business alive by selling other people's designs. And alive it remained until I came along.

When I distanced myself from everything else, I went back to school majoring in jewel design. I came back, managing the business just as the previous manager decided it was time to retire from it. I made the designs authentic, my personal design, refused to change the name of the business as a show of respect to my mother. I built the business, hiring new designers fresh from collage to create the jewel designs I sketched, I built a network, getting the finest jewels first and design them into the most expensive masterpieces people will feel proud to own. Time, demand and heart made the business grow. In one year, I opened four other branches in major cities, profits came in and I used it to make the business grow.

Right now, the business was national with twenty five stores, more than a thousand employees and earning over five billion in net worth nationwide. I had faced a lot of suits in terms of design, in terms of rare gems but the challenge presented now was unlike I faced before. This was not a financial crisis or an employment crisis or a gem theft. It was the loss of everything. Despite that fact, I didn't want it to lose with my tail between my legs. I breathed, knowing the final decision was right in my face. I took my drink, all of it in one gulp but I still felt the pit in my stomach. It was time to fight the fight of my lifetime.

I looked at my empty glass, the time flickering at the corner of my eye. It was now or never. "I never thought I'd see the day where I'd see you in such deep thoughts." I turned around to see Drew walking towards me. "It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" He stepped in front of me. "Why now?" I asked, no reason for pretense. He looked down at me. I forgot how tall he was. I liked that. "It was yours first you know." I huffed turning from him and looking towards the garden. "I relinquished the claim when he choose you and I walked out the door. I refuse it now just like I refused it then. I was the second best despite my desire to be the best." I turned to him, looking deep in his eyes. "You want this, why?"

He scratched the back of his neck, something he did when he was nervous. "He's been watching you, you know. For the past few years, he's been keeping an eye on you. He felt like all your ideas that lead to the success of JLD should have been for the LE." I nodded. It wasn't like my father to feel like he made a mistake when it came with the family business, which I am no longer part of. "I made my choice long ago and I stand by it now. I won't leave everything I built, drop it all just because he needs me by his side. I will not do it." He laughed, "You always did have pride when it came to your father. You know you'll still do as he wants, save us all the theatrics."

The last statement had me rising my brow. Theatrics. Sure, if it was the MaryAnn of ten years ago but not now. "Tell him I refuse his offer. Find someone else to be your CFO, Drew. I am sure you'll find someone able to fit the position, maybe you have someone already in mind. As for me, I need to go to sleep. It's a long day tomorrow. I have to be well rested." I put the glass in his hands and walked out without saying goodbye, passing Wendy along the way. She looked concerned but I decided to put all this behind me for a reason. I didn't wait for Oliver to get my coat, I took from the closet and walked outside, making sure I didn't slam the door on my way out.

As I drove out, I started dialing my lawyers' numbers. There was no time to rest. There will be no sleep for the next few days or until my father makes his move. It was time to find a loophole to ensure I don't lose everything I built and go back to the past I ran away from. I held the necklace my mother gave me. I was about to lose everything and there was no anger, no hatred just grief. Something deep punched my heart and squeezed it hard. I felt the tears drop to my cheeks. Please let there be a loophole, let there be a loophole.