Sensual Light

Memories Part 6

Monday morning found me in the office as early as five o'clock in the morning. I hadn't slept in three days and still there was nothing I could do to save my company or there was nothing left to do. It was now nine o'clock in the morning and I was down my fourth cup of coffee. Wanton sat across my desk concluding his series of bad news. It wasn't good. All that was left to do was wait; for either the dominoes to start falling or the house of cards to crumble. Silence in the room made me drive my thoughts to the back of my mind. I looked at Wanton, nodded and thanked him for the news, despite how bad it was.

"Call me if you need me." It was the statement said as Wanton gathered his things and left, again filling my office with silence.

I looked out to the city. I liked this view. Despite being on the fifth floor of the high tower, you could see much of the city with serenity as the noise of the busy city never seemed to reach my ear. I remembered while setting up this office how impressed I was, so much so that I looked for the architect who built it to build me my manor in the suburbs. Now, no amount of serenity can stop my beating heart from thumbing hard. I had made my stand and I am sure that it upset my father, so much so he will do as he said. I rubbed my neck, exhaustion was slowly creeping into my body yet the option of closing my eyes wasn't on the desk. If it could save the company, I would do it I a heartbeat. Plus, the tension of waiting superseded sleep.

I finished my cup of coffee and I was about to press the intercom to have my secretary bring in some more when it buzzed. "Madam, uh, your father is here to see you." My eyes nearly budged out of my head. This was definitely unexpected. I didn't expect him, I excepted his group of lawyers coming to give me the news of his stance or maybe a phone call to tell me how stupid it was to fight him, not a personalized visit. The intercom buzzed again, "Madam?" Shit. I breathed in and out as calmly as I could. I pressed the intercom, "send him in." I was about to stand to welcome a visitor as I usually do then remembered who was coming in and I leaned into my chair more comfortably.

The door opened and Ibija, my secretary, come in, holding the door open for my father. I looked at him as he walked in. He was angry, it was evident. This meeting will not go well. He has pent up anger. I had to tread carefully. Behind him, walked Drew. His entrance came as a surprise, him I wasn't expecting. He was as handsome as ever in a three-piece grey suit. He wore it well being the new CEO of LE. My hands were shaking. I breathed again and nodded to Ibija. He nodded back and walked out, lightly closing the door behind him. I waved my hand at the seats across my desk.

They briskly took their seat simultaneously opening the button of their blazers as they did so. The action would have made me think that they were father and son yet, they weren't. The act made me realize why father always choose Drew over me. He would rather have had a son rather than a daughter. As soon as they were comfortable, I looked at my father, keeping eye contact with him rather than Drew. I didn't need the distraction right now. I was about to ask if they required some refreshments, when he turned his head and gave a quick glance at my office. "Nice office." He stated.

It wasn't like the view in LE but it was a view nevertheless. In LE, I kept my office more masculine. I didn't like people walking in, noticing the decor and figure out they were dealing with a woman, it gave me an advantage when I surprised them. When I left LE, I changed everything about myself, including my own perception of business. I changed the decor to more feminine. The table was a glass table instead of mahogany, the seat wasn't leather, instead of a running machine in the middle of the office, I put a settee and in place for the mini-bar was just a stand with organic juices. My office was as feminine as it gets, which was a surprise to my father as it was the fact that I was on the fifth floor instead of the twenty-first in the thirty story building.

I just looked at him. If he was surprised, he didn't show it. Just then, Ibija walked in holding a tray. He came to the desk and put the cups of coffee in front of Drew and my father. He was efficient like that, one of the reasons I hired him and kept raising his salary every time someone tried to poach him. I hadn't had the heart to tell him he would lose his job soon but knowing him, I bet he already knew. When he was done, he left as quietly as he came. As soon as he left, I gave my father my attention. He looked at me as he picked up his cup of coffee and taking a sip, rising his eyebrow. The coffee surprised him and there was no hiding his surprise this time. We shared the same taste of coffee but my tastes changed when I discovered another brand, foreign and exquisite. He put his cup down on the table reluctantly.