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“I know. Things will be hard at first, but it will become easier. I have faith in you. All of you.”
“Thank you.”
I’m the senior hedge fund analyst and investments manager here. I’ve devoted my life to the company, so becoming CEO is a role I’m more than ready for.
Except, I can admit that it’s going to be near impossible to fill my father’s shoes. He’s one of those legendary men people admire for the heart and soul he puts into his work.
As Father will be focusing on our international offices from next week, we’re discussing the next steps and plans that will be put in place to ease us into the transition.
More so for Asher and me than Luc, as we'll hold the leadership positions in the company. Luc is a professional ice hockey player and intends to stay that way despite the multi-billion fortune he could make if he joined us.
He renounced his entitlement to the leadership years ago so he could play hockey. He's here today because he’ll be receiving his father’s shares in the company. Luc’s father died when he was twelve. Getting his shares now means he’ll gain his voting rights in our decision-making process.
As for Asher and me, while I’ll become CEO, Asher will be the CFO.
But in accordance with my grandfather’s will we will only receive those positions after marriage.
While I have accepted the terms, Asher is still sporting the same unhinged look he’s had since Father told us about the future plans for the company and invoked the marriage clause.
His frustration and discomfort is completely understandable. Unlike me, who gets to choose a wife, Asher has been promised to marry Priscilla De Rosa, the daughter of an old family friend. Again, as per our grandfather’s will.
Even though I’m supposed to get married as soon as possible, I'm grateful I had a choice in selecting my wife. Regardless that the said woman is my enemy’s daughter.
Asher and Priscilla have known each other since they were kids but neither of them can stand the other. As Asher is twenty-nine he has one year to get married to her.
“What do the next twelve months look like for us?” he asks Father.
Father brings his hands together and steeples his fingers. “The next twelve months will be structured according to how well you progress. Your training will begin next week. You already do a good percentage of the work, but when I train you, you'll be doing everything. I'll take on the role of overseeing what you do.”
“What will your new schedule look like?” I ask, eager to know because it’s already crazy as fuck.
Father smirks. “For the first six months I’ll be here all the time as normal, then it will be one month here, then one month in Europe and Asia for another six months. Once I'm satisfied that you guys can handle things without me, I’ll go. You may see me twice a year for holidays and for the annual business meeting, but that’s it.”
“That sounds reasonable,” Asher states.
“I think so, too, but we’ll play it by ear. The most important thing is that I want you to be confident to handle business the way you see fit. New York is the flagship of our company. I’ve done my part and I’ve done well but I want you to take the business to the next level.”
It’s wild to imagine what that next level could be when we have so much. We’re already worldwide with talks of opening more branches in the Caribbean and South America. Father set all of that up, and put the global in our name. With our intelligence and skill set our next level could be anything.
“What about me?” Luc asks cautiously with a smile, pushing a lock of his dark curls behind his ear. “I feel like I should do more, especially as the company is going through such big changes.”
Luc is a few months younger than me. He came to live with us after he lost his parents in a boating accident. The three of us were raised like brothers so we’ve always been close and he knows what taking over the company means to us.
Father shakes his head. “No, Luc. All that is required of you is to be here whenever you’re needed. We respect that you have a career outside of Le Blanche Global. You’re also captain of your team and an NHL legend.”
Father looks him over with the deepest pride. An emotion we all share for Luc because he worked so damn hard to be where he is in the sport. He plays for the New York Hawks, who have won the Cup series every year for the last few years. Luc started off following in his father’s footsteps but he did so much more.
“Hockey is what you need to focus on when it comes to business. That has always been the agreement. We will honor that.” Father dips his head, and Asher and I do the same.
“Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate that.” Luc turns to look at both Asher and me. “I may not have a leadership position but I’ll be available whenever you guys need me. Just say the word.”
Asher and I smile back at him.
“We know,” I tell him, and Asher nods. “You also have a wife to take care of now.”
Luc grins back at me. “I do.” He sounds as if he’s taking his vows again.
He just returned from a one-month vacation in Antigua with his wife, Autumn.
