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I couldn’t believe he had the audacity to try to pull this bullshit stunt on me and think I’d go for it. There wasn’t a chance in hell I would work with him. I could barely stand looking at him, let alone having to be by his side and navigate the marketing of his new business. Especially since this was the same career he had chosen over me.
The absolute nerve of that man.
If he thought I was going to forget the past and bend over backward for him, that was truly mind-blowing to me. I was going to march in there and tell my mom about the stunt he had just pulled and how there was no way I would be his publicist. I’d apologize a million times to her if I had to. I hated doing this to her, but I knew she’d understand.
However, when I jetted into my mom’s office, I was caught off guard when I saw my father there with her.
“Oh.” I stepped back, his presence taking all the wind out of my sails like it was never there to begin with.
Right off the bat, my mom questioned, “What’s wrong, Capri?”
Before I could answer, Dad chimed in with a huge smile, “I heard congratulations are in order.” He approached me in three strides, pulling me into a tight hug.
“I’m so proud of you, Capri. I knew you’d find your passion again. It was only a matter of time to see my only baby girl succeeding in the way she was born to.”
There was so much I wanted to say, but I couldn’t for the life of me find the words to express it. Especially after this kind of encouragement from him. I spent years disappointing him without him having to disclose it to me. I just knew. I felt it. My father was the most important man in my life and to feel his pride in me after not having it for so long was too important to me.
I couldn’t let him down. I just couldn’t.
“Yeah…” That was my only response.
He pulled away, grabbing my face between his hands. With nothing but pure admiration, he added, “This client will put your mom’s company into that number one spot she’s deserved for so many years. I can’t tell you how honored I am that it’s our daughter who will put her there.”
I lovingly smiled. “Thanks, Dad.”
He kissed my cheek and then excused himself, leaving me alone with Mom.
“What’s wrong?” she questioned, sensing my apprehension.
I shook my head. “Nothing.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Did everything go okay with Mr. Ferris?”
I opened my mouth to tell her I wouldn’t be working with Mr. Ferris, it’d be the man who broke my heart into a million pieces, but I kept repeating to myself that I could do this.
He’d just be another job.
Another client.
Nothing more, nothing less.
My father was right; I did deserve this recognition, and it was time I proved to myself and everyone else that I was that woman before I chose love over my career the second time around. I was done letting men take my pride, and I’d be damned if Elias Sinclair would strip me of that again.
I’d dealt with clients just like him, and I could do it once more. Most of the time, these influential men needed to be knocked down a few notches. Their egos were as big as their net worth.
I wouldn’t let Elias get to me.
Not his words.
Or his looks.
Or his money.
I was in control, and he needed me, not the other way around. Instead of backing down from him like I intended to when I walked into this office, I simply nodded to her question and gave her a genuine smile. Suddenly, I felt a deep confidence I thought was long gone, and in its place was the woman who knew exactly who she was.
She didn’t question my reply. Instead, she handed me the contract for Oasis Corporation.
“Looks like you’re going to be a very busy woman with this contract.”
