I saw people from law school and remembered that I did just go to law school and I didn’t graduate at the top of my damn class for no reason.
Instead, she said, “I built too much to walk away from it.”
Her father’s eyes remained steady.
“Built or building? Because you’ve hardly done anything, dear heart.”
No one humbled her quite like her daddy. Nina would be yearning for his approval until his death.
She swallowed her rude ass comment back and instead decided to feed his ego.
“I know you’re disappointed in me and it won’t happen again.”
“I’m concerned about you.”
Nina took a breath. “I know my relationship with Jio complicates things.”
At the mention of his name, she saw her dad shift uncomfortably in his seat. They despised the man whom she loved more than anything in this world. But it was time for Nina to love herself more.
“That is one word for it.”
“But I didn’t come here to discuss him.”
“Unfortunately, Nina, you can’t separate him from this conversation as easily as you would like.”
She hated that he was right.
Her father stood and walked toward the window.
“You are brilliant,” he said. “More brilliant than I think you understand. You have instincts that can’t be taught. You walk into rooms and people adjust and that doesn’t have anything to do with your last name, although it helps. It’s because you know how to command attention without begging for it.”
Nina’s throat tightened.
Praise from her father always reached the little girl in her first… the one who wanted to be chosen and make him proud.
“But lately,” Charles continued, “You have been moving like someone I didn’t raise.”
Nina looked away. “I haven’t forgotten who I am.”
“Well act like it!” he raised his voice a tad.
His words were not cruel, which made it worse because they were firm and true… all fatherly like.
“I want another chance,” Nina said quietly.
Charles turned back to her.
“At the company?”
“At myself.”
Her answer shifted the room. Her daddy looked at her for a spell before nodding.
“We can discuss the terms.”
Relief moved through her so quickly she almost cried.
“Thank you daddy.” She was grateful.
