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"Hey, I can be nice," I said. "Remember, I help to run a huge company too. I have to put on my sweet innocent face for many of the cranky old men on the board. They just think I'm the sweetest with their 1950's views of women. I can't wait until they expire and open up the seats to more progressive, younger people."
"You should really stop wishing death on people," Sicily said.
I shrugged. "It's nothing personal. They could retire. I'd be fine with that. I just don't think I'll ever get the recognition I want until those old fogies are gone. And I know some of these bastards will hold on to the very last thread of life just to spite me."
"You'd do the same thing."
I smiled. "Damn right."
The intercom beeped. "Ms. Hannigan, your executive meeting starts in fifteen."
"Thanks, Pam," I replied, turning my attention back to Sicily. "Alright, duty calls. Gotta give my monthly presentation about the company to the execs so my father can pick me apart for the next 29 days, and I can start all over again."
Sicily laughed. "Good luck. And don't forget to call him tomorrow."
I circled the note in red in my planner. "I won't."
Ever since we moved the corporate offices to California, I have been closer to my best friend. It was great, and I definitely didn't miss the small-town life. My father had gotten a wild hair up his ass one day and decided when he retired, he wanted to do it on the beach. My mother's only argument was to leave the plethora of adoring minions she had collected back home. So my brother stayed behind and ran the offices there, commuting back and forth, working on opening new branches of the company.
The expansion was fast and stressful. I was left to do basically everything my brother was doing as the expected heir to the throne my father would retire from soon. But it was what it was. It wasn't like I didn't get paid a shit ton. And my father bought me a beautiful house on the water to thank me for my "sacrifice." California fit me better anyway.
I headed to the conference room and began setting up the presentation. I used to get nervous doing them. But after my seventh one, I stopped being scared, realizing that the only person judging me was my father. And even though he had been extra picky lately for some reason, I knew he was molding me into what had kept the company successful for a very long time.
Just as I finished setting up and was going over my notes, the execs began filing in, my father making the final entrance as usual. He was always so damn dramatic. He gave me a nod once everyone was seated, and I launched into everything. I didn't hesitate or waste time, those meetings tended to take several hours, and I knew that my father didn't have much patience anymore.
The team was informative, everything went smoothly, and I made sure to cover the topics and points he had critiqued me on the last time.
"So, that's the summary. If you have any questions, as usual, shoot me an email or direct them to the head of your department. Tomorrow is Friday, so everyone, have a fantastic weekend."
I smiled at the others as they gathered their things and made their way out of the office. I liked those kinds of meetings. I didn't have to wonder if someone was going to ask me a question that I couldn't answer. My father was the kind of person that knew everything about everything going on in the company. I was still getting the hang of it. He was never pleased when I didn't have the answer to something. Anticipating others' questions was the most stressful part of my job.
When everyone had cleared, my father stood and clapped. It surprised me. I smiled and nodded. "Thanks, dad. Normal after meeting in your office?"
He pursed his lips and walked over to the window, putting his hand in his pocket. "No. I think you nailed it this time. I think you're turning into a fine leader in this company. My mission here is almost complete."
I walked over next to him and looked out at the ocean skyline in the distance. "You okay?"
"Hmm?" he said, turning to me. "Oh yes. I'm great. Just finding myself with less and less to handle each day because you guys are really getting ahead of it."
I kind of felt bad for him. All he had ever done was work to grow the company. He acted excited about retirement, but I had no idea what the man would do. I couldn't see him and my mother spending quality time together. They were married, they loved each other, but they had their own lives. My mother didn't have a choice. It was that or sitting around every day waiting for my father to come home.
"Well, we learned from the best," I said.
He smiled at me and took a deep breath, heading for the door. "Oh, tomorrow afternoon, we have an impromptu board meeting."
"Oh," I said, slightly panicked. "What do I need to prepare?"
He shook his head. "Nothing. The company has an announcement that the board members want to discuss. Don't worry yourself over it. You'll be fine. I sent a note to your secretary so she could put it on the calendar."
I nodded as he walked from the room, picking up the last of my things. My mind immediately went to the board meeting as I made my way back to my office. In all the time I had been in my position, there had never been an impromptu board meeting. And definitely, never one that I didn't know what was going to be discussed before I got in the room. My father always kept my brother and me abreast of everything.
When I got back to the office, I texted my brother, asking if he would be at the meeting.
Bro: No, not this one. Father is there in my place. Don't stress.
Me: Everyone telling me not to stress is making me stressed.
Bro: You, little sister, need to take a yoga class or something. You're becoming our mother.
