AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Then it’s true. You don’t trust me.” Guilt fills the hole in the pit of my stomach. I remember when I almost cost my father this company.
I worked my ass off over the years to redeem myself, but it appears my father, of all people, still lacks faith in my ability to make the right decisions.
I turn away from the screen because I don’t want him to see the hurt I know I can’t hide from my face.
“Don’t you ever say that again,” he insists, drawing my attention back to the screen. “There is no one on this Earth who believes in you more than me.”
“There is one more,” my mother’s voice cuts in, and my fists tighten. She’s off screen, but my father’s eyes move to stare at something behind the camera, and I know she’s in his office. She’s never far from his side.
“Sorry, sweetness,” he mumbles. My mother is the only person my father apologizes to. “After your mother, there is no one who believes in you more.”
“Then why do I need a consultant to oversee this merger?” I ask.
“We all have weaknesses. Areas of growth where having a second pair of eyes can help.”
“I have enough help. I don’t need anyone overseeing me.”
My father frowns. “Is this about the interim position or the fact that you have to work with Ms. Martin?”
I look out of the window of my office, avoiding my father’s stare before answering. “I can do my job.”
“Then prove it.”
I turn back to face him.
“Listen, son. Times change. The industry is going through another shift. You’re poised to be at the forefront of the market shift and you can lead Townsend into the next era. But you will need the right guidance.”
“I get that from you,” I insist.
He nods. “You’ll also need more assistance to become truly attuned to your blind spots.”
“You didn’t have any consultants. Why the hell do I need any?”
His lips purse as he looks off screen again. “Because I want you to be better than me.”
That feels like a punch to the gut. My father is the epitome of success for me. There is no way to be better than him, in my eyes.
“You’ll work with Ms. Martin and ensure the success of this merger.”
I continue to pace in front of my desk, knowing the hard edge of his voice means that he won’t budge on this. I don’t even have a real fucking reason why I don’t want to work with Riley. I damn sure can’t tell my dad that for just a split second when I awoke with her in my bed, I didn’t want her to leave.
And I hadn’t even fucked her.
“That’s enough talk of work for now,” My mother’s voice pierces my thoughts. She appears on screen, taking a seat in my father’s lap. “How’s my baby doing? Are you eating enough?”
I swallow down my previous thoughts and shift my focus. “Hey, Ma.”
“Ma,” she mocks, making me smile despite myself. “Who is this woman that has you so upset?”
I glance at my father as he strokes his hands up and down the length of her arms. His attention is on her, not me.
“Don’t look at your father. What’s her name?” She leans in.
“No one.”
“That’s an interesting name.”
“She’s just … someone who they hired. Anyway, are you enjoying Paris?”
