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“Listen, Hilbert,” I call him by his last name just to add some extra disrespect. “I understand why you treat me the way you do.” I feel the air tense up as everyone braces themselves for the drama that is about to unfold.
Our marriage is not new to the company, and how it went isn’t either.
"I was married to you for five years, and in those harrowing, abusive, most unhappy times of my life, it was a fact that you abused me only because of the deep-seated insecurity about your own personal dissatisfaction with yourself.” I don't hold back as much because I'm enjoying it.
There are coughs and clearing of throats echoing across the room, with even mild bouts of laughter.
“Well, I should say I expected you to get sentimental. That’s what women do when they are…” he tries to defend himself.
“Shut the fuck up, you sexist bastard,” I silence him. “You will speak when I am done.” He turns red but goes silent. “I am the CEO of this company, and it wasn’t just an inheritance. I worked, studied, and built myself for this position. The decision to make me the head was a unanimous decision to which even you agreed.
“If you think I’m incompetent, then I dare you to take up a motion that would overthrow me and see how well that goes for you. But until further notice, I will tolerate no more sentimental comments in the middle of a meeting. Mine should be the last one.Capisce?”I conclude, taking in a huge breath.
That was a lot,I tell myself mentally.I shouldn't have to let off so much steam in the presence of people ever again.
This one was just necessary.
The speech dumbfounded everyone in the room, but most were impressed.
The ones that wouldn’t dare utter a word.
I even get a subtle congratulatory nod from Alan when I look in his direction, and I return the gesture.
“Now that that’s out of the way, can we start placing orders? Everything we need must be on the ground before we fully commence construction. Get the procurement manager on the line." I begin pushing the motion of the meeting, and everyone agrees, having had enough drama for one day.
With the level of hypocrisy and diplomacy that goes on in boardrooms and meetings like this, today is one that I’m sure a lot of them would go back home and tell their various spouses.
For me, that just felt good.
Throughout the meeting, Thomas seethes, shooting daggers at me with his icy blue eyes, much lighter in color than mine and seeming to portray the evil intent in his heart.
It really annoys me that Skylar had to take on that same eye complexion. Each time I look into my baby's eyes, all I see is him.It doesn't stop me from loving her any less, but it brings back some memories I would love to forget.
We wrap up the meeting, and almost as usual, I'm the last to leave, making sure every minute is accounted for so that I know what I'm supposed to do.
My secretary, Gretchen, hands over the documents, and I begin a detailed scrutiny of the meeting's minutes.
I make my own notations of things that are supposed to receive immediate attention.
I give her a look when I see that she had a subsection dedicated to the tongue-lashing I gave Thomas. It's hilarious, and rather than a scolding of any sort, I simply burst out laughing. It was really an unforgettable moment, more for the poor guy than anybody else.
Speaking of Thomas, our giggles are interrupted by the room door closing, and I lift my head to see the devil we were just laughing about approaching us.
Thomas was always a frail man. There was never too much flesh, fat, or muscle to top off his bones. He still manages, however, to balance that leanness with impeccable fashion. I would opine that he has a spending problem, but at least it enables him to dress appealingly.
His black suit blends with the lightless environment for a while until he comes into the only lit area in the room, where Gretchen and I are.
When he comes into the light, I see that there are very few details on the tuxedo. Just plain black with the textile finishing that clues me in about the thousands of dollars this would cost—not that my apparel is any cheaper anyway.
I didn't notice them before because I would never give more than a fleeting thought to a man who so brutally abused me unless he was the only one to focus on.
"I would like to speak to you," he mutters with venom in his voice.
"I'm listening.” I force my voice to be strong. He still has this effect on me when we are alone, making me feel like bursting into tears anytime I’m in his presence.
It’s some form of PTSD, because that's how I always felt when I was with him in the house. I won't let him see that that still affects me; it would only make him happier.
"Alone," he insists, sneering at Gretchen, who looks at me for our next line of action.
