Chapter 36

As I walk towards the supposed boardroom. My mind is still reeling with the question of what if I get fired? I pull my skirt down, it is decent but I can't help but feel exposed. Every single eye in the office watches my every move. I breathe through my hands before opening the door. I am not surprised by the familiar faces I find in the room. It consists of seven people, only one is new. Ruby, is the youngest woman to be included in the Forbes. She owns a textile company. My eyes move to each one of them. I find Daniels staring at me. My Dad couldn't stand him. He is a Nigeria oil tycoon with six wives. He would joke about how he would make me his seventh. What I couldn't stand is how his hand would seemingly wander to my body. I shake the nightmare away only to find Angela sneering at me. The bitch always tried to seduce my father, she was his marketing manager until he had to fire her. I walk towards the empty seat near my Uncle. If only I knew today all of my fathers' enemies would be in one room. I would have carried my gun or worn my bomb vest. I say my hello's before getting comfortable. My uncle pays no attention to my presence. His head is buried in a heap of papers. I steal a few glances at him. He bears a striking resemblance to my father. He was easily confused about being the oldest. My father loved him very much despite having different mothers. He gave up his dreams, worked odd jobs to pay for his tuition. But he betrayed him. I grip my phone, I am tempted to jump on the table and stab him with the pen he is holding. The door is opened and Quinn walks in a hurry. There are two empty seats and I pray he chooses the one beside Angela. I grunt when he smirks at me and with his long legs he strides toward me. He offers his apology. He can apologize to the whole world but not me. The meeting commences and I find myself zoning out. I am just disgusted by these people talking about how to run my father's empire. They were never there when he moved door to door delivering food for his startup hotel. They didn't fill their drawers with Jacaranda flowers for good luck wishes. And everything they say is the opposite of my father's vision. He wanted the Cooper businesses to remain a family affair. He never believed in having a board of directors, my uncle was his only consultant and advisor and neither would he ever consent to his business. going public. My attention is zeroed back when I hear the name, Lauren Black. That's was my mother's name. I can't believe they sold her businesses. They were everything to her, they were a gift from my father. So easy for people to dispose of something they have never worked to feed their greed. I turn when I hear my uncle call my name, I turn to him as he continues to rain praise on my work."This young girl report is impressive." He passes a copy to every one of us. "She audited historical data dated ten years ago to present, from it as you can see it the entity can recover from its losses without going public." The company hasn't been making any losses. The figures have been cooked and I am left to wonder how my uncle didn't realize that, he is a CPAK all I suspect is that the Nickel's have a hand in it. And I know they are the ones pushing for the company going public for whatever motives they have. I feel Quinn move closer before he whispers. "I can't believe you went behind my back and did all this," Unbelievable! "Was I suppose to include you?" I mutter. "I am your superior," He says. "Yeah right." I huff. "What is that suppose to mean?" "Your double standards are disgusting, you want an explanation as to why I did what I did but you cannot offer one as to why you left me in that hotel. How entitled are you?" I don't realise my voice has been high until the boardroom falls silent. I turn to my uncle and he raises an eyebrow at me. I immediately stand and rush out. To say the truth I am not embarrassed by my outraged. I just find it as an advantage that allowed me to get out of that room. I walk towards the C.E.O office, I don't know why but I keep on walking. I find it open and walk-in. It is nothing like I remember it. It is a huge office with extravagant interior design. My father was a minimalist, some of his subordinates had bigger offices than him. On the wall, a photo of my father and his brother is hanged. I stand and stare at it. Other than the photos I have from the papers and the internet, I never got a chance to carry some of my parents' photos. Today must be the worst of them all. Everything reminds me of my father. I stride towards the C.E.O's seat. Behind it still the words I curved, 'The Coopers' Run the world' are still visible despite several coats of paint. The act angered my father but he came around it saying that was the best art in his office. I trace my fingers over it and I feel a tear fall. I wipe it, I can't afford tears at this point in my life. "What are you doing in here?" I am startled and I jump to find My Uncle's secretary glaring at me. "Sorry, I was just lost." I rush past her. Why did I allow myself to come to the one place that held so many memories? The boardroom door is still closed, I have no intention of going back there. I spot Courtney and Theo. For a second I think Theo sees me but the focus goes back to the juice box he is holding. They walk towards Quinn's office. A few minutes later the directors start to walk out. My uncle asks me to report to his office tomorrow morning. Now what? I can't help but wonder. A majority of them have left, my mission is to get my bag and go home. It has been a hectic day. Just as I am about to walk in, I hear Mr Nickel talking to Quinn. Of course, the had an agenda that is why Quinn is here. It wasn't enough for him to put my father in prison, have him killed now he wants to take away everything he owns. Not this time. More than you could ever be." I walk in just when I hear him question his son's masculinity. The things he has done to me are enough proof of his manhood, literally. "Stay away from my family's business." He warns me. "Too late now, you should also have stayed away from mine," I state at that moment I am willing to let all my secrets out just to put this old man where he belongs. "Are you crazy, you are a nobody I don't see at any point I would be interested in your family." He turns to Quinn. "Deal with this before I do." He points to me. He gathers his briefcase and jacket before leaving. The room falls silent and cold. I take calculated steps towards my bag, I just want to get away from all the tension. I feel Quinn's hand move around my waist pulling me to him. I suck in the air as my heartbeat quickens. I lift my head to meet his intense gaze. The anger I held this morning has dissolved to half after hearing him defend me. I wish he did that in public too. "I am sorry. " It is a whisper. And just like that, the other half disappears. Who is this girl, when did I become this weak? I look away before he notes my weakness he gently turns my face to his. I think he is about to kiss me, if he does will I kiss him back after everything? Well, I don't get to know the answer to my question. "You bastard..." We both turn to the door where Theo and Courtney are standing.