Page 87 of Bad Habit
She looks up at me through her wet lashes and and her lips turn down slightly. “So you’re done chasing me?”
I reach out and wrap one hand around the back of her neck and gently pull her closer. “Yeah, baby, I’m done.” I use my other hand to wrap around and press into the smallest part of her back and help lift her up before giving her the softest kiss. I put every ounce of adoration for her in just the way my lips press into her. She’s the sunshine in the rain. And I’m not letting her go. I can feel her smile against my lips and I feel certainI gave her exactly what she came out here looking for. “Let me love you louder than you love everyone else.” I plead.
“You love me?” I can see her body vibrating just from the way she wants to start shit with me about declaring my love for her in the rain. Always such a menace.
“I really do.” Then she kisses me again, with so much more eagerness than she’s ever kissed me before. We aren’t alone and in a dark room in the middle of the night. Or an alley high on emotions. Or in the shower lust filled and hazy. We’re on the sidewalk on a rainy day and it’s never felt better.
MIA
My entire life my worth has only been measured in what I can do to better the image of my parents. Being pushed to create friendships that would lead to connections for them. My dating life was only for the betterment and longevity of the company. A company that they tore the foundation of into ribboned shreds of what it was meant to do. My grandmother has always loved history and she built the business to restore it.
My dad took it over and destroyed its entire purpose. He found how much more money there is in making new things instead of caring for old. He’s always lacked empathy and the heart it takes to see the beauty in the layers of things. He can’t see it in the buildings he was meant to protect and restore. And he has never taken the time to see it in the people he meets.
My grandmother has a love for restoring history. I want to make it.
I want to take the discarded young people that no one wants to spend the time helping because it’s hard and give them hope for a future. I want to build my own company of restoration. Growth happens in the grit used to weather the storms. Gigi taught me that. She taught me to see the potential in everyone I meet. Not a single person is innocent of the aggression of the world. And having access to opportunity truly does make the difference.
I never thought it was fair that I had more in life just because my parents did. They didn’t work hard for what we have, my grandmother did. And I want to break the mold of holding onto that wealth and opportunity. I want to spread it and make the world better.
Today I am supposed to take my spot on my father’s company’s board and start my career beside him. Because I now have access to the inheritance that Gigi gave me and I don’t have to get permission to do anything.
The boardroom door opens and my new assistant nods at me as I stand to take my spot at the head of the table. “They are all on their way.”
“Thanks, Davey.” Hiring him was kind of impulsive, but I trust him. He has a friendly face and doesn’t back away from my boldness. And when creating a team, I need that.
“You ready?” He asks, voice steady. Davey still bartends at night but turns out he has a business degree but hates business. He just loves people and interacting with them. When I sat him down and asked him to join me, there was zero hesitation in his agreement.
“The better question is if they are ready.” I wink at him right before the door opens behind him. He mouths the words “show time” to me before taking his spot in the corner. I take a breath and let the knowledge that I’ve been ready for this exact moment to unfold wash over me. I put on my best smile that my mom would make me practice before events so that way I wouldn’t embarrass them and ready myself for this meeting.
Everyone walks in and takes their seats, none concerned with the fact that I am standing in front of them. My dad raised me to be invisible unless I was needed. And I’m no longer obliging him. I wait for Dad to take his seat.
“Morning, gentleman.” I begin, “I know that we are all excited to see what I’m going to bring to the table by joining the board.” I motion around to where they are all sitting, looking each one of them in the eyes. And I land on Adam. He gets a seat because of his dad. It was one of the biggest reasons I stayed with him through it all. The idea of building anempire together appeared a dream. “As of a few weeks ago, I own thirteen percent of this company, giving me a vote on all decisions.” Some of them roll their eyes, a few others drop their heads to stare at their lap.
I am the only female in this room. And they see it as an annoyance to have to entertain this meeting. “And as much as I hate to spoil your excitement to be in my presence, I’m ready to start my presentation for my first project I’d like to work on.” I nod at Davey to pass out the paperwork. “As of eight this morning, all my shares were bought out and I no longer own any part of the company.” My dad’s eyes dart to me in shock, anger, and hesitation. Only five people have shares in the company. My father and Adam’s dad hold the largest shares at twenty five percent.
Adam and myself were given shares to keep the company holdings in the families with thirteen percent each. My grandmother holds twenty four, just under my father. She is always out voted because they vote against and they hold the board. The only way to overtake the board is by having the most control of the company.
“You can’t just sell your shares without consultation.” Adam speaks up with venom in his voice. I’m sure getting your nose broken and made a fool of is hard on your ego.
“Thank you so much for reminding them that you aren’t as dumb as you look.” I smile at him, “You’re close though.” Then I hold up my matching set of papers in the air. “But he is right. The only loophole is if I sell them to a pre-existing share holder. And considering they are all here but one,” I grin when the door opens.
She’s always perfectly on time. “Let me be the first to congratulate the now controlling share holder, Cheryl Cassidy.” My grandmother walks across the room with every bit of grace she gives every day. She exudes power wrapped in love.
“Miss me?” She grins at them all. Giving her back her company is the only good thing I could do with what my dad gave me by giving meshares. I’ve hated watching him take what was precious to her and run it into a money hungry climb to power.
“You can’t do this. I set you up for everything and this is how you repay me?” My dad stands abruptly.
“It’s all in the paperwork, dear. I assure you it was done legally and with the company’s best interest. And now she can go and do what she was created to do.” My grandmother defends me like she always does. I don’t know how she puts up with him as her son. I can barely cope with sharing the same DNA as him. She kisses me gently on the cheek, “Go on, I’ll handle the rest of this.” She beckons Davey to come join me, “I also like this young man, he’s got a kind soul.” She kisses his cheek too and I can’t help but smile brightly at the blush creeping across his cheeks.
“Mia, if you walk out that door…” I don’t let my dad finish as I throw up my middle finger and walk through the door that Davey is holding open for me. It’s unfathomable how liberating it is to walk away from everything that makes you feel caged.
I pace relentlessly while I wait for everyone to show up. I’m more nervous to do this than I was this morning facing that boardroom. I made Davey go to five different gas stations just to try and find cherry lifesavers. He finally gave up and just bought ten rolls of all the flavors and picked out the cherry ones.
I go back and forth between fear of them hating me and fear of this not working. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. Gigi also taught me that. And I’m the most uncomfortable right now that I have ever been. They think I am meeting them here in solidarity for Melinda meeting with her silent partner.
“Easy, sunshine. You’ll wear down those killer heels you have on.” Maxie’s voice instantly releases some of the pressure ballooning in my chest. I spin around on my heel to see the whole crew minus Eddie standing in the lobby of the hotel. I had to borrow a conference room since it was such short notice. I wrap my arms around Maxwell’s waist and squeeze as tight as I can. “It’s going to be all good!” He laughs softly, “We won’t let them take anything away from Melinda or the center.” I pull away and give him a shaky smile.
“Don’t mess with fighters.” Eli winks over Maxwell’s shoulder.
