"Grace, I am very grateful for all those years you spent with our company to bring it to its current level. However, I would like you to hand over the company to your sister, Vivian," my father said as if it meant nothing to him.
I am Grace Crownwell, a woman who lives up to her name. I've fulfilled every promise I ever made. I remember when my mother left this earth; we were, of course, heartbroken. My father wouldn't leave his room, and the CW company suffered greatly. I was 18 at the time and knew very little about business, especially as I was studying medicine. My father's assistant visited every day in case my father emerged, which was rare. Mr. William Carver, my father's assistant, wasn't adept at handling business, but he tried his best. He shared the company's issues with meâpending employee payments, deals with investors, and more. He suggested that since my father wasn't leaving his room and I was the only family left, I should take matters into my own hands. I agreed and left studying medicine to take over the company. I promised everyone that I would raise the company to new heights and take care of the pending payments. Despite doubts, I fulfilled my promises, working tirelessly day and night. I succeeded, paying everyone their salary, clearing debts, and making the company one of the best.
My father's mental health improved when he met his ex, Ms. Cassandra Throne. She has a daughter about my age, Vivian Throne. After Ms. Cassandra's arrival, my father reverted to his original state. Something felt fishy, even though Vivian and I were the same age we didn't get along.
It's been eight years since I took over the company and seven years since my father married his ex. Today, we were having dinner, and my father suggested handing over the company to my stepsister, Vivian, who doesn't even know how to manage anything. I never personally disliked Vivian, but now I am not sure how to feel about it.
"Pardon me, Father, what did you just say?" I asked, hoping I misheard.
"I said, I think it's about time you hand over the company to your sister Vivian," he replied.
"First of all, she is not my sister, and second, I refuse," I asserted.
"It wasn't a request; it was an order," he stated.
"And what makes you think you can do that? I was the reason we survived. I was the reason the company is where it is today. How can you kick me out?" I questioned.
"I own the company, and I will do whatever I want. Now, no more disturbance. Tomorrow, I will announce it to the media," he declared. I stared at my father in disbelief, feeling all my hard work was going to waste. I glanced at Vivian, who smirked back at me. I couldn't believe this. I stood up from my seat, walked out of the dining room, ignoring my stepmother, Cassandra's fake concerned questions, and shut the door behind me. There wasn't anything I could do since my father owned the company. I was extremely tired and decided to sleep.
I woke to a loud knock on my bedroom door. I strictly told everyone not to knock loudly, so I wondered who it could be. I opened the door to find my Cassandra, who made a horrible face at me.
"How dare you just wake up? Hurry up and shower; we have a very important deal at noon," she said.
"Well, I was just kicked out of my company yesterday. What kind of deal could I do? Let me sleep in today; I haven't slept in, in eight years," I replied and went back to bed.
"What do you think you are doing, young lady? Get up and go take a shower right now, or else I will keep banging on your door," she threatened.
"Fine, I will, only if you leave my room and never knock loudly," I responded. She whispered something under her breath and chuckled.
"What did you say?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing. I said the maid will bring your clothes in a few minutes," she replied. I hummed in response and went to shower, wondering what kind of deal she was fuming about.
I got out of the shower wearing a bathrobe. There was indeed a dress on my bedâa soft pink, long dress with long sleeves. It was beautiful, I wore it and did my hair. As soon as I was done I heard a knock on my door.
"Come in," I said, It was Cassandra.
"Are you ready? Now come on; let's go," she said. She was wearing a black sleeveless dress. I walked out of my room to the living room. Vivian and my father were already sitting there. Vivian wore a dark grey dress slightly different than mine, My father was in his formal attire. We all walked out and sat in our car; the driver took us to a grand hotel. It was a beautiful place. Right before we went to our table, my father whispered something in my ear.
"Don't you dare embarrass me here," he said.
I was confused since I never embarrassed my father. We went to a table where two people were already sittingâa man and a woman, married couples. They smiled at us, especially at me, and I smiled back. We settled down, and there was still an empty chair beside me.
"I am so sorry; he is running late. He will be here soon," the woman said. Just then, a very handsome young guy walked in and sat on the chair beside me, he looked a little older than me maybe he was 28? I wondered.
"I am so sorry; I got late. The traffic was harsh," he said.
"Oh no, that's fine," my father replied.
"Since everyone is here, let's get straight to the point," Cassandra said, rudely, in my opinion.
My father cleared his throat and said,
"Okay, so, Grace, meet Theodore Grant. He is going to be your future husband..."