Just before I leave, I find myself drawn to the photo of my parents that I can stand to look at. Since I lost them three years ago, maybe I should be more over it now, but I’m not at all. The senseless, needless way they were stripped from the world still crushes me painfully every single day. I grab the photo off the shelf and I run my finger idly along my mother’s face. She has dark hair, just like mine, and a bright, beaming smile. I recognize a lot of myself in her, which only makes me miss her even more. My mother was warm, kind hearted, and would do anything for anyone. There’s no reason at all her wonderful soul should have been taken from this Earth.
Then there’s my dad. I don’t look much like him, aside from the green eyes and tall stature, but I get my fierce ambition from him. That’s why all of this failure hits harder and why I definitely can’t take the easy way out and get a buyer. I inherited this business from him, before then I was merely an employee, and I need to make it a success. When I got it from him, it was a low level start up tech company and I made it explode. Of course, as Barry said, I pushed too hard and I expanded too quickly, but that’s all come from a good place. I just want to make this work for him. I want him to see that I’m worthwhile. Maybe that’s why I’m such a control freak about it. There’s been so much happening in my life that I’ve had no power over. This I need to control.
“I’m sorry, Dad,” I mutter to the picture. “I didn’t mean to make such an epic fuck up of things. That was never my intention. I just want to make Debroils Enterprises a name that means something, you know?” I sigh loudly, knowing that I probably sound like a crazy person right now. “That’s why I’m doing everything that I can to keep it. I won’t give up. Never ever!”
&n
bsp; He stares lifelessly back at me from the picture frame, like a constant reminder that he’s gone. If he was here with me, I just know that he’d give me the absolute best advice that I could ever want. He would know the answer much better than me. That’s probably why he kept it small because he was wiser than me, he could always see the much bigger picture that however hard I try, I just can’t. But he isn’t here. He’s gone, and I’m in a mess of my own making. The only person that can get me out of this is me. And Grant. Good old Grant, get me out through this mess.
Just before I make another move to go home, I pull out a bottle of Brandy that I keep stored in the locked drawer at the bottom of my desk for emergencies just like this one. There’s a small tumbler in there as well so I can only pour myself a small measure. I don’t want to ever get wild at work. That’s the last thing this company needs. Once poured, I spin in my chair to look over the city as I take a big swig of the cool, delicious liquid that warms me up as it slides down my throat.
I can’t lose all of this, it just isn’t possible. I can’t let go of the last thing my father left for me. I know that Barry understands and I can also see that he only has my best interests at heart, but this is something I need to do. I have to keep fighting, right up until the very last moment. I’ll throw my heart and soul into it, I’ll give it all I’ve got, I’ll be willing and open to change, I’ll even stop being a stubborn control freak and I’ll listen. Whatever Grant tells me, that’s what I’ll do. I have to. For Mom, for Dad, for their legacy and for myself too.
Chapter Four – Katy
Nerves cascade through my system as I make my way down town to the Debroils Enterprises office for an emergency meeting with the owner there because his company is having some serious financial issues and they need a new plan. I wasn’t intending to take on any more clients until after the partner decision meeting, but since Grant asked me in front of two of the senior partners, including Doug Harrison himself, I felt like I couldn’t say no. To be honest, I don’t know if that was an intentional thing. I don’t know if he meant to throw me under the bus like that in a way to sabotage me, but here I am, doing it for him, wondering how I allowed myself to get railroaded.
It doesn’t matter now, I tell myself firmly as I step much quicker. I just need to do a good job, that’s all that matters. Screw Grant, screw worrying, I just need to prove myself.
Maybe I can use this as a way to make myself look even more suited to the position. After all, it isn’t me who said I didn’t have the time, it’s Grant. That won’t exactly look good, will it? I mean, I might end up pulling a lot of all nights, but again it’ll all be worth it.
The only night I absolutely cannot back down on is Friday. I can’t be in the office then no matter what. It’ll be the absolute last straw with Robyn since she’s been planning a low key night out for my birthday ever since last year. I promised, and after the double date nightmare I cannot do it again. I just can’t. No matter what, Friday is to be kept free.
I have to admit when I stand at the foot of the Debroils Enterprises building, I’m impressed. I’ve been to a lot of offices in my time, but this just screams ‘luxury’. What a shame that it’s all just a sham and that it’s all falling apart. I clutch my briefcase closer to me and shake my head in dismay. The best looking things are always the messiest inside.
Right, I think with sheer determination. Get in there, make this work somehow.
Easier said than done, I know, but I have to put my best foot forward. I step inside and head to the front desk where a bored looking receptionist with the longest nails taps away at her computer. She types so fast, even quicker than me, so I have to assume that she’s not really writing anything at all. I guess she’s one that’s just an expert at making herself look busy.
I stand in front of her desk, waiting for her to give up the rouse and finally acknowledge me. She knows that I’m in front of her, my shadow is casting over her, this must be a power play on her part. I don’t care if she wants to play that, if that’s what makes her happy. I need the moment to get my brain in order anyway, to prepare myself for this unexpected job.
“Yeah?” she finally drags her eyes away from the screen to ask in a tone that shows no respect whatsoever. Much as it gets my back up, I refuse to rise to the bait.
“Oh thank you, I didn’t want to interrupt you. I’m looking for Evan Debroils.” I only remember it so well because it’s such an unusual name. “Do you know where I might find him?”
“Top floor. Elevator’s there.” She pointes behind her then gets right back to fake typing again, effectively ending the conversation before I can get a chance to say anything else. Maybe this rudeness is something I should mention to Evan, but it seems she works for the building rather than his office.
“Right, thank you.” I’m not going to let her rudeness affect my behavior.
I make my way over to the elevator and wait for it to descend. Luckily because it’s late morning now, there aren’t hundreds of people jostling to get inside like I’m sure there are early on in the day. I need this alone time to steel myself. The thing is, I always have confidence when I go into meetings, that’s essential for getting people to believe in me and in Harrison and Associates, but that’s always because I’ve had time to do some solid research and I’m properly focused. It’s just lucky that after filing the paper work for Mr. Thomas that there isn’t anything I can do for him for the moment, but I still don’t feel as focused as I’d like to be.
I need to recover from that quickly though, because it’s almost time for me to put my brave face on! I need to remember who I am, how hard I’ve worked, how I can do this.
I step into the elevator and take some deep breaths. I slide my eyes closed to center myself, which isn’t easy because of the terrible music playing over my head. Why do people think that elevator rides can’t just be silent? It’s beyond me! It’s a time to focus and relax. I don’t need tinny, horrible, old fashioned music getting in the way of that.
Before I feel like I’ve had enough time, the elevator stops and the doors open wide, bringing me right into the middle of the office space. Workers scurry busily around me, completely ignoring my existence as if they’re used to people randomly bursting in during the day… which judging by the elevator positon, I suppose they are. To me, it’s strange, like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
I tentatively step forward, wondering who the face of the company is, the person that I’m supposed to talk to right away. There’s usually a clearly indicated desk, but not here. I can’t help but wonder if it’s designed to confuse people on purpose. Suppliers, clients, visitors, they are already at a disadvantage for not understanding the structure properly.
“Hello there, Miss,” a syrupy voice grabs my attention. “Can I help you please?”
I twist to see an intimidatingly sexy woman smiling back at me. She’s one of those who might not be a classical beauty, but knows what she has and she works with it well. Her face is painted to the max, she has red lips that are almost intoxicating, her blonde hair falls past her shoulders in waves, and her clothes are tailored perfectly to her frame. She’s the sort of woman that I imagine men desire to work with, she’s like an office fantasy brought to life in front of me.
I glance down at myself, seeing a crisp, slightly washed out and very tired version of myself. I know that I can look better, I just don’t ever have the time to. And to be honest, people respect lawyers who look all business rather than someone with a face full of make-up. Still right now that doesn’t make me feel any less intimidated. I’m like the nerdy girl faced with the cheerleader.
“I, erm…” I can feel my face flame with embarrassment which is very annoying. “I’m here for a meeting with a Mr. Evan Debroils this morning. I’m the lawyer.”
“Oh, right sure.” I almost sigh with relief that she’s expecting me. “Please come with me.”