Chapter 41: Chapter 39

Song: ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra

And now the end is here

And so I face that final curtain

My friend I'll make it clear

I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full

I traveled each and every highway

And more, much more

I did it, I did it my way

........................................................................

ELIJAH’S POV

“What is it?” I asked as we stepped out of Marge’s office.

“What is what?” she questioned back.

“You said you wanted to show me something, what it is?” both of us know very well that why we are here but two can play the game.

“Oh you very well know why we’re here,” she folded her arms, “Who is she and why she’s here?” her tone demanding answers.

Margaret and I first became acquaintances when I first joined the office, I was back home from Harvard for winter break, and Dad wanted me to work with him during this time as a part of training to one day eventually take over the company. Marge was already working with us for 4 years and because Dad was so impressed with her work and personality he wanted me to be on her team, back then she wasn’t the head designer but she checked all the boxes to be one, hardworking, creative, assertive, charming, and a go-getter.

Marge didn’t know who I was as none of us told her as per Dad’s instructions, he didn’t want me to have the privilege of being a CEO’s son, and to be honest, I don’t think it would’ve made a difference either if she knew. She’s not an easy person to work with, her work ethics are so strong, they’re unbendable, with her you can’t be less than 100% and if you are she’ll ensure you reach that mark or you’re nowhere.

She’s my mentor, I’ve learned so much from her and now we’re very good friends, she’s one of a few people I genuinely respect and who knows me more than a little.

So it’s no magic that she can call out my bullshit.

“Your new target”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Is she an imposter like you, pretending to be an ordinary person but she’s not? You were the only person Richard has ever recommended to me in all these years” She taunted with a raised eyebrow.

“Don’t compare her to me, she’s just a brat I want you to put back in her place,” if only I could tell who she actually is.

“Okay, keep talking,” she started walking towards the coffee room as I elaborated further.

“She’s a daughter of dad’s friend and now he’s imposing her on me,” I lied, or is it a lie? “You know I can’t handle an immature and incompetent person just because she’s privileged. Just do me a favor, okay, keep her here for a month and then fire her. And trust me, you won’t have to put any effort to do it, she’s completely useless.”

“Hmm, I don’t know,” she mixed her coffee and then looked straight into my eyes, searching, “I don’t think your analysis is right this time, I have a feeling she has something about her.” She shrugged as she sipped her coffee.

“Trust me, she has nothing, as I said just a spoilt brat,” I said as I took a sip of mine.

“Well, I’ll be a judge of that, who knows she might be better than you, after all, she’s in my hands now, and I can turn dust into gold.” She challenged with arrogance.

“This dust will remain dust, I can tell,”

“You’re rather arrogant today. Why are you so negative about her, what’s the story?” she asked reading between the lines.

“There’s no story, I just want you to wreak her or better just be yourself, It's the same thing. Just make sure she’s out of here for good.”

“There’s definitely a story that you’re not telling me,” She paused as she observed me, “Okay, but just this once.” She said sternly, “And hey, I’ll do it in my own way and I won’t be unfair, alright?” she stood her ground.

“You won’t have to, I assure you,”

“Okay then, we have a deal,” we shook hands, “and don’t forget you owe me one now,” I nodded in affirmation.

“Hey Marge,” I stopped before leaving.

“Fuck her up.” I don’t know why I said that but I felt like I needed to. She examined me for a while but nodded anyways.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I was in deep thoughts when Dad entered my office. It’s been a week since that day and I feel so much at peace. I feel stupid for not thinking about this before, if I had I won’t have had to look at her face for so long. My floor feels like it has regained its sanctity, no one is constantly barging into my space and no one is being clumsy here either.

Out of sight but not out of the mind, eh? You just can’t stop thinking about her ever since.

I ignored my subconscious, I have more important matters at hand, and one of them is sitting in front of me.

“What do you want Dad?” I asked

“For how long are you going to ignore me, son? You don’t take my calls either.” Dad complained dejectedly.

“As long as that contract holds up,” I answered.

“What I did was for your own good,” he emphasized with a hint of plea.

“Well, you don’t know what’s good for me,” I accused, “you got what you wanted but these are the consequences of your decisions.”

I know he wanted to say much more but refrained from it, probably judging by my lack in this conversation. After a while, he started again nonetheless.

“Alright son, I hope one day you’ll see it,” he huffed with a heavy heart, “anyways, I came here to invite you both for the family dinner your mother is hosting tonight as you’re not taking her calls as well. Now, it’s up to you if you want to come or not, just remember how your mother will feel if you won’t come.”

“I’ll think about it,” I tried to end the conversation but he wasn’t ready for it.

“So, how you’re and Hannah doing, I assume you guys are getting along now?” Is he serious?

I wanted to give him a piece of my mind on how we’re doing but held myself back as I didn’t want another lecture, besides, the lesser they know the better. And that was the plan all along to pretend to be a getting to know each other so be it.

“We’re fine, doing fine,”

“Good, that’s good,” he smiled skeptically, “where is she, call her here and I’ll invite her myself?” he gleamed excitedly

“She not here, she’s with Margaret.”

“Why with Margaret, why not here, I told you to keep her with you,” he asked getting angry.

“I’m not her babysitter, Dad, to keep her in front of my eyes all the time,” I retorted back, “Also, I’m busy, it was better for her to be with Marge if she really want to learn.”

“But…”

“But what? We’ve made this decision ourselves, if she doesn’t have a problem then why do you have one? Please stop interfering in our personal matters.” I said in agitation but with a calm voice.

“Because I know you, Elijah, that’s why,” gone was his longing voice, “I’ll just meet her myself and ask,”

For God’s sake, what is this man?

When he left, I quickly picked up my cell phone and typed a text.

‘Dad’s stopping by.

Don’t fuck up.”