Chapter 3
Coming back from her lunch break, Emily couldn't stop thinking about the man she had seen before leaving. Truly, people are going through a lot. In more than one way, she was always reminded to be thankful for all she had. She was well aware that most of the people she grew up with had become pompous and boastful because of their wealth, but not Emily. She knew what it meant to work hard for everything.
Even when she could have easily gotten everything, her parents ensured that she worked hard for it. Growing up, if Emily wanted extra money apart from her monthly allowance, she had to do house chores to get it. She hated it while growing up, she would always lock herself in her room and cry her eyes out. She kept saying that her parents don't care for her, if they did, they wouldn't make her work so hard for things. How dumb she was back then.
She was more than grateful for those lessons now. Emily had learned the hard way that life wasn't easy and that she may not always get what she want. Her parents had been kind enough to teach her how to adapt and survive, nonetheless.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Sandra's greetings.
"Welcome back ma'am."
"Yes, Sandra. Do I have any messages?"
"None at all ma."
"Is my father still here?" Mr. Keller had decided to hang around and see what he can do to convince Emily. The more reason why Emily had to leave his company for him. She didn't like eating out, especially in the afternoon. But she just couldn't sit in her office, chewing on a burger while having her father breathe down her neck. She was scared that she would choke on a pickle.
"No ma'am. He left a few minutes after you stepped out." Emily shook her head as she advanced to her office. "Umm, ma?"
"What is it, Sandra?"
"He said I should remind you to think about what he said. That there is a lot riding on your next decision. And ma, if I may, I think that whatever it is that he wants, you should just do it. He is the founder of the company. He knows what's best to do with it."
Oh Sandra, if only you knew what he wanted. You wouldn't be asking me to do that.
Emily thought as she smiled.
"I'll think about it." It was best to not tell the young girl that she was about to lose her job. She knew that the girl had just graduated from college and had no experience whatsoever. Firing her after she had stayed with her for just five months won't look good on her résumé.
After spending the next few hours reading about Mr. Richard's company, trying to find a hole she can use to penetrate into it, Emily was exhausted and starving. She decided to just leave.
"I'm done for the day, Sandra. You can close early too if you wish." Emily said as she searched for her car keys inside her Louis Vuitton handbag. She was getting really tired of driving herself around town, she just hoped that she will get a new driver soon. The nerves of the old one to demand more money and fewer working hours.
"Okay, thank you ma," Sandra said as she watched her boss leave. Sandra admired Emily more than anyone else in the company. She was the type of boss lady Sandra dreamed of being one day. She just hoped that would get the chance to redeem herself.
Emily's thoughts were being flooded by the handsome man she had seen. She couldn't believe that one person could be that handsome. She remembered telling Williams about it and how his appearance suddenly changed.
…"So, how have you been? It feels like it's been ages since we last met." Williams asked while grinning. Emily could see that he was more than happy to be sitting across from her. When she realized that her father wouldn't stop pestering her, she had excused herself to go to the bathroom and as soon as she was there she placed a call to Williams, asking him if he was up for a lunch date. She could literally hear his squealing as he said yes.
"I've been good. Tell me, how have you been?"
"Here and there. Just working, trying to close some deals." It was always the same thing with Williams. He was always about work and perfecting his skills. He never had time for fun. If not for Emily, he would have gotten through college without so much as going to a single party.
"Okay, let's not talk about work now. Ohhh, guess what happened today?"
"I don't know. Why don't you tell me?" Williams said as he took a bite of his burger.
"I met this guy. I didn't even get his name, but my God, he was so handsome." Williams immediately stopped chewing. He didn't like it when Emily made mention of any other guy, especially when she talked about how handsome the man was.
"Where did you meet this guy?" He forced himself to say.
"Outside my father's company. He was dehydrated and needed a bottle of water, so I told the receptionist to get him one."
"Was that all that happened?" She hated how he always sounded like a big brother or a jealous lover whenever she talked about another guy in his presence. Emily wasn't a fool, she saw the signs, she knew that Williams had feelings for her but she had always hoped that he would just get over it when he notices that she wants nothing more than to just be this friend. But no, Williams never got the point. He continued fussing over her and she continued trying to get him to fall out of love with her by showing interest in several men.
"Yes, that was all that happened. How was your day?"…
She smiled as she swerved into her father's compound. Her father had not allowed her to leave home even when she could easily afford it. He was persistent about the fact that she would only leave after she had gotten married. Emily wasn't in a haste though, she loved the thought of staying with her mother. The woman did get very lonely sometimes and with Emily being her only child, she felt she had a duty to keep her company.
She jumped out of her car, ignoring the pains her bones were screaming at her.
"Derek!" She called to her security man.
"Yes, ma'am," He answered while running towards her.
"Did anyone come today to show interest in being my driver?"
"No ma. No one came for it."
"Gosh, it's been three days, Derek. Are you sure you placed the sign in a place where people could see it?"
"Yes, ma. It's just outside the gate."
"Well, why is no one showing interest? I really can't do this anymore. My entire body aches."
"I'm really sorry about that ma. If no one shows interest by tomorrow, I will place an online ad for it."
"Thank you, Derek." Emily was sometimes amazed at how brilliant her father's security man was.
She walked inside and was surprised to see her mother waiting for her by the door. One look at her face and she knew what she wanted.
"No. Mom, no. I am tired and I need to rest."
"Okay so take a shower and then come down and get some food into your body, but we will still talk about this."
"Really? Why mom?"
"Because you know your father doesn't give empty threats. He is as serious as the day is bright and you ought to take him seriously, young lady."
The one thing her parents did that she hated so much was when they would insist on calling her 'young girl'. Shouting and throwing a fist has never stopped them in the past and Emily knew that it wouldn't stop them now.
She gave a loud sigh as she walked away from her.
"I am not done talking to you, Em."
"Well, I am done listening to you, mom." Her mom followed her to her room. She wasn't going to give up without a fight.
Like mother, like daughter.
Immediately Emily entered into her room, her mom was hot on her tail. She banged the door behind her.
"Really mom? You know I won't change my mind about this."
"All your life what you have really wanted is to own that company and now you want to throw it all away because of a secretary?"
"Mom, you were the same person who taught me to not care about people's status in the society. To see everyone as human and treat everyone equally. Sandra made a mistake, yes but she is apologetic about it and it's not as if she did it on purpose. She is a good secretary and I will not fire her for one stupid mistake."
"Well, if you won't fire her then find a way to abate your father's anger because he is really angry. Do something about the girl, something that will prove to him that you are not weak."
"Okay, mom."
"Promise me you'll think about it."
"I will think about it. Can you please leave now, I need to freshen up."
"Okay, I'll be waiting for you downstairs. Don't be long."
Mrs. Keller walked up to her and hugged her. It was exactly what Emily needed.