Breathe

"Brenda sweety, how is work taking you?" My mother asks me.

"It's good mom," I answer her and look at my dad who is throwing daggers at me. What does he think, I am not working?

"If only I could understand what she is been teaching me. I am sure her work would be great." Belinda says and we all laugh.

"Belinda, you are still giving her a hard time?" My father asks her.

"Yes, I am trying."

"Keep up, you will get it." My mother encourages her, and Belinda nods at her.

"Mrs. Kaden, this porridge is so good. It tastes the same as…" Belinda starts.

There we go, I knew it. There is no way Belinda will ever drink the damn porridge without bringing up Brandon. And just like that, my hope for a normal day has been thrown away.

"Yes." Mrs. Kaden answers and looks at me. I raise my eyebrows at her and she looks at the porridge Belinda is holding.

"No, no. Mrs. Kaden no." I tell her shaking my head.

"You still hate porridge, it's so sweet," Belinda says and starts to stand to give me the porridge.

I stand up fast and everyone laughs, I don't sit back down and I tell Mrs. Kaden, "Thanks. The breakfast is good. As always." I take my plate into the kitchen and wash them.

I go to my bedroom and take my car keys ready to head out to work.

"Brenda, have a nice day sweety." My mother tells me and I left.

"Are you okay?" I read a message from my father and reply to him that I am okay.

Why would he think I am not fine?

I am fine. Today is that day where I get to be free and care about nothing.

"Good morning, Ms. Keys, can I drop you off?" My driver asks me and I tell her no I ask her to enjoy the day and I will call her if I need her to bring me home from work.

She smiles at me and I enter my car and drive away. I like it this way, I have to have my thoughts, not that the driver would disturb me but aargh! I just love it this way.

"Good morning, Ms. Keys." The doorman greets me.

"Hello, how are you. How is your wife?" I ask him.

"She is fine, actually she wants to talk to you about something. She wanted me to ask you if she could come to the office tomorrow?"

"Oh, that's…" I start and stop as I remember tomorrow, I will be busy.

"Oh, don't worry Ms. Keys, if you are busy tomorrow. I can ask her to make an appointment with your assistant." He says and looks down.

"Hey, no need for that. Do you remember what I said when my father gave me the company? We are all family. So, you are family, and there is no need for an appointment. Tell her to come to see me tomorrow." I tell him and wait for an answer.

Even though every nerve in my body is screaming, no. I have to accept to meet the woman, my plans for tomorrow can wait.

"Okay, thank you Ms. Keys. I will inform her. Are you sure there are no inconveniences?"

"Yes, I reassure you. It's okay. Have a good day."

"You too Ms. Keys. Thank you!" He said smiling.

I walk to my office, greeting back anyone who greets me.

"Hi, Ms. Keys." My assistant says and I greet him back, entering my office. I look at the coach in my office and I want to throw myself on it.

"Breathe Brenda, breathe. It's a normal day, remember?" I tell myself and hung my blazer on the hanger.

My work phone dings with a notification and it's a text from my assistant, I read it, "the accountant is here, I have told him you have just entered but he says it's important."

"Okay, let him in," I reply and take my seat.

"Good morning?" I greet him as soon as he enters and I point a chair for him to sit.

"Sorry for just coming like this, but I wanted to remind you before we send out the salary." He says and I nod at him. My employees wanted me to talk to each of them after they get paid.

"Yes, that is all. Thank you." He said and left.

"Seriously? That is what he wanted to tell me?" I ask myself and look at my day's schedule.

"Can I come in?" I read a message from my assistant and reply a yes.

"How are you? Today we have…" My assistant read to me the work schedule and after he is done, he leaves the office. I have to say, being a boss sucks. I am sure if I was doing something else right now I would be smiling proudly at myself.

Dad?

I look at my phone which is vibrating and it's my father calling, what does he want? Picking up he smiles at me and says, "surprise, open your office door."

"What? You are here?" I ask him and he nods and I stand to go and open the door.

"Hey Dad, what are you doing here?" I ask my father and allow him to enter the office.

"I am busy now, cancel my meetings." I send my assistant a text and take a seat.

"Hey come here, you are not my boss," my father says patting the space to him on the couch.

"Sure dad."

"How are you? Is work taking you okay?" Inquired my dad while staring at me in the eyes.

"Yes," I say looking down.

"Liar. Do I need to come back?" I asked looking worried.

"No, work is going well dad. I told you I can do this." I reassure him.

"Okay, but if you need any help just tell me. Okay?" my father says and I am sure if it was possible he would have given me a pinky as a form of promise.

"Yes sir," I say and salute him.

"Okay, enough of that, now it's picture time young lady." My father said standing, after he gave me the company, he decided to do what he loves, being a photographer.

And the way my dad is smiling at me, there is no way I can say no to him, work can wait!