After parking, I took a deep breath and changed to the personality that I had to show in the office.
Walk straight, head up, shoulders and back straight, never look down, and walk without talking to anyone to get respect. Those were the rules I had to follow to not get punished.
It was seven in the morning and people were starting to arrive. Once I walked in, people greeted me but I could only walk straight without looking at anyone. After reaching the office, I was able to let out a breath of relief and finally sat down without feeling awkward about having to walk in front of everyone.
“That was some walk right there.” looking up from the papers I had on my desk, I saw that Ryan was closing the glass door of the office.
“Hey, you have my coffee.” I said smiling at the sight of coffee.
“Yup, black with ten sugar packets.” he said taking the crumpled packets and putting them on my desk along with the coffee.
“I swear one day you’re not gonna have teeth.”
I shrugged,” I don’t have anyone to impress.”
“ what do you have to do today?”
“Business, if you want my schedule, the secretary has it.” I said pointing towards the woman that was sitting at the desk in front of my office.
“are you going to finish early today?”
“I think so, if you stop bothering me.”
“Fine, I know where I am not wanted… but remember I will see you at nine.”
“Go to work.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Ready?” Ryan said
Looking up I saw that he was already standing in front of me,” For what?” I said, narrowing my eyes at him in confusion.
“Are you not hungry? You only had coffee.”
“Oh right, let me just finish this and we’ll go.” I said signing the last paper and standing up to walk.
“Where do you think you are going?” said a voice that I knew too well and I had hope not to hear today.
Ryan froze for a minute before moving away to show who was behind him.
“Hello, uncle.”
“Hey, Ryan, How are you?” said my father, showing a smile that he only gave to the boys in the family. After all, that’s what he wanted his whole life.
“I’m good,how are you?” Ryan responded back to be polite but I knew he felt the tense atmosphere as much as I did.
“Hello, father.”
His smile and voice changed as soon as he saw me.
“ I need to talk to you about something important.” he said, taking a seat on the chair in front of the desk and I sat back down.
“I will see you later, Ryan.” I said and he only gave me a face of worry.
“I can’t believe you are bothering him while he is trying to work hard. I thought I taught you better about how to deal with my business.” The anger on his voice made me feel like the little girl I was before.
“Yes, sorry.”
“Anyway, I came here to tell you that you are getting married.” he said without even flinching or looking at me.” You really need to take care of my office better.”
“I am what?” I said trying to contain myself from acting shocked.
“ I said you are getting married.”
“But I can’t...Who is the person?” the panic could be heard from my voice.
“I am not asking, I am telling you that you are getting married to make a partnership. Don’t worry the person you are marrying is a girl. At least your sexuality came out useful too.”
“ That does not matter, if I marry what about my identity… are we not going to hide it anymore?”
“ Well, that is a problem for you. I am telling you that you are getting married, and your identity must never be known. Don’t be more of a disappointment than you already are.”
“That is never going to work… I can’t marry if you want to keep our secret hidden.”
“Well, figure it out, make the girl divorce you, think of something but that marriage is happening. The company is losing money since you can’t even take care of it, so we need the financial part taken care of.”
I knew that the company was suffering. Him not wanting to change anything about the company did not help.
“Still, that is absurd, if we just change some things then we…”
He stood up fast from his seat and yelled loud enough for me to only hear with anger,” If the company is failing, it is because you are a disgrace and a woman at that, when I took over, the business was booming but since you started to take over it, we are only losing things, so you are doing this, I don’t even want to see your face anymore, I will have Ryan tell you the rest.”
“Yes, father.” I could only say those words as I saw his back walking farther and farther away. Even though his gray hair is showing and he looked weaker I could not fight for myself.
Letting out a sigh, I leaned back on the chair and let out a bitter chuckle.
Happy birthday to me, right?
“Is it true?” Ryan said opening up the glass door all the way and looking like he had run out of breath.
“I’m telling you, you should exercise with me.” I said standing up
“ let’s go for a walk, I need to get out of here.”
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