Chapter 19: The confrontation

Avery’s point of view

David stared at me with unyielding hard eyes though one could not decipher, from his well-ironed, clean-shaven appearance, that he was a volcano about to erupt. His usual bad attitude was masked by just a hint of worry as he leaned negligently against the doorframe, folds of his arms over his chest. The office was tense and thick with suspense, but I didn’t budge and did not throw in the towel.

“So, you imagine that you can come and introduce pretty much whatever you like in a meeting, without my input first?” he snapped. ‘Well at least during that fight I got the impression that it was you who was following me.’ You’re out of line, Avery.”

I took a deep breath to calm down and suppress the wish to hide from him. I didn’t go in there just to be with you as a backup, David. I went to an exhibit of my ideas that I consider important for this company. They will need to realize that you are not just the assistant that they are working with.

His eyes grew almost instantly darker, and for a second I thought I’d gone too far. “You’re nothing without me,” he barked, a hint of jealousy blurring his face. But instead of feeling like shrinking, I walked forward, reminding myself of who I am, and what I stand for.

“No,” I said with determination in my voice and looked straight into the eyes of the man I was bargaining with. I am everything because of the work I do, the ideas I have, and the ability to fight for myself most importantly. Could it be that you were once very important in my life David, but I am tired of it all and therefore you don’t get to dictate who I am or where I am going?

Shock must have consumed him completely since the quiet that ensued seemed like an eon painfully unfolding before my eyes. I was getting the feeling he was just plotting, the conflict between rage and reluctant respect etched over his face. “You truly believe that you are going to be successful without support from my company?” he asked, almost boldly.

Aw, you are adventurous,” she smiled, ‘Then let me tell you that I’m willing to find out,” I answered calmly. They said something to the effect of ‘I’ve been living under your wing for too long, it is now time for me to stand on my own two feet.’ There was an element of arrogance in the words that left my mouth, but it was time for it and I finally felt it.

Suddenly, I saw David defenseless something I hadn’t often seen from the arrogant attitude that usually accompanied him. “You’ve changed, Avery. It was almost as though he had expected me to just kneel and accept his words, he wondered, “I never expected you to stand up to me this way.” 

“Good. At last” I said, having a strong burst of happiness and emotion at the same time. Often, applicants claim they want independence or to be their boss; I always take this personally and boldly: “I want to succeed on my terms.”

He relaxed a little all over but his bearing was still rigid and tense. “So, what next?” he asked, trying to see the reception his question would get. “Are you going to miss your chance to learn from me, to develop into a person who might be able to lead?”

“Only if you persist in subordinating me.” The sister’s anger welled up within her and she retorted, angry at her prior pace and his constant bringing down of her efforts “Well I can learn from my own mistake why do you need to be so harsh all the time?”

David delayed for a few moments then turned his thinking towards the statement. “Easy? Man, you are fooling yourself,” he replied and scoffed at me. “It isn’t, Avery; It is much more than just a game of pride.” This is business.”

“And that’s exactly how I will be addressing it in the future.” It then dawned on me that something was shifting consistently like the breaking of a dam and I persisted. Let me remind you that even though you’re a genius CEO, you are not dealing with that scared girl who needed someone to save her anymore. That is why I want to gain my requirements for being here.”

He looked into my eyes for what felt like ages and conflict split across his features. At last, he folded his arms and expelled his breath, in a great sigh. “Then you’ve still got a long way to go and it will not be easy. Expect me to challenge you.”

“Okay then,” she said “I’ll be back with the results then, ” “Bring it on,” I echoed equally grinning. This was said by her with a very specific message …“Just remember…I can take it.”

I could have stopped him there, some part of me knew what was to come and yet, as if to underscore my words, he stepped a little closer, the air between us crackling with unspoken words. “Well then, I guess welcome back to the game Avery.” His language was polite, and for a moment, I got a glimpse of the man I used to dream I could make out from behind the CEO title.

“I’m ready,” I told her, and a surge of excitement seemed to entire my being. This was not only confrontation; this was my liberation act.

What was coming next I did not know but, at last, I was the main writer of my story. We may have had past emotions for each other and maybe tension still lingering between us but I was willing to cut that cord-free and move on – land perhaps we would be able to find a new way to continue professional relationships here without bumping into each other all the time.

He looked at me and I tried smiling at him before he walked away from me. “And David? I’m looking forward to getting an opportunity to prove myself.”

“Similarly, Avery,” he said and employed the assertiveness of the chief executive again. With that, he got up and left me alone to pacify myself in the remnants of what we had just said to each other; what uncontrolled passion and stiff-necked resolve I now had inside me.

I was firmly on one side of the battle line and there was no way I could retreat to the other side. From this confrontation, waves would be sure to follow, but I was prepared to find out where they might take me.