Chapter 9: He changed his plans

Chapter 9: He changed his plans

Chief Kaave had it figured that money and power was all Coco and Vill were interested in. Neither were interested in keeping his legacy. He couldn't be more wrong.

But how to begin? Forget about retirement, until he was certain Coco was ready for the empire. Chief Kaave scooped in a deep breath and took the most direct path to the future. He set up a meeting with Coco, Jeremy and Vill.

Coco walked into her dad's study room, the first person she saw was Vill broadly smiling, seated beside her dad. Jeremy was standing and trembling in front of both. Coco looked at her dad amidst fear, Chief Kaave avoided eye contact. If he was going to make this decision, eye contact was not a good idea.

Coco made a scoffing noise as she sat opposite Vill, eyeing him with icy disdain. The cold waves of bitterness coming from her sent a shiver down Vill's spine.

"Hi dad." Coco said, looking at her dad. Keeping her voice quiet and hopefully sympathetic.

"Coco," Chief Kaave's conscience started to prick him.

He knew how much TRENDZ meant to Coco, she had worked very hard all her life, waiting for the day she will be made CEO, not a day like this. He knew this would break her. He knew how she would react. Scream, break bottles, destroy properties, smoke, drink, waste the bullets in her gun. Maybe even hate him. He was prepared.

"I assume you haven't checked your email this morning..." Chief Kaave struggled to speak. "Your services and Jeremy's is no longer needed at TRENDZ. You have been relieved of your duties. Prior to that, I have decided not to proceed with my retirement plans until you have been oriented enough, to continue from where I stop."

Coco scoffed.

Vill and Jeremy exchanged surprise glances.

"Jeremy, Vill, you may leave now," Chief Kaave quickly sent both out.

The moment Vill and Jeremy left the study room. Coco stood up and walked closer to her dad.

There was a long, tense, assessing silence. When Coco finally spoke, her voice was sharp with suspicion.

"Vill talked you into this, right dad?" It was difficult to express her feelings, but knowing she might lose everything, Coco did her best. "Why are you doing this, dad? I gave up my whole life for TRENDZ. I followed all your instructions and obeyed all orders. I've been your good girl, dad..." Her eyes did not waver from his, steadily projecting a plea for a re think.

"I handled the empire well while you were away. The finances are in check. I secured new, major deals dad. I'm about expanding the branch at SouthSide, so to take over the market and push Roy’s company to go extinct, and..." The fierce wave of anger didn't let her finish.

"And what?" Chief Kaave probed harshly. "Hack into the company's system and steal their money? Listen kid, I've played these games even before I was your age. And I tell you, this game? It's no longer safe. Dirty South is no longer a fucking game. I don't want you going after anybody, unless they come for you first."

Patches of angry red highlighted Coco's cheekbones. "Stop making excuses for your oppos dad. If they your oppos, they your oppos. Period."

"I have made my decision. Leave the country and try to focus on something else...while I run the empire until you are ready."

"Until I am ready, or, until you decide I am ready and worthy of your empire? I should leave and focus on what exactly? Tell me dad, focus on what?"

Chief Kaave closed his eyes and shook his head. Then quickly opened them. "Ever thought about getting married and having your own family? I want grandchildren too, like every other father does."

The urge to be alone for that moment was strong. Coco turned and ran out of the study room before Chief Kaave could stop her.

Coco was just stubborn and impossible to please. He even dismissed his plans of retirement, because of her. He didn't want her to feel neglected seeing the CEO position going to somebody else. All he needed was for her to withdraw from the empire and get proper orientation on how to handle the empire.

Going to business school was not orientation enough. What exactly did she want? He knew answers to that, she wanted the empire, and without Vill being part of it. She had special hatred for Vill.

All Chief Kaave needed was for Coco to be patient. Soon everything did become hers. All he was doing, was securing her future and the future of the empire he worked all his life to build. Nothing bad must happen to the two of them.