The meeting
“Are you okay, Ma'am?” Miguel asked again, glancing at me. I was fidgeting so much in my seat. Tugging my blazer countless times. Taking deep breaths. I was showing every sign that I wasn't okay.
Still, I nodded with a smile. “Yes, I am.”
He didn't look the slightest convinced. And just kept staring at me. He wasn't driving today. I wish he was. That way, he wouldn't be assessing me so closely.
“You know you can tell me if there's a problem.” He said, staring unwaveringly at me.
“Okay. Then maybe you should start by telling me if you're really giving Vince updates about me. You never answered that question.”
His gaze grew frozen a bit. And then he backed off with a slight clearing of his throat.
“I'll take it that you're just nervous about the meeting, Ma'am. Don't bother answering my question.”
That's it???!!
My rage hit the roof but before I could lash out at him, the car was already cornering into the company's sparse surroundings.
Miguel stepped out of the car, came around, and opened the door for me.
I bit my lower lip angrily as I stepped out. He offered to carry my bag but I rejected it. He stayed close as we headed inside.
Stepping into the full conference room, I was hit with a mild panic attack. My steps slowed and I struggled to control my breathing.
“Relax, Ma'am,” Miguel whispered into my ear. “You got this. The lawyer will be here soon. You're not alone in this.”
I nodded placably. To think I was mad at him a few seconds ago.
My feet were sweaty but I held it together, walking to my seat. Every eye in the room was on me. It was hard to maintain a calm, elegant poise, but I did.
Thankfully, the lawyer — Vince's business lawyer — arrived. He sat next to me, and the meeting began.
He did most of the talking, explaining our newest business projects, our partners for the projects, and when they're gonna take off.
Every man in the room held a satisfied smile on their face. The meeting lasted for an hour. Now it was time for the final agenda, and the lawyer signaled at me to take over. I took another deep breath.
“Gentlemen, I'd like to propose the dismissal of my step-mother from the company.”
It was the first time I was addressing her as my stepmother. I've always called her mother. It hurts knowing I just might never call her that again.
They all exchanged confused looks.
“But why, Miss Elena?” One of the men asked. “Are you two having issues?”
“You might not know this but I'm business trained. I was into business before I switched to the medical world. But I still know firsthand that it isn't right to involve personal matters when running a company.”
“That's correct,” the man nodded.
“So no, my stepmother and I are good. We have a fantastic relationship.” I gave a saccharine smile. “I just think she's not contributing anything to the company, so letting her keep any shares seems unreasonable. We're trying to run a company, not a charity.”
“But she's the Luna…”
“She is, indeed. That's why she calls the shots in the Pack and holds meetings in the Packhouse. But this is my Father's company. Not the Pack's company.”
They were beginning to forget that. This was my father's sweat. Not the Pack’s contribution.
“And we'll always regard her as an honorary member. She's also still entitled to my Father's personal shares since she's still his mate.”
But I'm sure when Father wakes up and learns about what she did to him, he'll divorce her. And she'll be left with nothing.
“I'm only taking away her personal shares because I believe we could do something more with those shares than letting them sit idle.”
They all nodded, even though they weren't a hundred percent convinced.
“So what do you plan on doing with the shares?” Another man asked. He's a major shareholder.
“I was hoping any of you would be interested to buy?” I pitched in the idea. The disapproval on their faces disappeared instantly and they grinned.
“Of course, Ma'am Elena.” He said. Then glanced at the others. “Who's gonna be the lucky one to grab this? Me or…”
They all laughed.
I smiled back, relieved that I was halfway done with settling this.
“We'll discuss that in another meeting. I'll tell y'all the time and place.” I said.
“Of course, Ma'am Elena. We'll be there.”
The ruckus outside stole our attention for a moment. The door opened and rushed footsteps and voices invaded the room.
Miguel was holding back Mother, but she'd fought her way inside, alongside Tracy. I looked at Miguel. He was pissed. He was way too pissed; clearly, he wouldn't object if I asked him to drag her outside. He seemed more than willing to manhandle her. But that'd be dirty and cause a scandal. The last thing I need for the company right now.
I signaled at him to leave and he did. Mother stormed forward.
“How dare you hold a meeting without informing me?!” She yelled in my face.
The rage in my heart was heavy. But somehow, my lips could still stretch into a smile.
“Would you please excuse us, gentlemen? Thank you.”
They all stood simultaneously and calmly left the room. When I was sure we were alone, the smile vanished like it was never there. Leaving behind an icy expression.
“I held the meeting without you because I could. You're neither a shareholder nor is this a Pack meeting. So your presence wasn't exactly needed.”
“What?” Mother scoffed with a pained disbelief. “Not a shareholder? Are you crazy? My mate gave me some shares; they might not be as big as yours, but I do have shares.”
“Those shares are nonexistent. Because I just sold them off.”
She stumbled backward in sheer shock. “What?”
“You don't contribute anything to the company so there's no reason for you to have any shares. You didn't get those shares through hard work to begin with. Father gave them to you as consolation. But the charity period is over. I sold them off to men who actually work to keep the company standing. Don't blame me too much. It's a decision necessary for the company's growth.”
“How dare you?!” She sizzled with rage. “Give me back my shares right now!!”
“Don't yell, Mother. Or I might be tempted to throw you out.”
She scoffed in shock again. Tracy stepped in front of her, reminding me of her painful existence.
“Have you gone crazy, Elena?!” She barked in my face. “How dare you speak to Mother like that?!”
Seeing her made me explode. And the next thing I did was stir up from the raged, irrational side of me.
I smacked the audacity out of her face. She gasped. Barely recovering from it, I hit her again. Her shriek increased. I landed her the third, shaking with rage.
Mother quickly drew her away from my reach, shielding her with her body.
“Elena!! That's enough!”
“It's hardly enough, Mother!” I yelled back. “Your daughter ruined my life. Hitting her a few times doesn't come close to making her pay for what she did to me!”
“She didn't do anything. If you're gonna be mad at someone, then go be mad at Trent. He's the good-for-nothing who couldn't stay faithful to you!”
“Your daughter is a shameless sleaze who kept throwing herself at my mate. Until he got her pregnant!!”
They both stayed silent. I must have looked very unhinged because they were staring at me with shocked-filled eyes.
“She took my perfect life away from me and left me with this misery I have now. I'm never gonna forgive her for it.”
“Yeah, because you're the only one entitled to have a perfect life! I wanted one too!” Tracy retorted.
“Then you should have worked for yours. You didn't need to steal mine, you ungrateful whore!”
“Elena!” Mother reprimanded.
“What, Mother? That's what she is. A shameless, pregnant whore!”
Mother smacked my face, forcing a gasp out of me. The second time she's hitting me. My heart wasn't used to it yet so my eyes bled with painful tears.
I looked at her. “You're not any different, Mother. You're just as mean as Tracy. You found out and hid it from me. You tried to take the company from me. You made Father unconscious!”