“Yum, you’re doing a chicken bake?” I ask, pleased.
“I know it’s your favorite,” my mother says, smiling. “I made a lemon meringue pie for dessert.”
Today is amazing. I met a guy who wants to have coffee with me, I kick-started an amazing deal at work and now I get all my favorite foods for dinner.
“Thank you,” I say, throwing my arms around my mother. “That sounds delicious.”
She laughs and pats my arm as I let go. I’m so happy that I could burst.
“So?” my mother asks as we head into the dining room. “What happened today?”
“Dad gave me responsibility for a strategic alliance with Energy Plus Co.,” I burst out.
My mother pauses. Having been together with my father, she knows all about the rivalry between Tech Square Inc. and Energy Plus Co.
She also knows how he’s been digging his heels in about giving me any responsibility over serious matters.
“Well, that’s interesting,” she comments. “Do you know why?”
“He didn’t say, but I’m pretty sure he’s testing me,” I snort as we sit down. The chicken bake is already on the table, and my mouth waters. “Yum, this looks amazing.”
“Help yourself,” my mother offers. “There’s salad here, too. So, what does this collaboration mean for the companies?”
“Energy Plus Co. are wanting to make a move into hardware, starting with cell phones,” I explain.
“Sensible,” my mother says with a nod. “Cell phones are one of the largest commodities in the world right now.”
“Exactly,” I say. “They feel, though, that they’ll be more successful if our two companies work jointly on the project. This way, the prospects for both companies will rise, and we’ll be able to put out an awesome product that will hopefully be unrivaled by anything else. They feel that by using our different successes in the technology field, we can merge our current talents and come up with something that will benefit everyone.”
“And how does your father feel about all this?” my mother asks.
“Well, he said no first,” I laugh. “Then he changed his mind this morning for some reason and gave the project to me. He’s definitely not happy about it, though.”
“He hasn’t been happy with Energy Plus Co. for a long time,” my mother points out. “And especially not since the son took over.” She shrugs. “He’s just being stubborn; the son has taken that company to new heights. His parents would be proud.”
I consider the son for a moment. If I listened to my father, the heir to the company that Jessica and David Thompson built is stuck-up, rude and horrible to everyone. But I don’t know how much truth there is in that.
“Either way, I’m determined to make this work,” I say. “I know Dad doesn’t want the deal to succeed, but I’m going to make it happen.”
“Just be wary, especially if your father has some sort of hidden agenda,” my mother warned. “He loves you, but he’s also a shrewd businessman.”
“I know,” I assure her. “Part of me thinks that he’s setting me up to fail, to be honest. But I’m not going to let him get me down. I’m going to make this succeed, whether or not he wants me to.”
My mother smiles fondly.
“You really are your father’s daughter,” she says. “Just as strong-headed and ambitious as him.” Her smile grows. “The difference is that you got my empathy, too. You’re going to be an amazing businesswoman when you take over the company.”
Tears spring unexpectedly to my eyes. It’s nice to know that my mother believes in me. It’s hard, sometimes, knowing that my father definitely does not. But my mother has always given me her unconditional support, and it’s thanks to her that I’m so determined to succeed.
“Thanks, Mom,” I say.
She simply smiles as we begin dishing ourselves up dinner. We sit quietly for a long moment as I compose myself.
“So, I take it things are going well with the deal then, based on how excited you were when you arrived?” my mother finally asks when I look up.
“Yeah,” I say, my smile broadening. “I went to Energy Plus Co. today. I met Brandon, who was representing their company. Dad didn’t tell me I’d meet a representative, but I wasn’t surprised. The owner probably would have come out if Dad came.”
“Naturally,” my mother laughs. “But your father wouldn’t have done that.”