Chapter 49
Gabriella
As the conference room began to clear of the board members, the shock of my father’s announcement began to grow even more.
I had not expected him to make Chandler and me CEOs of the company.
I thought today was just going to be a meeting to update the board members on everything that had gone down with the missing money and the SEC investigation.
Something like that could destroy a company, losing the faith of its investors, but they didn’t seem that surprised about my father’s honest confession. Maybe it was because rumors had already been swirling, and they had just been waiting for the news to come from his mouth.
They knew my father was a man of integrity, which was why they had been members for so long and trusting their money with Harold Enterprises.
What had happened wasn’t my father’s fault.
It could have happened to anyone. Thankfully, the SEC had dropped the investigation once they realized it was just one man behind everything.
Another rumor had been swirling around, too, and instead of letting it fester, I wanted the board to hear about my pregnancy from me.
When I spoke to my father this morning, he was supportive of my decision to address it, encouraging me to share the news myself.
I was still irritated with the board member who had called my father in the first place, taking away my moment and leading to our fallout, but what was done was done. I was going to take back my power.
I probably should have run my decision by Chandler first, but the way he was beaming when I addressed the room, clutching my small bump, I knew he was supportive.
It had come as no surprise to most of them.
The board members gossiped more than a group of middle school girls.
I was surprised by their genuine congratulations and even a small round of applause for this unexpected union between two people who practically despised each other. It was funny how life worked.
It felt good to no longer be holding onto this secret when I was so happy with what the future held.
It wasn’t fair to me, or Chandler, or our baby to treat it as if it were anything other than a blessing.
To think, I had almost thrown it all away.
Now it was out in the open, and it made it feel even more real. We were going to be parents.
And CEOs…
Once the boardroom was empty of everyone except me and Chandler, who was still holding my hand and stroking my knuckles gently with his hand, he turned to me with a concerned look on his face. I could see the worry etched in his face.
Confused, I asked, “What’s wrong? Is it because I told everyone about the baby? I should have told you…I just…” I felt a small sense of panic that maybe I hadn’t read the moment right.
“No,” he said, holding up his hand. “Not at all.” His eyes widened in surprise at my suggestion. “In fact, I want to shout it from the rooftops. I just might before we leave. We are in one of the tallest buildings in the city.”
I laughed softly. “Then what is it? What’s wrong?”
He sighed and grabbed my other hand, looking at me intently.
“I just know how much CEO means to you. You’ve worked practically your whole life toward it.
I don’t want you to feel like you can’t handle CEO on your own.
You can. I know you can. I didn’t know your father was even thinking of reinstating me, let alone the two of us.
I don’t want you to feel like your moment was stolen again because of me. ”
He looked so worried as he studied my face, and I realized just how far we had come since the first time we had been in this boardroom together when my father made his jaw-dropping announcement, and I was flooded with resentment and inadequacy. This moment was nothing like that, though.
“Chandler,” I said, squeezing his hands. “I didn’t want CEO anymore. Being pregnant changed everything. I told my father as much, which is why I’m just as confused as you are by this decision. I want to focus on being a mother for a while.”
“Really?” he asked, raising his brows above his perfect green eyes.
“Mhmm. I know the company is in good hands with you. He couldn’t have picked a better man for the job. You saved the company.”
“We saved the company,” he corrected me.
“You’ll just have to hold down the fort for a while until I feel ready to step in. If ever. I don’t know about all of this…”
I felt so torn. I had always wanted this, but now that I had the chance of having a family, it seemed impossible to have both. I knew women did it all the time. I admired them. They were superwomen in my eyes. I just didn’t know if I could do it.
“You can do anything you put your mind to,” said Chandler, his tone growing serious. “I know you, Gabriella. You can handle it. If it’s what you want. You have my support, no matter what you choose.”
“I don’t deserve you, you know,” I said, my throat bobbing.
His smile widened before he leaned in and kissed me excitedly. I laughed against his mouth as he lifted me up and swung me around. He set me down and shook his head in disbelief. I placed my hand against his cheek and looked up at him, my heart overwhelmed with emotions.
“Now, let’s go find my father…” I said, wanting to clarify a few things.
Chandler nodded, and led me out of the conference room, still holding my hand. We found my father in my office, looking at pictures on the shelf, his hands behind his back. It was as if he was waiting for us to find him, knowing I would have questions.
“Dad…” I started, stepping into the room. He turned and faced us both with a confident smile on his face. “Did you forget what we talked about?” I asked with a tilt of the head, wondering if his memory was going with old age. I hated the thought of it.
“No, I didn’t.”
“Well, did you forget that I’m having a baby?”
“Of course not.” He chuckled.
“Well, then you know that I can’t juggle the responsibilities of being CEO. I want to be present for the baby as much as I can. I’m honored. Really, I am. It’s been all I’ve ever wanted…but…”
“I know, Gabriella,” he said, taking a step forward and putting his hands on my shoulders. “But I also know how much you deserve this. You’ve worked so hard. You’ve proved yourself. I hate myself for making you doubt that. I didn’t want you to feel like I was passing you up again.”
I could feel myself tearing up, hearing the words I had always wanted to hear. He had always been the person I strived to be, not only in business, but now as a parent. Timing was a funny thing.
“Thank you,” was all I managed to get out without crying.
“The company has just gone through a major storm, one that the two of you helped us navigate out of. We were lucky, but it made me realize I can’t run this thing. It’s why I stepped down in the first place. This place deserves better than an old man like me.”
“Dad,” I said, nearly choking on a sob as I pulled him in for a hug. He was still strong to me.
“I need you two at the helm to lead it back to its prime,” he said, pulling away and looking at me intently. “I can’t think of anyone better for the job.”
“But the baby…” I started, feeling even more torn as I pressed my palm gently against my stomach. My father’s gaze followed, and stared lovingly before he placed his hand over mine.
“I want you to take as much time as you need to embrace motherhood. It’s a beautiful thing.
And I know you’ll be the best mother to this baby.
I promise you will be granted a very long, generous maternity leave.
During that time, I know the company is in good hands with Chandler.
It needs a strong leader. Why not have two?
When you’re ready, of course. You can step in as his partner whenever you want. It will be there waiting for you.”
It sounded too good to be true. Was it really possible to get everything I wanted? The job, the family, the man? I felt so lost just months ago, and now it seemed like life was falling into place beautifully. I felt like I should pinch myself.
“I-I don’t know what to say…” I said softly, looking from my father to Chandler who stood proudly beside me.
“I think the words you’re looking for are ‘I accept,’” said Chandler with a small smile before turning to me. He held out his hand. I looked down at it, confused by the formality, but took it anyway. He shook my hand firmly. “I look forward to working with you, partner.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, tears forming at the corners of my eyes.
My father had faith in me. My partner had faith in me.
I had several months until the baby would be born.
I had time to be CEO and could step back when I needed to.
It was the ideal scenario. Chandler and I made a good team, in more ways than one.
I also knew myself. I wouldn’t be able to stay away from work for long.
It was such a big part of my life. Harold Enterprises was my home and meant so much to me.
There was no way I could ever step away from it completely.
It was my family’s legacy after all, and the man beside me had helped save it.
“Let’s do it,” I said with a nod.
“I can’t wait to get to work,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye that made my cheeks burn. My father cleared his throat uncomfortably, and I had to stifle a giggle with my hand.
“You’ll have to excuse me,” said my father, striding for the door, probably trying not to throw up.
“He had a dirty mind, that fellow,” said Chandler, watching him go with a smirk. I shoved him playfully before he pulled me into his arms. He kissed the top of my head as I looked around my office, the place I had spent so many years in, just hoping for this moment.
“Is it everything you hoped it would be?” whispered Chandler.
“More,” I whispered back.
He stood back and looked me over, an excitement in his eyes. “We should celebrate!” he said eagerly.
“What did you have in mind?” I asked, raising a brow as I thought of the morning prior when I almost ditched my father to jump Chandler’s bones.
“Well, definitely that,” he said with a smile tugging at his lips. “But we should go out, really celebrate.”
I looked at the clock on the wall. It was barely 11 a.m.
“It’s early…”
“You never heard of a champagne brunch?” he asked. “Well, a sparkling cider brunch in your case.”
“Okay. Let’s do it,” I said enthusiastically. “We’re CEOs now. We can do what we want.”
“Already breaking the rules.” He tsked.
“Just for today.”
“I’d love to play hooky with you, partner.”
He grabbed me by the hand and led me out the door, as we practically ran toward the elevators. I was so blissfully unaware of the stares we were most likely getting from the employees in the office. We could deal with that later. Now, we were about to celebrate our future.