Chapter Eight
BEC
“He’s going to need a suit, shirt, shoes, tie…” I trailed off and tapped my fingers on my desk, in thought.
Would it be weird to get Rome new underwear? Yeah, that would be weird.
“Book him a haircut too, just in case. That’s all.”
Andi nodded as she took notes, “Any particular color I should pick out for the suit?”
I contemplated the question for a moment, “Whatever matches the dress you picked out. I don’t have a preference either way.”
I had submitted my acceptance for the invite to the charity gala coming up this weekend.
When I had brought up the idea of going to the event to Rome, he didn’t care one way or another.
He was simply willing to go along with whatever plan I decided on.
Luckily, Rome was free, though he had admitted that he didn’t have much of a personal life.
I had donated a hefty check as well. These galas had almost nothing to do with raising money, but rather with upholding appearances. I would have donated whether I had attended or not.
A heavy knock sounded on my office door. I motioned for Andi to open it, and when she did, I wished I hadn’t.
“Rebecca.” My dad’s voice was sharp as he waltzed into the office like he owned it.
I held back a sigh and stood, “What can I do for you?”
He took a seat and motioned for Andi to leave, who listened quickly, closing the door softly behind her. She was terrified of him, and justifiably so.
Unfortunately for me, this meant I was left trapped alone with him. He wouldn’t do anything except maybe yell and throw something if he got heated enough, but there were too many witnesses around for him to show his true colors.
I couldn’t fathom how my mom ended up with him. She had been head over heels in love with him for years before she claimed that the money and power corrupted him with time. However, I had yet to see proof that he had ever been good.
My dad pointed over his shoulder towards the door. “Why do you keep that little thing around, anyway? There’s no backbone in sight. You need someone strong and competent for the job. She could be swayed by a gust of wind.”
I rolled my eyes and retook my seat. “She has a name, and she’s excellent at her job. I assume you’re here for a reason besides just harassing my staff?”
He raised a brow, “Your staff?”
“Yes,” I answered resolutely. “You retired. I’m in charge now. They’re my staff, not yours. What do you need, Dad? I’m busy and don’t have time for whatever this is.”
“I’m here about this boyfriend of yours,” he finally explained with a raised brow.
I should have expected this. Any moves I, my mom, or my brother made in life, my dad did his best to insert himself. While my mom and brother managed to keep him away, my involvement with the family company had always kept him in closer proximity to my life. “What about him?”
“He isn’t up to the standards set for our family’s reputation.”
This time, I did roll my eyes, “He’s perfectly fine. A highly-decorated Army veteran, first-generation American, and extremely competent at his job as well.” I couldn’t believe I was defending Rome. I was usually the first to point out his flaws, but I wouldn’t let my dad disrespect him.
My dad sighed, “First your brother and now you? Why couldn’t either of you choose someone within our standing?”
“You haven’t even met Jackie,” I argued, “and everyone in our standing is a stuck-up prick. I would rather avoid them, not willingly associate with them.”
“You're so much like your mother,” he complained.
“I take that as a compliment,” I retorted. “Now, do you have anything important to say?”
My dad glared at me with eyes that matched my own.
Both my brother and I were copies of our father with our steel blue eyes and dark hair—though my dad's hair had begun turning white years ago—but that was where the resemblance stopped.
Everything good about us, everything that mattered, came from our mom and her resilience to stand against him.
“We need to discuss the board’s reservations regarding your performance,” he stated.
Of course he did. My dad was my most significant opposition in maintaining my position as CEO.
If I could just get through the first year, I could systematically replace the board with competent individuals.
My dad seemed hell-bent on keeping me from reaching that point, which was strange, seeing as he had given me the position in the first place.
I had a theory that he wanted me to fail. To crash and burn miserably, thus forcing my brother to come back and save both the company and me. My dad knew our weaknesses well, and my brother’s was me.
“I have turned record profits in the first two quarters that I’ve held this position, and it’s expected this will continue for the remainder of the fiscal year,” I stated, keeping my voice steady and calm.
My dad’s eyes turned scrutinizing. He was trying to find a chink in my armor. Little did he recall that he had raised me to ensure I wouldn’t have one.
“Your position is unstable,” he finally said. It seemed he didn’t actually have an issue with my stellar performance.
Shocking, I sarcastically thought to myself.
“I am aware,” I conceded, “but it’s becoming more stable each day.”
He grunted, knowing I was right.
Melissa had released an official statement about my relationship with Rome.
Many of the board members who had already met him, loved him.
Those specific members were already swaying in support of my position now, and it had only been a couple of days.
The fake relationship was working, and my dad was not pleased.
I had a feeling that was the entire reason he was visiting today.
He could feel his control slipping away as I swayed the board, one member at a time.
“I need to officially meet this Rome character.”
I shrugged, “I don’t think you need to. Now, I have work to do. You know? Running the company you founded? I’m busy.” I motioned to the door, not bothering to stand. I would not defer to my father, not anymore. This was my office in my company. “You can see yourself out.”
My father glared, his knuckles growing white. “You can’t speak that way to me, young lady.”
I huffed a humorous laugh, “Are you seriously trying to parent me right now? You’re about twenty-nine years too late.”
I watched my dad’s nostrils flare as he stood to swipe at my desk, sending a desk plant flying into the wall. The vase shattered on impact, the dirt falling to the ground in a soft heap.
I rolled my eyes and opened my mouth to complain about his tantrum when my office door flew open, rebounding against the wall from the impact.
Rome stood in the doorway, his silhouette highlighted by the lights behind him from the hallway.
He glanced at my father, eyes ablaze, but they softened when they met mine.
He inclined his head in question. I wasn’t sure how I could tell, but I knew he was asking if I needed his help.
The longer we worked together, the easier it was becoming to communicate without words.
“And who do you think you are?” My dad demanded as he advanced on Rome.
My dad, while in his sixties, took excellent care of himself. He had an image to maintain, and he could handle himself in most altercations. But he was no match for Rome.
Rome grabbed him by the upper arm, pulling him away from the door. My dad protested, but Rome ignored him and kicked the door closed behind him.
Rome deposited my dad back into the chair, leaving one hand on his shoulder to keep my dad in place.
“I believe Ms. Bly here was saying something when I came in.” Rome’s voice was low, threatening, yet maintained a level of calm I hadn’t expected.
Rome looked back at me and smirked, “Would you like to continue?”
I rolled my eyes, but smiled. “Thank you, Rome.” I turned back to my dad, “Here’s that introduction you wanted.
Dad, this is Rome. I would keep in mind that he is always close by.
Maybe keep your little…” I motioned towards the shattered plant on the floor, “temper tantrums away from us going forward.”
My dad opened his mouth to argue, but Rome tightened his grip on my dad’s shoulder, “I would listen to her. She is the boss around here.”
My dad glared at me and stood, Rome finally letting him go.
“We will discuss this later, Rebecca,” my dad announced as he rebuttoned his suit coat and started towards the door.
I rounded the desk, standing next to Rome, “I don’t think we will.”
Rome wiggled his fingers at my dad as he left, “Toodaloo!”
I barked a laugh that only grew in intensity when my dad slammed the office door shut. “Toodaloo?” I asked between fits of laughter.
Rome shrugged and plopped down into my now-vacated desk chair, propping his ankles on the desktop. “Felt appropriate as he was acting like a child.” He paused for a minute, glancing at my poor plant and then back at me, “So… your dad seems like a real treat.”
I rolled my eyes and waved for him to move, “Don’t even get me started. Now get out of here… I've got work to do.”
He stood happily, then kneeled on the floor and began cleaning up the mess my dad had left.
“You don’t need to do that, I can call someone,” I protested. “Andi!”
Rome waved me off as Andi ran into the office.
“What can I help with?” she asked, her smile trained solely on Rome.
“It’s fine,” he explained, dropping the broken pieces of the vase in my trash and glancing back at me. “Just let me get anything that could cut you, and then you can call the fancy cleaners.” He stood, brushing his hands together, “I get paid to keep you safe, remember?”
“I don’t think broken glass was included in your contract.”
He shrugged, “Neither were douchebag dads, fake dating, or saving you from your late-night escapades. We’re adapting.”