"Xander, you know I love you and I'll always have your back..."
"But..."
"Nicki is very protective of Ash. Things at home aren't great for him. He doesn't need his heart broken on top of it. Personally, I think you'd make an awesome couple, but you need to decide if you want to really go for it. No lukewarm feelings."
The phone on her desk rings, so she gets up to answer, leaving me to consider her words.
Do I have lukewarm feelings toward Ash? There's definitely attraction, and I don't think it's one-sided. Is there more than that?
I would never hurt anyone intentionally, especially not someone who's as good as Ash. Maybe we could take it slow and see how it goes. I wasn't lying when I told him I needed a friend. Maybe he needs one too.
"Your dad is on his way down," Mia says from her desk. "I think this could be a good opportunity to tell him about your idea."
I nod. I've been putting it off because I know it'll be met with resistance, but I'll run out of time to see it through if I don't speak up. Besides, what kind of CEO will I be if I can't speak up for myself to my own father?
While I wait for my father to come down from the Ivory Tower, as Mia calls it, I return to the notes I was making about a manuscript I read yesterday before I was interrupted by yet another message from Mark.
As I finish the notes, I sit back in my chair and sigh. I'm going to miss doing this job. One of the best feelings in the world is reading a rough manuscript that could use a little guidance before it's ready for editing. When the author's voice is loud, but they're inexperienced and don't even know how good they will be.
My phone dings next to me and I pick it up.
Mark:I'm so sorry to hear about...your condition. You understand, I can't take the risk of visiting, with my job and all. Let me know when you're better. I'd love to buy you lunch.
I laugh soloud Mia pokes her head out to see what's going on. Only Mark would be so ignorant to think my fake condition is infectious, or so arrogant to think his job as daddy's little helper is of any importance.
Still, it gets him off my back, so I send him a fake apologetic message back just in time to see my father exit the lift in the direction of my office.
"Alexander, how are you feeling, son?"
"I'm okay... Why do you ask?"
"Danielle called, worried sick. Of course, I covered for you, but I want to know why I had to."
Ugh, I should have known Mark would go to Mommy, who, in turn, would go to my parents. God, sometimes I wish I could just trade this life for another, simpler one.
"Mark thinks I have the flu."
My father crooks a brow.
"I'm too busy with work to think about relationships. What's more important?"
He nods. "I'll have a word with your mother. Now, let's talk about numbers."
For my father, business always comes first, unless you are married and have a family. He always puts my mother and me first, no matter what. Despite everything, I admire that about him.
"Actually, there's something I'd like to run past you," I say.
"Go on."
"You know how much I love my job. It's what I always wanted to do since I was old enough to understand what Blackwood Publishing was about. I want to leave some kind of legacy behind."
I have to give my father credit, he actually looks interested, even if I haven't told him what I'm hoping to do.
"I would like to introduce the Blackwood Publishing Award. This would be a yearly competition in which unpublished authors submit their rough manuscripts. The winner would receive one on one guidance from our team to get their book to publishing standard. The award would also include a grant for living expenses, to ensure the author is able to put their full energy into publishing their book."
My father sits back and puts his hand to his chin. There is nothing in his body language that gives me a clue as to what he's thinking.
"We would be growing the next generation of best-sellers. Not to mention the positive publicity this would garner for the company."
