Chapter 3 Six Years Later, Present Day.

“What is this?!”

My voice whipped out like lightning through the conference hall staring at Mr Bernard with icy eyes, devil's stare as I've heard our employees whispered it.

Watching this so-called presentation was a total joke and very disappointing. For God's sake, where's Bridget?

My grandma should have been here or Layla. I don't mind being the villain all the time, but Grandma hasn't been in for days, and my aunt Layla, who has been acting CEO, is on a business trip.

As such this has fallen to me. I've come to realize both Grandma and Aunt Layla have been gradually delegating most of their duties to me.

Grandma was supposed to be present for this meeting, instead I'm forced to listen to this nonsense. I love work, but even so, there's so much I can do, especially when I have to sit down and listen to crappy plans.

I knew they'd had weeks to prepare and pitch in their ideas for the second stage of the Miami resort project, and this is what they came up with?

“Um... yes, Mrs Brooke. What do you mean?” Mr Bernard, a stocky man in his early forties, asked, dapping at the sweat on his face and neck.

It's funny how this big man looks at me nervously; at five feet five inches with an average weight to go with the body, I'm not intimidating at all. I don't know what makes people stare at me like I'm the devil.

Watching our employees flounder whenever I come into work is never funny actually. At least to me it isn't, what they don't know is it's very irritating. I hate whimpering people, I especially hate whimpering idiots.

I love people who know what they are doing or are at least trying. If you do your job as expected you have nothing to fear from me.

As the Director of LuX, my duties are to manage our hotels and employees. LuX was originally a bed and breakfast thirty years ago before Bridget Brookes, my grandma, had grown the business to what it is today.

A chain of luxury hotels in at least twenty cities in the United States of America and we're still expanding.

It's one of the top ten well known hotels in the country. My grandma is a hardworking woman who made a name for herself at a young age; now, at almost seventy, she's one of the richest women in America.

She's a workaholic and rarely misses work.

Though for weeks now I've been handling more than my share of work, I don't know what my grandma is thinking, I actually didn't mind working.

Working is all I do anyway. What I do mind is working with idiots who can't even get my status right.

“Mr Bernard, how long have you been working in this company?” I asked, staring him down. My voice is calm, collected. The others have completely quieted down and are just watching the show.

“Eighteen years Ma'am.”

“How long have you been working with me?”

“Seven years,” he replied nervously.

“And in these seven years how many times have I corrected your assumption that I am married. I've told you to address me as miss not mrs. My grandma is Mrs Brooke's not me yet you have failed to change your way of addressing me. I understand you are getting old and things aren't as sharp or as clear in your memory but I don't want to have to correct you again, do you understand.”

“Yes, Miss Brooke.”

“Good. This presentation is a huge disappointment. You have two days to present a new plan if you fail to come up with a satisfactory plan for this project. I'm afraid we'll have to get someone capable of handling it. This meeting is over.”

I pushed back from my executive chair and stood up walking out of the hall with my PA at my side. That was my last meeting of the day, I need to go home now. Check out why Bridget didn't come in for work despite saying she would.

I know she isn't sick or anything. That woman is as healthy as a pony. It's impressive what she's able to do at her age.

“What's next in my schedule?” I asked Eve my PA, checking the time on my wristwatch.

“Lunch with Tessa at Siobhan's, I've already made the reservation. After that,” she paused, when we walked into my office. I almost forgot about that. I glanced at her. She was tapping her phone fast, probably to confirm something.

I carried my purse from my desk, I was putting on my long coat over my violet silk shirt and black pencil skirt paired with five inch stilettos, when she finally said.

“I received a call from the manager at the NY branch about the shareholders' annual meeting this week. He said he needs to talk to you about the arrangements?”

“Yes, schedule a video call for later today with him, then notify me; anything else?”

“That's all. You are free for the rest of today.”

“Thanks Eve, you can take the rest of the day off. I know I've been working you to the ground this week, ” I said, she's a hard worker and very efficient. We work great together and have grown close though I wouldn't call her my friend.

“Thanks Gia, have a great day. Say hello to Tessa for me,” she yelled after me. I nodded and got into the elevator.

Thirty minutes drive and I was parking outside Siobhan's restaurant. It's one of our favorite spots for me and Tessa.

Tessa and I go way back, we've attended the same schools right from kindergarten to college. If anyone knows me so well besides my family it's her. I'll bet she knows things about me even my grandma didn't.

She's my best friend and the sister I never had, two years ago she moved to New York. Currently she's only here for a week due to some work.

She'd called when I was about to go into the meeting, so we'd agreed to meet at our favorite restaurant. I was surprised when I was told that she hadn't arrived yet.

I decided I needed to drink and unwind though it was mid noon, I could totally let go and have fun with my bestie.

After all, I don't have to go back to the office today. It's been so long since I had a free day. I nod at the waitress as she pours the red wine I'd ordered, she places back the bottle and leaves me alone until I'm ready to order.

I lifted the glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and inhaled, taking it in before taking a generous sip of the full bodied wine.

It filled my mouth with its rich dark flavor and for a moment distracted me from worrying about Tess.

I glanced up when a couple came in and walked past me.

My eyes went to the wristwatch on my left hand as I contemplated on calling Tess, I've been here ten minutes. I would like to know if she's been held up or something.