Amelia
“Mom,
are you sure you don’t want me to come earlier to help you with the party this
weekend?” I ask over the phone. My parents, both near retirement, had planned
to throw a huge soiree in honor of one of their most significant life events. I
had no idea why they chose New Years’ Eve; though, they have chosen this
holiday quite a bit when it came to celebrating themselves. My parents are the
Marks’… Vincent and Madeline Marks to exact. Both are CEOs of major
pharmaceutical companies. My mother owns a significant share of PharmaCo, a
company she has run for more than twenty years. At one time, my father was part
owner and CEO of PharmaCo but when offered a global position at another
pharmaceutical company, he decided to pass it on to my mom. They were finally giving
that opportunity to the next generation, so that they could spend the last half
of their lives in marital bliss (my mother’s words, not mine).
“No, I don’t.
I’ve been planning parties for years. It’s no big deal! That’s why it’s great
to have money…you can hire people to do things for you.”
“Oh my God, Mom…”
I laugh as she giggles at my embarrassment.
“For someone who
grew up in a billionaire household, you are the most modest of the brood” she
responds. My mother was right. I enjoyed a few of the finer things from time to
time as my parents were billionaires,
but when I went to college, I learned that I was extremely fortunate unlike
many of my classmates. The realization encouraged me to be more modest than my
two brothers, who took absolute advantage of every luxury they could. I wanted
to earn it, they were ready to plow through any trust and inheritance they
could without my father hemming both of them up by the neck, threatening to
take them out of his will.
“Oh, come on,
Mom. It builds character.” She scoffs.
“I guess you’re
right. Just don’t scold your dad and me too much for this party. It’s our
retirement, damn it, we deserve it.”
“You can serve all
the Dom Perignon and expensive hors d’oeuvres your heart desires. I promise I
won’t be watching your wallets.” She chuckles.
“You’ll have fun.
By the way, is Jared….?” She asks with interest. I knew that was coming. Jared
and I had been college sweethearts. After graduation, he wanted to flock away
to Paris for a year and sow his wild oats, I wanted to get to work in my mom’s
company. Surprisingly, he came back two months later on his knees, begging me
to forgive him for leaving. I love Jared, but I definitely need him to get on
the same page as me. I’m ready to start my life, he’s still loafing around.
“He’s coming, but
he will be staying at his parents’ house until the night of the party…if you
don’t mind him spending the night with me at the house New Years’.” I blush a
little bit. My parents, much to my absolute embarrassment, had been
disgustingly affectionate my whole life. She was open and honest with me when
it came to matters of intimacy but I still couldn’t fathom having a down-home
true conversation about men and sex.
“Why would I
mind? You’re an adult and so is he.”
“I don’t think
you’d mind as much as Dad.”
“I promise, your
dad will be extremely preoccupied that night, Love.” Well, I definitely know
what that means.
“Mom, please.”
“Sooner or later,
you’re gonna stop this embarrassment. You’re twenty-three. Who are you going to
talk to besides your mother?” I could think of many other people I’d rather
have this conversation with than her, but I don’t dash her hopes of this
so-called Mother/daughter friendship that she fantasizes about.
“I just haven’t
reached that stage yet, Mom. Maybe one day, say in about fifteen years, I’ll be
ready to discuss sex with you.” She laughs again.
“Whatever you
say. Well, I’ll let you get back to work. Make sure you close out all of the
communications for the end of the year, oh, and did you send cards to our
clients?” She asks, suddenly reverting to the businesswoman I always knew. Once
I graduated college, my mother immediately hired me as an intern in the
Communications Department. I had impressed the Chief Communications’ Officer so
much that she immediately asked my mother’s permission to hire me in the New
York office. I’ve been a Public Relations Specialist since then.
“Of course, and
the press releases are ready with news of your retirement as well as the
announcement of the CEO selection.”
“Perfect. I’ll
see you Thursday evening?”
“Flight comes in
at eight…” I remind her.
“Good, I’ll have
Casey come pick you up.” Casey was my mom’s security detail. Though I liked
her, I really thought it was somewhat self-serving to have her go out of her
way to pick me up at the airport.
“Can’t I just do
rideshare?”
“Amelia…”she’s
reached the end of her rope with me.
“Okay, fine.
I’ll forward the flight itinerary.”
“Thank you, and
no more fighting about money. At the very least just try to enjoy the money
that your dad and I worked so hard for. Especially since we are retiring. We
did this for you, for our family. Relax and enjoy it!” I sigh. It wasn’t like
it was such a crazy request. Most people would love to spend hundreds of
thousands of their parents’ dollars without consequence. I decide to give my
mom a peace of mind.
“No fighting
about money…” I whisper.
“Love you!”
“Love you too,
Mom.” I hang up and shake my head. She had a point. I was so rebellious in
college that sometimes I would refuse to associate myself with the company
name. I didn’t want anyone thinking I was a spoiled brat who got her life
handed to her. I wanted to be known for my own smarts, innovation and money…not
my parents’. They understood for the most part, but now that I have a
significant position in the company, I guess I can stop trying so hard to prove
that I can do things for myself. Who knows? Maybe that will be my New Years’
Resolution.
Andrew
Sasha giggles as
I come up for air after pleasuring her with my tongue for a few hours.
“You are supposed
to be working!” She exclaims breathlessly. She was technically right, I was
supposed to be working from home, but it was the holiday season and there
wasn’t much to do when you work for a pharmaceutical company. Why not give my
fiancée a little afternoon delight?
Sasha and I have
known each other since high school. Amelia hated
that I crushed on her cheerleading teammate. We dated off and on while I was in
college as I wasn’t the most faithful (hey, I’m a man, what can I say?). After
realizing that I was about to lose her, I proposed at my college graduation
party, realizing that I would never find anyone I loved more than her. I’ve
been wining, dining and sexing her nonstop since then. Since she’s a teacher, I
told her to pack her bags and stay with me while she was out for the holidays.
I’ve been distracted for a week now. Suddenly, my thoughts are interrupted by
the urgent ringtone coming from the nightstand. It has to be my mother. I hop
off the bed, and answer it quickly, preparing to be cursed to eternity for not
chaining myself to the computer.
“Mom?”
I answer anxiously.
“You
know, when I said you could work from home, I meant you needed to be available
to answer emails…” she scolds.
“Sorry,
Mom…I got, uh…preoccupied.”
“Preoccupied is right. I hope you’re
using protection…” she scoffs. I slap my palm to my face.
“Mom!” I
whine. I hated when she pointed out my sex life.
“I’m
just saying…you’ve got a good six months until your wedding. Let’s not make it
a shotgun one, okay?”
“I hear
you, now what was the email about?”
“I need
you to tie up some loose ends before you take leave on Wednesday. Just make
sure that the year-end reports have been proofed by accounting.” Like my
mother, I was strong in the numbers game. Though I was still a newbie, she
brought me into the accounting department, citing that when she and Dad
retired, I needed to be ready to step up to the plate and make sure that they
kept turning a profit. I was almost afraid that she was going to leave the
whole thing to me, which I wasn’t sure I was ready for.
“I got
you, Mom. You know that.”
“I
know you do. I just have to pull you out of that love coma you’re in.”
“It
doesn’t distract me one bit.”
“If you
say so…” she answers with eternal skepticism.
“It’ll
be done, I promise.”
“I trust
you, son. I love you.”
“Love
you too, Mom.” I hang up and plop down on the bed.
“Are you
in trouble?” Sasha asks, worried.
“Of
course not. Mom just likes to keep tabs on me because she knows you’re here.”
“Maybe I
should have waited until you got done with everything on Wednesday…”she says
slowly.
“Bullshit. We’re about to be married. I’m gonna have to learn to work
with you in the house.”
“Do you
think…that it’s gonna be you?” She asks. I know exactly what she’s talking
about. Everyone, including my own siblings speculated that I was going to be
the primary shareholder of the company. Why they didn’t consider themselves
remains to be seen.
“Honestly, I don’t know. At least they didn’t make any of us CEO. What
do any of us know about running a whole company?”
“Well,
yeah, but they still need a shareholder that will own most of the company.”
“I
figure it’ll be Amelia. She’s the hardest worker and I swear that girl lives to
work.”
“But
Amelia loves PR. I think she’d rather do that than have ownership.”
“Could be Aidan…” I suggest. Sasha scoffs.
“Your brother belongs in the lab, improving all of the technology. I
know it’s you.” I sigh.
“I’m not ready for that yet, Sasha.”
“Who says you aren’t? Why would your mom have you touring all of the
branches if that was the case?” I sigh, knowing this is the one I will not be
winning.
“Can we table this for now?” I ask.
“Already doing that business talk…”she teases.
“Speaking of business, she also said something else…” I look into her
eyes.
“Oh?” She inquires, sitting up a little straighter.
“She said we don’t need a shotgun wedding…” Sasha looks insulted.
“From career woman to career woman, she should know better.”
“Well, nothing’s a hundred percent…” She huffs.
“What do you want to do about it, then? You want to actually abstain
like you promised my dad you would?” She crosses her arms.
“Hell, no. I guess we should just be more careful…especially if they do give
me this company, you know?” She takes a deep breath.
“I’ll keep track
of everything, don’t worry. I won’t ruin your potential new responsibility.”
She sounds angry.
“Look, I’m not
trying to fight with you, I just think that she’s right. Let’s just be more
careful, alright?”
“I’m not the one
blowing off work to hit the bed five or six times a day.”
“I know, I know.
I play a big part in this. I can’t help it sometimes, you know? You’re my girl.
I love you. I crave making love to you.” She chuckles and brings her face close
to mine.
“Then maybe you
need to go on a diet…”she whispers.
“We’ll figure
it out.” I kiss her gently.
Aidan
“Damn, son, it
amazes me what you can do with technology. I guess all those hours of video
games weren’t a waste of time after all” Dad muses as he looks at the new
computer model I created. I smile with pride. I was born to work with
computers. From a very young age, I would take computers apart and build them
into better, faster processors. Of course, that also got me into trouble as I
would frequently sneak my siblings’ computers to experiment.
“Thanks,
Dad. Maybe this will help with the issue we have with the automated
ventilators.”
“I
can’t argue with that. Your mom will be thrilled.” I nod as Dad sits down
behind his desk.
“Are
you nervous?” I ask, taking my place across from him. He chuckles.
“I was
at first. God knows I’ve never been one to ever stop working, but I think it’s time.
I’ve been grooming Julian for years. I know he’s ready for me to get the hell
out of here.”
“I
mean, you didn’t really have to retire, did you?” I had an inkling that Dad
wasn’t ready to retire. He had just approached his 60s, though you couldn’t
really tell. He still ate well and worked out, making him look much younger
than he was.
“Your
mother and I agreed to retire together. We’ve spent over twenty years building
an empire. Now, it’s time to enjoy the harvest. Speaking of building…is there
anyone you’re thinking of building with?” He raises his eyebrows at me. Leave
it to Andrew to tell my business. I had been dating Lisa, who just happened to
work in the HR department of our LA office. Yes, she’s older than me (five
years to be exact), but she and I had so much in common.
“Andrew
couldn’t keep his mouth shut, could he?”
“Why
would you ever confide in your brother about anything? He tells more secrets
than a gossip rag!” He laughs.
“Well, if you promise me she won’t get
into trouble…”
“You
better run that by your mother. That’s her company, her rules.” I huff. Who
knows how Mom will react? As far as she’s concerned, I’m still her baby, and
any woman who comes near me is trying to distract me from reaching my full
potential.
“Well,
I’m the one that initiated everything, Dad. She shouldn’t be punished for
that.”
“I’m not
the one you have to convince, Son. I was
a young man once, whether you believe it or not. Your mother worked under me…in
more ways than one.”
“Dad!” I
shake my head rapidly, trying to get his disgusting innuendo out of my head. He
laughs loudly, knowing how uncomfortable it makes me when he jokes about sex.
He acts like I didn’t have to sleep next to their bedroom for seventeen years.
I knew how my parents were, though I really wish I could forget.
“I’m
sure your mother won’t mind, but this young lady is a little bit older than
you, correct?” I nod slowly.
“Did
you invite her to the party?” He asks.
“I
did, but she can totally stay at a hotel…away from the house” I explain
quickly.
“Nonsense! She can stay with us. Why have her fly all the way here to
stay at a hotel? Besides, I’d like to get to know her if you think this is
something that could be serious.” Could I be honest with him right now? I was
ready to marry this girl.
“I
think it’s pretty serious, Dad.” He leans back in his chair with a surprised
gaze.
“You
don’t say? Well, then I definitely think you need to have a conversation with
your mother. You don’t want her to be left high and dry without a job. Take
your mom to dinner tonight. Explain how you feel.” I really didn’t want to have
this conversation with Mom alone.
“I
think I’d prefer if both of you come.”
“You
scared of your mom now?” He teases.
“No,
but you know how she is about us.” He sighs.
“Make the reservations, then, but
I’m only there for moral support. It’s you that have to do the convincing.”
“Deal.” He shakes his head at me then glances at his watch.
“You
better get going if you’re gonna beat rush hour traffic” he tells me as he
stands up, towering over me. Though both of us were over six feet, I still felt
like I lived in his shadow. My dad has always been supportive, but I never
thought I would ever be as good as he was at business, relationships or any
other aspect of life. If he and mom were ready to retire, it meant I could
potentially come out of the shadow and take my place as the main shareholder of
PharmaCo. The thought scared the hell out of me.
“Don’t forget to make reservations. Take her someplace nice, order a
bottle of wine. Remember, I’m there for moral support only.”
“I’ve
got it, Dad” I answer as I walk out of the office towards the parking garage. I
know that before I say anything to my mother, I have to call Lisa. I pick up
the phone, ready to get cursed to high heaven for even telling my brother in
the first place.
